44 Moms Share How to Breastfeed in Public Fearlessly

Breastfeeding in public for the first time can be VERY daunting. It was for me! I was terrified of getting called out by a stranger. I would literally think about all the possible clap-backs I could dish out to the breastfeeding haters, while nursing my baby at 2AM.

LOL. #momlife 😅

I am happy to report that after almost 3 years and 2 babies later, I’ve never had to use one of my clap-backs. 🙂

Unfortunately, I’ve heard about moms all over the world getting shamed and publicly humiliated for nursing their babies in public.

So I had to make this post!

I surveyed 40 fearless moms and they were all super awesome and agree to share their secret tips and words of encouragement on how to breastfeed in public fearlessly!

If you’re feeling worried and super self-conscious about it all, KEEP CALM! This post on how to breastfeed in public fearlessly was written with you in mind. ❤️

1) Focus on getting that baby fed.

Remember you are feeding your baby, and most would much rather a happy fed baby then a screaming starving one. So whip it out and feed on mama!

2) Just do it.

Just do it. However and where ever it works for you and your babe. People are much less judgmental (and nosy) than you’d expect. The more you do it the more comfortable you’ll feel about breastfeeding in public.You might find that it’s less stressful and more convenient than packing bottles, keeping milk cold, measuring formula, or having engorged breasts while you’re out too!

3) Go gradually.

Start somewhere that’s less congested with people and slowly work your way to other spots. Like a park where there are other moms or the library during story time. NO need to jump right out there at the local super market or coffee shop right away! Be confident…you’re doing a WONDERFUL thing that some women aren’t able to do.

4) Stop caring.

One thing I realized early (thank God) is that people will always judge your decisions or at least you’ll always feel judged so stop caring what people think and just do what you feel is right. It’s a mindset thing where the only thing stopping you or making you feel uncomfortable is your mind.

Also, it’s easier for people to question you and make snide remarks when you appear to be lacking confidence in your decision so become a proud mama, keep your eyes locked on your baby’s loving gaze while you nurse and everything else will fade away.

5) Choose a quiet location.

Just find a quiet spot, use a cover-up if you want, and feed your baby. If you are afraid of what others think, remember that your baby crying from hunger draws way more attention than quietly going about your business breastfeeding. If you are still unsure remind yourself that it’s no ones business how you decide to feed your hungry baby.

6) Channel your inner-confidence.

My advice is to be confident. I continue to carry on a conversation and maintain eye contact all while latching and feeding. Smile at anyone who makes eye contact with you.I’ve had waiters maintain conversation with me all while nursing! Oh, and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! You are legally allowed to feed your child in public. I have personally been lucky in that no one has ever had a negative reaction to me feeding in public, but it’s important to know your rights just in case.

7) Practice at home.

I was SO nervous about this! It was really hard for me. I am quite modest, even at home. So for me, the best way to ease into it was to practice at home as IF I were in public. Most often at home, especially when Owen was young, I just went to my son’s room or it was just my husband and me so I was in relaxing clothes.

But when I was going stir-crazy stuck in the house in the winter with a baby who wouldn’t take a bottle, I started practicing at home wearing a nursing bra and tank top with a regular shirt over the top. Practicing the logistics of how to move my clothing, my son, and to use a cover made me more confident in getting the latch, nursing, and cleaning up afterward while maintaining the modesty that felt comfortable to me.

8) Most people aren’t giving you dirty looks.

I’d guess 90% of people think it’s beautiful and may glance to give you looks of encouragement even though if you’re self-conscious, it just feels like judgmental stares. Let go of projecting that out to others because it’s really only 10% who are offended and these are the types ALWAYS looking to feel that way so disregard them. If it’s offensive their head has another 350° it can spin to.

9) Just feed yo’ baby.

Feed baby when baby is hungry because nothing is more heart-wrenching than seeing your baby cry to no end because you’re not in private. Your job is to protect and provide for baby not strangers around you. Some may judge, give nasty looks, or even comments but tell them to Mind Their Tits and Nurse on!

10) It’s easier than it looks.

Real-life public breastfeeding is much easier than what it looks like online. In real life, the people that don’t agree for the most part look away. Occasionally you’ll get the familiar smile from another parent. One that’s reminiscing or one you’ve inspired. They make it worth it.

