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bun_in_the_oven 
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Joined: 09 February 2009
Location: Wellington
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 Topic: breastfeeding in public
Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:04pm |
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if you are out walking in the suburbs and bubs wakes up hungry and wanting a feed....
.....where will you sit to breastfeed them ??
Public library in a quiet private corner... park bench...order a coffee and sit in the cafe ??
I am finding it hard to find a spot that i feel comfortable to feed in .....
many thanks
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FionaS
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:08pm |
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Under a tree at a park? I tend to feed everywhere...discreetly. I prefer to avoid feeding at cafe's but if I am there with friends and baby needs feeding I will feed rather than having to leave.
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Bizzy
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:19pm |
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if i was out walking in the suburbs i would prob go when i knew bub wouldnt need a feed... if i had to tho at a park, under a tree... somewhere nice and not in the boiling hot sun!
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Nikki
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:21pm |
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I used to feed before a walk so I didn't need to feed while walking. But I have fed sitting in parks and heaps of times in cafes ... or I'll go to a parents room if in a mall. I've even fed in carparks a few times, or on the side of the road in the car!
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DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs)
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FionaS
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:22pm |
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Yeap I've done the car feeds often too.
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:25pm |
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I have fed in the car as well lol. if Im outside somewhere like a park and its busy I ust cover us up with a wrap or something.
I have even fed in the food court at sylvia park before lol, cos I wanted to eat as well.
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FreeSpirit
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:07pm |
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I've fed in the park, in the car, in cafe's (find a seat that faces away from the big windows in a quiet corner), if you're a bit shy take a large silk scarf or blanket with you - tuck a corner under each bra strap, instant cover.
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Gardengirl
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:16pm |
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Once I got my first public feed out of the way I found I felt fine BFing more or less anywhere. I draped a cover over us once to shield his face from the sun - we were on a bench in some rose gardens - and that made me feel self conscious, as if I looked embarrassed, which I wasn't. Have done the car feed too
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HippyMama
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:28pm |
If my baby is hungry, I'll try and find somewhere comfortable, otherwise we just feed wherever I can sit down. Believe it or not the only place I haven't mastered nursing yet is carrying her in the sling! 
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cuppatea
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:58pm |
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I would go to the cafe, you may as well have a coffee and slice while baby is feeding and really hardly anyone even notices what you are doing and of those that do very little have an issue with it. I've had a few sideways glances when out feeding but mostly no one bats an eye lid and certainly never had any comments. I also think that sometimes feeding in more public places, like a foodcourt, actually draws less attention cos so much else is going on no one notices you or what your doing, especially once you have the hang of things and can get them on quickly and discreetly and you can always throw a cloth over you and baby if you are feeling exposed.
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WestiesGirl
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Posted: 14 December 2009 at 11:56pm |
I always try to feed before going out just cos the comfort of the couch or rocking chair is nicer than the ground or park bench
Having said that, I will feed where ever when ever if Jackson needs feeding. I do try to find somewhere comfortable and air conditioned (often the car if close by) cos of the heat but if Im out in a park and nothing close by like a cafe I'd just find a shaded bench or seat and if the sun is on us I will shade Jackson with a wrap or similar so he doesnt get burnt 
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first
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 8:24am |
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I'm another just feed the baby anywhere person, except like hippymama I never could do it in a sling.
I hated covering him with a shawl or something when out because he hated it and it just made for more of a show as he struggled.
I just kept mattering to myself 'breastfeeding is natural and if they have a problem with it they can deal with it' until I got to the point where I barely think twice about pulling boobie out for my boy.
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AzzaNZ
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 11:17am |
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I used to go to a cafe so I could have a cup of tea while feeding.
Also done the car feed thing.
I used to feel a bit awkward feeding somewhere other than home but like first, muttered to myself that it was natural and anyone with issues could get over it. I would pysch myself up for someone daring to say something... and it never happened.
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 11:43am |
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I would feed anywhere too, always kept a flat cloth nappy for cover if needed, but usually didn't bother.
Azza I used to do that too, I only started getting comments once dd was over 1
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toniellis
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 12:06pm |
I'm a feed anywhere mum too.
I do try to feed before going out though but I always try to wear clothing that makes breastfeeding easy & discreet.
I do try to find a place that is suitable, as I usually have my other kids with me. McDs cafe/playground is a choice spot for me
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Stogglebox
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 1:54pm |
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The Central library in Wellington has a parents' room - upstairs kind of behind the cafe with two chairs and a nappy changing area.
Once you have done it more and more you will get more used to it, and as your baby gets older too, and your boobs get more used to doing their thing, you won't have as much problem with milk going everywhere, which was difficult when out for me. I wear a singlet under my top so I can pull down my singlet and pull up my top so I don't show too much skin, and then the baby covers the boob of course!
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CuriousG
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 2:42pm |
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I have just started doing it anywhere, so over looking for a discrete place. Cafe's, mall benches, daycare, the car, restaurants. We are still getting into routines so even when I am sure he won't wake up hungry, he still does on occasion and I simply have no choice but to while out.
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ShellyBR
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 2:46pm |
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I used to feed him everywhere. I think it is pushed as the "right" thing to do so much they can put up with feeding when he needed to be fed. I found as long i was wearing clothes i felt comfortable in most people wouldn't even notice what you were doing i never could get the hang of the whole shawl over the shoulder thing he always pulled it down and i thought it drew more attention to what I was doing anyway. I got great signits in babystar they go under your clothes and have a hole over each boob so you don't to fus with extra catches and covers everythin that needs covering. I usually fed in cafes when we were out so I could have a cuppa at the same time.
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Jam08
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 2:53pm |
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I have fed in all sorts of public places. I am pretty discreet about it though so don't think anyone could really object. I'm not sure how I'd react to any negative comments/looks as it has never happened in 7 months. I've feed in our lounge while having a meeting with a dozen conservative middle age men and no one batted an eyelid!
I would bf in a park, and often if I'm up town and not near a nice parents room I'll just buy a coffee and cake and feed in a cafe. Feed bubs at the lawyers this morning!
I would feel more uncomfortable with something over me as it would bring attention to me. I always think very carefully about what I wear so I can be quite discreet.
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HoneybunsMa
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Posted: 15 December 2009 at 3:57pm |
I have fed anywhere and everywhere including my cousins dance recital and SIL graduation. The thing that gets me is that I feel I have to cover up around DP's friends, my friends/brothers and brothers friends couldn't care less, they are so used to it as both me and bros gf are bfing yes at first it took them awhile to get used to but now they don't care. DP's friends though react and its not like I'm even the first out of them to have a baby!
I'm in the I don't care crowd, just please don't stare when I'm trying to latch my crying/screaming baby who is only screaming because they are hungry and I'm trying to be considerate and discreet. It takes a hell of a lot longer I've realised. Covering her up doesn't work because she over heats and then doesn't feed.
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breastfeeding in public
