Safe Places to Breastfeed

I breastfeed in Nordstroms and usually have lunch there too when I am at the mall a long time :) Mostly I use the back seat of my car in a nice little park with the door open enjoying the fresh air... less germs there. :)

Hi J.
I was never comfortable just throwing a blanket over my shoulder like some people are. I think I never felt coordinated enough.

I just used any fitting room. I would tell the person checking people in why I needed to use the room and I never had a problem!

Good luck!

The restroom at Lakeside Mall in the food court area is actually quite nice, with seating and a changing area. When I'm out that way that's where I nurse my 4 month old. Other than that, I usually just try to find a secluded area, mostly because she's very distractable and won't eat if anything remotely interesting is going on!

That said, I do think it's important for nursing moms to breastfeed in public and not be ashamed or embarrassed by it. The more often we do it, the more it'll be considered the norm and soon enough nobody will bat an eye. :)

Oh, and I also wanted to mention that Target sells nursing covers now. Although to be honest I think they bring more attention to what you're doing than provide any sort of secrecy!

Nordstroms is great.

Remember that breastfeeding your baby is NATURAL and so wonderful. You are feeding your baby and giving him what he needs to grow and be healthy. It is so sad that our culture has made it into something that makes anyone feel uncomfortable! I love nursing my son (10 months) and I loved nursing my daughter (28 months) and after I got over my shyness in public our outings are so much more enjoyable. Enjoy each and every minute...it goes too fast!

I agree with fitting rooms. they are private, but not a bathroom. they are all around in target, malls, any clothing store. i also nursed anywhere i needed to...except restaurants. i just didn't want to do it. once i had to nurse at a basketball game and once on a bus. i would usually just try to go to a place where we were out of the way, and not right in front of everyone...for our comfort. i would just always cover up...which is harder the older they get, but then they nurse less often.

I understand where you are coming from on this....any dressing room at a store is a good place or Nordstrom at Somerset Mall has a 'family room' on the 3rd floor by the cafe. I wish every place had a 'family room' like this...it is clean and private with a really nice changing table.

I breast fed 2 kids..

I usually fed them at home just before we left and then did about 2 hours of errands and got home before it was time to eat again.

My kids are 18 months apart.. so once I had 2 kids.. we just didnt do more than a quick visit to the mall or any other place so feeding the baby wasnt an issue..

I usually just used the car.. it was easiest..

fitting rooms are a great alternative to restrooms. Good luck!

Hi J.,
I quickly realized with my first nursing baby that I was going to miss all the action at the mall or at family gatherings if I went in another room every time she needed to nurse; I had 4 brothers in law to contend with and my LLL leader suggested, at home, nursing my baby in front of a mirror so I could see exactly what was being "exposed" when my baby nursed - I was amazed that most of the time when I got her latched on quickly, there was nothing to be seen; and most of the time, they didn't know what she was doing. We went on to have 2 more kiddos and I am so glad that I became comfortable doing what was best for my baby without offending others or missing the party!

If you are not comfortable nursing in pubilc I strongly suggest getting a Hooter Hider (http://www.bebeaulait.com/)

This is a light weight cover that allows you to maintain your modesty but still see the baby. It has a strap that goes around your neck so that it does not fall off like a blanket. It has boning in the front to hold the cloth away from you so that you can see inside and see the baby.

I assumed that when I started nursing that I would only be comfortable doing it in private, but with this cover you can discreetly nurse anywhere.

I assume that I am not the only one who loves this cover because I have noticed that they have started selling them in stores like Motherhood and Right Start. When I found them 3 years ago with my first baby you could only order them on-line.

J.,
Legally you can nurse ANYWHERE really... but I was never terribly comfortable nursing everywhere.

You could nurse in a dressing room, your car before or after your trips.

Or consider getting comfortable with a sling or carrier.. many moms nurse in that in public. I found the slings wonderful when my son was younger (up to a year old) because then I could hold him and he was happy and I'd get things done. My son wouldn't nurse in a sling (he was picky when he was little.. now he could care less), but I know many moms that do nurse in slings.

It looks like you are in Rochester.. I am as well so if you need more ideas or people to meet up with.. let me know. My son's older than your little guy I'm guessing, but who knows..

They have the nursing shawls at Tree City Diapers online..
www.treecitydiapers.com in Ann Arbor.

My son never would be covered with a blanket or anything else.. so it wouldn't have worked for me, but that's another option.

Hi J.,
When I was out and about with my little one I would use the fitting rooms at Target or Khols or where ever I was if the store didn't offer a nursing room. Also, if your at the mall, the maternity store's have places to nurse too. Good Luck!
L. B