4 Tips For Nursing in Public
I remember the first time I nursed in public. It was at an airport. I was so nervous and worried about what people were going to say. I'm sure you've seen the horror stories on social media about people harassing mothers for nursing in public. That's all that was going through my mind while I was feeding my daughter.
Now, I'm way more comfortable with nursing in public. We've nursed in grocery stores, restaurants, malls, anywhere that she needs to. Want to feel more comfortable nursing in public? Here are my 4 tips to help:
Look For a Nursing Room
Although, I have no problem nursing in public, I prefer to do it in a nursing room. This is usually the first thing I ask an employee. "Do you have a nursing room?" Some of them may not know, so it helps to ask someone at customer service or a manager. I prefer nursing rooms because they are quiet and secluded (and usually have better chairs!)
Nursing rooms are usually located in the back of the store or by fitting rooms. If you're in a mall, they're usually located by the restrooms.
Target has an amazing nursing policy. Their employees have been trained that mothers are allowed to nurse ANYWHERE within their store, but some stores provide private nursing rooms. There is a Super Target near us that has an amazing nursing room. It has comfortable arm chairs, an extra seat for my husband, enough room for a stroller to fit, and they provide free snacks and water! I love how Target treats nursing moms.
Tip: If you're somewhere that doesn't have a nursing room, but they have a fitting room, use the fitting room! It gives you somewhere to sit and a curtain/door to close to give you privacy.
Use a Cover- Only If You Want To
It is legal to breastfeed in public in all 50 states. Anywhere that you can legally be, you can breastfeed. But, I understand that some people may not be comfortable nursing uncovered in public. If it helps, use a cover to give you and your baby some privacy.
Itzy Ritzy makes a great nursing cover that can also be used as a shopping cart cover, a car seat canopy, and an infiniti scarf for mom! It's also really thin, so if you're nursing in the warmer months you and the baby won't over heat. You can get it on Amazon here #ad
Tip: If you don't want to use a cover, just use your shirt! When you pull up your shirt to nurse, pull the top part down to cover the top part of your breast. Position your baby so that your stomach isn't exposed.
Try the 2-Shirt Method
The 2-Shirt Method is a method of nursing that doesn't leave your stomach or breast exposed. It involves you wearing a tank top underneath your shirt. You pull up your top shirt, then pull down the top of the tank top exposing your breast. When you latch on the baby, your stomach is covered by your tank top, and the top of your breast is covered by the top shirt.
The 2-Shirt Method
If you're sitting at a table next to a mom using the 2-Shirt Method, you can't tell that she's breastfeeding. The baby's head is covering mom's nipple and areola, so mom is left completely covered.
Nurse in the Baby Section
Not all grocery stores or shopping centers will have a nursing room. If i'm out and my daughter needs to nurse, I usually head right to the baby section of the store. In this section, especially near the cribs and nursery items, they usually have arm chairs and other nursery furniture on display. I will park myself in one of the arm chairs and nurse away.
The good thing about nursing in the baby section is that 1) the chairs are comfortable; 2) it's the baby section- there most likely will be other parents and children there! The parents are so busy trying to get in and out of the store or make sure they watch their kids that paying attention to the mom in the corner nursing her kid is the LAST thing on their mind.
Also, if your baby gets a little fussy while you're trying to get the nursing started, it's okay because most likely there will be another child crying in the area! The baby section of the store is my safe haven.
These are some of my tips for nursing in public. I would love to hear what you think. What are some things you do to make nursing in public easier?
