August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and we just wrapped up World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). I hope you have seen some positive discussions about breastfeeding, but unfortunately, it's likely that you've also seen comments sexualizing and stigmatizing mothers who choose to breastfeed in public. World Breastfeeding Week or not, we see stories in the news of nursing women being asked to cover up, or to leave, or to retreat to a bathroom. I wanted to provide my personal experience and some tips that have helped me to breastfeed in public with confidence.
I am the mother of two boys (ages 2 years and 4 months), and I am currently nursing both of them. When my older son was born, I knew I wanted to breastfeed, but I had no idea how challenging it can be. The obstacles that mothers and babies face while trying to establish a long, successful nursing relationship are numerous, but breastfeeding in public should not be one of them. With my oldest son, I would often escape to the car to feed him, but when this became infeasible because we moved to the sauna known as Florida, I started using a cover. You know, one of those pieces of cloth that you drape over your neck that supposedly allows you to still peek in and gaze into baby's eyes. My son hated the cover. It could have just been that he was reaching the age when he was very distractible while nursing -- or maybe it was that the cover truly did act as a sauna, and it was really, really hot under there. He would pull and tug and roll, latch and unlatch, and the first time I tried nursing him in public without the cover, I realized I would never use one again.
Whether or not to cover is a mother's personal decision, but regardless of her choice, she should be able to breastfeed in public with confidence, knowing that she is doing the best thing she possibly can for her baby. So fear not, new nursing mother. You can have a long, successful breastfeeding relationship, too. Here are some pieces of advice from my own two-year-long breastfeeding journey.
1. Bring back-up. Until you are truly comfortable breastfeeding in public, try venturing out with the support of someone close to you. The time after my oldest son was first born was perfect for this, because my husband had some time off from work. Although you may think that gender roles are relevant here, remember that this is about your confidence, not how anyone else sees you. It does not have to be a guy by your side; it could be a friend, your sister, your mother -- anyone (as long as they support you).
2. Try it on a good day. Again, if you are new to breastfeeding and apprehensive about breastfeeding in public, maybe don't test the waters when no one slept well the night before. The key is that you should feel like you can handle this (and you totally can!).
3. Know your rights. Although I have never personally experienced a problem breastfeeding in public, it has always made me feel better to have a response ready just in case. The good news is that, for the most part, women are legally allowed to breastfeed whenever and wherever they want. Idaho is the only state that currently does not have legislation protecting breastfeeding mothers (although they are exempt from jury duty).
4. Bring supplies. Baby? Check. Breasts? Check. This is one of the many things I love about breastfeeding! It truly is convenient. But there's always something, right? With my second son, I had an oversupply in the beginning, and if baby pulled off, I would spray like a fire hose. But I still had to grocery shop, bring my toddler to the park, etc. I just always tried to be prepared, having a burp cloth on hand and ready to cover up if there was an issue. If I had gotten stuck feeding him in public without something to use, I would have felt a lot more vulnerable and less confident. Have burp clothes and extra breast pads. Maybe you are more comfortable nursing in a sling or carrier? For a while, I even kept an extra shirt in my bag!
5. Forget about everyone else. Ignore everything I have said prior to this, and if your baby is hungry, feed him or her. Who cares about burp cloths or back-up when your little one needs you? Just focus on your baby, and everything will be fine!
To see more images of mothers breastfeeding in public, and to read their testimonials, visit the Public Breastfeeding Awareness Project. To view more of Kristin's work, visit www.kristin-bell.com.
