My child is only five months old, but we already had a lot of time with him: we constantly get out together somewhere, accumulate useful experience and learn different tricks right before our eyes. I’m lucky because we have a daily routine of 2 months and we had no problems, but small changes in it, of course, still occur. My baby is growing, actively mastering this world, one month replaces another ... But I, as before, feed the baby with breast milk, I am a supporter of natural breastfeeding. And I, like many nursing mothers, more than once had the need to feed the baby in front of everyone, in some crowded place (a store, cafe, park or just a guest room). For the first few times, I also felt a sense of awkwardness, shame, and embarrassment in front of strangers, putting my baby to the chest outside the house. But soon I realized that this is the most natural and natural process in the world! And if you organize it correctly, then no one will even notice that you are breast-feeding a baby in full view!
Feeding a child in a strange place is not so easy. And nursing mothers often have to give a hungry child breast on the street or in public places, when there is no way to quickly get home, and the child requires milk more and more loudly. And I, too, are familiar with this feeling of awkwardness and shame when you are literally forced to put a child to the chest in front of everyone in sight. Outsiders are accustomed to believe that breastfeeding is a kind of mystery and a very intimate process, when a woman exposes her breast entirely, and then puts a baby on it, sighing from time to time. And all this only adds to the constraint of the nursing mother. People think that mother should breastfeed strictly within the walls of the apartment, and many nursing mothers obediently obey public opinion.
It is very easy to overcome these complexes, the main thing is to learn to cope with a sense of shame and your shyness. Once I had to do this when a large company of relatives and friends gathered at our house to celebrate my child’s christening. There were a lot of people, so it was not possible to find a quiet and secluded place for feeding. I had to sneak up my clothes and put the child to my chest in the room where there were strangers. Surprisingly, no one paid any attention to this, taking the feeding of the baby for granted! As if nothing had happened, I had a conversation with our guests, and at that time the baby quietly sucked breast milk. Then I realized that a feeling of fear and shame can seriously interfere with breastfeeding, and in this process there is nothing shameful or unnatural. You can lead a familiar lifestyle and breastfeed, it is very easy and simple!
It is not necessary to sit at home in four walls at all times during the entire period of breastfeeding. Or walk somewhere near the house, so that you can always have time to return and feed a hungry child without embarrassing anyone.This can be done in absolutely any place, invisibly to the eyes of the people around you, with comfort and without constraint. If you are still afraid or in doubt, then opt for your well-fed baby! Believe me, nobody cares if you are breastfeeding on the street or in a store. And if you do this in special clothes, then the chance of being “caught red-handed” is reduced to zero.
Recall examples from your own life. How often have you seen on the street or in public places a mother who would feed her child in front of everyone? Surely, even if they noticed this, they did not attach any significance to it, right? So no one will think to condemn you, if they even notice. The big thing is - mom feeds a hungry baby with her milk, so what's the matter?
If you are still very shy and ashamed, then use some tricks. For example, you can buy special clothes to wear for walking with your baby. And then you can always quickly give a screaming baby a chest, and no one will ever notice it. Once I put a hungry baby on my chest right on the go, walking around the mall. The feeding process reliably hid the sling from prying eyes, and we calmly continued on our way!
If you need to breastfeed a child on a street or in a crowded place, then it is better to find a secluded corner where there will be no draft, unpleasant sharp smells and loud noises. Then both of you will be comfortable starting the feeding process.
Take on the three most important assistants for discreet and comfortable breastfeeding anywhere:
- Clothes for nursing mothers. It is comfortable and practical, has a special cut that will allow you to quickly and easily give the baby a breast. No need to pull up your t-shirt or bare, it’s very convenient!
- Detachable bra. A “nursing” bra is a wonderful (and necessary) addition to clothes for feeding. A second, and the baby is already quietly sucking his chest, eating his mother's milk!
- Sling. In a sling, it’s not only convenient to carry a baby, but you can feed it imperceptibly! It is enough to pull the side of the fabric higher - and no one will guess anything, even if it goes right up to you. And mom’s hands are completely free! We also read: how to tear out a sling, types of slings
Last week, we had to wait in line for several hours in a children's clinic, and my baby was quietly eating breast milk in a sling, without showing any concern. And before that, we went on a visit, and just as quietly ate on the road in the bus! I never worry that my baby may suddenly get hungry, because I am always there, and comfortable clothes allow you to breastfeed anywhere and under any circumstances!
We also read: how to breastfeed in public places - tips and tricks
Do not worry and do not think that someone from the passers-by will be able to think badly about you, even if he notices. The most important thing is your comfort and a well-fed, calm baby. Drop all stereotypes and live for your pleasure. Breastfeeding and being always with him is real happiness for any mom!
We also read: all about breastfeeding - fundamental tips for nursing mothers
I see nothing wrong and especially shameful in feeding a child on the street. She herself fed more than once in the park, on the street. If the baby really cries and cannot calm down, then the chest is the only way to calm him down. I covered myself with a diaper and calmly fed. No one watched, and certainly did not condemn so much more.
At first, I was shy about breastfeeding a child in public. But there are different situations in life, and the baby is the same person with ordinary needs. And the need to eat can arise at any time. I once bought all the clothes for feeding: from a bra to dresses and blouses. But still I tried to take a scarf with me and, in the process of feeding, covered myself with it.
We were breastfed up to 1.2 years. Never in this time have I seen any unpleasant feeding patterns, but I myself tried to avoid feeding in a public place. Now it has become easier to relate to this, a lot of special clothes that come unfastened, many passing by or sitting at the next table in the cafe may not notice anything.
Fu, how not cultural. Overcome constraint, yelling from you, no culture.