I’ve done my fair share of public breastfeeding and now I have pretty much stopped breastfeeding during the day it has given me chance to reflect on the fact that I became a pretty dab hand at it.
To begin with it was the most stressful thing for me and often put me off going out. I used to have visions of being in the middle of ASDA with a screaming newborn and having to abandon my trolly full of food (heaven forbid) in order to find a secluded spot (often in my car) in order to feed him. So I shopped online.
There were 2 issues for me with breastfeeding in public:
1. a) Breastfeeding a newborn is tricky because they often want it RIGHT NOW. There’s no time to fanny around and the more you do the more baby screams and the more baby screams the more you flap. Horrid cycle.
1. b) Now imagine, if you will, adding nipple shields to that hideous cycle and you’ve got a whole lot of attention grabbing flapping/nipple waving/screaming.
2. There was always the fear that someone would tell you off or give you evils for getting your tits out in their cafe.
So, at first I used a BabaSling to feed him.
Here we are in Alnwick Gardens enjoying some public breastfeeding when Reuben was 3 weeks old.
I grew in confidence when I discovered the joys of the Marks and Spencer’s ‘Firm Control body suit’ (which is perfect for both controlling those post-baby wobbly bits and for breastfeeding because it pulls to the side without having to unclip anything so you can quickly cover yourself up again when baby pulls off unexpectedly reviling a whole lot of boob).
I also discovered that we are now protected by law to breastfeed in most public places. It’s incredible to think that this is even necessary but some people have serious issues with seeing those bumpy things on the front of a woman that were made to feed children… *shudder*
But woe betide the place that tries to prevent a woman from public breastfeeding – a cafe in Bristol certainly made a tit of itself (see what I did there?) when a waitress told a woman to never breastfeeding in their cafe again…a few days later the cafe was flash mobbed by hundreds of breasting mothers! Power to the ‘mother suckers’!
So, armed with the knowledge that I could get my boobs out quickly (and more importantly put them away quickly!) and that I was protected by law to feed publicly, I soon braved the cafes and restaurants of the North East minus the sling and discovered no one minds anyway! This has made me wonder whether the North East is just particularly laid back about it because I have done a bit of feeding elsewhere in the UK, most notably in wagamama in Milton Keane’s when the waiters eyes nearly popped out of his head, and I felt a little bit more self conscious…
Has anyone else out there got any public breastfeeding stories?! Good or bad very welcome!!
I have now stopped breastfeeding – if you’re worried about how you will feel, please do read this post and hopefully it will shed some light and make you feel less guilty all at the same time!
4 comments
Kellie on 2-12-2013 at 11:43 am
I didn’t have a problem breastfeeding In public it was my mum that was embarrassed
but it really didnt bother me my thoughts were if people were looking then its there problem. I wasn’t exposed my baby was quiet and back to sleep within 10 mins and I wouldn’t feed my baby In a dirty public toilet :-/ (mum of 4 children all breastfed 3 of them breastfeed over a year old)
hannah on 2-12-2013 at 3:59 pm
It does seem to be a generational thing neither my parents or in laws were bothered about me feeding in front of them or in public but a few of my friends’ in laws were particularly prudish about it! Funny! And I TOTALLY agree about the dirty toilet thing a) it’s dirty and b) when they are really little you’d be in there most of the day and the whole point of going out was to be sociable!! Thanks for your comment Kellie xxx
Leanne on 2-12-2013 at 1:25 pm
Brilliant post, ive recently stopped breast feeding my baby as she wouldn’t take a bottle at all and when I was ill she had to be moved to her own room which made it harder for me to breastfeed constantly. I really miss breast feeding, definitly don’t miss the leaky boobs or feeding in public though. Worst time was when I was in McDonald’s with a friend and had to feed my baby, a man was making it quite obvious he was staring by craning his neck to see me, he was with who I presume was his wife at the time too so I said loud enough that he could hear to me friend ‘ill get my other boob out in a minute’ and he soon stopped looking and went bright red. Made me feel a lot better and eventually my confidence grew to feed in public, you kind of stop caring about other people’s views, if the baby needs feeding it needs feeding. I think what made it worse was because im young (21)so even the doctor and health visitor seemed shocked when I said I breast feeding which is quite sad as no matter what anyone says I believe nothing bonds you like breastfeeding your baby.
hannah on 2-12-2013 at 5:05 pm
Urgh, leaky boobs does my head in! Even now, at least a month since I stopped feeding during the day, I still get caught out – most often when I’m stressed. A big, embarassing wet patch just to finish off a shitty day!
Glad you stuck it to that guy!! Good for you
xxx