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I usually ask, it isn't a big deal for me to go into a different room.

I'm going to ask because I don't like to make other people uncomfortable in their home. If it is mixed company, I'll just ask where I can breastfeed.

This thread reminds me of a SATC episode when Miranda just whipped out her nip in the middle of trying to have bagels with Carrie one morning. Carrie was pretty scarred LOL. I might at least give someone some warning, but who knows how it will be when I'm actually doing it.

Question for everyone who says they use a cover-- do people object to you using one anywhere? I mean, you can't see anything, right (unless the baby pulls on it and whips it off or something)? I think I would ask if I was nursing without a cover, but it seems like with a cover, no one sees anything, right? But I do agree that it's common courtesy, and if someone wanted me to go to another room when I offered to use a cover, i'd do it but probably wouldn't feel like visiting again soon.

However, in a big gathering, I think I'd probably feel more comfortable in another room. No LO yet so I can't say for sure.

I would ask if its ok when visiting someone else's home. It's their home so you should respect their wishes. At my own home I feel like I can do whatever I want. If ppl don't want to see my boob or watch me BF then they don't have to come over. I don't have a cover yet so I've just been whipping out my boob in front of female guests. I do warn them first.

When I was breastfeeding I would always ask, just out of common courtesy. Luckily no one was weird about it. I definitely understand the desire to normalize breastfeeding and I think that's great. However, I often wonder if the type of people who are going to be uncomfortable about it would feel even more strongly if someone was trying to be forceful about it? This certainly depends on your social circle/region of the country you're in/etc., but it's something to think about.

I never ask and I disagree with @MamaMoose that it's a common courtesy. If I breastfeed with a cover, it's like I'm wearing a shirt. I'm not sure how much more modest I could be...

I have a friend who used to always suggest I go into her baby's nursery to feed Liam instead of in the living room with a cover and it really made ME feel uncomfortable. Why would I go to someone else's house to sit in a room by myself?

Not there yet, but I'd probably just say, "I'm gonna feed her" and wait a second before doing so for a response.

I'll also need to see who the friend is too. I think most friends are totally comfortable about this, but I can think of this friend who would sit quietly in his seat turning all red.

@Arden: To me your right to breastfeed and their right to be comfortable are equally important. And if you are a guest in their home, their right to comfort wins out. But I've also never understood people who feel really strongly that everyone should be comfortable with breastfeeding. Some people just aren't and that's ok. It's not a huge deal to me to step into another room. It's not like they are saying you can't feed your baby at all.

I think that I would mention that it's time to feed her, and see how comfortable they are with it. I understand that I have the right to feed her where she needs it, but I do also want to respect people's comfort levels.

That being said, I also ask before I give myself insulin shots in front of other people because I know some people don't handle seeing shots well.

I didn't ask... Until I offended a friend of mine. I whipped it out, not thinking about the fact that her husband and teenage son were present. I have mixed feelings about the situation now, at the time I just didn't realize. It is very natural, and my DDs right. But her son didn't need my boob to be the first one he saw in real life LOL

I judge the company I am in and go from there. Generally I will give a quick "she needs to eat" or something along those lines. I will always cover up to make sure I am being discreet in front of other people. I love the breastfeeding support group I go to because everyone just whips it out and goes for it, like we all just know there will be no judgement there! I do almost always go into another room at my inlaws, but that's for my comfort really!

It's been an evolution for us. At the beginning, I would excuse myself because we weren't very good at it yet, couldn't do it under a cover because we weren't good and I felt more comfortable having a quiet space where I could work through my struggles on my own.
Once we got better at nursing, I would casually mention I was going to feed her as I put my cover on, I didn't feel the need to leave the room most of the time (though I would judge based on the company). I nurse uncovered in front of my mom, sister, mil, SIL and bff, though I asked them all if they were ok before I did it. Maybe I didn't ask my sister, but that's sister code! lol!

I think it's courteous to ask in any company, but especially in someone else's home. Most of the time it's not breastfeeding that people are leery of, it's just a question of modesty and they happen to be private people. I don't think there has to be a "us against them" mentality when it comes to breastfeeding either. We're just feeding our babies. We're not on a crusade.

Wow, it never even occurred to me to ask. I use a cover and no one sees anything so why would I ask? If someone is uncomfortable and I'm not even disrobing I don't know how to help that person!

If someone invites me to their house, knowing I EBF, there is a reasonable expectation that I will be BF'ing my LO at their house. Same thing if they invite us out for a meal or outing. Because I use a cover and don't see how it is any different from being fully clothed and using a bottle, I do not ask if people are comfortable with me feeding in front of them. I just tell them LO is hungry as I start putting on my cover and unhooking my bra.

I agree with @Arden and the other posters who said that BF'ing in public really needs to become more normalised in the States. No one even bats an eye when I feed in public here, but I've received lots of incredulous comments from friends and family back in the States who are shocked that I will feed LO anywhere, any time, any place without any regard for who is around. Modesty is one thing, and I do tend to be modest about feeding, but having to remove myself from a situation because someone might be uncomfortable - nope, not going to happen.

LO isn't here yet, but i don't feel like you should have to ask for permission. i would probably be along the lines of, it's time to feed her and judging the company, proceed. i do think it should be normalized, but at the same time, if there were a teenage boy there, etc, i don't think it's the time for me to activate my "rights," especially if i'm in their home. out in public though, that's a free for all. i doubt i'll worry about who is around at that point.

@c.sassy: LOL at "we're not on a crusade". I suppose that's along the lines of how I feel, too.

I haven't been put in this situation all that often. In my home, I do not ask. In my own home, I also don't cover up unless there are men around. In someone else's home, I will just say, I need to feed her, okay if I sit here (ie: living room couch)?

I don't ask permission, I just do what I gotta do. I only use a cover if I feel uncomfortable, otherwise my nursing tanks do a pretty good job of covering me. They actually show less cleavage than a lot of girls do on a daily basis!
Also I have to disagree with those that say that as I guest they wouldn't want to make their host uncomfortable. For me it is the opposite. As a hostess, my guests' needs come before mine.