breastfeeding in public
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Topic: breastfeeding in public
Posted By: bun_in_the_oven
Subject: breastfeeding in public
Date 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 |
Replies:
Posted By: FionaS
Date 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. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date 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! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date 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! ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 9:22pm
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Yeap I've done the car feeds often too. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date 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. ------------- |
Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:07pm
| 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. |
Posted By: Gardengirl
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 10:16pm
| 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 |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date 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!  ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date 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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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 14 December 2009 at 11:56pm
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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  ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: first
Date 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Posted By: AzzaNZ
Date 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://intermittentblogger.wordpress.com |
Posted By: Guests
Date 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 |
Posted By: toniellis
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 12:06pm
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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 ------------- Mum to Alex (11), Blaire (10) & Erika (8) and Damien (6) Successful HWB VBA2Cs! Soon to be surrogate |
Posted By: Stogglebox
Date 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! ------------- Mother of Natsumi Sarah born on 23 January 2009 |
Posted By: CuriousG
Date 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ShellyBR
Date 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jam08
Date 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. |
Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 3:57pm
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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. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: fallen
Date Posted: 15 December 2009 at 6:43pm
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I feed anywhere too. This time round I don't think I've had the need to feed in a mall, but last time I did it many times. I've fed in church and this morning I fed at my DD's graduation assembly at her primary school. ------------- |
Posted By: ?Lolly?
Date Posted: 17 December 2009 at 10:04am
HAha me too! Most recently at the Hollywood bakery there. If the girls are hungry then I will feed them (discretely) A few people smiled at me but I'm use to attracting attention due to there being 2 of them. I think if baby is hungry anywhere you can sit down comfortably should suffice. ------------- Captain Chaos (5) & the Trouble Monsters (2!) 
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Sheza wrote:Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 17 December 2009 at 1:36pm
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Oh gosh, I feed anywhere , ive walked along the beach feeding him before, have fed in Botany and Sylvia Park , and Pakuranga foodcourts , (both Ty and C,except for SP that wasn't there when she was born )
Just as long as im comfortable, and hes comfortable , i'll feed him wherever . ------------- 
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Posted By: gossamer
Date Posted: 29 December 2009 at 6:26pm
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I fed everywhere too, I just threw a baby wrap or something over me if I felt it was particularly open...I dont really remember getting any looks or anything either, people were pretty relaxed about it. ------------- T (6) A (2) Our angel baby Sep 2011 http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 6:21pm
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I was very embarrassed feeding in public. I remember with Kylah, she was 6 weeks old and we went to town for a lunch together and she fed before we left so i thought she would be sweet. Then she woke up when we got there and screamed, we had to go looking for a parents room and feed her. It took ages and i had people waiting that kept asking if it was going to take much longer and it really put me off. I felt very bad, everything ust went downhill from there. This time im going to do it, im determined! ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 6:32pm
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I felt quite awkward at first, but that had more to do with huge boobs! They were twice as big as Jakes head to begin with.
These days anywhere... If I was going for a walk i would do it after a feed though. If I am out and about and boobie time calls then it happens where ever I am. The malls are easy as they have those comfy chairs in the parents room. I try and find a spot out of the way as Jake likes to play hide and seek with my top while feeding and I dont want to show my boobs to the world LOL -------------   
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Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 7:17pm
This is what I am feeling at the moment too! We had christmas at my house and I just disappeared to the bedroom when he needed a feed. We had our first outing at the mall today so I was able to use the parents room, but they had taken the curtains down! I guess I will get used to it and it will become easier as he gets bigger and my boobs don't smother him! OMG, just typing that, I am getting a letdown.  Breastfeeding is so strange and new to me!
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 30 December 2009 at 7:46pm
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lol renee, that will settle down ;) I used to get a let down all the time! Just thinking about Isabella made me get a let down.
I still get one sometimes when she cries. I used the mother baby room today to feed Bella and just left the curtain open! I so dont care anymore lol |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 02 January 2010 at 7:26pm
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Yeah I only close the curtains if there a newbie dads in there LOL
Jakes head has caught up to my boobs now so you dont see too much, unless of course something distracts him and pulls off and has a look around! I still get random let downs but nothing like those first few months! -------------
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Posted By: LJsmum
Date Posted: 03 January 2010 at 9:16am
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i feed anywhere as well, cafe's, parks, beach anywhere i can sit down. I just have to remember a BF top or singlet underneath normal top and i'm fine.
i think he needs to eat just like me so what's the big deal? -------------  
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 03 January 2010 at 9:45am
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I fed sitting on the beach yesterday, that was a first for me...need to rethink the sand aspect though. I just had a towel around Cooper & that hid everything. There was a really creepy guy down there. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: myonlineself
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 1:59pm
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My problem with feeding in public is the initial latch - I still need to have boob in one hand, baby's head in the other, wait for her to open mouth properly, get her hands out of the way... its hard to be discrete like that! Once she's on its fine...
Anyone got any tips for managing the latch without flashing the world? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 9:40pm
Time 
That and wearing a nursing singlet under a regular tshirt so I didn't have to reveal my love handles as well. ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 9:42pm
I  nursing singlets. I was more self conscious about showing my tummy than my boobs!------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 1:03am
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LOL me too!
I still have to hold my boob while Jakes latches while we are late. ... darn big boobies but yup, time.. you will get it! I also needed a spare top in the first couple of months as I would leak so badly... oh the joys!!! I remember posting on here for help on what to do. I needed a hand towel to mop up the leaks as Jake couldnt swallow it fast enough... I had forgotten about that LOL -------------
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Posted By: NandC
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 9:35am
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Anyone got any ideas on where to get nursing singlets for those of us with bigger boobs? the kmart ones dont work too well cos the hole is too small!
I got a couple of those belly bands from the warehouse which would work well if they werent a million miles too big now - my belly is definitely what i am self conscious about when i am feeding DD in public - even though its pretty much gone its just weird having it showing! |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 12:50pm
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NandC if you just want singlets to wear under shirts to hide youe belly, i just bought a couple of cheapies from shanton. They arent feeding singlets but i just pull the top down below my boobs to feed. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 13 January 2010 at 1:47pm
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Kmart have breastfeeding singlets that dont have the slits or holes.
Hmm how to explain it... Imagine a boob tube that has a thick straped singlet over the top that comes down to just under the breast. So you need to wear a mat bra and you just lift the top bit and pull down the bottom bit to expose your breast. They have them in white, black and pink and are $20 and I live in them! I sleep in them and where them everywhere. You can even tell its bf top at a glance as the top layer ends in under the breast where a natural crease in your top would occur. -------------
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