11) The law is on your side.

The law protects you so no one can say anything to you. You have to make a decision to comfortable and conveniently feed your baby or make the people around you comfortable. I’m not going to let my baby be hungry to avoid making someone else uncomfortable. My baby’s comfort comes first and food is a basic human necessity.

12) Wear nursing clothes.

What helped me feel confident breastfeeding in public was wearing clothes that provided easy access and carried a lightweight nursing cover.

13) Focus on your baby’s needs. Not a stranger’s.

When choosing between the comfort of your child and the comfort of strangers. Always choose your child. Strangers can look away but your child can’t stop being hungry.

14) Nurse around supportive friends.

Connect with breastfeeding groups and start breastfeeding in front of people you feel safe around.

15) It might take a little time to get used to it.

Understand that if you are nervous, it’s probably not going to be comfortable the first time. It may never be something you feel totally comfortable with. Push through and take care of your baby.

16) Remember your baby is the priority.

Remind yourself that your first priority is that baby, and understand that your baby’s needs may not always align with what society thinks you should be doing. Giving myself that reminder was the push for me to feed my baby regardless of the company.

17) This is for your baby.

It’s not easy when you are being judged by words or stares. Remember that you do this for your baby. And by normalizing breastfeeding we can help keep our daughters from experiencing the same struggles.

18) You don’t have to convince anyone.

It’s not your business to convince anyone, to argue with them, to prove your point. The law backs you, so smile and feed your baby. Luckily I’ve never got into a fight with someone who asked me to feed my child in the toilet. I said, “No, that’s disgusting. I need a safe, clean place to sit down. Thank you.” Remember that a gentle answer turns away wrath, stay calm and polite.

19) Most people won’t even notice.

Lots of people won’t notice, especially if you don’t use a nursing cover. And of the few people who can’t help staring, most are just interested, not upset. Also, start nursing in public as early as possible, because while people might be bothered by you nursing a three year old in public, everyone understands that newborns just need to be fed all the time.

20) Just do it.

Would you rather your baby starve because someone else might feel uncomfortable?

21) Find some nursing mom friends.

Find some fellow breastfeeding mums and all bf together in public… A bf club! Or else invest in some breastfeeding covers or scarves until you are more comfortable. I found that helped, especially in places you knew people would judge you.

22) Breastfeed discreetly.

Figure out how to breastfeed without flashing anyone! If you can hold your baby in front of your breast while you unclip you will minimize flesh exposure. Not that there’s anything wrong with boobs – it’s just that many of us like to keep them private! And remember that there are not very many nasty people out there so you probably won’t meet one. Feed that baby, mama!

23) Don’t factor in someone else’s judgment to your decision-making.

I would say, to not make your decisions on what you are doing for your child based on others opinions or judgment. That in order to keep your sanity you don’t need to put others needs/opinions first. You are the best mom for your baby doing the absolute best for them. If you they’re hungry. Feed them! No matter where you are.

24) Start with more private places.

Set up a makeshift nursing station in the car, use your stroller to create an additional layer of privacy, or check the facilities for a mother’s lounge. Whatever you do, don’t give up on breastfeeding in public out of fear or anxiety!

25) Ignore the worry.

You WILL get that voice inside your head telling you this is a bad idea for whatever reason. Tell it to shut up. That voice is the biggest hater of all, and if you can put THAT in its place, you can put ANYONE in their place (though you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see that you probably won’t have to).

26) Find a friend.

Find a nursing mom friend and do it together. The first time I nursed in public was with two mom friends at a local mall.

27) Do what you need to do to feel comfortable.

Feed your baby! Do whatever makes you comfortable! Want to cover up? Great. Your baby hates to be under a cover? Great. You are more comfortable giving bottles out in public? Great. Don’t let anyone tell you how you should feed your baby. Feed your baby and do it with confidence!

28) The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll get.

Like anything that makes you nervous, the more you do it, the more comfortable you will get. It’s like exposure therapy (pardon the pun). If you want, find a nursing cover that works well for you and practice at home.

Also if you’re super nervous get a supportive mom friend to come with you the first time you breastfeed in public, whether you’re at the park or a coffee shop. Once you’re comfortable with the support of a friend, you could try when you’re on your own with babe.

29) Is it really that big a deal after giving birth?

