If you are a breastfeeding mother, this is something that you will likely need to get comfortable doing. Once you come out of the ‘newborn fog’, most mums find that they better enjoy their maternity leave if they are able to get out and about. For some, that may mean mum and baby classes, while others may choose to visit friends or even take in that museum they’ve always wanted to visit.

Even if you are only popping out for an hour or so, there is a good chance that your baby will need a feed while you’re out. It may be that they are hungry, or it could be due to one of the multiple other reasons that babies feed (emotional regulation in a busy environment, a need to sleep, comfort, etc.).

It's important, therefore, to note a couple of things:

Mums being harassed for feeding in public is incredibly rare. It is so rare, in fact, that when it happens, it often makes the newspapers. Logically, if every mum was harassed every time she fed in public, this would be a normal every-day occurrence and therefore not newsworthy. The very fact that these incidents make the news is because of their rarity.
You are legally entitled to feed your baby anywhere that you yourself are allowed to be. So shops, restaurants, pools, parks, museums, and houses of worship are all totally acceptable places to feed. You should not be asked or encouraged to head to the toilets or anywhere else in order to feed. If you personally prefer privacy, then you can always ask if there’s somewhere quiet for you to sit. However, if there was, for example, a private function happening at a restaurant and you were not an invitee, then you would not be able to feed there simply because you have no right to be in that space.
Feeding in toilets is never the solution. You and I wouldn’t want to eat our lunch in the toilet, for obvious reasons, so neither should your baby. If you prefer private spaces, check out the area before you head out. Some malls, for example, have dedicated feeding rooms, and often restaurants have quieter tables or booths where you may feel less exposed.
You are less exposed than you feel. When we look down at our feeding babies, we can feel quite exposed and like there’s a lot of breast on show. However, people who are looking over at you can usually see very little. Get someone to take a photo of you feeding, or feed in front of a full-length mirror, so you can see for yourself.

So how can I feed in public comfortably?

There are many approaches, and there is no wrong or right way. One of these will probably resonate with you more and become your personal way of feeding. You may even combine a couple of the methods together, if you prefer!

Two-Top System Rather than purchasing a few official ‘breastfeeding’ tops (that you’ll soon get bored of wearing), you can easily turn almost any top into a breastfeeding-friendly one with this simple hack. Buy a few ‘spaghetti strap’ vests a size larger than you normally wear. Wear this vest under any top, shirt, or jumper. When you need to breastfeed, pull up the top to above your breast (the vest underneath will still give your tummy coverage), and pull down the vest along with your nursing bra. In this way, the only part of you that is exposed is your breast, which will be handily covered by your baby’s head as soon as they are latched on!
Use a breastfeeding apron. These are wearable items that drape over your torso so that your baby can feed underneath with discretion. While this gives you the most coverage, there are some things that mothers can find tricky. In hot climates, the baby can get uncomfortably hot and sweaty under the apron, and care needs to be taken that they are not spending too much time there. If you are still ‘getting the hang’ of latching your baby on, the limited field of vision can make it an additional challenge. If you do go for an apron, look for the ones with wire in the top; this gives a more structured feel to the apron and makes it easier to look in and see what’s going on.
Use a giant muslin. You are no doubt already aware of the myriad of uses for muslins since your baby’s arrival. These are a standard size and brilliant for all manner of things. However, there are also giant muslins (imagine four standard-size muslins sewn together in a 2x2 square). These can be awesome breastfeeding covers. They serve two purposes: firstly, assuming you have a friend with you as you feed, they can hold up the muslin around you as a privacy shield. This gives you full visual access to latching your baby on, but with the privacy you’re looking for. Then, once the baby is latched on, it can be draped over your shoulder to cover as much of your body and the baby as you feel comfortable with. This is usually cooler for you and your baby than the aforementioned breastfeeding apron.
Use breastfeeding tops. These are tops that have been designed to allow you access to your breasts without lifting or rearranging the top too much. They can be useful, but most women report getting extremely bored of wearing the same clothes day in and day out. Also, these are only really suitable for small-breasted ladies; ladies with larger breasts will find that the ‘access holes’ in the top are simply not sufficiently big enough.

At the end of the day, our best tip for feeding in public is to practise at home until you feel confident. Make sure that on your first few trips out, you have a cheerleader with you who will build your confidence and help you get settled. Before you know it, you’ll be a breastfeeding-in-public pro!

Once you master breastfeeding in public, the world’s your oyster! There is something hugely freeing about being able to take your baby out for several hours or even travel the world, safe in the knowledge that you will never run out of food, comfort, and sleep aids for them.

This is the best time to book that holiday: aeroplanes won’t feel constraining to a baby who can’t yet crawl; jet lag means nothing to a baby still on a 24-hour schedule; and all their food and drink is available on demand and tastes just like it does at home!

What are some tips for breastfeeding in public?

Unii Expert Wendy Lever shares her top tips for breastfeeding in public.