https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 18:18:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-904357 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:28:28 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 904357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) don't feel bad about friends not seeing the baby because you're nursing. You can always tell them before they come over (hopefully they call and not just show up and expect to stay?!) that evenings aren't great and a daytime visit is better. I think visitors complaining about nursing are as silly as visitors who complain that the baby is napping.<br /> 2) I did a mix of nursing in front of people or in the nursery. Whichever was easiest for me at the time is what we did. I never used a cover, but did use an A&amp;A blanket to shield me/cover up. I never didn't feed him because a visitor was there.<br /> 3) ugggh, suggesting a bottle is such crap! I hated that - its so much work to pump, prep a bottle, clean the parts, and then the bottle. I remember telling my relative who suggested that, that she should go sit in a room alone for 20-30 minutes, pinch herself the whole time, and then do the dishes afterwards. :/</p> <p>Take heart, nursing gets easier/shorter/more comfortable as time goes on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-904256 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:11:10 +0000 birdofafeather 904256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed where I felt comfortable. If guys were there that I cared if they saw me, I went into my bedroom. If ladies, I just did it. They could stay or leave. My dad, bro, and FIL usually looked away while I got comfortable but I didn't care once she was latched because I was pretty covered up. I think you and your baby's comfort is first and guests can stay or go. If I'm at someone else's house then I would go into another room just to have some privacy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900638 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:10:29 +0000 Ginabean3 900638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nurse in front of visitors....but all the visitors we've had have been close family/friends and I don't care if they see the boobs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900620 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:07:08 +0000 kjpugs 900620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And *this* is why I always ask before just popping in! I would always call first with my SIL but she didn't care about nursing in front of guests. I was not necessarily comfortable seeing her breasts and I would have preferred she tell me "I'm feeding him then can you come in an hour." If you don't feel comfortable nursing in front of them, don't worry! They will (or should!) understand. Plus if baby is on your boob the whole time the only difference is they get to see the back of the baby's head as opposed to not at all. When I visit a baby I want to hold it and oooo and ahhh! Do what makes YOU feel comfortable!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900619 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:07:07 +0000 Lozza 900619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't really have friends over till LO was 2 weeks old, and then we had a 2 hour open house and gave LO a pumped bottle that one time. We did something similar when LO was 6 weeks old but by then it was easier to nurse for 10 minutes and be done for a while so I didn't worry about finishing up nursing in LO's room. Some close friends came to see us outside that window and I nursed in front of them- they mostly had kids or were trying to, or were mature enough to suck it up.<br /> Mainly, though, we just didn't have many visitors, and I got pissed off at visitors for staying more than about 30 minutes unless I felt comfortable being essentially topless in front of them. That's going to be my rule with the next baby too- if I can be topless in front of you, you can hang out whenever (this includes my mom, my sister, DH's godmother, and many of my female friends. If I don't, it is DH's job to keep people away, and honestly this mainly applies to my FIL. I really resented FIL after we had LO #1 because I didn't feel comfortable BFing in front of him at first, and nursing was so hard that I couldn't use a cover, I needed all the help I could get to get him latched and get remotely comfortable, so there was no being discreet about it. And whereas my dad would make himself scarce or just hang out in other rooms (or more commonly, volunteer to run any errand anyone could think up), FIL would just hang out in the living room while I hid upstairs. </p> <p>That is not happening again, and I feel really strongly that if I'm the one doing the work of breastfeeding, DH's job is to facilitate that in any way he can, even if it goes against his preferences. My sister was also really good at shooing people away if I let her know they were making me uncomfortable by staying too long or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900592 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 08:59:59 +0000 petunia354 900592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make it up to them later. They'll understand once they have kids of their own!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900567 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 08:53:57 +0000 mediagirl 900567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: I did the same thing. M was SUCH a bad nurser - popping off all the time and it hurt like crazy so I was a sight during nursing sessions, too. I would hide in the nursery if people were over and I had to nurse her.</p> <p>Once we both got the hang of it, I would sit in the family room and hang out and let her eat. If she popped on and off, so be it, that was my thought at that point when I was tired of hiding and it no longer hurt. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900563 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 08:52:55 +0000 JerricaBenton 900563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it kind of worked out that people I didn't want to nurse in front of, I also kind of didn't care about (that sounds horrible!) like certain in-laws, so I would just excuse myself and be happy for the break :) Good friends and close family I would just say, 'do you mind?' and no one ever did and I'd just nurse in front of them. I'm definitely a little more modest when it comes to my body, but I usually wore a button shirt or something so that my exposure was minimal. In the early days I would kind of cradle LO in a blanket so her face wasn't covered but it would be more of a sight barrier from the boob. