Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you breastfeed in public?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you breastfeed in public? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:56:24 +0000 wheres_c on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public/page/2#post-450894 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:31:59 +0000 wheres_c 450894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did for the first time at costco yesterday. It was really challenging trying to do it standing up. Haven't mastered that yet! Ra on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public/page/2#post-450893 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:29:10 +0000 Ra 450893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I am still pregnant, but I honestly don't think I could ever breastfeed in public without a cover of some sort. In most cases, I would rather do it privately but I know that isn't always feasible. The thought of exposing my breast in public makes me really uncomfortable. I am usually pretty uncomfortable when I am trying to eat and get an eye full of someone else's breast, too. I get that it is natural, but so is using the bathroom and I don't do that in public either. **I am not trying to offend those who do breastfeed uncovered in public. Just expressing why I personally, could not do it. chopsuey on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public/page/2#post-450830 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 16:10:17 +0000 chopsuey 450830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I used to. Always with a cover though (unless i was in the car) Baby Boy Mom on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public/page/2#post-450812 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:56:44 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 450812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did everywhere until LO was one, after that I felt like he was old enough to wait until we got home. littlek on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-450807 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 15:50:28 +0000 littlek 450807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've breast feed in the women's locker room at LOs swim school. littleveesmommy on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-450470 Sun, 16 Dec 2012 01:24:50 +0000 littleveesmommy 450470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ In the beginning I breastfed in public occasionally with a cover but mostly in the car if I could cause I didn't have the whole thing down. But since DD was 6 months old and I mastered nursing in the Ergo I nurse everywhere! It has been a serious lifesaver. I don't have to find anywhere to sit or worry about a cover - I strap her on with the shoulder straps loosened so she sits lower and out up the sleeping hood. Serious best thing ever! purrpletulips on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448462 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:13:09 +0000 purrpletulips 448462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yep. I always prefer not to use a cover because DS hates it and tries to pull it off (DD did the same thing) but DH wants me to cover. If I know we are going to be in public I wear either a nursing tank or a homemade version of the undercover mama so my torso is covered. T.H.O.U. on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448373 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 07:55:31 +0000 T.H.O.U. 448373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Bao: I would suggest trying the first time in a booth at a restaurant. That was one of the first places I nursed in public and it was great. DH and I got to have a long dinner with conversation!!! The booth added a lot of privacy and the cover stayed on. sorrycharlie on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448319 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 03:03:47 +0000 sorrycharlie 448319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I prefer my car not because I'm worried about other people but because its a heck of a lot more comfortable than some bench or hard chair! London Mama on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448313 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:35:05 +0000 London Mama 448313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yep, I breastfeed in public. Depending on the situation I use a cover but I prefer not to use the cover because LO gets really annoyed by the fabric and makes nursing more difficult. Ree723 on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448310 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:09:51 +0000 Ree723 448310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I agree with @Junebugmama. I breastfeed everywhere, usually with a cover for my own comfort but not always. I feed in restaurants, parks, shops, libraries, public transport, and even on benches in the midst of downtown at the lunch hour rush. I just don't care, if LO is hungry, I'm going to feed her regardless of where we are, without removing myself from a situation. DH and I actually made a special trip out to a sushi restaurant when she was one week old so I could practice feeding in public; after that, it was a piece of cake. brownie on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448300 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:23:16 +0000 brownie 448300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Everywhere including Disneyland, multiple restaurants (the easiest), target and albertsons. I stopped using a cover because it was more distracting. He would fight it. I still nurse him at 20 months everywhere. We use the beco baby carrier a lot and that helps and covers some up. I love the new luvs commercial where they compare the first baby to the second. The first she's hiding with a cover and the second she is nursing and telling the waiter eyes up here. SAHM0811 on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448294 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:56:54 +0000 SAHM0811 448294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes, I BF in public... Especially in NYC when we didn't have a car. But even now in CA, we do have a car, but sometimes it's just not practical for me to go all the way to the car just to feed... I have another toddler with me a lot too, so yeah, if the baby is hungry, I'll BF in public if I have to. I used a nursing cover up til 6 months, then she "outgrew" it (would kick or swipe it off). So then I just learned how to do it discreetly with a nursing tank under a regular shirt. I hope one day most people realize it's not really that big of a deal/issue! sarac on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448290 Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:44:17 +0000 sarac 448290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @junebugmama: That's a nice way to put it. I don't just let it hang out either, but I don't make a huge effort to cover it all up. I just try to nurse without making a big deal out of it. Mine is unfortunately very easily distracted, so I sit there with a hand over the boob pretty often. I've started to nurse in changing rooms and such lately sometimes for that reason - just to minimize distractions. junebugmama on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448244 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:43:03 +0000 junebugmama 448244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I breast feed EVERYWHERE. I feel as though America is so behind or just plain