Breastfeeding in Public
Top 10 Tips
Breastfeeding in public, are you nervous about this? Most moms are!
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But what if you're in the middle of the mall or out for a run and your baby is hungry? What are you to do?
Here are some tips to help to make it a little easier for you to nurse your baby in a public place:
1) Have your supplies ready.
Have your breastfeeding supplies always packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. This will make them easy to get to when you need them.
2) Wear the right clothes.
There are many nursing tops made for breastfeeding with flaps or slits. This makes it convenient for exposing the breast enough for your baby to feed but not enough for everyone to see it.
3) Bring a cover.
Have a lightweight cover up or blanket with you to cover you and your baby while he or she is eating.
4) Plan ahead.
If you are going out for a run or to the park, plan ahead for a good place to stop and feed your baby before he or she is hungry and ready to eat.
5) Practice.
Practice a discreet way of breastfeeding when you are either at a friend's house or at home. You will be better at it the more you practice. If you are really worried about what others can see, breastfeed in front of a mirror so you know how you look.
6) Ask other moms.
Join the local chapter of the La Leche League or talk to other nursing moms and find how they breastfeed in public. They can share some great tips.
7) Try someplace less busy first.
Don’t make your first try a really crowded place. You can start by going to the park where only a few people are and practice breastfeeding off in a corner and gradually get more public as you go. This can be a quieter way to get used to breastfeeding in public than the mall or a ball game.
8) Try a baby sling.
A good sling can double as a nursing cover and no one will realize that you are nursing at all!
9) Get a good nursing bra.
Buy a comfortable nursing bra for your convenience. Make sure it is sized right. Fiddling with a regular bra in public usually just spells frustration!
10) Know your rights.
Last but not least, know that you have a right to breastfeed your baby when you need to. It is a very normal, natural and beautiful process. Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed of breastfeeding it in public.
| This article on breastfeeding in public was contributed by Sheri from Breastfeeding-Magazine.com. To find more breastfeeding tips, hip nursing clothes, and lactation support, visit www.breastfeeding-magazine.com. |  |