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900549 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 08:49:05 +0000 NovBaby1112 900549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>nursing was very difficult in the beginning for us- screaming fits, oversupply, milk spraying everywhere, cluster feeding non stop, latching on an off, etc. so i usually just nursed in our bedroom if people were over. LO was a constant cluster feeder and we told people this, so before they came over they would always ask if it was a good time or if she was clustering lol. now, i honestly dont care who i nurse in front of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900305 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 07:20:33 +0000 tinyperson 900305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed in the nursery when people were over. LO was tiny and we had to work at her latch - plus bc of her size we did cross cradle for a long time. There was no way I could uses cover andbecoordinated enough to get her latched and I position. I say do what makes you comfortable!</p> <p>We also hada few weeks where we had screaming fits at every nursing session (reflux). DH kept saying we should let family visit,and I finally gave in.ispent most of the night upstairs with a hungry screaming baby who would not nurse and me bawling feeling like an awful mom who couldn't feed her baby. DH said he finally got what I was saying about visitors and stopped pushing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900285 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 07:04:40 +0000 MrsF 900285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had so much trouble breastfeeding that I only ever nursed in front of my mom and my sister. I'm sure if I had continued much longer than 3 months I would have felt different. I pumped a few times and gave a bottle with visitors but only because I didn't want to miss the fun. If you would rather nurse in another room then that's what you should do. Nothing comes before your LO and your comfort at this point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900282 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 07:03:37 +0000 Adira 900282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to leave the room or try to use a nursing cover, but it was hard in the beginning because we had trouble latching. Now I just don't care - I'll nurse in front of anyone. Most people (especially guys) try to situate themselves so they can't see my boobs, but I don't care anymore. I do try to be discrete though - I get Xander situated and then pop my boob out and into his mouth as quick as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900257 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 06:44:56 +0000 Weagle 900257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depended on who was there. Most people I would nurse in front of, but others I would just nurse in the nursery. LO was a fast, one-side eater though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900172 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 00:53:03 +0000 sunny 900172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went upstairs to the nursery and people who were visiting would wait until we were finished, or they would leave. I would generally be able to catch them for a few minutes though, even if I had to go back upstairs with my LO to finish. I wasn't comfortable nursing in front of people (even with a cover) in the early days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900170 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 00:52:14 +0000 lomom 900170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We really haven't had visitors, just my mom. It's most comfortable for me to nurse in the living room and we've had a ton of breastfeeding struggles. At 10.5-11 weeks, we've finally started to settle into a groove that works for us... (Which includes a little supplementing at night) And we're going on a massive trip to see DH's whole family soon. </p> <p>I keep casually mentioning to him that I'm going to nurse as much as possible while we're on the trip and that I want to avoid pumping as much as possible (so as not to deal with washing and drying pump parts, storing breastmilk, etc. and it's double the work, I basically feed lo twice when I pump!) and he says he's fine with it and fine with me not wanting to nurse in front of the ILs (none have ever breastfed and MIL and 2 SILs have told me its awkward to breastfeed)... But I think he's going to change his tune once he realizes how often LO eats (every 1.5-3.5 hours... start to start). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900151 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 00:02:34 +0000 LaineysMom 900151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: @grizz: I think your hubbys should try pumping.. Bet they wouldn't make that recommendation again. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900135 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 23:24:10 +0000 Anagram 900135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sigh...I can already see this conflict in my future. I'm not even due for another 17 days and I've told DH that I'm not comfortable having people over 24/7 because of the breastfeeding issue and he already doesn't get it. </p> <p>I may be worried for nothing, because our LO could be late, but the 5 days before I'm due we somehow now have both his parents AND my mom coming to stay with us in our 2 bedroom condo. That we're moving into tomorrow. That means someone will be sleeping in the living room...and he doesn't understand how that could possible be an issue with newborn baby in the house. </p> <p>I have this giant fear that I'm going to be stuck in our bedroom 24/7 that week, trying to nurse a baby or trying to calm a crying baby, since someone will be out in the living room at all times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900124 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 23:09:52 +0000 immabeetoo 900124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: I just don't think husbands "get it". Pumping is a PITA. Stand your ground and do what you feel most comfortable with! I nursed in front of my Mom and left the room with others (due to mutual preference). