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Going out in Public: What about Breastfeeding?

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The issue of breastfeeding in public is making the news from time to time in the United States. Other countries around the world wonder why the issue is such a big deal. Many states in the US are passing laws to protect the right of women to nurse in public. Regardless of legality or not, breastfeeding in public is both an art and science. Here are some things to consider: feed your baby well (or as well as he or she will let you) before you leave the house. Think through where you are going and how long you will be at each location. It is quite possible to avoid the breastfeeding in public scenario if you can finish your errands between feedings. Nevertheless, have a general plan of where you think it would work to feed your infant. Shopping malls with department stores often have very nice lounges in the women's restrooms. Some moms use dressing rooms. If you are in a restaurant, request a table in a corner. Fortunately, some innovative moms have created "nursing capes" that are very helpful. Some women drape a receiving blanket around themselves, which usually works fine, but the advantage of a nursing cape is that it usually snaps in the back, thus reducing the risk of it falling off! Many moms agree that wearing a regular shirt and pulling it up to nurse is much easier as opposed to unbuttoning a blouse or dress. Any time you unbutton, the risk of exposure seems to rise! There are some nifty "nursing shirts" for sale as well that are designed to increase privacy. A final resort for many moms when they are out in public with their infants is to nurse the baby in the car. Obviously sitting in the passenger's side is much more comfortable. Moms with minivans or SUVs find that the rear windows are often tinted, so privacy is much better if you sit in the back seat. Safety is important: lock yourself in the car and don't overheat or get too cold! One young mother in the DC area has had particular trouble with nursing her infant in public places. When baby George was a few months old, he started becoming easily distracted when he heard or noticed others around him. The mother realized that she had to feed him as much as he would take while they were out in public but that she could not overly stress about the matter. The baby would make up for it later and would not starve!

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