After giving birth in a room full of doctors and nurses and interns and NICU teams, nursing in a diner in front of the local ladies seems like no big deal (and definitely more modest!).

At the end of the day, breastfeeding in public is a personal choice – that person being you: not the gawkers, not the naysayers, and not the legislators. If you feel comfortable showing a little boob to get your baby fed, then do it!

30) Use the two-shirt method.

I nurse in public without a cover often, especially on our walks through the park. The two-shirt method has been my go-to while out and about. I also use the diaper bag as a pillow to give us a little extra support.

31) Hold true to your beliefs.

There is such a negative stigma surrounding public breastfeeding. We need to be more assertive about making our selfless act a normal action. Breastfeeding is a natural part of life, but we have allowed society to dictate that it’s shameful.

Personally, I did not care who was around when I nursed my child. I have the right to feed my child and a public restroom does not work for me. There is strength in numbers.

32) Wear a fearless attitude.

We, as women, are more powerful than those who have associated breastfeeding as a sexual act rather than a normal part of life. Nursing covers, nursing shirts, or receiving blankets are an option…but a fearless attitude is all you need.

33) Don’t make eye contact.

I drove myself crazy sitting at home because I didn’t want to go anywhere in case I needed to feed my child. Eventually, I had enough and decided after 3 months I would go out to dinner and to the grocery store with my husband. I brought my nursing cover and ended up walking through Costco feeding my baby.

I may have felt a little awkward, but I just didn’t make eye contact with anyone and it felt so free to be able to go out!

34) Don’t make it a big deal.

If you act like it’s no big deal, the less people will notice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been nursing and people have tried to see my son. I’ve had to stop them before they distract him and get a full show. Two-shirt method or nursing shirt all the way.

35) It’s not realistic to always nurse your baby in a bathroom.

I plan on breastfeeding for the first year and hope to have 3-4 kids. I couldn’t imagine hiding in a bathroom for 3-4 years of my life to feed my baby. When the baby is hungry, I feed her. It helps to wear clothes out that are easy and comfortable to nurse in. I got more comfortable nursing in public each time.

36) Have a blanket handy.

Sometimes if I’m feeling like people are eyeing me I’ll use a blanket over us to get set up and then remove it once she’s latched. Truly the thing that worked for me was getting the first nursing in public session out of the way. Once you do the first you’ll have more confidence!

37) The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll be.

I don’t cover up while nursing, as it made it a lot more difficult in the beginning, so having shirts that are designed to not show much helped a lot. Also, you just have to do it. The more you try and the more comfortable you are in general with breastfeeding, the easier it gets.

38) Focus on your baby’s needs.

If you drown out the outside world and just focus on meeting your baby’s needs, you’ll most likely find that you won’t think about what other people think very much.

39) Be confident and know the law.

My advice is to know the local laws regarding breastfeeding in public so that if someone were to approach you, you can inform them of your rights and stand your ground. Also, always have a cover and/or swaddle blanket with you to cover up.

40) Most people aren’t even going to notice or care.

Do not worry about what other people may think; you would be surprised how most people won’t think anything of you nursing in public! Always remember that you are doing what you need to do to ensure your baby is fed and healthy; your little one is your priority!

41) It’s not about modesty.

It’s 100% legal in all 50 US states to breastfeed in public 😊💕 I’m a pretty modest person in general, but when it comes to feeding my baby I am NOT going to a nasty public restroom, I don’t want to sit on the commode to pee let alone sit there to feed my son.

42) Tie a swaddle around your neck.

I’ll tie a muslin swaddle around my neck and cover me and the baby wherever we are. I’ve never gotten any rude looks, but I’m also not paying attention to anyone passing by… I’m either paying attention to the baby or multitasking on my phone. Breastfeeding is hard and what we are doing is so good for our babies!

43) Do their opinions really matter to you?

Just focus on your baby. Don’t pay too much attention to the people around you. Do people’s opinions really matter? To me, no. What matters most to me is making sure my kids is fed in a timely manner. Just whip out the boob and feed. A crying baby draws a lot more attention than a nursing one anyway so mama, just do it!

44) Bring your focus inward.

Who cares what they think? It’s not about them. It’s about you and that baby. Don’t let people’s weird thoughts and opinions of a baby eating stop you from nursing in public.