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900101 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 22:35:01 +0000 Mrs. Twine 900101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your comfort (and baby's) are important. Personally I do not care who sees my breasts. Really. Not because they are great or anything, but just because I look at them as a food source and source of nurturing and... if you want to look, go right ahead. But it took years to get to where I'm at now. In the early days with Ellie I went in another room. By the time she was two I nursed here wherever-- no cover, no shame. With Lorelei I was that way from the start. If it made other people uncomfortable we'd deal with it. I might be shameless, but I try not to be mean or insensitive.</p> <p>I wouldn't feed expressed milk just to make others more comfortable. Having dealt with low supply I think I just have an instinctive horror reaction to anything that might possibly impact supply, so I would never have been able to do that, anyway, just because I needed all the stimulation I could get. But in most circumstances it's just fine, assuming that's what you want to do.</p> <p>You could consider just turning briefly so your back is facing them until he's latched. I still do that sometimes depending on the company or who I am around if I think it might be harder to do without people getting an eyeful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900098 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 22:30:31 +0000 Smurfette 900098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would nurse with a cover if guys but if my good girl friends they say my boob. We didn't have a ton visiting at home though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-900087 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 22:14:36 +0000 katsupgirl 900087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: @rahlyrah: Your babies are still in the early stages. Nursing is still tricky right now. I totally wouldn't pump just so people could hang around longer. And definitely don't feel bad. Babies gotta eat! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899996 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 21:12:57 +0000 Pepper 899996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: If my parents or in laws are over, I go to another room. I just feel weird nursing in front of them for the same reasons you listed... Shield is always being torn off, baby fussing, etc. if my friends are over, I just throw an A&amp;A blanket over him and adjust him as needed, I don't care if they see anything, it's more for their comfort! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899965 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 21:01:59 +0000 pregnantbee 899965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stayed alone in the nursery all the time, especially when he was only 2 w old and everyone visited for the first time. We nursed so much that I felt like I was missing the fun. It was so lonely for me do I'm not sure I'd do that again if we have #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899964 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 21:01:46 +0000 sarac 899964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just nursed in front of people then, as I do now. Had it been difficult to get my daughter latched, I may have been less easy about it. I would certainly have focused on her and getting her fed if I'd needed to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899958 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 20:59:42 +0000 pl0508 899958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed in the nursery and people could either wait or leave but they usually left ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899945 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 20:51:25 +0000 MrsStar 899945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just nursed in front of people, anyone coming to visit lo and I know she is breastfed and know that if she's hungry then she will be fed! In the beginning it was harder because it took lo and I a while to get set up and it took lo a while to eat wheras nowadays we have a system and lo is usually done within 5 minutes. If anyone was uncomfortable with seeing my boobs then they never said anything, I guess they just looked away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899924 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 20:36:24 +0000 Boheme 899924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: My DH does too and it really aggravates me. I don't want to pump for the sake of entertaining my MIL and FIL for hours longer. My LO is still on a nipple shield, and he rips it off and unlatches probably 5-6 times per session so I'm just not comfortable doing it in front of most people yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899919 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 20:34:40 +0000 meganmp 899919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nursed in the living room, with our without a cover, depending on who was there. Being stuck back in our room for that long was no fun at all. I felt like a prisoner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899915 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 20:33:25 +0000 Bao 899915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed in front of them, but LO didn't mind a cover or blanket halfway covering the tatas. Really though, who cares...everyone has seen breasts :) If they are uncomfortable they can leave the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-did-you-do-nursingvisitors#post-899913 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 20:32:25 +0000 Ra 899913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: Good question! I've been having the same issue. DH wants me to bottle feed with pumped milk when people are over so they can see the baby. I get really annoyed though because I'd rather nurse him and people tend to overstay their welcome! </p>