Breastfeeding in Public
Welcome to Breastfeeding Experiences!
On this page, you will find women's experiences of breastfeeding in public. As natural as breastfeeding your baby is, a lot of women find it difficult to get used to exposing their breasts in public places. Similarly, many are put off by the reactions of others when feeding their babies outside the home environment.
If you have any experience of breastfeeding in public, please use this form to share it with us.
Public Breastfeeding: Your Stories
Name: Proud Momma
Title: Breastfeeding in Public
Story: I will always breastfeed anywhere in public (i.e. at shopping malls, parks, banks, you name it) except the toilet. Nowadays, there are baby friendly facilities not just to change nappies but specially and beautifully designed breastfeeding rooms.
I appreciate the public awareness on the importance of breastfeeding. I strongly think that all mothers should not be ashamed to breastfeed in public. You find the best comfortable ways to suit you. There are even specially designed covers and baby carriers for you to be a bit discreet. Believe me, when you're expert in breastfeeding, people won't realize at all that you're breastfeeding! It all comes with practice. All the best!
Name: Monique
Title: Public Breastfeeding
Story: In our local mall, they didn't have any private "mothers' room" to nurse. I was a very hesitant public nurser, but I certainly did NOT want to go to the family washroom to feed my baby! (If you can believe it, there was a big, overstuffed chair in there and that was the only place specifically designated for breastfeeding.) So, I decided that I would nurse in the mall, on the nice comfy chairs provided there.
I'm not a "flashy" kind of gal, so I found ways to discreetly cover up. However, I did nurse out in the open.
While a few people would realize what I was doing and quickly turn away or have some kind of reaction, most people would gently smile and stroll by. After I realized that no one was going to be nasty or obnoxious to me for feeding my child, I cheerfully started to feed in more and more places, until I had nursed in the park, in a store, in my village's downtown coffee shop and many other places.
The big advantage to nursing in public is that you can get out with your child and do the things you need to do. Your child gets a chance to be part of your life and you get out and about!
Name: Monique
Title: Breastfeeding in Public
Story: I've never had a problem nursing in public, but I did do my best to be "discreet" (more for my comfort than anyone else's...)
I was told by an older woman who is a friend of the family that the main reason she only nursed her children for 3 months (this is 40 years ago) was because it was SO frowned upon to nurse in public... she couldn't stand the isolation after 3 months, and so she did her best for her kids -- and then she stopped.
In those days, women did all work at home, so scheduling shopping, errands, etc., so that you don't hit a feed for your kid would have been crazy-making. I can see why she didn't feed longer than 3 months.
It's interesting that she was one of the most supportive people for me when I needed to nurse my little one out in a restaurant. She thought it was great. Clearly social pressure can do a lot to encourage or discourage breastfeeding.
Name: Cathleen
Title: Breastfeeding in Public
Story: My comments related to this topic may seem simple but they get to the heart of my belief in breastfeeding is best-feeding. No one would expect parents not to feed a hungry infant or toddler simply because they are out in public. My husband and I choose to provide the best nutrition to our son and it just happens to come from my breasts. If someone else has a problem with my choice, that is his/her problem, not mine. I will not compromise what is best for my child because of someone's ignorance. This may appear more easily said than done but so much of parenting is more easily said than done (at least for me). I have received dirty looks from people when nursing my son out in the world but I just repeat my mantra, "breastfeeding is best-feeding and I will not compromise for others' ignorance." There are also clothing companies that do design shirts and dresses for discrete nursing and those help me to feel less obvious.
Name: Lisa
Title: Is it just me?
Story: Hi, firstly, congratulations on the site. It looks great and I think it's important to be able to share stories with other mums.
I breastfed my son for 16 months (he is now 5) and I dont really remember anyone being negative towards me then, although my own sister used to say when I was feeding in the food court of a shopping centre "Someone will come and tell you to go to the baby room in a minute"
I never did. If I was alone with baby or had to change a nappy as well then I would, but if I was having lunch with someone I would breastfeed at the table. I think my sister was more the person that thought I should hidden away in a change room. I am now breastfeeding my 6 1/2 month old daughter and am just starting to notice people saying "Oh you still doing that?" or "Oh she is on solids now isn't she? Why are you still feeding?"
This year I know about 7 people who have had babies and I'm the only one still breastfeeding. Some tried and it didnt work, some didnt try at all, and one tried so hard she was stressing herself and the baby out too much, I advised her to stop. I see other mums at shopping centres sometimes feeding but mostly I feel like I'm the only one that is breastfeeding. It won't make me stop, but makes me feel a little misunderstood.
Thanks for giving me a chance to connect with other mums!