Tips For Discreet Breastfeeding In Public
If you're a new Mom who is nursing your baby you may be nervous
about doing so in public.
Or perhaps you are disturbed by media reports of women who are
harassed for breastfeeding in public and are considering pumping
your milk to give your baby when you leave home.
Here are some tips for discreet breastfeeding that have worked
for many Moms. Hopefully they will help you feel more
comfortable nursing in public so you can avoid the inconvenience
of pumping and preparing bottles.
1) Before you have your baby, attend a La Leche League or other
breastfeeding support group meeting.
Unfortunately in our Society that gives lip service to the
benefits of breastfeeding, it is still rare to see Moms nursing
in public, and so most of us grow up having our own babies never
having seen another woman nurse.
Going to an LLL meeting and seeing how other Moms nurse their
babies discreetly and confidently can boost your own confidence.
They can also share with you tips that will make nursing in
public easier for you.
2) Invest in a baby sling.
These are wonderful for making life with a baby easier all
around, but one thing they're great for is discreet
breastfeeding. I can't count the times someone approached me in
a store and commented on my baby having no idea that s/he was
latched on and nursing! The fabric of the sling can be adjusted
to come up over the baby's head (yet most babies don't mind this
like they do a blanket), or you can use the extra fabric on the
"tail" to cover baby.
3) After your baby is born, practice nursing in front of a
mirror or a friend to perfect your technique.
Once you and baby are getting to be old pros at the latch on,
you can most likely do so in just a couple of seconds.
4) Nurse at the first signs of hunger.
A nursing baby generally draws less attention than a screaming
one! So latch your baby on as soon as you notice that s/he is
hungry...rooting, sucking on fist, grimacing face, etc. A crying
baby also makes you nervous and you and baby may take longer to
get latched on comfortably.
5) Try turning your body away while you latch on.
If you're sitting at a table in a restaurant, simply turn your
body away from the table briefly while you latch baby on, then
resume your normal position.
6) Try nursing clothes.
These are designed to cover your belly for more discreet
breastfeeding. Or simply wear a thin top under a cardigan or
other shirt. You can also make your own nursing top by cutting
slits in a tank and wearing it under another shirt.
7) Bring a book or large purse to set in your lap to camouflage.
Your diaper bag would also work. Set it in front of baby on your
knees while you latch baby on. Or hold a book so that your
baby's head and your breast are out of view.
And lastly...
8) Be confident!
You are doing something that is best for you and baby and that
women all over the world for thousands of years have done. Be
proud of yourself and give passersby a warm smile. You'd be
surprised how often people will smile back or even approach with
a commendation or anecdote about their own children.
Enjoy nursing your baby!