NURSING
MOTHERS, INC.
Nursing in Public
Factsheet 11
Nursing your baby is the healthiest and most nutritionally sound way to feed your baby. It is also nature's way of providing your baby the best possible start in life. You can nurse anywhere, whenever your baby is hungry. Breastfeeding is extremely practical and extremely portable!
Many states these days are voting in breastfeeding laws that protect the
nursing mother from harassment when she nurses her baby in public.
A Nursing Wardrobe
The clothes you choose to wear can make breastfeeding in public easier for you. Large pullover tops or sweaters that you can life without restricting the flow of milk can hid the top part of your breast while the baby's body shields the lower part of your breast and your stomach. You can alter many blouses, dresses, and even swimsuits by adding velcro or a zipper along a seam to allow for discreet nursing. You can nurse in shirts that button along the front by unbuttoning them from the bottom. One-piece dresses and jumper, tight clothing, or back-opening blouses make nursing more difficult and cumbersome.
In the first few weeks, while you and your baby work to establish your milk supply, you may experience some leaking. Dark clothing with patterns tends to hide evidence of leaking more effectively than lighter colors and solids. You may find it helpful to wear disposable or washable breastpads. You can also use a dropcatcher or breastmilk leakage inhibitor system (blis) when you go out in public. A dropcatcher will collect any leaked milk, while the blis supplies a gentle pressure that prevents leaking. Nursing pads inserted in your bra will absorb leaking (be sure to change the pads frequently). You can also stop leaking by crossing your arms across your breast and applying pressure.
Practice Makes Perfect
You can become more proficient at nursing discreetly by practicing at home. Sit in front of a mirror and observe your practice sessions. At first, it may be a good idea to turn away from full view while your are getting your baby to latch on. With time, though, babies get very good at latching on without your help. Once the baby is latched on, rearrange your clothing and return to the business at hand. A shawl around your shoulder, a baby blanket over the baby, a poncho in cool weather or a beach cover-up in warm weather are other ways to fully shield breastfeeding activity. You will need to practice perfecting these covering techniques; sometimes the cover itself draws more attention to what you are doing. You will also want to practice hooking and unhooking your bra discreetly.
Talk with your Nursing Mothers counselor about attending a mothers' meeting. Here you can watch other breastfeeding mothers nurse in public and learn their tips and techniques. This can help you feel more comfortable with the process when you are in public.
Nursing in Public
Where you nurse may influence how comfortable you feel about nursing in public. You can ask a restaurant to seat you at a corner or wall table rather than in the center of the room. You can move away from crowds in more open places. Look for secluded seating area at malls, or take your baby into a fitting room. If you are on a train, plane, or bus, seat yourself away from major walkways, entrances, and bathrooms where people will tend to pass you more frequently. Have your traveling companion open a newspaper, as if reading, to help shield you. At the beach you can move toward the rear of the beach. You can use a towel to cover up, or nurse facing a beach umbrella that has been lowered.
Ideally, you will not have to choose a rest room in which to nurse. Health agencies don't allow food preparation in a bathroom, so it ought to follow that you shouldn't be expected to nurse in one. If you must nurse in a bathroom, try to find one that has an adjoining lounge where you can sit comfortably. If your only choice is to use a bathroom stall, choose the handicapped one - it is often a bit cleaner and you will have extra room for movement and a stroller.
You may choose to remove yourself to the privacy of your car when you are out and about. Carry pillows or other items of comfort in your car for these times.
When you nurse at someone else's house, you might ask where they would prefer you to nurse you baby. It is nice to give them the choice and show that you respect their feelings (whether or not you share their opinions!). Be sensitive to the fact that some men may feel uncomfortable if a woman to whom they are not married nurses a baby in front of them.
Public Nursing and the Older Baby
Women who nurse toddlers face additional criticism when they nurse in public. Unfortunately, many people seem to feel a toddler is too old to be at the breast. Because of these attitudes, the mother who nurses an older baby may feel uncomfortable when her darling announces to the world, "Me want nurse." It can help to decide on a special word the two of you use for nursing. This way, when your child asks to nurse, only you and she know what you are talking about.
You could tell you toddler that you will both nurse when you get to the car (or some other more private place). If you keep the statement positive, you can avoid sending the wrong message. The issue for you and your child is not whether you will nurse, but where and when you will nurse. If your child is not frightfully hungry, try distracting her. You might avoid the problem by anticipating her needs. If she seems hungry, offer a snack. Have a drink readily available while traveling in public.
Revision: 2/95, Lisa Davis; 1/03 Megan Allen
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