Three Tips for Breastfeeding Discreetly in Public

Every mother has her own level of comfort, some preferring to be as discreet as possible when breastfeeding in public. At first, breastfeeding in public can be hard to do. Fumbling with your clothing and your baby can lead to a few non-discrete moments. However, the more you practice the easier it will become. Follow these three simple tips for breastfeeding discreetly in public and you will soon be a pro.

The first tip to breastfeeding in public is to be calm and relaxed. Infants are very capable of picking up in their mother's emotions and reacting to them. If you are feeling nervous and stressed your infant may become more fidgety or refuse to eat. This can only make breastfeeding in public more difficult.

At first it can feel as if the entire world has their eyes on you. In reality this is far from the truth. Most people rarely pay a rushing glance at the people around them. A mother sitting and holding her infant quietly generally draws little attention. Ironically, if you are nervously trying to avoid attention you may appear suspicious and end up drawing more attention to yourself.

The second tip is to dress comfortably. You can buy special shirts made for breastfeeding mothers. These have hidden slits or openings which allow you to breastfeed with ease. However many mothers prefer a simple long shirt layered over a tank top. Dress in a way that will be more comfortable to you. If you are not sure you can practice at home to see which is easier for you.

Some mothers add an additional layer with a breastfeeding cover, a small blanket, or even with an infant sling. These are not necessary for discreetness, and many infants become upset by having their heads covered. Most often your infant's head is large enough to cover most of the breast area, what is left can be easily covered by your shirt. With a little practice you can easily maneuver breastfeeding without an extra cover.

The third tip is to nurse your infant as soon as possible. Some mothers who are nervous about breastfeeding in public try to wait and see if they can hold off feeding until they are in a more private area. The longer your infant waits to eat the more upset your infant will become. An upset child will not only draw more attention to you, it will also make it more difficult for your infant to eat.

If you are in a large store or entertainment area there may be special breastfeeding rooms available. These are rooms that offer comfortable chairs and privacy for breastfeeding mothers. You are not required to use these rooms, many mothers comfortably breastfeed without leaving the immediate area. However, if you would feel more comfortable away from crowds and strangers these rooms can make breastfeeding while away from home much easier.

Breastfeeding in public can seem like an exercise in embarrassment at first. However there is no reason why you cannot breastfeed in public and still be as discreet as you feel comfortable with.