Solutions for Breastfeeding Issues
By Brenda Nixon
Your baby cries and it’s feeding time, and you feel the milk let down. Trouble is, you’re in a crowded mall, museum or market. Do you go home to privately meet your baby’s need? Yes, if that makes you both comfortable. However, we eat in public. Why shouldn’t babies?
It’s not necessary to leave your location unless you feel more contented being alone in the nursing relationship. Breastfeeding in public is legal in the United States, with the majority of states having some form of legislation enforcing a woman’s right to nurse her baby in public.
Breastfeeding in public is legal in the United States
However, public nursing is often a concern for first-time or shy moms. At first, the act may seem awkward – but like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Although nursing your baby is normal and natural, no one likes to feel exposed or embarrassed or to purposefully offend others. Most women don’t enjoy being ogled or gawked at because of the size or protrusion of their fatty milk duct tissues. So how do you tactfully handle this joyful job? Here, experienced breastfeeding moms share their tricks for success.
- “Buy a nursing bib. Mine was a denim bib with a mesh at the top for breath-ability, and it tied around my neck. With that in place, I nursed at restaurants and at my older kids’ ball games without exposing a thing.” – Trish Berg, Ohio
- “I started going to my van and sitting in the backseat with a book. I would run the car, listen to music and have the air-conditioner on.” – Marybeth Whalen, North Carolina
- “Just lift up your shirt enough and cover the baby enough with a small burp cloth. Look out and around … don’t stare at the baby or watch her nurse – other people’s eyes will follow yours. No one will even know you are breastfeeding if you don’t draw attention to it.” – Michele Steinhauser, California
- “I found that tees worked better than button down shirts. Also, I would throw a blanket [baby blanket] over me first and then pull the bottom of my shirt up. The baby’s head covered anything that the blanket might not … but the blanket usually did the trick!” – Eva Marie Everson, Florida
- “In a restaurant with high-backed booths, I’d choose the last booth in a row and sit on the side facing the wall and then I could nurse to my heart’s content without anyone noticing.” – Patricia Lorenz, Florida
- “I am a scarf wearer (and a designer) so I used a hand painted silk scarf as a cover. Since I am an elegant flamboyant image type, it worked for me. Most people had no idea of what was going on and just thought that my scarf was draped over my shoulder.” – Gail Hayes, North Carolina
- “Just ignore those people who don’t understand. Realize you will get disapproving looks from someone at sometime, and just focus on the fact that you’re doing a great thing for your baby and don’t be ashamed.” – Sarah Anne Sumpolec, Virginia
- “I discovered nice hotels have all kinds of private nooks with soft plush chairs and sofas for privacy and peace and quiet. Neither of these cost a thing to use.” – Pam Farrel, California
- “I would head toward a mall department store and use a dressing room. Nice and quiet with support for my back; cleaner than a restroom; my older child would entertain herself with the mirror while I fed the baby. The clerks were, without exception, very accommodating and seemed to like having a part in making a baby happy!” – Debi Stack, Missouri
- “For those awkward moments when someone asks you NOT to breastfeed (I had that happen to me), it’s best to not have a confrontation in public, but to write a letter to the management later. Helps you vent, helps educate the management.” – Suzanne Woods Fisher, California
Generally, nursing babies are contented, quiet and don’t attract attention. The art of discreet public nursing is in acting as if nothing is out of the ordinary. If, however, you’re asked to leave a public location or have problems with your workplace, report it to the National Alliance of Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA).
With a little practice and these tips, you’ll find that breastfeeding your baby while outside the home is a natural part of your day. And you’ll enjoy a confident sense of freedom. Maybe you’ll discover new insights.
“I personally found my nursing days positive for my own personal growth,” says Pam Farrel of San Diego, Calif. “As a Type-A driver, I never sat down much, but having to sit so much while nursing, I found myself praying over my children, their future, my family and friends. I also would listen to soothing music instead of watching TV and used the time to read self help material or memorize inspirational quotes. I believe I am the successful mom and business leader I am today because I looked for the best way to use this precious time called nursing.”
