Breastfeeding in Public

I think mothers should be free to feed their children anywhere, at any time, in any manner that works for them.

I have a son who has been exclusively breastfed since he was born. The convenience and economical benefits of breastfeeding are HUGE for me. I can run out the door with nothing but a couple diapers and be set for the day… his food is always “on tap”, prewarmed, preportioned, premixed & presterilized with no effort on my part whatsoever.

Breastfeeding in public is not a big deal for me at all. In all honesty, I don’t think people can even tell what I am doing 95% of the time. I’ve breastfed at the grocery store, on an airplane, during a wedding, at the nail salon, during church… the list goes on. Nobody has ever made a rude comment or even given me a dirty look.

Alot of whack jobs out there compare nursing in public with urinating in public, which is completely inane. Nursing can’t be compared to anything else but EATING. You wouldn’t let someone make you eat your lunch sitting on a toilet seat would you? Why should a baby?

So how do you handle breastfeeding in public? It all depends on your comfort level! Everyone is going to have different feelings and concerns. Some women have very large breasts which make the process more cumbersome. Yet almost anybody can get the hang of it with a bit of practice.

It really helps to have a good nursing bra and easy access clothes. Find a comfy seat and position your stroller in front of you. If you look relaxed and comfortable people probably won’t notice. Also, nursing while your baby is in a sling can be very discreet. Personally I think covering with a blanket brings more attention to what you are doing: you may as well wear a sign "I'm nursing my baby now". If you feel you need some type of covering, a fashionable kit poncho (which are all the rage) does the job well and looks cute too. When baby is properly latched and you are wearing suitable clothing, a nursing baby looks mostly like a sleeping baby from even short distances.

You might want to try practicing at home in front of a mirror or people you feel comfortable with (like your mom or husband). They will give you good feedback as to whether you are being discreet.

As your baby gets older they will latch more quickly and with practically no assistance. On the other side of the coin, older babies tend to be easily distracted while nursing. If your baby pops up to smile at every passerby while nursing it might be easier if you find a more secluded spot or nurse in your car. Some shopping centers even have nursing mother rooms with comfy chairs.

Bottom line though… you can breastfeed your baby in any place, at any time. Almost every state has laws that exempt breastfeeding from public indecency. In most states it is even illegal for someone to ask you to leave a place of business because you are breastfeeding. Breastfeed your baby with pride, knowing that you have made the optimum choice for their health! Also when you see other mothers nursing, be sure to give them a smile or a word of encouragement that they are not alone.

Handy Links:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm
http://www.breastfeeding.com/clothing_nip.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBpublic.html