Would you pump in front of the same people you nurse in front of?
My single, younger SIL is in town for a long weekend and I feel awkward about pumping in front of her but also kinda silly hiding in my room. I pump three times a day at home. I nurse with a cover in front of her but this feels different.
76 votes
honeydew / 7589 posts
Hmm. As someone that breast feeds in front if anyone without a cover, I'm surprised that the idea of this makes me uncomfortable. I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with you doing it, but I'm not sure if I would do it myself.
I guess it would depend on how close I was with the person.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
Depends on how close I am to them. I've pumped in front of my close girlfriends and they find it so fascinating!
coconut / 8681 posts
I would pump in front of DH and my sister but that's it. I would feel awkward.
apricot / 303 posts
If it was someone that I would nurse in front of without a cover, I wouldn't mind pumping in front of them either. You could always cover up with a light blanket if it makes you feel more comfortable.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
I probably wouldn't, even though I've never been bothered by nursing in front of people. I don't know why there's a difference...maybe because I feel like I looked so ridiculous when I pumped? But I only ever needed to pump for 5-10 minutes at a time, so it wouldn't be like I was hidden away for any extensive stretches of time.
pomelo / 5321 posts
I immediately thought no but then read the entire post. If it was me, it would depend on how close I was with my SIL. I definitely wouldn't do it in front of a bunch of people but might if it was just my mom or sister.
pomelo / 5628 posts
I voted yes, but it's family only and I do not prefer it!
In your situation, I definitely would, just make are the tv is on!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
I would in front of family with a nursing cover on to of my flanges.
bananas / 9973 posts
No. I have only even BF in front of my own sister a handful of times. I actually like the quiet time in the room with the baby though.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts
I've pumped uncovered in front of DH, my mom, best friend, and SIL (all on different ocassions). I've pumped covered in front of my MIL and FIL, a few friends, and countless drivers as I drive down the freeway. I wouldn't pump in front of my grandma-in-laws or random strangers in person.
I'm semi-shameless about it though. I do ask people if they would be comfortable with me pumping before doing it though.
clementine / 916 posts
@Arden: @FutureMrsMcK: I definitely think there's a difference. 1) you don't have both boobs exposed when you're breast feeding, 2) the nips get stretched like 1 - 2 inches and it's just bizarre looking! Breast feeding looks normal, pumping just doesn't.
I commend anyone who is able to pump infront of others, but I've only pumped infront of DH, DD and my mom. I used to feed DD in front of anyone without the cover in the hospital, but pumping is just too weird looking for me.
bananas / 9118 posts
I wouldn't be able to relax enough in front of anyone but my husband to pump and have a successful letdown. I can breastfeed in front of pretty much anyone, but pumping took some serious mental relaxation on my part.
nectarine / 2177 posts
I pump in front of close friends and family wearing a nursing cover and a zip up hoodie.
pear / 1743 posts
I would in front of the same people I would breast feed in front of. I would almost definitely use a cover though. Haha, I say this now, someone remind me I said this once LO is here.
pomegranate / 3452 posts
I used to love the quiet time of pumping when we had people staying with us. One of the benefits, I thought - built in time alone.
grapefruit / 4291 posts
I don't pump (SAHM) but I think I would be ok pumping in my own home in front of close family (Ie SIL) and a couple of best girlfriends.
@Mrs. High Heels: I actually think that I saw my SIL pump in the early days, and it was fascinating!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I did. I just put a blanket over me. My friend came over with her 4 year old son. He asked what I was doing. She told him u was making milk for my baby. I pumped in front of my mom once and she told me it was gross. That was the end of me pumping in front of her.
pomegranate / 3895 posts
My BFF was in town last week and she stayed with us. I thought I'd feel weird pumping in front of her, but I just didn't feel like escaping to my room each time, so I did it with her in the room and it was fine. I just used my manual pump and pulled my shirt over top of it as much as I could.
grapefruit / 4923 posts
i did pump in front of my family during the first crazy weeks after LO was born, but not anymore. the noise/tubes/machine seem more distracting than just nursing.
watermelon / 14206 posts
Nope...I have no problem nursing in front of people, but the pump seems more awkward.
clementine / 896 posts
I've pumped in front of our families. I just threw a blanket over my chest. Didn't bother me and if anyone else didn't like it they'd just leave the room.
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts
No - I even felt awkward pumping in front of DH. But I have no problem BFing in front of DH or a couple of close friends.
nectarine / 2280 posts
Pumping is so awkward and makes me feel like a milking cow hooked up to machines. I pump in front of DH my sisters and my mom. I wouldn't feel comfortable around anybody else.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
No chance. The pump is so loud and awkward. I'll breastfeed with a blanket over me anywhere and everywhere. But the only people I ever have or ever will pump in front of are hubs and my mom. I would be uncomfortable if a friend pumped with me there.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
LO isn't here yet, so I can't say how I'll feel, but I can tell you we visited a friend a week or so after she had her baby, and she was EPing. I didn't even realize at first that she was pumping under her cover-- I might not have realized it if I didn't know what a nursing cover looked like, and DH didn't realize it until we left and I mentioned it-- no idea! But there was a lot going on, people talking, I think the TV was on, so it's not like it was just really quiet with the pumping noise for background music.
So, as awkward as it sounds to actually do, I did not feel weird at all when I was the company in that situation. DH might have if he had known what was going on, but I'm working on getting him used to that kind of stuff.
squash / 13199 posts
No i wouldnt pump in front of company. I would nurse with a nursing cover
grapefruit / 4442 posts
I pumped in front of my sister but she has kids. Other company I wouldnt
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I would pump in front of my sisters (my SIL included) and my mom.
but never my MIL, SIL's on DH's side or any friends.
But I would nurse in front of anyone (with a cover).
papaya / 10560 posts
No, just because pumping is so awkward...makes me feel like a cow. I nurse in public though.
grapefruit / 4681 posts
I voted yes, but it really depends on the company.
I pumped in front of my college roommate...she came to visit just after DS was born and stayed with us for a few days. I was tired, a FTM who didn't want to let LO out of my sight, and it was just easier to pump where I was instead of hiding....Had it been someone I didn't feel comfortable with or a male, I don't think I would have done so.
coconut / 8475 posts
No!
I hardly breasted in front of anyone (DH aside). Whn I did, I used a cover and that was only my mom & sister and only because LO made me:)
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34 comments