Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » NIP

The Boundaries for Nursing in Public

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:38:11 +0000

Last night I volunteered in my second grader’s classroom for the holiday party. Luckily the teacher welcomes younger siblings so I had my 5-year-old and 1-year-old with me as well. At one point, my 1-year-old asked to nurse (she patted me on my upper chest, a sign which some other women recognize and some do not ). The students were all busy with their crafts and there were other parent volunteers to help them, so I sat down and nursed my toddler. By now, seven years into this breastfeeding gig, I am a pro at nursing in public and am comfortable doing it pretty much anywhere, anytime. But last night did get me wondering, are there times or places that even the most staunch advocate of breastfeeding will not nurse in public? What about you?

Photo by Debaird(TM)

Of course I draw the line at nursing any place unsanitary or unsafe. Other than that I am pretty comfortable breastfeeding almost anywhere. But I wonder about next year, when my oldest is in 3rd grade, my next is in kindergarten, and my toddler is 2. Will I be comfortable nursing a 2-year-old in the classroom? Does extended breastfeeding in public reflect badly on a mother and her other children when it is done in a setting where the other people are most likely not familiar with or comfortable with extended breastfeeding? I certainly won’t go out of my way to nurse my toddler in public (I never do, but I do put her needs on the top of the list. The dilemma arises when her needs conflict with the needs of my older children (i.e., the need not to be judged for their mother’s breastfeeding beliefs)).

What about when my toddler is a preschooler? I know I never nursed my first child when she was at her preschool. I don’t think the teachers even knew she was “still” breastfeeding. I thought they might be uncomfortable with it and would treat her (and me) differently.

So, what are your thoughts? Are there any restrictions you place on when, where, or at what nursling age you will or will not nurse in public?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Articles Wanted on Nursing in Public

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:41:06 +0000

The June Carnival of Breastfeeding topic is “Nursing in Public.” I have written a lot about nursing in public in the past, and now it’s your turn to share a story, advice, a photo, or other piece on the subject.

Have a story or tip you want to share in a carnival post on your blog? Email me your submission by June 15, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on June 22, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:

– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest of your blog and whether the general subject matter is something of interest to our readers (breastfeeding, parenting)

If your post is selected for inclusion, you will be asked on the day of the carnival to edit your post to link back to each of the other participants in the carnival.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Five Money-Saving Alternatives to Traditional Nursing Clothing

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:30:04 +0000

Last week I listed five tips for nursing in public. One of those suggestions was to come up with a combination of clothing that makes you feel most comfortable breastfeeding in public.

5 Alternatives to Regular Nursing Clothing

While it’s great if you can afford nursing clothing (see Where to Find Nursing Clothes) and can find styles that you like, there are other options.

1. Layer a button-down blouse over a tank top. When you lift up (or pull down) the tank top to nurse, the sides of the open blouse will offer coverage.

2. Layer a regular shirt over a loose-necked tank top. To nurse, lift the shirt up, pull the neck of the tank top down to expose the breast, and your belly will remain covered by the tank top. Or instead of pulling down the tank top, you could cut slits in the tank top to provide openings for nursing. These methods are especially helpful in cold weather!

3. Use a sling or nursing cover! I have free patterns for sewing a ring sling and “Hooter Hider” type nursing cover.

4. Repurpose a pregnancy belly band under your shirt to keep your belly covered, or buy a special nursing belly band. Here’s a great free video showing how to breastfeed in public with a pregnancy belly band!

5. Sew your own nursing clothing. If you are really handy, you can even knit your own nursing tank top!

Your Experience

Do you have something that helps you feel more comfortable nursing in public? Leave a comment!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Friday Five: Tips for Nursing in Public

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:30:02 +0000

When a breastfeeding mother expressed discomfort with nursing in public but a desire to try to do so, several other mothers on an email group jumped in with their helpful advice. That inspired me to come up with this list.

Tips for Gaining Confidence at NIP

1. Keep in mind that you only need to be as “discreet” as makes you feel comfortable. While no one ever intends to offend others, breastfeeding simply shouldn’t be offensive. It’s the most natural way to feed babies.

2. Practice in front of a mirror before you go out in public. You might be surprised with how little skin is visible.

3. Attend a La Leche League meeting. It’s a supportive environment that’s the best place to practice nursing in public. You can also ask for advice and even see how other mothers confidently latch their babies on in front of others.

4. Learn the law about breastfeeding in public in your area.

5. Find a combination of clothing that makes you most comfortable.

For more, see Tips for Nursing a Newborn in Public.

Your Experience

Do you have tips for nursing in public? Share your ideas by leaving a comment!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Mom on the Go

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:37:43 +0000

Nicole is almost seven weeks old now and I’ve already breastfed her:

~ at the midwife’s and doctor’s offices
~ a wedding
~ a pool party
~ a La Leche League meeting (of course!)
~ in various parking lots
~ at the grocery store
~ while house hunting
~ and yesterday at the first PTA meeting of the school year.

For me, it is convenient to be breastfeeding. It means I can go anywhere, anytime, without having to think about whether I have enough supplies for the trip (as long as my purse is packed with enough diapers). And the best part is my baby is content in all of those new places! When I went to the pool party, everyone complimented me on what a “good baby” Nicole is. All babies are “good” — but Nicole was quiet and contented because I breastfed her whenever she needed it.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3