nursing etiquette in public

DD (4.5 months old) will be flying OOS with me next week. She's still solely breastfeeding (doesn't even take a bottle when I pump). So I'll definitely be feeding her on the plane (it's a 3 hour flight) but with a nursing shawl of course to cover me up. Not much I can do in that confined space. How about at the airport itself though?? If she's hungry and wanting to be fed, you think it's fine if I cover us both up and feed her over at the terminal where we'll be waiting to board? Or is there a better place for that? It's not like they have nice bathrooms in airports where i can sit on a couch in the privacy of the lady's room & do it.

Message edited 7/23/2011 11:46:47 AM.

Re: nursing etiquette in public

My feelings is that you feed your baby wherever you have to if she is hungry. I have fed DS in the terminal of the airport before, no one gave me a second glance.

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Message edited 7/23/2011 12:09:41 PM.

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Honestly, you need to feed your baby its no ones business, they can move their eyes and look away if it bothers them. Do it however you are comfortable.

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thanks, that makes me feel a little better. I've fed her at the restaurant table before (covered up) and never thought much about it because people I'm dining with understand and nobody around really seems to care or notice. But I wasn't sure if I'd be given weird looks at the airport. Hopefully not because there's no way that I wouldn't feed my baby because of other people's comfort levels. But I still want to be as 'polite' as I can while doing it. kwim? The nursing shawl is a godsend. lol.

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I agree with the others. You do what you have to do whenever and wherever you have to. I'm surprised by how easily I adapted to nursing in public I was worried I wouldn't feel comfortable but DDs needs come first. As long as you are covering up there is no reason for anyone to protest. I was out to eat for lunch once with DHs whole family. He has 3 brothers and when it came time ti feed DD I had the choice of going out to the car or sitting in the corner at the table ( bathroom was not big enough ) and I simply asked the others if they would be uncomfortable with me nursing at the table. I don't know what I would have done if they said yes tho

Just yesterday I was Borders and the bathrooms were closed and DD was very hungry and I didn't think we would make it home so I found a quiet corner in the childrens section to feed her with a nursing shawl. Most people who passed by actually looked over and smiled.

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honey, the etiquette doesn't fall on the nursing mom...it falls onto everyone else.

Nurse your baby and Educate the masses

have a great trip!!

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I'm sorry if this comes out the wrong way, but why are you worried about it? You're FEEDING your baby!!! Nurse her anywhere, anytime, and anyhow you want!!! If you were bottle feeding or FF, would you be asking these questions? NO. So, nurse freely where ever you find a comfortable place to do it. I've nursed in the mall on a couch, on a stool in Starbucks (facing a large glass window with cars stopped right there at a red light), on a park bench in a crowded park, on my cousin's sofa with tons of people around.... The list goes on an on. I also didn't wear a cover, but that's a personal preference for you. I used to practice in front of a mirror, so I learned how to not flash everyone under the sun my boobs! Don't stress mama, nurse when you need to and DON"T go into the bathroom to do it. That's just plain gross!

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I nurse wherever and whenever, I don't really care what anyone else thinks because I'm feeding my baby. I use the nursing cover 99% of the time, but I have had to go without it before (100 degree weather and DS was too hot under the cover). Most people don't mind give a second glance but there have been some pervy guys that won't stop staring, but I just stare back

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I would feed your LO whenever she's hungry wherever you are. I usually find a corner or a more secluded area and with a nursing shawl.
I would nurse her at my seat on the plane.

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I nursed my daughter everywhere (plane, airport, restaurant, mall, etc) without a nursing cover. I was always discreet - 90% of the time people assumed she was just sleeping in my arms - however feeding her was always my priority (over discretion). You'll be fine - and amazed at how supportive people are.

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I nursed anywhere! DC needs are top priority. Nursing in a sling worked wonders. Enjoy your trip

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I agree with pp... when baby is hungry there is no need to worry about ettiquette.. If anyone complains then i'd turn around and say "ok then i'll let my dc cry the whole plane ride if you'd prefer" I was nervous at first too but got over it very fast...

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It makes me feel a lot better to know that so many of you have been there. I find that I do feed her any place we are and recently began to wonder if it was rude somehow. lol. I never even CONSIDER other people when it comes to the needs of my baby girl. So I'll just stick with what I'm doing. At the airport I'll just try to find some place a little more secluded, but on the plane I guess I can just continue hoping that no pervy guys are sitting beside me. lol


P.S: thanks for the good wishes on my upcoming trip. Me & DD will be visiting my family and I'm so excited. I've been pretty homesick. Wish DH could come, but he couldn't get off work (saving his vacation time for our trip out there on Christmas)

Message edited 7/24/2011 12:33:17 AM.

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with a nursing shawl covering up I don't see any issue at all.

without a shawl you might get some lookers.

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I nursed DD in the terminal with a cover.

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I flew from Ireland to DC (via Boston, where we missed our connection) when DD was 5 months old. It was a LOOOONNNGGG trip. I must have nursed her 10 times at least. On the plane, we were in left hand bulkhead - thankfully - and on the right hand bulkhead was a woman with a baby and she nursed him the whole time, too.

In the airports I wore my nursing cover (made me more comfortable) and nursed DD in a busy gate with people all around. No one said a thing and I didnt' care if they did or not, she was hungry, so I fed her -just like you were saying.

Also, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend nursing your DC during takeoff AND landing whether your LO hungry or not - the sucking is vital for keeping their ears clear and not sore. That was the best travel advice I ever got. I flew with DD last week - she's now 20 months and no longer nursing - and she was refusing to have her bottle during landing and the poor thing was in agony. Eventually I basically made her take it and the sucking immediately helped.

Good luck with your flight!

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