Tips for Breastfeeding in Public
Find out how you can comfortably nurse beyond the confines of your own home.
Cherylyn Feierabend
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Tips for Breastfeeding in Public
Did you know that the week of August 1st through 7th is World Breastfeeding Week? I sure didn’t, but it seems like a good time to talk about the subject of breastfeeding! I’m going to talk about some of the ways you can feel more comfortable when you are nursing in public.
First of all, I think it’s important to note that not every mom chooses to breastfeed and that’s OK. We have all been informed that breastfeeding is the healthiest form of nourishment for a baby, but not everyone is physically able to breastfeed and for some moms, it’s simply not the right choice for them. It is a very personal choice and I believe that each mom has the right to make that choice for herself and that choice should be respected.
The Right to Nurse in Public
If you have chosen to breastfeed your child, you may feel like you’ve sentenced yourself to at least one year of staying home whenever you baby is hungry. I only say that because that’s how I felt when my daughter was born. The idea of nursing in public scared me to death. Nobody had ever told me that it was OK to feed my baby in public and I honestly didn’t know how. I’d never done it before. I was also still working in an office, so I didn’t get out much other than going to work, and when I was there, I was using a breast pump in the private lounge. There were a couple occasions when my husband tried to take me out to dinner and I’d have to nurse, so I went to the car because I thought that would be more private. I had no idea how wrong I was. When my daughter was 10 months old I joined the MOMS Club and there were moms nursing around me everywhere: at the mall, in restaurants, and at each other’s houses of course. They were all nursing everywhere and without shame. I was amazed and I admired those moms. I wanted to be like them! It was those moms that taught me that I have a right to nurse and my baby has a right to eat anywhere. I was empowered.
Tips for Discretion While Breastfeeding
Now, just because I was feeling empowered, didn’t mean I wasn’t still feeling modest. I’m very modest and there are tons of products on the market to help moms like me to keep themselves covered up while nursing. There are nursing bras, slings, cover-ups, specially-designed shirts and tank tops; the list goes on and on. Of course, you should think about your outfit before heading out; a one-piece outfit like a dress or overalls may not be your best option. Loose fitting tops, I found, were best because they provided additional coverage. You can invest in a special type of nursing cover-up, sometimes called a nursing wrap that goes over your head and provides full-coverage. These are handy and can definitely help keep you modest. If you don’t want to buy a special item, you don’t have to. I never did. I carried various sizes and weights of receiving blankets. It’s good to have some blankets made of lightweight material so that when you cover baby’s head, she won’t get too hot underneath.
Practice Makes Perfect – or at Least Helps
If you are nervous about breastfeeding in public, practice at home first. I had a lot of practice with baby number one, so when my son came along, it was so much easier. If you aren’t comfortable going out in public because you feel self-conscious, practice being discreet at home. Once you know which clothes you have that are the most nursing-friendly, and your baby has perfected her latching-on routine, things will go much smoother for everyone. You may be nervous the first few times or may notice some stolen glances that people toss your way, but that feeling will soon pass once you become more comfortable. Once your baby is latched and you are comfortably nursing, resume whatever activity you were previously engaged in, whether in a conversation with friends or just taking in the scenery. Don’t feel obligated to acknowledge anyone who may stare or seems agitated by your presence. You are absolutely right to be doing what you are doing and you should be proud of yourself.
Then Why Should I Be Discreet?
You may or may not be asking why you should be discreet when you should be proud of what you are doing. Well, the simple fact is that while it is a perfectly natural act, there’s no reason to bring attention to it. Just as many people say, “I don’t eat in the bathroom so why would I feed my baby in there” similarly, we don’t sit down to a meal and shout, “Hey! Look at me, I’m eating over here. Watch me eat!” OK, maybe some people do that, but really there’s no need to bring attention to it especially, when someone may not be comfortable with it. So, make yourself comfortable, but don’t go out of your way to make anyone else uncomfortable. Being discreet and natural about your routine is really the best choice, in my opinion. When you are relaxed and comfortable, your baby is relaxed and comfortable and will both latch better and eat better.
Nursing Pads – Don’t Leave Home Without Them
My final tip is about nursing pads. These are the pads you place inside your bra when you are a nursing mom just in case you have let-down at an inopportune moment. Let-down is the reflex that occurs when your milk starts flowing. Sometimes this can happen even when you aren’t nursing. It happened to me in a bookstore once. I’d forgotten my nursing pads and had to excuse myself with crossed-arms. It was embarrassing, but I got over it. Nursing pads are available in cloth or disposable forms. Use them and carry extra with you . . . everywhere, at least if you want to avoid some silly embarrassment. Not that we moms would ever cry over spilled milk anyway.
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