More and more people and organizations are getting used to women breastfeeding in public, but ultimately the choice is up to you. It’s perfectly possible to breastfeed and cover up anything you don’t want people to see, and it’s certainly very convenient to be able to feed your baby whenever she’s hungry, wherever you are.
Most women prefer to get the hang of breastfeeding at home before they try it outside, and once you are out & about you will need to choose places where you feel comfortable. But you’ll soon be reassured to discover a whole community of moms who are perfectly happy to whip out a nipple and feed their baby while they carry on chatting and drinking tea.
Ask friends or your midwife if they can recommend some nice cafes to start off with. In the UK it is actually illegal to ask a breastfeeding woman to leave a public place, although it does feel more acceptable in some places, like cafes, than others, like fancy restaurants or fashionable bars. That said, practice and you’ll find yourself able to breastfeed discreetly. Some people don’t even notice a woman is doing it, until the baby’s had enough and starts to wiggle about! Providing you stay sensitive to your surroundings and don’t expose yourself gratuitously, you should find that most places and people are okay with it, these days.
The only exception to this is if you choose to keep breastfeeding after your baby is about one & a half years old. Although the World Health Organization actively recommends breastfeeding up to two years old and beyond – the health benefits, both for baby and you, continue for as long as you do it – but the older your child gets, the more uncomfortable people tend to be with it being breastfed. The choice is still yours, but unless you’re very thick-skinned, you may find the surprised comments and odd looks hurtful, especially if they are from members of your family who’re embarrassed on your behalf. Although that’s their problem really, you may, unfortunately, still have to put up with it.
Practically speaking, the best advice is to wear nursing bras and loose-fitting tops – it’s surprisingly easy to slip your baby under loose clothes for a feed. You can also wear two tops, so that you can stay as covered up as you’d like to – the top layer gets pulled up and the bottom layer gets pulled down. Some women like to carry a shawl or pashmina to cover up with during feeds. Baby slings that are designed with breastfeeding in mind are worth looking into, and – at least while you’re getting used to it – take someone with you. A friend who’s already had a baby, your mum, or your partner, will all help you feel comfortable and, most importantly, hand you cups of tea – at least until you get the hang of feeding your baby and drinking lapsang souchong at the same time.
Emily Sauder is a full time mother and part time freelance writer who loves everything about motherhood, traveling and spending her partner’s money.
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