TIPS FOR DISCREET BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC

If you’re a new Mom who is nursing your baby you may be
nervous about doing so in public.

Or perhaps you are disturbed by media reports of women
who are harassed for breastfeeding in public and are considering pumping your
milk to give your baby when you leave home.

Here are some tips for discreet breastfeeding that have
worked for many Moms. Hopefully they will help you feel more comfortable
nursing in public so you can avoid the inconvenience of pumping and preparing
bottles.

1) Before you have your baby, attend a La Leche League or
other breastfeeding support group meeting.

Unfortunately in our Society that gives lip service to
the benefits of breastfeeding, it is still rare to see Moms nursing in public,
and so most of us grow up having our own babies never having seen another woman
nurse.

Going to an LLL meeting and seeing how other Moms nurse
their babies discreetly and confidently can boost your own confidence. They can
also share with you tips that will make nursing in public easier for you.

2) Invest in a baby sling.

These are wonderful for making life with a baby easier
all around, but one thing they’re great for is discreet breastfeeding. I can’t
count the times someone approached me in a store and commented on my baby
having no idea that s/he was latched on and nursing! The fabric of the sling
can be adjusted to come up over the baby’s head (yet most babies don’t mind
this like they do a blanket), or you can use the extra fabric on the
“tail” to cover baby.

3) After your baby is born, practice nursing in front of
a mirror or a friend to perfect your technique.

Once you and baby are getting to be old pros at the latch
on, you can most likely do so in just a couple of seconds.

4) Nurse at the first signs of hunger.

A nursing baby generally draws less attention than a
screaming one! So latch your baby on as soon as you notice that s/he is hungry…rooting,
sucking on fist, grimacing face, etc. A crying baby also makes you nervous and
you and baby may take longer to get latched on comfortably.

5) Try turning your body away while you latch on.

If you’re sitting at a table in a restaurant, simply turn
your body away from the table briefly while you latch baby on, then resume your
normal position.

6) Try nursing clothes.

These are designed to cover your belly for more discreet
breastfeeding. Or simply wear a thin top under a cardigan or other shirt. You
can also make your own nursing top by cutting slits in a tank and wearing it
under another shirt.

7) Bring a book or large purse to set in your lap to
camouflage.

Your diaper bag would also work. Set it in front of baby
on your knees while you latch baby on. Or hold a book so that your baby’s head
and your breast are out of view.

And lastly…

8) Be confident!

You are doing something that is best for you and baby and
that women all over the world for thousands of years have done. Be proud of
yourself and give passersby a warm smile. You’d be surprised how often people
will smile back or even approach with a commendation or anecdote about their
own children.

Enjoy nursing your baby!