How do I handle the embarrassment of breastfeeding in front of people?

The feeling is normal, but there are accesories that can help you be a little private while doing it in front of people. Buy a nursing cover, have you heard of them? They are great for breastfeeding in private, while in front of people. But even with that, what I do is go some where private or feed my baby with a bottle. This way I don’t have to worry about any embarrassing moments, or feeling shy about it, or making others uncomfortable because although breastfeeding is the most normal and natural thing in the world, others sometimes don’t make it easy.

After giving birth, your idea of what’s embarrassing is likely to change drastically. If your husband and mother are there, you will probably not care if they see you nursing after all you’ve just been through! I am still nursing my 16-month-old. We just excuse ourselves to another room to nurse when we’re with family (besides her father and my mom). No one minds at all.

I felt the same way–more concerned about people I know seeing me than strangers. Not sure why. In public I just tried my best to be discreet. Now she really doesn’t care to nurse while we’re out and about; she’s too interested in the world around her.

Bless you im exactly the same strangers i couldn’t care less il never see them again but my family i was really embarrassed! i either go into another room bedroom etc or when im out shopping with my teenage sister or mum i wear a sling so i can just rearrange and sometimes they dont even notice also big department stores have breastfeeding room with comfy chair and stuff. But its nothing to be embarrassed about every so often i just do it very discreetly it getting really accepted now and they should be really proud of you. My dad was the funniest his face bless him he got used it tho lol xxx

I pump and breastfeed in front of husband so much its nothing now. When travelling I have to pump in the car, trucks go by- I just dont even care anymore cuz its something I gotta do. Focus on you and your baby, not others. My mother in law walked in on me breastfeeding and proceeded to have a normal conversation with me- it’s natural I guess and most people dont make a big deal of it anyway. Then once I was at the mall and a mother sat next to me to nurse her son.

Like someone else said, after giving birth you’ll have a different perspective on what is embarssing for two reasons…so many people will be seeing *everything* about you, and you’ll care more about your baby’s needs that other peoples opinions.

My recommendation is to buy some nursing shirts to wear when you’ll have to nurse in public. There are kinds that keep everything above & below the nipple covered, and the baby will cover that, so nobody will see anything. And if people are the Peeping Tom type, I think it would be much more embarassing for them to be caught looking than for you catching them looking…

They make nursing covers which look like big tents. I think they look ridiculous and I’d rather see a mom with a small burp cloth over her shoulder. And I think they must be very hot for the baby trapped under them for 20+ minutes.

And make sure you occasionally practice discreet breastfeeding when you’re at home alone, that way you’ll have your technique down pat for when the time comes. I wish I would have done that the first time around. I was so used to sitting in the glider in the nursery with my Boppy pillow – when I was away from home I couldn’t figure out how to hold my daughter in a comfy way without the armrests/pillows I was used to.

Good luck!

I would invest in a nursing cover. Its a lightweight cotton blanket type thing that goes over the baby so people don’t see everything.

I was worried about people seeing me breastfeed too- and then I saw a friend breastfeeding and got totally disgusted and just decided to give formula when the baby came. Well, when he was born I tried breastfeeding, but refused to do it in front of anyone so it was tough. At the hospital the nurses wouldn’t give me any privacy so I gave him formula. When we got home I was so bored of just being alone that I gave him formula so we could go out.

I think a nursing cover will help you though.

I know what you mean but let me tell you..once you have that baby it isn’t going to matter. I popped my boob out in front of my mom and sister and my husband because I just didn’t want to worry about it and they didn’t mind. It just gets to where you are more focused on trying to nurse and less about exposing yourself. When you are at the hospital you can ask for a do not disturb door hanger so family and friends won’t enter while your nursing. My husband actually had to help me in the beginning since sometimes it takes time to get the hang of getting the baby to latch on correctly..it can be painful but you can buy covers so you can nurse in front of people without being exposed. and when out in public you can always find a fitting room or where ever. I never nursed in the restroom I always went to a fitting room but some places have nursing areas.

I think it eventually becomes natural not to be embarrased. When I first had my daughter, and I was out in public, my mother and husband would “shield me” or I would use a light blanket to cover up what I could. I would go to another room or somewhere private if I was in front of my in-laws or others I might feel shy around. Funny, it was quicker for me to feel comfortable in front of strangers than people I knew. Eventually though, you lose the embarrassment. My daughter hated being covered and eventually started to pull the blanket or wrap I had covering us. I got used to using layers in my clothing to provide some cover for myself. One layer would go up, one would go down so that all that would be exposed was the nipple for my daughter. Her head would cover the rest. Later still, I didn’t even feel the need for that and was comfortable just pulling up my shirt. No one could see anything anyways.

Good luck:-)

You just need to think of the fantastic start in life you are giving your baby. Are any other family members breastfeeding, or have any of them breastfed before? They will no doubt be fully understanding of your worries and it might help to talk to them.
If yours is not a “breastfeeding family”, or worse, if they are not particularly breastfeeding-friendly, then take it as a chance to show them how utterly normal it is and how beneficial it is for both you and your baby.

I don’t want to patronise you in case you know all about the benefits of breastfeeding, but in case you don’t, here are some facts might help to invigorate you and encourage you to feel proud of what you’re doing:

- breastmilk is ALWAYS ready, at the right temperature and no need for faffing around with sterilising bottles.

- the composition of breastmilk changes as your baby grows, to match its specific needs at different stages of development.

- breastfeeding offers unmatched protection against disease: about 80% of breastmilk is macrophages – cells which kill bacteria & viruses. there are NONE of these in formula. your baby is also at a reduced risk of diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and several cancers.

- mothers will also produce antibodies against any diseases which are currently circulating their environment, protecting babies against diseases that they are currently exposed to.

- it will help you to lose weight after the birth.

- you are at a reduced risk of several reproduction-related cancers such as ovarian and breast.

- breastfed babies are at a reduced risk of being obese in later life as they regulate their milk intake themselves – it is not given to them in a constant stream like formula from a bottle – and therefore learn, at a very early age, how to recognise when they are hungry and recognise when they are full.

- breastfeeding provides the skin-to-skin affection which babies thrive on.

and finally, probably the best & most obvious reason to breastfeed is that breastmilk is designed for baby humans – formula is made from cow’s milk, which is designed for baby cows. it’s not rocket science.

I understand that it takes courage to get over embarrassment, and yes it’s always worse when it’s in front of people you know because their opinion and judgement matters so much more to you than the opinion of a stranger. But no one can think badly of you for giving your baby the absolute best start in life, and I have a lot of respect for you for making this decision.

I wish you all the best.