weird. Feeding a baby isn't something sexual or private, it's the exact opposite. There is an uncomfortableness about it, because no one does it. I hope that by nursing in public I encourage others to support breastfeeding. The only way to change the mindset is to act. I have a G sized breast. There's no hiding it. I don't purposely let it hang out when he's' not latched or anything, but someone described it perfectly, "You just breast feed. It's not discreet or indiscreet. It just looks natural." Isn't that exactly how it should be? HLK208 on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448219 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:11:25 +0000 HLK208 448219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ A few times with my cover. Mrs. Superhero on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448206 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:00:39 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 448206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not anymore. I was totally comfortable with it, but she's too distractable now. It's kind of annoying because when I excuse myself to go nurse privately I always get women assuming I'm shy or something and they try and pep talk me into nursing in public. Thanks, I've got it covered. It is really awesome to live somewhere where public breastfeeding is completely normal though, and my husband is very supportive. prettylizy on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448187 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:34:35 +0000 prettylizy 448187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MamaMoose: We were exactly the same when LO was that young. Her head was 1/3 the size of my boob and I was not nearly coordinated enought to do it under a cover (I was barely coordinated enough to do it with two hand and my sister there to help if I needed her! lol). I actually practiced at home with the cover a few times before I was ready to go out and do it. mrskc on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448185 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:34:13 +0000 mrskc 448185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yep but I use a cover. I've done it at a restaurant and once at Home Depot when he was in the carrier. I feel more comfortable in the car or a dressing room. I find the cover cumbersome but too scared to try it without a cover. sarac on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448178 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:28:26 +0000 sarac 448178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Tons. I nurse my toddler in public still. I don't cover or wear nursing tops. I think it's really important to normalize breast feeding in public. It has never really been hard for me, probably because I live in Portland and breast feeding is really common here. knittingmama on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448164 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:02:47 +0000 knittingmama 448164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yep. My husband is a little shocked by my ways I think, but I'm like whatever. I don't want to struggle with getting a cover on and it's the easiest thing to do, rather than try to get situated with the cover, etc. Yesterday I did it at the museum, I've done it at the park, at restaurants, you name it. cyndistar3 on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448163 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:02:45 +0000 cyndistar3 448163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My lo doesn't take a bottle so yes, I breasted in public often but always with a cover. Penny Lane on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448161 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:00:32 +0000 Penny Lane 448161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Absolutely. I've never used a cover, I make sure I always wear a home made version of the undercover mama singlet and am sneaky with pulling up my t shirt so not much shows. I'll occasionally cover up with a muslin blanket, but he's starting to pull at it when I do. So I'm doing it less and less. He's 4 months today. I'm normally fast enough to cover up quickly if he pulls away Breast feeding in public is a lot more accepted here, I think. I've got a huge long list... Giraffe enclosure at the zoo, many cafes and restaurants, fast food places, on a train... And I've never got one disapproving look. BabyBoecksMom on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448156 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:54:59 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 448156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did but it was with a cover. cvbee on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448128 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:33:49 +0000 cvbee 448128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did lots with a cover, but now he's so interested in the world that I would not attempt it. Mrs. Bee on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448121 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:30:22 +0000 Mrs. Bee 448121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ not anymore since olive is 14 months old, but up to 1 year i did it everywhere. we don't have a car so i had no choice! mrsjazz on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448039 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:48:33 +0000 mrsjazz 448039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes I have. In the beginning I used a cover, but then I switched to the two top, pull one up and the other down system. It depends on where I am and who I'm around. Now that it's cold we don't do much feeding outside of the house. MamaMoose on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448038 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:48:29 +0000 MamaMoose 448038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Not yet. She's still tiny so we haven't been out much. But even at home of we have people over I'll go in another room. It still takes time for her to really latch well and she needs help finding the nip so I would have to have the cover over my whole head. And I couldn't do it without a cover since my boob is like twice the size of her head. prettylizy on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448030 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:42:36 +0000 prettylizy 448030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pretty much anywhere I am, the only time I've nursed in public without a cover was in the nursing room at Nordstroms. Sometimes I'll do it in the car only because she is so easily distracted these days I can't get her to focus anywhere else runsyellowlites on "Do you breastfeed in public?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-breastfeed-in-public#post-448028 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:41:36 +0000 runsyellowlites 448028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I have when I needed to but most of the time if we're out & about P could care less about eating. My current list is Chickfila, Olive Garden, DS's soccer games, & my SIL wedding reception. Sometimes I use a cover (blanket), sometimes I don't. For me, worrying about covering makes things alot more complicated & frustrating. Breastfeeding isn't very "popular" where I live & until recently DH was supportive but not for nip so that added to the stress. I'm sure ill get more where I don't care as we continue to bf...... Right now we're at 8 months, planning on many more.