Question for Breastfeeding Moms

(or moms who used to BF)

When you go out in public, do you breastfeed, or do you give your baby bottles of pumped milk? Or does it depend on where you are going?

Message edited 5/22/2007 8:22:25 AM.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I always Breast Feed in public but am discreet as I can be

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I never bf in public. personally i just didn't feel comfortable. occasionally i would bring a bottle of pumped milk, but i hated pumping so that was rare. lots of times i would bf in my car if we were out.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Im an in public BFer. I don't just whip out the boob but I cover it as much as posible and I be as respectful as possible to those around me. I cant be bothered with bottles

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I will do it in public, I don't enjoy doing it...my baby hates the blanket over his head, so I try and be as discret as possible, finding somewhere out of the way to do it.

In the beginning, I would always have a bottle pumped...once I got those nursing tanks, I felt a lot more comfortable.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I would give a formula bottle because I just could not get comfortable enough to breastfeed in public. Even if I tried to cover up I was not comfortable. But that is one of the reasons I stopped breastfeeding.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I couldn't be bothered with pumping or bottles.

I would feed her before we went out, then if she got hungry while we were out, I used to feed her in the car or in a private spot.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

If I was at a friend or family's house I would BF, but out in public (like the mall) I would bring a bottle of pumped milk.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I BF whenever she is hungry, doesn't matter where..I just use a blanket to cover.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I always breastfed in public. I just bring a blanket and put it over her so no one can see.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I BF in public

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I BF in public too but I'm discreet. In restaurants, I would get a booth and sat on the inside part. In the mall, I'd use the women's lounge in Nordstrom. I've fed her on park benches, etc.

The nursing tank tops really help too because you are not exposing your stomach when you are lifting your shirt.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I BF in public becuase it is too much work to pump bottles. But I was always VERY discreet and tried to BF in the car, womens dressing rooms or a private area and I always made sure I was discreet.

Ive honestly never had a problem with anyone looking at me or making comments, I dont think people have any idea what you are doing unless you are totally not discreet.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I breastfeed in public and strongly encourage all breastfeeding moms to do the same. There is no reason why you should ever feel ashamed about feeding your child. There is nothing dirty about breastfeeding.

I usually wear breastfeeding tops and, believe me, you see more boob on a woman wearing a low-cut shirt than you do when I feed my son. I usually drap blanket around him to try to keep him from becoming too distracted (doesn't always work).

I'm very passionate about this subject because I think so many women choose not to breastfeed because they are embarrassed by the idea of breastfeeding in public. I feel like the more we make breastfeeding in public the norm, the more comfortable women will feel doing it, and more women will choose to breastfeed.

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I breastfed in public -- mall food courts, car dealerships, parks, rest stops on the highway -- where ever I had a hungry baby. Why should my baby be made to be uncomfortable instead of making some ignorant total stranger uncomfortable instead??? (Tell us how you really feel...)

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Usually BF. But if we're somewhere where we can't hide we'll use a bottle. That's rare now as I have no problem going into a public bathroom and BF standing up and not touching anything gross. If I use the bottle I get uncomfortable and then I just end up pumping in the car anyway...

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

Re: Question for Breastfeeding Moms

I breastfeed in public all the time- the most exposed I was at Santa Monica at a park near the Pier. I just keep looking at the homeless people daring them to say something. I see nothing wrong with it.