50 tips for breastfeeding in public

This list is from the lovely ladies who frequent the Lactivist Facebook Group. The list is incredible, there are loads of great ideas and some brilliant support and advice – if you want to add to the list just leave a comment.

1.       Practice in front of a mirror. you’ll be surprised at how little actually shows

2.       Take it slowly, start somewhere you will feel more comfortable such as a corner table in a cafe, wear a poncho if needs be, this hides everything so you don’t feel too exposed. Helps if you are with someone as well, moral support and someone to talk too.

3.       Wait a few weeks before trying it…. so that you and LO get the hang of what is going on. Also there is no shame in using a blanket to start off if it makes you more comfortable.

4.       Patience and confidence. Bring along a friend or family member for support x

5.       Tuck a muslin square into the bra strap at the top also the more you do it the easier it gets and the more people do it the more normal it will be for people to see x

6.       Wear a vest under your top, lift your top and lower your vest, keeps your middle covered up. Also I had a very supportive sister or husband in tow the first few times I fed in public, and they were armed with answers if I was questioned, I never received any negative comments at all, only knowing smiles and nods ;0)

7.       Try to be part of a group – even if it’s just 1 friend to talk to while you nurse you’ll be distracted and not notice whether strangers are looking or not.

8.       Go along to breastfeeding groups being around other women b/f can be empowering,

9.       Go Somewhere you don’t usually whip em
Out do the deed and laugh it off. You will never meet these people again x

10.   Take someone you trust with you for moral support. And like a pp has said, practice in front of a mirror.

11.   Sit in front of a mirror and nurse as you would in public. Have a good look and you’ll notice just how little people can actually see and how nice it looks. I would def say go along to a BF group too

12.   Get a weighted (in one corner) blanket and remember how clever and amazing you are!! I loved feeding in public just as much as I did quietly at home, don’t let anyone take that special feeling away from you x

13.   Sit in front of a mirror. You’ll be surprised how very little is on show. Looking down at baby and a huge boob (what you see) is not what others see. A breastfeeding mother in society is not only saying ‘ I am doing something normal’ she is leading the way for others. The more boobie feeding mothers we see out there. The more who will follow.

14.   Whenever I feed I look at my baby or something else I don’t look for people looking at me therefore have no idea if anyone does! Don’t look like you want to be noticed and you’ll be fine!

15.   I second using a muslin in the bra strap or wearing a vest under your normal top. Nursing in a sling is a great way of covering up and keeping baby close.
Most of all just keep reminding yourself that you are feeding your baby and its the most natural and beautiful thing in the world:0)

16.   I was worried about this too especially being overweight but once my little one cried instinct took over and I didn’t even think about the public the first time was in a busy shopping centre second on bus and third in Mcdonalds lol not once did I care and once you have done it a few times you just don’t notice anyone

17.   I tucked the corner of a muslin square under my bra strap whilst latching on in the early weeks but my daughter hated anything being over her head or obstructing her view so much that she’d flash me so I just popped her on as fast as I could and sat back and drank my drink, I used to keep a magazine in her changing bag for the long feeds so I had something to do!

18.   B a really big pashmina =)

19.   I used to place my changing bag on the table in front of me if I was feeding in a cafe as it shielded me a little. My Mum/Dad/partner would ask me where they should sit/where I felt most comfortable sitting when feeding. Once the baby is latched on you really can’t see anything. The worst bit is latching them on when they are screaming hungry and attracting attention!

20.   Try it somewhere public that you feel secure first. Like a baby cafe or your favorite coffee place. Or somewhere quiet but public, like a library?

21.   Watch, ‘Is breast best’, until I watched this programme I used to hide in corners and cupboards to feed, now I sit in the middle of the shopping centre with PRIDE!!

