Perhaps you are in a season of being on the go and your baby comes along with you. We hope the tips below from La Leche League resources and the New Beginnings community will help you feel more confident about nursing your little one wherever you may go.
Did you know you have the right to breastfeed your child in public? Each US state may have their own verbiage, but almost everywhere in the US, parents are able to nurse their babies in any public or private place. You can learn more about specific states’ laws here. Still, having these protections may not always ease your anxiety as you prepare to nurse your baby in public.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (8th Edition) has a great section on nursing in public that may be helpful (pages 144-145).
“Is It Really Okay to Nurse in Public? Absolutely! We know of no province, state, or country that prohibits it, and there are many that specifically protect this natural right of mothers and babies. The more often breastfeeding is noticed, the more completely it will be accepted, even by our own families!
Some things you can try:
- Practice at home or with friends in front of a mirror if you want to see what others see.
- Wear clothes that you can nurse in comfortably. They don’t have to be special nursing clothes; two-piece outfits with tops that you can pull up from the bottom work just as well. Your baby’s body will hide almost all the bare skin. A cardigan sweater covers anything your baby’s body doesn’t. You can also wear a tank top underneath your top, with circles cut out for nursing. Your outer shirt covers the circles, and the rest of the tank top covers anything that your outer shirt doesn’t. This is especially helpful with twins.
- Dark-colored prints help to hide any wet spots.
- When nursing on one side, press your forearm against the other side to prevent leaking. If that isn’t enough, pull the side baby isn’t nursing on up just a bit so that when you settle your clothes, the wet spot isn’t a bull’s-eye around your nipple.
- The most awkward moment is when your baby actually latches on. Turn your body away briefly. Or turn your head away for that moment, and it’s unlikely anyone will notice at all because they’ll be following your eyes, which are looking in another direction.
- Meet others’ eyes with a friendly, open expression, or casually avoid eye contact. Most people will automatically match your behavior.
- A blanket or specially designed shawl or cover-up is much more attention-attracting than just nursing.
Limiting nursing to very private situations can limit nursing, which limits your baby’s food. Another reason to nurse in public: we learn best by watching other mothers nurse, so by modeling successful breastfeeding, You may be teaching someone you never even notice how to breastfeed confidently.”
This past post on the New Beginnings blog about the importance of seeing families nursing in public may be inspiring to you.
“At one point, a mother left ‘business’ cards at our La Leche League meeting, each simply stating: ‘Thank you for nursing in public. You make it easier for other mommies to do the same. You are setting an amazing example!’… I like to think that my daughters know just what is at stake for these couples: amazing food security, emotional attachment, warmth, and comfort all in one that can only be sustained by demand regardless of location. One offsetting glance and a new mother may feel defeated for even trying to get out of the house to enjoy some company and a change of scenery. A cascade of missed feedings, milk supply changes, and a baby that struggles to gain weight can ensue as this new couple navigates much needed social outings without confidence in breastfeeding around others. Counter this with one smile and a statement of assurance, and a mother may feel renewed trust in her body and its life-giving energy. Feeding on cue becomes easier, milk production is sustained, and the baby thrives wherever life takes them from day to day!” You can read the rest of this story here.
Another perspective in a past New Beginnings blog post describes the cultural impacts of nursing in public and how simple it can be to offer encouragement to a nursing parent.
“About seven years ago, during my four-year-old’s Christmas performance, I retreated to the lounge to feed my hungry newborn. I fumbled under my big winter jacket to hide my nursing baby. Both of us were uncomfortable and sweaty. I was also worried about missing my older daughter’s performance, and I was very exhausted. Just then, an older lady walked by, noticing me in the corner with my baby. I thought I was so discreet. What she said to me when she noticed us had nothing to do with how I nursed my baby in such a busy public place. She said what I needed to hear at that moment: ‘Enjoy and cherish these moments, because babies grow up so quickly.’ That has since reshaped my perspectives on parenting. I went back to focusing on nursing my baby, still under the big winter jacket as a cover. But my tired spirit was lifted in an instant, as I held him more closely and tightly.” You can read the rest of Uyen’s story here.
On the New Beginnings Facebook page, we asked families to share their best tips for nursing in public. We’ve compiled a few of them below.
Jenna Y. suggested, “I liked wearing a cute baggy shirt with high waisted pants, that way I could just lift the shirt up but still have a lot of coverage and not feel exposed.”
Barbara G. replied in agreement that higher waisted pants would be a good help. She added, “My youngest two children were born during the low waist trend and I remember feeling a little naked sometimes!”
