Know Your Rights
As a nurse and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), I know the science of breastmilk. As a mom of four, I also know the fear and worry that can set in when your hungry baby can’t wait until you’re snuggled up at home for the next feeding. Learning to breastfeed can be challenging enough without the added pressure of needing to do it in public. Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with some top-tier tips for managing feeding time while you’re out and about. The goal isn’t just for you to know it's okay for you to breastfeed in public, but for you to feel confident in doing so!
Pro-Tips for Nursing In Public
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Practice at home first. Practice both sitting down and standing in front of a mirror while latching. This helps you determine what is visible from others’ points of view and if you prefer to cover or not.
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Be strategic when choosing your spot. Think comfort! Look for comfy chairs, a bench against a wall, or even a grassy spot if there are no other options. If you’re outdoors, look for a shady spot for you and your baby to take a nursing break. Nursing with your back to a corner or wall helps provide more privacy. If your baby is easily distracted, you may need to step away from situations that are too stimulating so the baby can concentrate on eating.
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Master the two-shirt method. One of the easiest ways to latch inconspicuously is to use the two-shirt method. Where a camisole or stretchy tank is under a looser shirt. When it’s time to nurse, pull the top shirt up and pull the neck of the camisole or tank down. Baby covers your breast, the outer shirt covers your chest, and the under shirt covers your back and belly.
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Consider nursing as a carrier. From wraps to structured carriers and everything in between, nursing in a carrier is often a great option! The key is to master both babywearing and breastfeeding independently of each other before trying to combine the two. Then, practice at home before braving it in public. Just make sure you can always see the baby’s face while nursing, keep a hand or two on the baby during feedings, and return your carrier or wrap to the appropriate position when finished.
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Cover if you want. Using a nursing cover gives many moms a sense of peace and security if they feel uncomfortable with the possibility of being exposed during breastfeeding. If your baby is exposed to nursing under a cover early on, they are more likely to continue being comfortable with nursing under a cover when they get older. There are many different types of nursing covers. Options range from stretchy and t-shirt-like to light linen-style fabrics. My personal favorites have rigid necklines that hold the top of the cover open so you can see baby, but no one else can. A cover can also help a distractible baby focus on the task at hand!
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Watch for early hunger cues. It’s faster and easier to latch a calm baby versus a crying one. If you think the baby might be hungry, go ahead and offer a breastfeed.
Handling the Haters
While some folks might just genuinely not know much about breastfeeding, others have strong opinions about it. Keep in mind that most people support a mother’s right to breastfeed her baby anytime and anywhere.
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Gentle Deflection - When someone stares awkwardly or makes a rude comment about what you're doing, respond with, “I’m just feeding my baby. Thanks for your concern.”
Practice these example scripts so you can feel confident when dealing with negative attention from onlookers.
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Polite Education - When someone tells you that you shouldn’t be feeding your baby in a public place, inform them by saying, “Actually, it’s perfectly legal for me to feed my baby here. Have a nice day.”
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Friendly Fact-Check - When someone suggests that you offer a bottle instead, let them know that “Early introduction of bottles can derail breastfeeding,” or “It is twice the work for me to pump and then bottle feed just for your comfort. My baby has a right to nurse here just as you have a right to eat in public when you’re hungry.”
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Stand Your Ground - “If my feeding my baby makes you uncomfortable, you are welcome to look away.”
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Enlist Allies - If you are with a friend or family member, ask them to stay near you while you’re breastfeeding. It can be extremely calming to have a loved one near when you’re feeling nervous about breastfeeding in public. It’s also less likely for someone to behave rudely when they see that you have “backup”.
You’ve Got This, Mama!
While it might feel intimidating to breastfeed in public at first, just remember that you’re not “doing something to the public”. You’re just feeding your baby! Every time you nurse your little one when you’re out and about, you’re helping to normalize breastfeeding for everyone.
Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.