22.   I find that acting confident (even if I don’t feel it) and focusing on my LO whilst getting her latched on and just blocking everything else out helps, as does clothes selection, a nice light baggy top to lift up and hide your breast and as… Vicky says a vest to cover your tummy (although I find my baby is big enough now to hide my belly now), can help. After you’ve done it a few times though it gets easier. Although theres nothing wrong with going to a feeding room, I feel as if I’m missing out on whats going on or being hidden away if I do so in that sense actually feel more comfortable nursing in public. Have a cloth/tissue to hand for when they pull off and leave you spraying! (Learn to laugh at this, it happens to us all!)

23.   Invest in a good nursing top and wear it when you know your going to have to feed out and about. Really easy then to feed and not have to faff about x

24.   I was also more worried about my tummy showing than my boob! I had some stretchy cotton bump bands that I got when pregnant and I found they doubled great as midriff-concealers. Failing that- really stretchy vests under tshirts. Also, practice opening and closing your nursing bra with one hand. I preferred to reach through my neckline for unclipping, then underneath hem for pulling down. Lastly, I liked to have something at the side of me as she was forever letting go to have a peep over my arm!

25.   Definitely wear a vest or my personal favourite, a bump band, under your top so you can keep your tum covered. Try it at a baby group or bf group until you feel more confident. Also, don’t expect people to actually notice lol, to most it will look like you’re just cuddling In 9 months of feeding all over the place I’ve never had a single comment about it

26.   I have 2 words, boob tube. I bought a load of cheap boob tubes from Primark for £1 as a cheaper alternative to the bump bands. You can wear them under any top too.

27.   Just thought of another, the park is a great place to practice. Take a picnic rug or find a little bench and nurse to your hearts content without drawing much attention

28.   Join a local support (or as we call ourselves gossip) group helps build confidence. If you are in the UK check out Sure Start they often have a group.

29.   Some groups meet in coffee places feeding with other Mums helps, NCT in High Wycombe, Bucks and Boston Lincs both do (or did) meet in a cafe.

30.   Look for Breastfeeding is welcome signs. Breastfeeding is legal anywhere in the UK but good to know someone has thought about it Old signs are blue http://rlv.zcache.com/bficon_med_breastfeeding_welcome_here_sticker-p217051600898625487q0ou_400.jpg
new are pink http://www.nct.org.uk/_uploads/imgpool/breastfeeding-welcome-sticker.jpg

31.   Do what comes natural. The more you twist and turn and mess with big bulky blankets and faff about, the more hassle for you an the more you draw attention to yourself. Chances are baby will latch on and nobody will even know x

32.   Remember that the majority of people won’t realise what your doing. They just think your giving baby a hug. Those that do realise are unlikely to stare and will mostly turn away.

33.   If you feel comfortable bearing your breast in public, you should! I think its good to desexualize it so people understand that its not a taboo. Or at least it shouldn’t be. On the other hand, you should never do something that makes you uncomfortable, and you shouldn’t let people make you feel bad for being uncomfortable with nursing in public. The decision is yours.

34.   I do the vest under a top trick but most comfortable is a stretchy low cut top (for me) and you see absolutley nothing and when your done you just pop it back up again. Have to also say one of the biggest surprises came when I had to go Kwi…k-Fit whilst out and a flat tyre and had to wait for my size to come from another garage and my baby had to be fed last summer. The guy behind the counter was looking at me and after he finished with a customer came over with a glass of water and said “I’m told it’s thirsty work!” He then went on to say it was a good job I wasn’t bottle feeding our else I’d have been stuck with no milk for the baby since I was caught unawares and to give him a shout if I needed anything so remember just because someone looks at you it might not be because they disapprove!

35.   Find a quiet corner where you feel comfortable if you feel relaxed, sheltered and protected chances are you baby will too and will just get on with it, and no one will notice (unless they are or were a breastfeeder) If you are uncomfortable… babies are so tuned into you they will fuss.

