How to Discreetly Breastfeed Your Baby on the Go

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit


When a baby has to eat, the breastfeeding mom does not always have a separate room available with perfect privacy conditions to feed them. Here are a few tips and tricks to get the baby fed and maintain privacy in a rush.

Steps

1. Wear clothes that allow easy access to the breast. Nursing tops can be purchased at most any maternity store. Wear a tank or camisole under T-shirts that will hide your midsection if your T-shirt is pulled up. You can cover your breast almost entirely without the use of a cover-up by wearing an undershirt to cover below the baby's head and lifting your shirt just enough to allow access to the nipple while the rest of your breast is covered.
2. Stay in your car. Taking a moment in your car to breastfeed while in the parking lot is a great way to make sure your baby is fed in a semi-private area. When your baby is done eating, you can just grab your gear and go. Pedestrians rarely notice the baby because they are positioned just below the line of visibility through the car window.
3. Keep a small pillow in the car. This helps with positioning, although resting the infant in the crook of your elbow in the cradle position is stable enough if you do not have a pillow to prop up under your arm.
4. Check the restrooms for a sitting area. Often, department stores or other public places will provide a comfortable area for nursing just outside the ladies restroom.
5. Look for an out of the way table or chair. In waiting rooms, try to find a space to sit where no one is right next to you or directly across from you. This will help avoid some of the discomfort they may experience trying to politely avert their eyes. If you are not in anyone's direct line of sight, it is easier for others to avoid staring.
6. In crowded situations, such as an airplane, try to request a window seat in advance or sit against a wall. Position your body towards the wall with your opposite shoulder so your chest is somewhat shielded from the rest of the passengers or crowd. Couple this with the first step in exposing only your nipple to the baby and you should be able to maintain discretion even in close quarters.

Tips

• Undershirt camis that are tight fitting nylon work best as they shift around less and hug your body so that nothing is accidentally revealed.

Warnings

• It is impossible to avoid the accidental viewing of your breasts or the occasional purposeful stare. Take these moments in stride and focus on the health and connection with your baby, rather than any embarrassment or discomfort that may come along with breastfeeding in public.

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How to Feel Confident Breastfeeding in Public

By Kirsten Jane Baxter


Breast milk is the ideal baby food, and many new mothers choose to breastfeed their babies. Breastfeeding has all the nutrients your baby needs to thrive for the first six months of life, and research shows breastfeeding has many health benefits for both mother and baby. The best preparation for breastfeeding is good information - the more support and encouragement you have during the early days, the more likely you are to succeed in breastfeeding for as long as you choose. Breastfeeding works best when mums are feeling relaxed, so it's important that you feel at ease nursing when away from home so you can enjoy being out in the world with your nursling.

When you have a baby you will find you spend a lot of time out of the house meeting up with friends, clinic appointments, baby activity classes and playgroups. Feeling that you have to hide away to nurse your baby will make it difficult to go out and breastfeed whenever your baby demands. It is very natural to feel a little hesitant about nursing in public, particularly when you have a hungry baby ready for a feed and you're not used to using a nursing bra! The key to breastfeeding your baby whilst out is to practice feeding at home in the early days, until you feel comfortable and confident that you can settle your baby for a feed fairly quickly. Meeting up with other breastfeeding women, perhaps through an postnatal class or NCT group, gives you the support of other nursing mums, before trying trips out on your own. In the early days you might also feel more confident going out with someone who boosts your confidence like your partner, mum or a friend.

Many new mums use a muslin cloth, shawl or pashmina to provide extra cover whilst they are breastfeeding in public. Nursing covers are especially popular in the USA, and are quickly becoming an essential for nursing mothers in the UK too. Whether you prefer a patterned or plain cover, cotton or jersey fabric, a traditional "apron" cover or a poncho, there are lots of options available. Baby Bubu offer a wide range of traditional covers and modern ponchos, in a gorgeous variety of fabrics and patterns giving you the confidence to feed your baby wherever you like whilst ensuring that you are fully covered whilst doing so. The adjustable necklines of these designs allows you to maintain eye contact with baby as you feed. Another wonderful new accessory for breastfeeding mothers is the Mamascarf. Designed by a nursing mother, the Mamascarf provides support whilst feeding your baby, as well as ensuring that you are covered as your baby feeds. The Mamascarf folds neatly, is lightweight and can easily be slipped into a bag so you can take it out with you.

There is now some wonderful nursingwear available for new mums. Nursing tops offer you quick and easy access to the breast for nursing your little one, whilst keeping your chest, tummy and back covered. Many designs work well during pregnancy and afterwards for nursing, giving you fabulous value for money. These dual purpose tops ("transition clothing") ensure you look fabulous from your first trimester to your fourth. Well designed nursing tops really help with feeling confident nursing in public. With a little practice you simply pull aside the nursing opening and feed your baby, without anyone being any the wiser. Different tops give different access - from pull over crossover fronts, double layers with vertical nursing openings to simple modesty panels - there is something to suit every nursing mother. Details like ruching and flowing fabric give a flattering fit on post-natal figures. Each type of nursing access has been skilfully designed and the nursing openings in the clothing are well disguised so you really cannot tell they are nursing tops at all.

Breastfeeding in Public - Tips For New Or Expectant Mums

By Keira O'Mara


So you are pregnant and you know that you want to breastfeed your baby. Congratulations! Maybe you have started breastfeeding but not yet ventured out in public. Breastfeeding in public can be a scary thought for any new mum and even not so new mums. These tips will help you on your way.

1. Practise in front of a mirror. It might help you to know exactly what can be seen when you are breastfeeding your baby, you might be pleasantly surprised!

2. Wear the right clothes. Ensure that you are wearing something that you are comfortable in and that can give you easy access for feeding. This might be a large top that you can easily lift or open. Layering with a cardigan can offer additional coverage. There are many different styles of breastfeeding clothing available, often with hidden openings across the chest allowing access without having to lift or remove any item of clothing. You might choose to double layer vests and lift one and pull down the other which will provide a similar effect.

3. Take a friend along for moral support. If you are going to breastfeed in public for the first time, you should take someone supportive along with you whether this be your partner, friend, mum or even some other new mums.

4. Go to a breastfeeding friendly place. You may want to seek out some breastfeeding friendly places in your local area and choose one for your first outing. Your Midwife or Health Visitor should be able to advise you on breastfeeding friendly places. Often child/baby friendly cafes are breastfeeding friendly.