Like most women, the thought of breastfeeding in public might make you uncomfortable and self-conscious. Many women all around the world feel anxious in relation to the opinions of others, and then feel intimated as they nurse their new baby. In this article, we will discuss how to breastfeed in public modestly and comfortably.
I had the absolute pleasure to work with UNDERCOVER MAMA on this article. They design comfortable, trendy, and modest nursing wear for moms. Undercover mama believes that all women should have the freedom to nurse anywhere quickly and easily without having to expose themselves more than necessary. They even patented an innovative “one-handed” design to give you even more control!
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Can you breastfeed in public?
Yes, you are allowed to breastfeed in public in most states and countries. It is a fundamental human right, but that does not mean that it does not have it’s challenges. Try to be familiar with the culture and laws in your area.
Breastfeeding can be done modestly without exposing too much skin with practice. Of course, every mother has different goals for her breastfeeding experience. The key to breastfeeding success is preparation, dedication, and patience.
Be informed
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful thing, but it is still important for us to be informed. Know the local laws in your area about breastfeeding. If you are planning a trip oversees, try to research the culture of the area to see what to expect. You can even plan your breastfeeding sessions ahead of time by researching the area to find possible locations to feed your baby.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming when you are traveling with a child. Be informed of local places where you might feel comfortable breastfeeding. I always like a nice calm environment. If I am outside, I try to find some shade so we are all more relaxed for the session.
Practice at home
The best way to learn is by practicing. Try to have a few sessions at home where you pretend like you are in public. This will get you used to the mechanics of breastfeeding outside and remaining comfortable.
One thing that I noticed is that my kids loved to look around, so I needed a backup when they pulled that breastfeeding cover off to see the world around them. I always had a towel or cloth nearby (also to catch extra milk that dropped) and used that as a back up to quickly cover myself until I got the cover situated again.
Another backup is using a good nursing shirt or dress that allows for easy access yet remains modest. I still used a nursing shirt or dress under the cover as a second layer of coverage. I love the nursing clothes by UNDERCOVER MAMA because they have a unique one-handed design that is absolutely essential for breastfeeding mamas. Check out some of their adorable nursing wear below:
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Pack your diaper bag
Another way to help prepare you to breastfeed in public is by packing your diaper bag appropriately. Preparation makes a huge difference. My diaper bag is usually pretty simple.
I usually start off with a change of clothes for the baby and some diapers and wipes. I also try to put an extra t-shirt in there for me as well if I am breastfeeding. This really helps if you get caught in a "leakage situation". I try to put in a towel and a nursing cover as well. Those help me to cover myself as I nurse my baby.
Another must-have in your diaper bag that a lot of people do not think about is a hand-pump! Think about this, you need to feed your baby, but they just are not having it. They are throwing the cover off, maybe they are rowdy and overtired. Plus it might be hot outside.
Many times I actually found it much easier to use my hand pump under the cover and then give my baby the expressed milk in public. That might not work for everyone, but that was a technique that I used a lot. It also gave me a lot more control over when and where I could feed my baby.
UNDERCOVER MAMA knows how hand-in-hand pumping and nursing can be, and actually have an amazing package! They have a "pump and tank" bundle that includes a hand pump and nursing tank for only $25!
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Choose the right place
Choosing the right place to breastfeed in public can be very challenging. The first thing I look at is the distraction level. Is this a place where my baby can wind down and focus? If there is a lot of chatter and movement then probably not. In fact, if there is too much activity going on, he probably would boycott the session altogether or spend the whole time trying to pull off my cover.
The next characteristic of a good nursing spot is that it is cool (or at least not 5 million degrees). It can get really hot with your baby on top of you, and too much sweat gets mama and baby a little aggravated. Not to mention it also makes it hard to latch on if your breasts are too sweaty.
Besides the activity level and the temperature, another thing you should look for is your comfort level. A breastfeeding session can take some time, and if you are sitting on a bunch of rocks the whole time, it might make things a little difficult. Find a place where you feel comfortable and it will make a huge difference.
When you get nervous...
So you practiced at home, packed your bag with all your baby essentials and nursing gear, and picked the perfect place to breastfeed. Now you sit down to nurse your child, and even as you are covered, people still give you funny looks. Now what do you do?
That is bound to happen. Whether you are covered or not, people naturally will wonder what you are doing. Those looks do not necessarily mean that they are opposed to what you are doing. It is just simply different, and people tend to let curiosity drive them.
When someone walks by and gives me a funny stare, I just smile and be polite. A smile is a powerful way to break barriers. When you feel awkward or uncomfortable, just look at your baby. That will help you feel a lot more at ease.
Dress for the occasion
If you are a breastfeeding mom, you know that having comfortable nursing wear is essential. You need clothes that have easy access and are trendy as well. That is why I love UNDERCOVER MAMA. They have innovative designs for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond. They also have designs for every body type and are very affordable.
Have freedom to breastfeed anywhere with their unique design. I know that you will love their products! You can also use the code "MOMMY15" for 15% off your order.
Conclusion
Congratulations on your new baby! It is such a blessing, and I am so happy that you are educating yourself on what to expect. Preparation brings a level of confidence that is so important to new parents. Remember that you can always check out our BABY ACADEMY for all of our prenatal resources for new parents. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help!
Free Prenatal Class
Enjoy a free prenatal class from the comfort of your own home! This is a course that I wrote based on a decade of professional and personal experiences regarding everything from childbirth to newborn care. This is a self-paced course that you can watch anytime and anywhere you want! You can sign up HERE. I look forward to connecting with you! - Rachel
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Looking at my baby definitely helped me ignore any odd looks I got when nursing in public. Thanks for sharing this!
Wonderful tips for new moms! I nursed all three of my children and learned to nurse discreetly in public. I love your tip to practice at home. That does help!
What a wonderful service for new moms. I was very upset that I wasn’t able to nurse my girls. After many lactation visits, my milk never even came in! Turns out, we think it had to do with my mom having taken DES at the end of her pregnancy.