Breastfeeding in public

I breastfed both of our children. With the first I was so self conscious about breast feeding in public. In only did it for 9 months when I started them on food and as the time went on I got more comfortable. I always used something to cover up because of others. Just what I was comfortable with. When the second came around I got better and fed wherever need be. I still usually used something to cover up unless I had a bigger shirt on where I could cover my nipple. I will say both of our children hated to being covered up when feeding them. So they will always try to take the cover up off. So half the time I would eventually be exposed lol

I BF in public, I use a cover when I can , some times it gets pulled off by little one 🤷‍♀️

I breastfeed/pump was anywhere anytime. I do use a cover for my own modesty sake - although you’ve probably seen my nips just as much with how acrobatic my girls have always been about nursing 🙄 but if you don’t, do you, doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

Anytime, anywhere! I don’t bother with covers. I have a lot of nursing tops, with little secret openings for nursing so I don’t have to pull my shirt up or down. That helps me be discreet, but I will whip it out if I have to. I do a lot of public nursing, and I have never experienced a negative reaction. Usually if people feel uncomfortable they just look away.

Thanks ladies! This makes me feel better. I exclusively BF and have tried a few times in public but my LO hated being covered lol he'll freak out if I put something over him. I usually just try to have him fed before we leave the house. But this makes me feel better and more confident to try again because sometimes we are gone too long and he gets fussy and hungry

2 replies

I am like you, I tried my best to feed him before we went out. But if your baby needs to eat, do what you have to do. I would try to find a quiet place since he would get so distracted and he hated being covered. Sometimes when I walk by moms who are BF in public I just want to tell them what a great job they are doing lol. I don't because I don't want to interrupt them but internally I am just cheering them on, lol. 🙌✊🤱

Do it! We need to build each other up more. Even a smile and a thumbs up will make her day 🙂

I breastfeed in public too. Sometimes I’ll use a cover if it’s super busy where I am, but a lot of times I just whip it out! Baby’s gotta eat! 😂 I read that it’s our right, in 49 states, to be allowed to breastfeed in public. If someone has a problem, they don’t need to look! If you’re feeling self conscious you could try going to a local la leche meeting and doing it there around supportive women. ☺️

Screw anyone who says anything negative about breastfeeding In public. U are an awesome mom for continuing to breast feed so I give you two thumbs up!

I breastfeed in public and with no cover. But always have a blanket handy just in case.

I did, to each her own but I felt covering up would draw even more attention to me. I would just seek out the most secluded place possible and when out would wear loose or button up blouses that made things effortless and quick.

Before my son got old enough that he would get distracted at every sound and delatch to look around I always nursed in public, with no cover! He’s 14 months now and wants nothing to do with nursing in public he’s waaaay too nosy! It makes me sad because I felt like I was helping to normalize breastfeeding in public but 🤷🏼‍♀️

My love bug hates the cover. So I do what I have to do to take care of my baby!

For it!

I breastfed my damn kid everywhere- even once in SF city hall. The only place I drew the line was if we were seated at a restaurant with someone sitting super close to us. If nobody was close I would feed him. And sometimes covered but often not!

I breastfeed in public; typically I will try and look for someplace out of the way so I don’t have to cover him, but will use a cover if I cannot find a quiet space. I have nothing against not being covered, for me I just feel prude because I have gotten weird looks for feeding in public before and I rather just avoid.

I don't cover up especially if it's hot out! It'll just frustrate you and your baby.

I breastfeed in public but I use a cover. I should also add I don’t shame moms who choose not to cover. 1) Personal preference I don’t like my boob out for other people to see, yes my child is latched and covering my nip but still there are weird people out there. 2) I have a 2 year old who likes to yell out boob whenever I’m feeding the baby around people. 3) You just never know who your going to offend anymore and I’m an emotional person so If someone asked me why I didn’t cover or told me I should cover I might cry or maybe I’d yell and cause a scene. #hormones

I breastfeed in public, but I wear shirts/hoodies from the website LatchedMama. So I feel covered up enough, without having to actually cover baby and myself

1 reply

I love Latched Mama!

I think its very inappropriate to say the least. If you have to then I am a big believer of a cover. And staying covered.

3 replies

Is there a reason why you feel this way?

I think people who have young children don't always want them gawking at a women I breastfed all mine and explained to them what it was but I still feel your private areas shouldn't be exposed for other familys but your own

I’m not a BF mom, but if I can feed my son a bottle in public why can’t you feed your baby wherever you are, whenever they need it. I probably just would cover up so people don’t stare. Sometimes people stare at me and I wonder if they are chastising me for not BF’ing. Moms can never win.

I feed my baby when she is hungry no matter where we are. I’ve done it in staples before in one of their office chairs, no one said anything.

I feed my baby whenever and wherever! I always bring a cover just in case because my son hated it and if he tried to uncover himself and my boob popped out that would be embarrassing! I always look up if places have changing/nursing areas so that I am self aware before we go out but if they don’t it doesn’t matter. If you feel weird about it just get baby on a bottle she likes and pump enough for your outting so you can continue without having to stop. No woman should feel like they cannot breastfeed there children!

I feed my daughter everywhere. A bench on the street, walking the grocery store while my husband pushed the cart (had to stop the leak somehow) & bed bath beyond on their patio display. I ask for a booth at restaurants as I feel they give more privacy but I dare someone to ask me to leave or cover. I find my breast feeding shirt covers the skin of my breast perfectly. I wear a 38K and no cover is needed as there is only a sliver of skin showing. I find most people look away quickly or not at all.

