How to Breastfeed in Public. Tips For Discreet Breastfeeding.

 

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 reports of women who are being harassed for breastfeeding in public. Here you have some tips for discreet breastfeeding In Public that have worked for me and many other moms. Hopefully, they will help you feel more comfortable about nursing in public, so you can avoid the inconvenience of pumping and preparing bottles before going out with your baby. Ready? Let’s begin.

Before getting into today’s topic, let’s recap on the great benefits of breastfeeding for babies and moms.

According to the World Health Organization, Although baby formula may meet the nutritional requirements of children, it is not the ideal food for babies. Therefore, breastfeeding is the absolute best source of food for babies. Commercial baby formula is comprised of countless preservatives and by-products of other food production techniques that have no proven benefit for your baby. Formula is also extremely high in fat content, and leads parent to believe that their child is thriving because he or she might be gaining weight, but this is not necessarily the case.

Countless studies have proven that there is no reasonable substitute for Breast milk. Breast milk has the amazing ability to transform and adapt to the needs of your baby at various stages of development.

Benefits of breastfeeding for babies.

Colostrum is an amazing example of the way a woman’s body produces the perfect food for her baby. Because colostrum has a high concentration of antibodies, which helps newborns fight illness and diseases, and build stronger immune systems. Colostrum is also extremely easy for babies to digest, and it has a laxative effect to help ease digestion.

Studies have also shown that there is a direct relationship between breastfeeding and a child’s cognitive ability and intelligence. In simple words breastfed babies have higher IQ’s than their bottle-fed peers. Some studies have concluded that the longer a child is breastfed, the higher IQ he/she will have. Other studies have shown that breastfed children have a lower incidence of ear infections. This is significant when one considers the overuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistant disease.

• Breastfed babies have a much lower chance of developing food life-threatening food allergies.
• As a consequence, they have an even lower chance of developing related illnesses such as gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea and vomiting.
• Breast milk protects babies from food allergies because it has a high concentration of the immunoglobulin IgA. IgA works by binding to foreign proteins and preventing them from entering the child’s bloodstream. Children do not begin to produce IgA of their own until approximately 8 months of age.
• Studies has also shown that Breastfeeding can also protect your child from certain diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Leukemia.

Benefits of breastfeeding for moms.

Breastfeeding is said to be the best nutritional choice for feeding your new newborn baby, but it also has proven health benefits for moms as well, among those benefits you’ll find:

• You can lose that pregnancy weight quicker by breastfeeding because it burns extra calories and lowers your body fat content without exercise.
• Breastfeeding also releases a hormone called oxytocin which will cause your uterus to contract and return to its normal pre-pregnancy size more rapidly.
• It reduces the amount of postpartum bleeding and also improves the storage of minerals in your bones which lowers the risk of osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding can also help in preventing ovarian and breast cancers.
• And of course, its a wonderful way to bond with your new baby.

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Being that said, Breastfeeding is the absolute best for your baby. So here you have some effective Tips For Discreet Breastfeeding In Public without any shame.

Tip#1 Consider attending to any Breastfeeding Support Group Meetings before having your baby to know your rights, and build your confidence.

Unfortunately, we are part of a Society that stigmatizes breastfeeding, that’s why it is still rare to see Moms nursing in public. However, people are starting to understand that breastfeeding is the biologically normal way to feed your baby. The general population is becoming more accepting of nursing in public and those who are not are the minority. Don’t worry about what these people think. I know I worried about this a bit when I was a new mom, but looking back I wonder why. When you breastfeed in public you are fulfilling your baby’s needs. You are also normalizing it for other women and children which is an amazing feeling.

Going to breastfeeding support group meetings and seeing how other Moms nurse their babies discreetly and confidently can boost your own confidence.  That can also teach you some of the rights you have as a mom to breastfeed your baby in public or not.

Tip#2 Invest in a baby sling, baby blanket or cover up.

These are wonderful for making life with a baby easier all around, but one thing they’re great for is discreet breastfeeding in public. I can’t count the times someone approached me in a store and commented on my baby having no idea that 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. Nursing covers come in tons of cute styles and patterns.

Tip#3 Practice makes perfect. 

After having your baby, and 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. Because, practice makes perfect. Therefore, practicing latching at home and being able to be good at it, is gonna give the boost of confidence that you need.

Tip#4 Breastfeed your baby as soon as you notice 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 she or he is hungry. A crying baby also makes you nervous and you and baby may take longer to get latched on comfortably.

Here you have the most common babies signs and clues of hunger:

Tip#5 Try appropriate nursing clothes.

These are designed to have easy access to your breasts, but covering 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, this is known as the double shirt method. In other words, layering is gonna give you the flexibility to feed your baby discreetly in public.

Tip#6 Use nursing bras.

At least in the early days when you frequently breastfeeding, try to use nursing bras. As well as the nursing clothes, nursing bras will allow you to access only your breasts for feeding your baby without exposing your upper torso completely, this will make the thigs a lot easier for you.

Tip#7 Use other objects like a book or the diaper bag to set in your lap for camouflage.

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.

Tip#8 Learn how to breastfeed in a sling or baby carrier.

It’s an easy and discreet way to breastfeed and you can even walk around while doing so. No need to slow down to breastfeed your baby! There are a lot of carriers out there that are perfect for hands-free, discreet breastfeeding. Most people won’t even know you’re nursing your baby if you are covered, as it will just look like you’re carrying your baby. Plus, it’s hands-free! It doesn’t get better than that.

Tip#9 And finally, 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 passers by a warm smile. You’d be surprised how often people will smile back or even approach with a commendation or anecdote about their own breastfeeding experiences.

Related posts you might like to check after.

How To Solve Baby Sleeping Problems With The Ferber Method.

How to be prepared for a new baby. 4 tips for new parents.

The basics for Baby Parenting.

Tips to prevent and cure mastitis.

All you need to know about Breastfeeding.

Final thoughts.

Breastfeeding can be an isolating experience if you don’t know how to Discreet Breastfeeding In Public, or you are not confident. But as you can see, is an essential part of a very natural stage of life, nursing a new baby. With the right knowledge you can also enjoy this new part of your life as a new mom.

I hope this article inspires you to Enjoy nursing your baby!

Zadi, xo