breastfeeding in public... suggestions?

[@llli*christinao]

I say do what you feel is best. But, once you try to NIP and see how easy it is, I bet you'll do it more often. You can wear a nursing tank or not, you can cover with a blanket or not, you could try different positions. Many options. Just remember, you're feeding you LO the best food in the world. Feel proud!!

[@llli*toddlerandtwins]

I'm not trying to be snarky at all, but am genuinely curious why you think that a bottle of EBM is not a good idea? Is it because you think she should just get used to NIP or for a different reason? Am I doing something wrong when I do this? I don't do it often at all, but if we're going to a restaurant or something, I often bring a bottle just in case since I'm not really comfortable NIP there.

I said I would not resort to this because I think our first effort should be to encourage mom's to breastfeed wherever/whenever. Many of us work hard against social stigmas against breastfeeding. I don't want to embrace one by suggesting that nursing in public is not comforttable and that the original poster should give a bottle.

Everyone has their own level of comfort. And preferences. with regards to nursing in public, breastmilk/formula, sleeping through the night, introducing solids, and on and on. If you don't want to NIP that is your choice. I just don't agree with suggesting the same to others. Not being snarky, just my opinion. And I don't even NIP that much.

Also, early in the breastfeeding relationship, giving a bottle in place of nursing can impact supply. Shouldn't be an issue with the original poster, but if some other moms come on here with younger babies and read this, it would not be the best suggestion.

[@llli*emilyvreese]

toddlerandtwins,
I see. Thank you for responding.

[@llli*MagnoliaHoney]

IMO, there is many reasons why EBM should be a last resort over NIP.

Not in any particular order just as they come to mind as I type.

1) Nipple confusion.

2) sometimes a baby this age will not take a bottle if never given one.

3) Sometimes a mom this far out only EBF can not and will not respond to a pump.

4) There is hormones and other benefits that go back and forth only through straight from the tap nursing.

5) The fresher the milk (straight from the tap vs pumped) has more antibodies, and other such benefits as well, even is more digestible.

6) The more women who NIP the more normal it will become, and hopefully less embarrassing for new mom's on a whole. Maybe some day it would be as much of a non issue as being embarrassed that you are wearing shoes? lol

7) The more women that maybe uneducated benefits of bf over formula. see nip it may encourage them to think of bf instead of formula, instead of assuming they are the same since all they see is bottle fed babies.

8) You will or should have to pump any way, pumping in public is a much bigger nuisance and brings a lot more attention to yourself them NIP. If you choose not to pump you run the risk of a plugged duct, mastitis or supply issues. At the very least probably leakage issues which is quite embarrassing over NIP. lol

9) Really people do not see much at all when you NIP much less then you see, you see a lot cause you are looking only inches from above, most people will be much further from your chest then your face is, and your babies head will hide a LOT even with huge honkers. lol haha It's just simply easier to acquire comfort with NIP then pumping and bottle feeding. With many more benefits. As long as your baby is healthy and nurses well there is no need to ever introduce EBM, it's better for health and the bf relationship if possible. So that's why I would lean on the side of EBM being a last resort over NIP.

[@llli*abcarpenter]

i have actually never given my dd a bottle, and she doesn't take one very easily from other people,she is spoiled,lol. i think it will be just fine, i appreciate all the helpful
advice. its kind of like a pep talk to get me motivated to do it if necessary. i just need to focus on her if she is hungry, not anyone else. thanks again!


audrey
SAHM to 3. ds 1-03,bf 10wks./ff:dd 8-07,bf 4.5 months/ff:dd 6-11,bf 8 months
and going strong!

[@llli*MagnoliaHoney]

You are exactly right. When in public or around other people, you do need to remind yourself to keep checking baby cues (hunger) instead of getting too distracted by other things and other people. I think that is a much harder issue to over come then the simple part of actual nursing. ;o) In fact it's such a issue that around holidays it's very common for a lot of babies to wean from nursing cause of mom's distractions...so there is often even LLL dedicated soley to the topic of not getting that distracted during this time. So you are so right that will be the bigger issue just try to keep in touch with babies cues, and as Nike used to say, just do it! And it will be easier as time goes by. It really will.