11 Breastfeeding Tips From Experts
Get To Class(01 of11)
Open Image ModalDr. Ann Borders, an OB-GYN who works with NorthShore University HealthSystem, recommends that her patients and their partners go to a breastfeeding class before Baby is born. In class, they don't just focus on why breastfeeding matters, but what you can actually expect in those daunting first few days. And Borders doesn't just recommend this for newbie families, but also moms who may have tried breastfeeding before and found it difficult."You're not going to know everything from taking the class, but it gives you a groundwork that you can build on at the hospital once you have the nurses helping you," Borders said.Most OB-GYNs will be able to give you a referral to a breastfeeding class nearby, but if for some reason yours doesn't have any suggestions, a quick online search should bring up options in your area. (credit:Gettystock)
Don't Leave Until You Get Help(02 of11)
Open Image ModalWhen you're in the hospital or birthing center, or while you've still got your midwife with you after a home birth, make sure you speak up and ask for help getting started."Every health care person should know the basic mechanics of breastfeeding," said Mary Ryngaert, a board certified lactation consultant with the University of Florida's Center for Breastfeeding and Newborns. "I joke that the person who empties the trash [in labor and delivery] should be able to help someone latch on."Even Borders, whose professional life and research centers around breastfeeding, said that when her first baby was born, she had to ask for guidance. Women should feel 100 percent empowered to ask their care provider to help them start breastfeeding within the first hour after a vaginal birth or two hours after a C-section if the circumstances allow for it, she said. Don't leave the hospital until you've gotten the help you need. (credit:Getty)
When In Doubt, Think Skin-To-Skin(03 of11)
Open Image ModalBe Prepared For Engorgement(04 of11)
Open Image ModalEngorgement, or a feeling of heavy fullness in the breasts that can be very painful, is common several days after delivery, but Borders said a lot of women don't know to expect it because no one talks to them about it. Having a game plan in place can help curb the pain and keep women from throwing in the towel when they're sore and freaked out.She suggests an over-the-counter pain medication, like Motrin, and ice. Two bags of frozen peas can also work, Borders said, and -- bonus! -- they tend to fit nicely into nursing bras. Some women may also want to take a hot shower to express some of their milk. (credit:Getty)
Lean Back And Put Your Feet Up!(05 of11)
Open Image ModalSusan Burger, president of the New York Lactation Consultant Association, finds few things as irksome as telling women that they need to try specific holds. Moms hear those tips and get "all twisted up with finding the perfect position," she said.What matters most in her book is that breastfeeding mothers get comfortable, which often means leaning back a bit and putting their feet up. "If she's comfortable, it's so much easier to get the baby into a comfortable position," Burger explained. This is one area where partners can really step in, looking at moms to spot any ways in which they might be uncomfortable, then helping by giving them a pillow, a shoulder rub ... whatever. (credit:Getty)
Ask Your Partner To Sit With You(06 of11)
Open Image ModalYour partner, or your mom or friend can also help by agreeing to sit with you while you breastfeed. Why? Since moms are often extremely relaxed and drowsy while they're breast-feeding, your partner can agree to be on "alert" -- maybe quietly reading a book or checking e-mails -- while you get some sleep. "Invite her to take a cat nap while breast-feeding," Ryngaert said. It may sound like a simple trick, but Ryngaert said it's such an easy, often-overlooked way for women to fully relax while breast-feeding, which only increases bonding and enjoyment, and also, possibly, catch up on some much-needed sleep. (credit:Getty)
Tilt Back, Open Wide(07 of11)
Open Image ModalDrop your mouth down to your chest, then open your mouth. A bit tricky, no? Now tilt your head back slightly and open it again. See how much easier that is? Burger said that one of the biggest ways to help babies drink is to make sure their heads are tilted back a bit. You can help support them in that position by putting a forearm under the baby's neck, or even a rolled-up receiving blanket."There are a lot of different ways to achieve it," she said. (credit:Getty)
Think Close, Close, Close(08 of11)
Open Image ModalPump In Short, Frequent Bursts(09 of11)
Open Image ModalBurger said that one of the mistakes women can make is to focus too much on duration and not enough on the frequency of pumping. Often they're too hard on themselves, sitting there for long stretches and pumping away in an attempt to produce more milk, when really, they'd be better served by just a few minutes here and there throughout the day.Burger likened it to training for a marathon: "You wouldn't just go out and run 13 miles," she said. "If you're just starting out, you'd try a mile or two and do that three or four times a week. That's a much better approach." In the same vein, if you can work it into your schedule, frequent, brief bouts of pumping help build milk supply better than sitting there, rather helplessly, and pumping for one long stretch. (credit:Getty)
Don't Just Deal With Sore Nipples(10 of11)
Open Image ModalKnow When To Call(11 of11)
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