How to Breastfeed in Public
Getting out of the house and experiencing new places, sights, sounds and smells is good for your baby and it is definitely good for your mental well being. If you are still getting comfortable with breastfeeding you might be nervous not to have your pillows and comfy chair for support. You might also be worried about people looking at you or seeing a body part you didn’t intend to share. These concerns are valid and common but it doesn’t mean you should stay home!
Practice at home
When a baby is still learning how to latch well they can need a lot of help and attention from the lactating parent which means you need a good view of what’s going on. If you are unsure of what’s on view when the baby is latched you might ask a trusted person to watch you feed the baby and tell you what they can see. You can also practice in front of a mirror. As you and the baby become more experienced with the process of latching on you will see that it becomes very quick and the amount of time that any nipple might be visible is very small. Once the baby is latched onto the breast, their head covers up almost all of the breast. A strategically placed scarf might also add to your comfort if there’s skin showing in a place you didn’t intend.
Consider your outfit
There are different ways to dress so find what works for you. Some people like to wear a nursing tank rather than a bra that they can easily lower to expose one breast at a time and nothing else. Others like to pull up their top and bring the baby to the breast that way. Another approach is to wear a loose top over the nursing tank so you can pull up the outer shirt then lower the nursing tank and very little skin is exposed at all. In cold weather this is particularly helpful.
Nursing covers are available and they may be helpful for the transition. Depending on the weather they could make the baby hot so be careful to monitor that. As babies grow they generally do not like to have their faces covered and tend to fight having a cover over them. Only use one if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Know your Rights
You are under no obligation to cover up any part of your body in order to feed your baby. The law in the U.S. covers breastfeeding/chestfeeding a baby in public. Some uneducated people may be unfamiliar with this but you are protected so know your rights in the unlikely event that someone complains. Anywhere that you are legally allowed to be with your baby, you are allowed to feed them in the manner that works best for you.
Find a designated space
If you are in a shopping mall or other building there are often designated places that parents can go to feed their babies. Many department stores have a “mother’s lounge” which is quiet and has supportive chairs so you can feed your baby away from the crowds. Airports have pods designated for breastfeeding or pumping with cleaning materials available. Since 2019, certain Federal buildings are required to provide a lactation room for the public that is shielded, hygienic and may be used to express milk or feed your baby.
Use a carrier
If you have a baby carrier to wear the baby in, that can be a great way to feed the baby and not feel exposed. When nursing in a carrier you first need to lower the baby to chest height so keep one hand on the baby’s bottom at all times once you loosen the strap. Once they have finished feeding don’t forget to tighten everything up and bring baby back up to kissing distance from your face. Again, this might be something you practice around the house first until you are confident you can do it safely while out.
Your baby is part of your life now so let them participate. Taking your baby out and having the breast available to feed them at all times is a lot easier than preparing bottles so once you get over the hump of latching them on you will see the freedom it affords you! Get out there and ENJOY!