Tips for Breastfeeding in Public
Tips and Tricks that will Help you Breastfeed in Public with Comfort and Confidence
If you’re a breastfeeding mama, chances are you’re going to have to feed your child in public at one point or another. I can still feel that twinge of anxiety I used to get when I knew Weston was hungry in the middle of crowded place. As with anything, breastfeeding in public gets easier with time and experience. If you’re new to the game and the thought of whipping out a boob in a restaurant or mall absolutely terrifies you (like it did me), here are some tips to make feeding your baby in public so much easier.
Try Using a Cover while Nursing in Public
If baring the boobie in public makes you super uncomfortable, try using a breastfeeding cover. There are so many pretty ones out that give you tons of coverage, yet still enough space to get things situated under there. There are even some that double as a car seat cover so you can get more bang for your buck. I have this cover that doubles as an infinity scarf so you can make the transition to feeding very quickly. But, truth be told, Weston hated nursing under a cover. He’s also been a curious kid and being trapped under a blanket was not his style. However, many babies don’t mind it at all, especially when they’re young. Nursing covers are reasonably inexpensive and worth a try in my opinion.
*Update: You can get a free nursing cover from Udder Covers using the code COFFEEANDCOOS1 at checkout!
Try the Tank Top Trick for Breastfeeding in Public
If you don’t want to invest a bunch of money in special nursing sweaters and dresses, try wearing a tank top under your regular shirt when breastfeeding. All you do is pull up your regular shirt, keep the tank top in place, and whip out the boob. This helps you keep your postpartum belly covered and gives you some extra coverage up top. While I didn’t spend a bunch of money on special nursing clothes (didn’t I just buy a new wardrobe when I was pregnant?), I did invent in a few nursing tank tops. I wore them to bed and under my clothes for super easy access. Mine had a built in bra and the special nursing clips which simplified my life when it came to breastfeeding in public.
Get a Trustworthy Nursing Bra
Having a bra that easily clips and unclips is a must if you’re going to breastfeed in public. The last thing you want to do is sit there fighting with a clip while your baby screams out in hunger (trust me… I know from experience). I’ll never forget sitting in the middle of the mall with a girlfriend, trying to unclip my nursing bra with one hand while I held a screaming baby in the other. I had decided to wear a “real” nursing bra that day (one with an underwire) versus my sports nursing bras that I had been living in weeks. Lesson learned. Find something that’s comfortable and can be unclipped with one hand. I have these nursing bras and I absolutely love them.
Related: 10 Genius Breastfeeding Hacks for Nursing Moms
Attach Your Nursing Pads to the Inside of your Bra
I was one of those lucky moms that had to wear nursing pads 24 hours a day for the first six months. I hated taking the little papers off the back of the pads and sticking them to the inside of my bra, so I usually skipped that part and just shoved them in there (lazy mom life at its finest). However, when it came to breastfeeding in public, this kind of backfired. I found myself sitting there with a used nursing bra in my hand while my baby ate. Make sure you get the pads with the option to stick them to the inside of your bra, and just do it.
Remind Yourself that People Probably have no Idea what You’re Doing
Yes, people are nosy, and you’ll get a few glances here and there, but for the most part, people have no idea that you’re breastfeeding. Once you get your baby latched on, there isn’t much to see anyway. Have someone take a picture of you breastfeeding and take a look for yourself. You’ll be surprised at how little is exposed once baby is in place.
Know your Rights when it Comes to Nursing in Public
If, by chance, someone does spot you and have something negative to say, stick up for yourself. Know the laws in your state and don’t be afraid to tell someone to mind their own business (if I gotta say it so plain). I have never had a negative experience breastfeeding in public, but I know for certain there are still some people out there who look at nourishing a baby as “indecent”. I always figured people would rather see me breastfeeding than have to hear my baby cry, and that always made me feel more comfortable.
Have you breastfed in public before? Are there any tips I missed that you want to share with future readers? Please leave them in the comments below! If you haven’t followed Coffee and Coos on Instagram and Facebook, please do! I love to connect with other moms and talk all things pregnancy and baby.
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