With my first I breastfed with clips you can attach to any blanket to make it a cover. With my second I was gifted a Milksnob cover. It works for me cause it’s very thin. Whatever works for you.

Breastfed for almost 2 yrs. Sometimes baby can’t wait for you to fool around with that privacy blanket doo-hickey. When my daughter wanted it, I mean she wanted it, I got to the point I started whipping my goodies right on out. Im sure everyone had seen a booby before sheesh.

I try my best not to. But if I must then I put her in the baby carrier and nurse her in there. (I have the ergo baby) I just loosen the straps and latch her on. No one can tell. And I can still help my 2 yr old. But I live in AZ where it’s always so hot so I refuse to use a blanket on her.

I breastfeed in public but i try to be considerate since not everyone is comfortable with it. I try to turn away from the crowd, use my shirt to hide most of my boob, sit in a nearby corner. But if trying to be considerate of others means inconveniencing myself, i won’t do it; I’ll just breastfeed where i am as i am.

I think feeding in public is fine. The baby has to eat. Those who want to cover should but people shouldn’t be bashed for not covering while feeding a human being. I hardly covered when I nursed. Baby was too uncomfortable under a blanket or got too hot. Society has these negative views that breastfeeding moms should hide when feeding and it’s not right.

I no longer nurse but when I did I would do it anywhere and everywhere. I never used s cover but maybe for a handful of times. Most times I used two shirts and nothing could be seen

I used a cover but it is not necessary. It is totally ok to do what your are comfortable doing!!! People will judge and give nasty looks. Just an fyi so you are prepared with your best mommy smile for them!!! Lol

I feed in public when my baby gets hungry, i cover because i don’t want people looking at my breasts but if i couldn’t cover i wouldn’t care

I fed my son and feed my daughter in public no cover. If people don't like it then don't stare. Its a mammal thing. Its your right and freedom to feed your child within the means of your comfort zone

Its sure wasnt easy then when i had my little daughter

I've finally gained the confidence to bf anywhere. No cover. If my baby is hungry he can eat wherever we are!

I told myself I'd never do it in public due to being insecure about exposing my breast but my little one was crying non stop the first time I took him out to eat with me in public he drank 3 oz out of a bottle I pumped but it wasn't enough so I whipped my boob out and it gave me this feeling of confidence so now I whip it out anywhere sometimes I cover sometimes I don't people stare but it is what it is 💁🏽

I bf my daughter till she was a year and a half. I did the 2 shirt method, and we bf every where.... I tried to be as respectful as possible. But I also see bf as natural and it is not something that think I had to hid.

I do what I want it’s natural and healthy I use a cover some times depending on the situation and other times you don’t have time to cover up baby is hungry now

I pop it out. I don't care. My son is more important than a strangers opinion.

1 reply

Same here!

I feed in public, I cover up though.

I usually just a thin Aden and Anais blanket to shield me... my little one is at the age where she likes to people watch and can be easily distracted, so that plus new teeth is not a good idea. If I weren’t insecure about my body I wouldn’t care... it’s a natural thing and these little people don’t need to wait for strangers to stop being so rigid. When I am at the mall I usually go to the family room (most malls have them nowadays) and use the nursing area or I’ll use a fitting room. Anywhere else I use the blanket. If you’re ok with it just whip it out! Nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed of.

I cover up but if the baby hungry then feed him or her .

I feed anywhere baby is hungry. I use a cover around my nephews because they are uncomfortable. But otherwise I don’t. My son gets hot too easily so I try not to cover him at all. I have a cover I love when I need one.

I breast fed my son anywhere and plan to do it again the only places I used a cover was in church and at my parents house if my dad was in the same room / area as he was uncomfortable. This time around will be the same thing but I will add also wearing a cover around my in-laws (last time I didn't have in-laws to worry about making uncomfortable) but I never covered up at the park or in the stores or anything like that. My son didn't like it and I didn't like it in the heat of summer either

I breastfeed in public with no shame. It’s on demand and not something that needs to be hidden. My body is nourishing my son and I’m proud.

I usually free-boob it wherever and whenever. But depending on the circumstance, sometimes I'll turn my body away.

With my first I always used a cover even around family (except my boyfriend of course) with my second, I feed him wherever whenever with just my shirt covering. I'm pretty insecure about my body but when it comes to feeding my son, he comes first so if that means I gotta show some skin so be it!

I use to think I wouldn’t care and just breastfeed freely but I’m more insecure about my body than I realized. However I tried to use that scarf that turns into a cover and failed miserably because it was uncomfortable. So I just kinda block myself with my stroller a little or whatever.

It’s totally natural and has been around for all time. In the beginning I used a cover but after a while, especially during the hot months my daughter would swear under there and try to pull it off and I realized I would rather other people be uncomfortable with me breast feeding than my daughter. With my second, he hated the cover so I didn’t even bother.

I breast feed on demand but when in public I always cover myself. I had a really scary and disgusting incident happen when I didn’t and had to call the police for help.

1 reply

Oh wow! I’m sorry to hear that. It’s bad enough trying to avert people’s eyes let alone having to keep a baby calm under pressure like that. 😥 It’s enough to put anybody off of breastfeeding that’s for sure

I breastfeed in public, but I use a cover!

I breastfeed in public ! No cover !