36.   Have in your head what you will say if some idiot says anything chances are they wont, If someone stares smile at them sweetly and ask if they are looking for someone (chances are they will blush and run)

37.   I spent hours waiting for someone to to suggest I feed in the loo to feed had all the right answers lined up and no one ever did. I have only ever had positive responses including when I feed in church. The only time I ever had a problem was the first time and my daughter was 2 weeks old tried to use a shawl and my daughter would have none of it and screamed. Never fell for that one again shawl went just make sure I always wear a top which will cover her and me now LOL

38.   I second practicing in front of a mirror – and if you need to use a cover, DO. Or try wearing two tops so you can drop one and lift one and not show anything. Good luck – as with most things, practice makes perfect!

39.   Remember that more people have breastfed than you think! When I find myself looking at mums breastfeeding now its because I’m either thinking “Yey! You go girlfriend!” or “Oh wow that is just wonderful!” Less people will notice than you think, and those that do know are probably reminiscing about the same precious times with their baby.

40.   I remember sitting next to my sisters boyfriend feeding and he sat there talking to me and stroking my sons head it was a good 10 mins before he noticed what was happening. After that I fed anywhere and everywhere, it made me realise that if he couldn’t tell when he was that close then people walking by weren’t likely to notice. I think it’s more what’s in our head as others walking along aren’t going to be on the look out for feeding mums and boobs.

41.   Muslin squares are a godsend. Tuck a corner under your bra strap and cover yourself and baby with the rest then throw over your shoulder to wind the baby!! Its also surprising how few people even become aware that you are feeding!! Other than that just do what feels comfortable and natural to you, if you don’t like it you don’t have to do it! There are no rules to breastfeeding

42.   I didnt go out until I had the hang of latching on but I also had a breastfeeding butterfly which was great during those first weeks x

43.   I wear a vest under a top or use a muslin to cover my boob. I am more shy about flashing my flabby tummy than my boobs lol

44.   My sis in law MADE an apron type feeding bib. It just goes around your neck, slip baby under and u can see down to check their ok. It a brilliant idea perfect for feeding out. Funny tho, people do a double take when I lift him after. Were’d he come from lol. Saves a lot of akwardness! She’s a genius! x

45.   For me it was the sagging post baby belly getting drafty that ended up being my mare but I got rootitooti tops and they were amazing. a vest top with boob holes! that and a shawl/pashmini in the early days to cover whilst latching on then I would let the scarf slide off once LO latched on.  Having bigger breasts I always needed 2 hands to bf. one for LO and 1 for boob so not having to worry about everything else was a real relief.

46.   Loose clothing and a cafe which publically supports bfing. Local bfing groups can tell u which ones they have found supportive

47.   If your worried about your tummy showing buy some cheap vests to wear under your t-shirt and cut a slit in them where your boob is….much cheaper than breast feeding tops. Also don’t worry, just do what you do at home, People usually think your giving the little one a cuddle X

48.   Wear a vest under normal tops- one up one down (I get stretchy pyjama top vests from primark for about £1.50), park yourself at the back of a coffee shop, wear a scarf and drape it over you both if your LO is particularly nosy (like mine!)…. I agree with Melanie that most people just think you’re having a cuddle anyway- I’ve had lots of people come up to us and speak without realising, I even had one woman try to get a good look at the baby before she realised! lol. Don’t make eye contact with people and they won’t look at you anyway.  See more

49.   When I first started feeding my LO I marvelled at other women feeding in public, they all seemed so discreet! Try as I might I couldn’t feed subtly, it took weeks before I felt comfortable enough to NIP. I started off round friends houses, then support groups and coffee shops. Now I’ll feed anywhere, but my LO is very impatient and won’t wait for me to find a feeding room lol. I figure that people would rather risk seeing a flash of my boob than listen to my baby wail. Take your time, there is no rush.

50.   I try to think of it as my public duty rather than something to be embarrassed about it is something I am doing to help educate the next generation and normalize the behavior for others who may feel embarrassed or are just not used to seeing it.

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