https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:09:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-8797 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:06:48 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 8797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will try the car thing though... but maybe a good cover is what i was lacking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-8782 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:50:12 +0000 Red 8782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took some getting used to but I do feel comfortable BF'ing (with a cover) in public now...although I prefer to do it in the backseat of the car cause my back windows are tinted and I can skip the cover-up since my LO doesn't like to have her view blocked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-8753 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:08:56 +0000 HLK208 8753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was completely embarrassed the first time around - similar to OP, I'd hide away in a bathroom or the car but I plan on changing for baby #2.<br /> Ugh but I did just hear a news report of some worker in a store telling a breast feeding woman to, "put it away or leave" (he was fired after that incident) but I'd feel so embarassed if someone ever said that to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-8743 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:59:43 +0000 Maysprout 8743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel self conscious about it and try to avoid it kinda but mostly people don't notice or don't know what's going on. I try to find a quiet place to get her latched and usually have a under tank top and usually vneck shirt so it's pretty easy to nurse and then I just use a swaddle blanket to cover us. I've had guys come up to us and say ohh you've got a sleepy little one so I'm pretty sure they have no idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-8058 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:56:06 +0000 themcmom 8058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like MommaCommaPHD, I used a HooterHider, but believe that women should feel comfortable without it. I wish I were brace enough to do it, but the state I live in doesn't protect breastfeeding women from exposure laws. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-7944 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:31:01 +0000 mrsnarbonne 7944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nycalimama - just takes practice! I nurse in public all the time, but it's a lot easier now that he latches on quickly and nursing tops really help. No boob explored. Heck, you see way more boobs on magazines, TV, etc. than when I'm feeding my son. I've had people say to me, "oh it's so nice your son can sleep through this" when I've actually beed nursing him!</p> <p>The other way I nurse him on the go is in the baby carrier with the sleeping hood up. It's a great way to keep him quiet and fuss-free when I've had to do things that might induce a tantrum like waiting in line to file my taxes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-4497 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:38:22 +0000 mommacommaphd 4497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did breastfeed in public, but only with the use of my Hooter Hider. I really didn't want my boob and my belly to be on display for all to see.</p> <p>I don't think I could have done it without the Hooter Hider because I'd feel too self-concious to have let down. But with the hider, I bf in the booth at a restaurant, in a comfortable chair in the middle of the mall, on an airplane, etc.</p> <p>Do I think women should have to cover up to bf in public, no. But I know for me and my personal comfort, I couldn't go 'all out'. The Hooter Hider really worked for me. Perhaps give it a try? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-4355 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:07:19 +0000 LivsMama 4355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually nursed for the first time in public yesterday (without going to a bathroom.) I was in central park and bug was HUNGRY. So I found a bench off to the side, pulled my shirt up, tank down, and fed her. I used an Aden &amp; Anais blanket, mostly to cover her, but it wasn't over her head. And to be honest, i got a lot of smiles and a lot of "awe"s. it's mostly moms, nannies, and tourists in the park during the day so they all got it. I will also nurse her in our ring sling no matter where we are. She lays cradled in it and nobody knows what's happening. I felt kinda proud yesterday for doing it :o) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-4354 Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:57:55 +0000 SAHM0811 4354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had trouble bf'ing with my first baby... so this time around with #2, I'm so happy to be a bf'ing that I totally don't care about doing it in public. She's 3 months and I've already bf'ed on a plane, in a library, on the beach, a movie theater, H&amp;M (not in a fitting room, she was hungry the moment I stepped in the store), park benches, Trader Joes, countless restaurants... lol, you get the picture!! </p> <p>There are some places though that I feel really conscious about it and rush off to somewhere else.</p> <p>I love my nursing cover but sometimes I do think it draws more attn, so I am thinking of getting one of those "all over" covers that look like a scarf or shawl for the winter. I admire the moms who do it in public so discreetly without covers... I hope maybe one day I'll have the courage and learn to do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3964 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:29:13 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 3964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will try my best to do it for baby deux. but i always get a blockage. I definitely did "in the back seat of my car" @dorytina :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3909 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:44:20 +0000 katdevargas 3909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my head, I am all about bf-ing in public. But really thinking about it, I am such a people-pleaser that I can see it really {stupidly} hurting my feelings &amp; upsetting me if people give me dirty looks or comment on it. so yeah, hopefully I will &amp; it won't be a big deal, but man-oh-man do I hate confrontation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3448 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:08:54 +0000 Sha 3448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never really did this successfully either. Max would get really hot under the cover and move around too much. I could do it "semi-public" at mommy groups or other "safe" feeling places. Maybe location/environment plays a part too because when I'd visit my friends in the Bay Area (I'm in LA) they seemed to be totally comfortable whenever, wherever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3237 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:28:18 +0000 mrs. wagon 3237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Many, many feedings happened in the back seat of our car! I hated breastfeeding in public. I'm super self-conscious about my breasts in general (disproportionally large, not in a good way) and RJ loved kicking and pushing the nursing cover away. I came to really appreciate Nordstrom and other large stores that had separate nursing rooms with couches, changing tables, ... some places even have TVs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3134 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:30:33 +0000 Coastinganon 3134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have given anything to breastfeed, and I always am so sad knowing that I couldn't...especially since I would give anything to sit in the middle of a luncheonette in the middle of the financial district packed with business people and whip out a boob. Never have I been more crunchy in my life then when contemplating birth plans and championing for breast-feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3131 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:20:37 +0000 chopsuey 3131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I breastfeed in public all the time. I'm always tempted to NOT use my bebe au lait nursing cover... but my husband doesn't want people looking at my goods. hAha.<br /> Nursing is a natural and beautiful thing!<br /> So far, no one's given me weird looks (even in restaurants).. or maybe I just haven't noticed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3130 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 14:14:22 +0000 mediagirl 3130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a problem with people breastfeeding in public. I am a bit uncomfortable when I see a child run up to their Mom, ask for it and start breastfeeding. I don't care what you do at home, but that bothers me when I see 3+ year olds breastfeeding in public. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3122 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:35:24 +0000 Mrs. Bee 3122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i couldn't do it in public at all. but i will try this time around! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3112 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:28:49 +0000 ohapostrophe 3112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't feel comfortable in the first few weeks because it was still taking some work to get his latch right, or he'd pop off. Now at six months I feel so much more comfortable, and have nursed him at restaurants, a park, etc. I usually just try to find an out of the way spot, and nursing tanks help a lot. Shirt up, tank down...barely anything is exposed and I drape a blanket over anyways. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-in-public-i-was-ashamed#post-3106 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 08:52:26 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 3106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's funny how people view breasfeeding. I always found it amazing and seeing others do it in public didn't bother me whatsoever. Then I had my first son. I could not find myself to breastfeed in public. I would literally go in a bathroom stall and feed him there. </p> <p>Now that I think about it, it's sad. Sad that I could not breastfeed at my ease in a comfortable enviromenent. (not to mention clean) I told myself at baby 2 I would take charge and roll my eyes at anyone who looked at me weird for breastfeeding in public. </p> <p>Did you breastfeed in public? If you were like me, did you change you ways the second time around? </p>