BF'ing in public

[hijacob]

First of all, wanted to thank everyone who has offered advice and encouragement during my numerous BF'ing woes since LO was born. Things are DEFINITELY improving, and my recent issue with nipple pain has passed (THANK GOD!!!).

So, my next challenge: BF'ing in public. I am SOOOO nervous about this. DH and I are leaving this week for So Cal by plane, and though it's a short flight from Portland (about 2 hours), it will of course cut into her mealtime. I will plan to feed her, of course, during take off and landing so her ears don't pop painfully. Here's my question: how many of you were super nervous about BF'ing in public? I have NEVER been offended or put off by women BF'ing in public, and hope to be able to do this with ease. But I would LOVE to know how others psyched themselves up for it, especially if other ladies felt nervous about it too. Thanks in advance, ladies - I would not be BF'ing now if not for this forum (I would've given it up a LOOOONNNNGGGG time ago). My beautiful little Haley thanks you all, too!

[Kimmeh]

I am sorry I can't be much of a help...Bf'ing in public has never been a concern for me...I just have the attitude of if you don't like it don't watch!! kwim? I could care less if someone sees my boob if its being used as a feeding device for my child, it's the farthest thing from sexy. Now if you asked me to take topless photos I would be way too shy :laugh:

I am sorry you are feeling nervous about it :hugs: I hope you can find a way to get around it so you are comfortable and happy to feed in public!!

[hijacob]

I am sorry I can't be much of a help...Bf'ing in public has never been a concern for me...I just have the attitude of if you don't like it don't watch!! kwim? I could care less if someone sees my boob if its being used as a feeding device for my child, it's the farthest thing from sexy. Now if you asked me to take topless photos I would be way too shy :laugh:

I am sorry you are feeling nervous about it :hugs: I hope you can find a way to get around it so you are comfortable and happy to feed in public!!

Well, I guess exposure therapy is in order - no other way to get comfortable with it than to just do it. I lost much of my modesty during childbirth, so if I can do that I can do anything!

[Kimmeh]

Well, I guess exposure therapy is in order - no other way to get comfortable with it than to just do it. I lost much of my modesty during childbirth, so if I can do that I can do anything!

:laugh: that's an excellent attitude!! childbirth totally takes modesty away, haha. I was just discussing that the other day with a nurse myself.

[Amy&Carlos]

I think the more you do it, the more comfortable you'll be with it. The first time I NIP, I didn't even get time to think about it. I had to be out with the baby, he needed to eat, I had to nurse. It turned out to never be a big deal. I think once you get through the first time or two, you won't be feeling nervous. The fact that your baby needs to eat is going to help you forget any other feelings. Kind of like you mentioned with childbirth. When you've gotta do something, all self-consciousness drips away. :)

[JennM17]

like PP said, you just have to do it sometimes. my thought is i would rather NIP then here my son scream and i'm sure the people around me feel the same way.

get a nursing cover, might help too. target online has a ton in different colors.

[Corrie]

Just tell yourself its no different than anyone else in the plane eating their snacks and drinking their drinks. If it makes you feel any better, get a seat at the very back of the plane. They cant tell you not to nurse, thats against the law and if anyone has a problem with it, think of a witty comeback like carrying a blanket and offering them the blanket to cover their head ;) Youll be fine :)

[kohlby]

I never had a problem with other women NIP, but I felt uncomfortable doing it at first myself. I first made sure I was comfortable by nursing with a recieving blanket over me at home in front of the mirror. Once I was confident that I could do that in public, then I did! It didn't take long for me to lose the blanket all-together. By the time my first was 3 months, NIP was the most natural thing in the world to me. But it did take time and it did take using a cover at first. And that's okay! Some women take longer getting used to NIP than others!

I'm not sure with a 2 month old but my son was 5 months for his first flight and he refused to nurse on the plane! This was a baby who would nurse 24/7 if I let him at home! He's been on lots of flights and the descent hurts his ears everytime. So, though you plan on nursing, I'd strongly suggest bring a bottle of pumped milk as well just in case she won't nurse on the descent. Also, 2 hours isn't very long, but for longer flights or connecting flights, I learned that I should have packed my manual pump. (Since a baby who won't nurse on a flight means mum gets quite uncomfortable!)

[hijacob]

I never had a problem with other women NIP, but I felt uncomfortable doing it at first myself. I first made sure I was comfortable by nursing with a recieving blanket over me at home in front of the mirror. Once I was confident that I could do that in public, then I did! It didn't take long for me to lose the blanket all-together. By the time my first was 3 months, NIP was the most natural thing in the world to me. But it did take time and it did take using a cover at first. And that's okay! Some women take longer getting used to NIP than others!