Erica G. offered the following encouragement to new parents. “Breathe, smile, and focus on your baby while feeding in public.”
Some families may choose to nurse right where they and their baby are, and other families may choose to use a nursing cover or move to a more private place. Each parent is the expert on their family and will know what feels right to them. Whatever your comfort level is, we hope that you find yourself feeling empowered and encouraged the next time you are nursing in public. Remember that you are offering your baby the benefits of nutrition and comfort wherever your day may take you.
Editor’s note: Did you enjoy this article? We are hoping to include more Resource Roundup content to the blog in the future, compiling tips from our Facebook page, excerpts from LLL books, and connections to related stories from New Beginnings past. If you have a topic you’d like to see covered during this series, please let us know.
Share your stories with Kylie at [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: September 10, 2024 by Yael Breimer
Resource Roundup: Nursing in Public
Perhaps you are in a season of being on the go and your baby comes along with you. We hope the tips below from La Leche League resources and the New Beginnings community will help you feel more confident about nursing your little one wherever you may go.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (8th Edition) has a great section on nursing in public that may be helpful (pages 144-145).
“Is It Really Okay to Nurse in Public? Absolutely! We know of no province, state, or country that prohibits it, and there are many that specifically protect this natural right of mothers and babies. The more often breastfeeding is noticed, the more completely it will be accepted, even by our own families!
Some things you can try:
Limiting nursing to very private situations can limit nursing, which limits your baby’s food. Another reason to nurse in public: we learn best by watching other mothers nurse, so by modeling successful breastfeeding, You may be teaching someone you never even notice how to breastfeed confidently.”
This past post on the New Beginnings blog about the importance of seeing families nursing in public may be inspiring to you.
“At one point, a mother left ‘business’ cards at our La Leche League meeting, each simply stating: ‘Thank you for nursing in public. You make it easier for other mommies to do the same. You are setting an amazing example!’… I like to think that my daughters know just what is at stake for these couples: amazing food security, emotional attachment, warmth, and comfort all in one that can only be sustained by demand regardless of location. One offsetting glance and a new mother may feel defeated for even trying to get out of the house to enjoy some company and a change of scenery. A cascade of missed feedings, milk supply changes, and a baby that struggles to gain weight can ensue as this new couple navigates much needed social outings without confidence in breastfeeding around others. Counter this with one smile and a statement of assurance, and a mother may feel renewed trust in her body and its life-giving energy. Feeding on cue becomes easier, milk production is sustained, and the baby thrives wherever life takes them from day to day!” You can read the rest of this story here.
“About seven years ago, during my four-year-old’s Christmas performance, I retreated to the lounge to feed my hungry newborn. I fumbled under my big winter jacket to hide my nursing baby. Both of us were uncomfortable and sweaty. I was also worried about missing my older daughter’s performance, and I was very exhausted. Just then, an older lady walked by, noticing me in the corner with my baby. I thought I was so discreet. What she said to me when she noticed us had nothing to do with how I nursed my baby in such a busy public place. She said what I needed to hear at that moment: ‘Enjoy and cherish these moments, because babies grow up so quickly.’ That has since reshaped my perspectives on parenting. I went back to focusing on nursing my baby, still under the big winter jacket as a cover. But my tired spirit was lifted in an instant, as I held him more closely and tightly.” You can read the rest of Uyen’s story here.
On the New Beginnings Facebook page, we asked families to share their best tips for nursing in public. We’ve compiled a few of them below.
Jenna Y. suggested, “I liked wearing a cute baggy shirt with high waisted pants, that way I could just lift the shirt up but still have a lot of coverage and not feel exposed.”
Barbara G. replied in agreement that higher waisted pants would be a good help. She added, “My youngest two children were born during the low waist trend and I remember feeling a little naked sometimes!”
Erica G. offered the following encouragement to new parents. “Breathe, smile, and focus on your baby while feeding in public.”
Some families may choose to nurse right where they and their baby are, and other families may choose to use a nursing cover or move to a more private place. Each parent is the expert on their family and will know what feels right to them. Whatever your comfort level is, we hope that you find yourself feeling empowered and encouraged the next time you are nursing in public. Remember that you are offering your baby the benefits of nutrition and comfort wherever your day may take you.
Editor’s note: Did you enjoy this article? We are hoping to include more Resource Roundup content to the blog in the future, compiling tips from our Facebook page, excerpts from LLL books, and connections to related stories from New Beginnings past. If you have a topic you’d like to see covered during this series, please let us know.
Share your stories with Kylie at [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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