Finding Places to Feed Your Baby
Thursday December 18, 2008
Like the author of this article in the Orange County Register, I was never too shy about nursing in public. It was always nice, however, to find special places designed for the purpose. They were few and far between when my son was little, but my eye was always on the lookout for a spot. I went holiday shopping at IKEA this weekend and as crowded as this store can be, there are lots of cozy spots where you can nurse comfortably and quietly. And I'm not even talking about the designated family rooms they have set up.
I had a couple of spots that were my favorites. My Half Price Books Store had a little coffee nook in the back. It was literally just a comfy chair in a corner next to a thermal coffee carafe on a 1-by-1 table. But it worked for us. And then there was one bathroom on the second floor of the mall that had big leather couches, so I'd hover around the shops at that end if I knew my son was getting close to hungry. When you're out and about, do you go out of your way to look for a comfy area? Do you like something more secluded or does it matter to you?
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I like nursing in my car. It’s private, comfy & I can listen to music while he eats.
I also like nursing in my car. If he gets fussy or squirmy I don’t have to worry about noise or him kicking the nursing cover off. (I’m more shy about exposing my post-baby belly than anything else!) I wish I wasn’t shy about nursing in public, but I am. Nordstrom has great couches in the women’s lounge, but that’s not workable when my hubby is out and about with us. I wish more places had cozy nooks for feeding baby.
Oh Kimberly… I’m glad you said something about that. I was always more afraid people would see my belly than my breasts. Haha. And I was always better at nursing by pulling my shirt up than wearing a shirt that opened in the front, so the risk there was pretty high.
Ever since ending up in the Emergency Room when my son was six days old (and not yet willing to eat with a nursing cover), I have not been shy about nursing in public. But it was still a welcome relief to find the La Leche League Nursing Mother’s tents at the Indiana State Fair.
My youngest is 1 now and like my 4 year old did, HATES to be covered when she is nursing. We are weaning soon (I say we because I’m a basketcase every time I wean), but because of the dislike for the covers, I have found that I’ve just had to be more comfortable in public nursing. I just try to wear tanks and button down shirts to help cover a bit. But, if I get a choice I try to go somewhere private to nurse. I usually head for the super luxurious department stores in the mall like macy’s since they tend to have a “lounge” room in thier bathrooms with couches and chairs. I also LOVE ikea. The bring the european mentality to thier stores that it is a comfortable and normal thing to do. Also, Motherhood Maternity and the other maternity stores will let you use thier dressing rooms to nurse. I use other store’s dressing rooms too if I have to. Just take a shirt in with you… lol… The only place I can’t stand to nurse is in a bathroom. I hate having to do that if I’m in a nicer restraunt. My baby shouldn’t have to eat in a bathroom. Gross! Oh, and I hate showing my belly more than my breasts too! Here Here to all the brave public nursers!
I saw a woman bf in a display rocking chair in PotteryBarn Kids once - how brilliant was that?
That’s funny about the mom at Pottery Barn Kids. I was recently nursing my daughter while sitting on a bed at PBK and all I could think about was whether there was any way I could get away with crawling under the covers and nursing her to sleep!
LOVE the car. Comfy and I can control the temperature.
I hate nursing in the car! The shifter, the wheel, everything is in the way. Of course, I have twins, so keeping one happy while the other is nursing is a big factor in where I nurse. Im pretty comfortable nursing wherever I am. I love winter, because I can wear my husbands oversized sweatshirt over my regular shirt, and just tuck a baby underneath while wandering the store.
Jenn,
Have store detectives ever detained you for possible shoplifting, seeing you clutching a buldge under your sweatshirt? What a story for the local news that would be. . . =)
Ha! I have never thought of that! Not yet, and now my boys are so big (10 months and 30 inches) their feet poke out from under the sweater anyway.
Wow, how do you mange to feed a 10 month old while walking around?
I usually feed in the backseat of my car, so I can just lift him out of the seat. It is more difficult to control the temp from the back, of course, but I have learned to set the temp and volume of my audio book.
Otherwise, I’ve found stores have no issue with letting you in their dressing room without any clothes to try on. They get the picture and are willing to help you out.
Other places I’ve breastfed my son:
- bathroom stalls (not the most comfy or sanitary)
- benches outside a store (oddly, no one notices you there)
- couch in a coffee shop (one of the most comfy places)
- food court of a craft fair
- chair at a vendor’s at a craft fair
- toys R us mother room (very nice rocking chair and changing table setup!)
- walking while wearing a ring sling (the tails also make great coverups while nursing!!)
I’m more concientious about not exposing myself when my husband is around. Personally I don’t care too much if people get a brief peek. My husband doesn’t care too much for it though!
Sorry, my son is 4 months old. I was commenting on the amazing mom who feeds her 10 month old baby while wandering a store. I’ve only fed my baby while walking in the woods, alone.
It’s nice to see all mommies here looking for nice spots to breastfeed. I just want to remind anyone who reads this, that even though the most important thing in the world is your baby, have in mind the rest of the people around you. Me I hate having to see a large brown leaky nipple when I’m eating sushi at a japanese restaurant, take the baby to a breastfeeding facility and if there isn’t any, use a light blanket for cover.
We all know bfeeding is natural and a bonding time for mother&son but when you’re having a fancy dinner is a gross thing to watch, even if it’s for a moment. even more gross is to watch motheres trying to oblige baby forcing the horrid leaking nipples to his/her mouth, when he/she is clearly fed up.
Mind your baby, but also anyone around!
That way more people will be more understanding when you have to nurse in other public places, because we’ll know you mothers are trying hard to show some respect to the general public.
Nipples are natural and fine, but let’s face it, when you give birth they become horrible dark leaking things, which might seem fine to you, but not for others.
Thanks!