I'm not sure with a 2 month old but my son was 5 months for his first flight and he refused to nurse on the plane! This was a baby who would nurse 24/7 if I let him at home! He's been on lots of flights and the descent hurts his ears everytime. So, though you plan on nursing, I'd strongly suggest bring a bottle of pumped milk as well just in case she won't nurse on the descent. Also, 2 hours isn't very long, but for longer flights or connecting flights, I learned that I should have packed my manual pump. (Since a baby who won't nurse on a flight means mum gets quite uncomfortable!)

Thank you for sharing your experience, and that it was difficult for you at first, too! I do have a cover, so will take that along. AND will definitely bring some bottled milk - I can totally see my LO have a nursing protest on the plane! :)

[Irish-Eyes]

I was super nervous about it, thinking EVERYONE was looking at me and that they could all see my boob. But I knew I needed to get over it if I was to have a life (the first few times we were out with DD, I nursed her in the restaurant bathrooms! That had to stop!). DH would sit in front of me at the restaurant and then he'd tell me if anything was visible. Pretty soon, I realized no one even KNEW I was bfing, let alone everyone watching me. It also became apparent that it was only a big deal if I made it a big production. Whereas, if I just put DD in place, got the boob out without ever even stopping my conversation (or ordering from the waitress for that matter), then no one blinked an eye at it.

Definitely the more you do it, the more comfortable you become.

[cheeksy]

I think DH was more nervous than I was the first time :lol: I don't have any special covers or slurp&burp, I just use a big scarf. And we do fine! You will be fine too. Believe me - I nip everywhere possible to imagine including few times while walking! (don't ask me why - just had to do it!). Good luck :D

[canuckmama]

i ended up having a much easier time with NIP after i found my nursing tanks. i used a cover or a blanket at first, but i found it way more awkward. i felt like i needed 4 extra arms... plus dd hated being covered up.

when you wear the nursing tank under another shirt, there is so little showing!! the tank covers up your belly and the top shirt ends up falling down to cover up the rest of what the baby isn't covering. it seriously works the best... my favourite tanks ( and bras ) are from bravado designs www.bravadodesigns.com .
they are the best that i found. i tried the target ones and glamourmom and the bravado ones are the best quality. they also had a great range of sizes...i could not fit my 38 fs into the others to get near the support i needed.

that's my advice. also, take it in baby steps. i was a little shy at first, but i worked it slowly and started out at friends houses...then at the mall in the parking lot, then in the changeroom, and so on. ..

once you get to the last few places, you won't care any more :)
good luck...
canuckmama

[Amy&Carlos]

Oh, what Irish-Eyes said made me think that maybe it would be good to attempt your first NIP experience at a restaurant. With booths and your DH there, you can nurse completely undetected! It might give you extra confidence to nurse while flying! :)

Also, I don't use actual nursing tanks - I'm kinda cheap, I just wear these low-cut $4 tanks I bought that allow me to push down one side. Anyway, like canuckmama said, it definitely allows for nearly total coverage minus the area of the boob going in your LO's mouth. I love it.

[01buckler15]

Nursing tanks and nursing covers are what helped me get out there and do it. I practiced with them at home first then ventured out into the unknown. LOL It wasn't near a big of deal once I actually did it.
With my first BFed son I didn't NIP at all! He didn't like being covered up or like anything near his face while he ate. And I was way to uncomfortable showing my boobs to the world. That made it really hard. This time around was much better. DS likes to have something in his face while he eats. So it's the perfect way for me to get over it.

[HeyMrs.K]

With my DD I absolutely would not nurse in public, now I would nurse in the car though LOL. With DS, it took a few times but I just finally got comfortable with it..The only recent time I haven't been comfortable with it was when we went out to dinner and this group of little girls were just amazed at H, and kept looking and trying to talk to him so I ended up going out to the car---mostly because he was so distracted but them!

[maine06]

Here's an interesting thing about me and NIP. The first few times, I NIP, no big deal... the first time was actually at a car dealership, with glass walls to the outside on all sides. Right in the middle of the room, on a couch. No concerns, didn't even think twice about it. THEN, when I realized other people might make comments, or, stare, or, think it was gross, THEN I got nervous. Not about offending anyone, but, about being singled out in public while trying to feed my baby. My suggestion, try to be calm, know that what you're doing is right and natural and good. Make yourself as comfortable as possible. Get the nursing tanks and dress in clothes that make nursing easy. Practice at home in front of a mirror, so you know how much you're showing. It will make you more comfortable to know that, well, even if people are looking at you, you're not flapping in the wind :) Have DH versed in your right to BF, so HE can handle any morons with big mouths. You focus on your LO, and have a good trip :)