[Velociraptor]

Do you feel comfortable doing it (if you breastfed)? Do you feel comfortable seeing others breastfeed? Do you see it often? If you're out, do you specifically go somewhere to breastfeed or do you feel comfortable feeding where you are (with a shawl or without)?

[Nora.]

Not to begin with, I was terribly uncomfortable with it, but after many mad dashes back to the car I just got over it. I'm way too lazy. Even though I was fine with it all, if I was out in public, I would generally look out for a quiet table in a corner. I never found it a problem finding a discreet spot in a cafe somewhere, certainly NEVER fed in a toilet.

I love seeing women breastfeeding, it is lovely. Reminds me of the lovely times I had breastfeeding my two.

[Wut??]

Yes, I did. My breasts were manageable though, once they settled down I was a C cup. I fed my twins in public until about 14 months or so. I never used a feeding room. I stopped public feeding eventually because they got to the age where they both wanted a piece of the action at the same time. I wouldn't twin feed in public.

I don't feel anything when I see others breastfeed.

[fancie]

When I was breastfeeding my DD I was comfortable wherever I was however I always tried to be discreet for my privacy as well as other people's sensitivities. I fed DD till 23 months and fortunately (by luck or discretion on my part) never received any negativity from others.

[mummabubba]

I had no problems feeding in public and loved sitting in cafes reading the paper while I fed. I never bothered with a cover or shawl - too much fussing around. I just wore a breastfeeding top under a t-shirt or shirt and was very discreet. Easy after a little practice.

I see loads of women breastfeeding in public and it's lovely. Not sure about the big covers though that some women use - especially at Mothers Group!

[Guest_BBlessed_*]

I think I've always been comfortable with breastfeeding in public. When out and about in a public place, and a hungry baby who needs feeding, it's never occurred to me to do anything other than feed him or her! I remember sitting on the floor or standing up in the supermarket or department store or wherever, feeding even my first. I figured I would draw more attention with a screaming, thrashing baby than a quietly nursing one!

Others breastfeeding is always a reassuring and encouraging sight. More hungry babies being fed, not to mention all the other goodness that comes included in the "package"!

I don't actually notice much though, TBH. I like to see babes and toddlers in their Mum's arms, but whether they are cuddling or feeding I don't usually know at first glance, and I sure don't stare and crane my neck to determine which it is!

When out, I feed wherever we are when my little one needs a feed. Or at this stage (18 months!) WANTS a feed! No shawl or cover. I do wear a singlet under my shirt - so I can pull the singlet down and lift the shirt up and keep most of my skin covered.

And I love my sig - we were at the Adelaide Zoo, waiting for ages and ages in the heat to see the pandas. Ezra was tired and thirsty, so I picked him up and fed him to sleep. I didn't even think twice til the family members I was with commented and then took a photo. I forgot about it (it's so normal for us!) til that family member emailed me asking about the photo - whether it was OK to put up on Facebook or not. And it occurred to me then that while it's normal and an everyday occurrence for us, it is not necessarily for others!!

[Ianthe]

I have always breastfed in public with all my babies. When I had Joshua I was nervous at first but it was easier to sit down in a food court and eat while he fed. I have fed in all kinds of places.

I have never used a cover.

This post has been edited by Ianthe: 10/02/2010, 06:06 PM

[catmeow82]

i breastfeed in public with now cover!

i fed dd anywhere and everywhere. with ds it is different if i have dd with me to. i ususally go to the baby change room so dd can play while i feed. i don't hide behind curtains.

i love seeing others feed in public. it is natural. i hate seeing women go hide behind the curtain in the tiny cubicle.

today i fed in a cafe. dd was good and drank a milkshake!

[fairy dust]

Just wanted to say - Ezra, I always smile when I see your sig

[samanthan]

I have always fed in public except when DS1 was going through breast refusal. I love seeing Mum's feeding in public and always give them a smile I have fed in a sling, in a plane, in parliament walking through the supermarket with DD in the trolley...pretty much everywhere I think.

My funniest public breastfeeding moment didn't even involve a child... late last year I was really engorged after work, too painful to drive the 40 minutes home so decided to hand express in the car. Realising I'd left my drink bottle at work and had no towel or anything to express into. A quick scan of the car and all I had was a beer bottle DH had brought home from a restaurant because he though it would be great for homebrew. So there I was sitting in the car in the middle of North Adelaide hand expressing (messily) into a stubby I could barely get it going I was laughing so hard. I don't think anyone noticed. No I didn't feed it to my toddler