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Tips for Discreet Breastfeeding in Public
Carrie Lauth
If you're a new Mom who is nursing your baby you may
be nervous about doing so in public.
Or perhaps you are
disturbed by media reports of women who are harassed
for breastfeeding in public and are considering pumping your
milk to give your baby when you leave home.
Here are some tips for discreet breastfeeding that have worked
for many Moms. Hopefully they will help you
feel more comfortable nursing in public so you can
avoid the inconvenience of pumping and preparing bottles.
1) Before you have your baby, attend a La Leche League or other
breastfeeding support group meeting.
Unfortunately in our Society that gives lip service to
the benefits of breastfeeding, it is still rare to see Moms
nursing in public, and so most of us grow up having our own
babies never having seen another woman nurse.
Going to an LLL meeting and seeing how other Moms nurse
their babies discreetly and confidently can boost your
own confidence. They can also share with you tips that will
make nursing in public easier for you.
2) Invest in a baby sling.
These are wonderful for making life with a baby easier all around,
but one thing they're great for is discreet breastfeeding.
I can't count the times someone approached me in a store and commented
on my baby having no idea that s/he was latched on and nursing!
The fabric of the sling can be adjusted to come up over the baby's head
(yet most babies don't mind this like they do a blanket), or you
can use the extra fabric on the "tail" to cover baby.
3) After your baby is born, practice nursing in front of a mirror
or a friend to perfect your technique.
Once you and baby are getting to be old pros at the latch on, you
can most likely do so in just a couple of seconds.
4) Nurse at the first signs of hunger.
A nursing baby generally draws less attention than a screaming one!
So latch your baby on as soon as you notice that s/he is hungry...rooting,
sucking on fist, grimacing face, etc. A crying baby also makes you nervous
and you and baby may take longer to get latched on comfortably.
5) Try turning your body away while you latch on.
If you're sitting at a table in a restaurant, simply turn your body
away from the table briefly while you latch baby on, then resume your
normal position.
6) Try nursing clothes.
These are designed to cover your belly for more discreet breastfeeding.
Or simply wear a thin top under a cardigan or other shirt.
You can also make your own nursing top by cutting slits in a tank and
wearing it under another shirt. And always pull up your shirt from the bottom instead of unbuttoning from the top to nurse.
7) Bring a book or large purse to set in your lap to camouflage.
Your diaper bag would also work. Set it in front of baby on your knees
while you latch baby on. Or hold a book so that your baby's head and
your breast are out of view.
And lastly...
8) Be confident!
You are doing something that is best for you and baby and that billions of women
all over the world for thousands of years have done. Be proud of yourself
and give passersby a warm smile. You'd be surprised how often people will
smile back or even approach with a commendation or anecdote about
their own children.
Enjoy nursing your baby!
About the Author
Carrie Lauth is a breastfeeding educator and publishes a newsletter full of helpful resources for
Moms doing things the natural way. Get your free copy at http://www.natural-moms.com
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