Answers For Breastfeeding In Public

For a modest mother, breastfeeding in public is a frightening experience. The fear of breastfeeding in public may even leave some new mothers doubting their decision to breastfeed their babies. Breastfeeding in public is an art and new mothers can learn to nurse their infants discreetly. Here are a few tips on breastfeeding in public.

When shopping for nursing clothes, look for shirts that close with hooks, buttons or snaps. Nursing cloths that depend on ties or fold over flaps can expose a breast during normal activities like bending over or shaking a shopping cart free from the tangle of metal baskets at the grocery store. Nursing clothes are a great addition to a nursing mother's wardrobe but they should be chosen with care to avoid public embarrassment.

Keeping your breastfeeding supplies stocked and ready to go at all times is great way to help discreetly nurse your child in public. Being caught in public with a hungry baby and no cover blanket can lead to disaster for the modest mother. Keeping extra breastfeeding supplies in the trunk of your car in an extra diaper bag will ensure that you are never caught without the items necessary to nurse discreetly. Packing extra breastfeeding supplies like an additional blanket, burp cloths and breast milk pads in advance can save you from an embarrassing moment when last minute trips arise and you have little time to prepare.

Breastfeeding women can choose to feed their babies in public bathrooms to limit their company to women only. Some breastfeeding women choose to nurse in the backseat of the car in a secluded area of a parking lot to provide more privacy. Another option for breastfeeding women is to pump breast milk into a bottle prior to any planned outings. While this option is not helpful for those sudden trips to the store or when a telephone call summons you away from home during a breastfeeding session, it can help you avoid many public breastfeeding encounters.

Breastfeeding mothers often grow accustomed to the glances of strangers and an occasional snide comment while nursing in public. Some breastfeeding mothers do not seem to be affected by the reaction of the public while she feeds her infant. Other breastfeeding mothers learn to be quick and discreet to avoid drawing attention while breastfeeding in public, never drawing a stray glance or awkward stare.

Breastfeeding in public doesn't have to ruin your breastfeeding experience. While it may be of little comfort, your baby doesn't care who is present while you breastfeeding in public or at home. The thought of potentially exposing your breasts to strangers is a crippling fear for some mothers. Breastfeeding in public can be done without drawing attention to your breasts. It just takes a little practice and a lot of planning.