Nursing in public/Do you Cover?

Katie - posted on 04/11/2013

I feel totally embarrassed that I never even considered covering up!!! I don't know why- it just didn't cross my mind. I don't breastfeed in public but when my son was first born and up to 1 month I nursed in front of my own father, mother- in law, Father in law!! Sister and brother in law with no cover. Looking back I feel bad that I maybe put them in an uncomfortable situation. Oops. Once he was over a month nursing became a battle so id take him into another room so no one would judge my struggle haha

Victoria - posted on 03/17/2011

We cover up only because i have bigger breast and i feel more comfortable. but i def would do what works for you. my grandma and mother inlaw is usually over at the house to visit and i never cover up. but in public we do, but they do have nursing covers that go over your head and i love it! you can look down at sweet baby and its just perfect! but if you dont want to cover up then so be it! Its natural and the way GOD intended:)

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/17/2011

Must think about it this way, if every time you went to the mall you saw a woman breastfeeding, wouldn't you eventually not even care?
We all seem to have desensitized ourselves to mini skirts and v neck shirts and thongs and high heels and belly buttons showing etc etc etc
Why is it ok to show off your body for sexual purposes but not ok to show some skin while feeding your child with the body parts designed for that purpose?

If every breastfeeding mom came out of the house and fed in public like twice a week each, just imagine how quickly the whole country would get over it!

We aren't helping anyone, not even ourselves, when we hide to breastfeed. We deserve to have lives while we have babies and no one should have to carry around extra blankets everywhere.

Breastfeed with pride!

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/17/2011

Nope I don't. I feel that everyone needs to see more breastfeeding in public and eventually no one will care anymore!
Every time someone sees me breastfeeding confidently I'm putting in their memory a good thought about it and showing them it's normal natural and healthy.

Little kids need to see breastfeeding more then they see bottle feeding anyways so we aren't helping the next gee ration if we go hide or cover up.

I'm not flashing the crowds or anything, buy I'm not going to go out of my way to cover up bits and pieces of skin that shows.

My new motto is
'shock them until they quit noticing'

Megan - posted on 03/17/2011

I do half and half.
But i dont think i should have to at all, I refuse to go into a bathroom stall or go to my car just to feed my daughter, She is hungry and i will feed her where ever i want and however i want. There just boobs you have them to feed babys that the only reson there diffrent then guys. If guys are allowed to show there boobs so am i to feed my baby.
I only cover up if i feel like it!

Megan - posted on 03/17/2011

I do half and half.
But i dont think i should have to at all, I refuse to go into a bathroom stall or go to my car just to feed my daughter, She is hungry and i will feed her where ever i want and however i want. There just boobs you have them to feed babys that the only reson there diffrent then guys. If guys are allowed to show there boobs so am i to feed my baby.
I only cover up if i feel like it!

Janice - posted on 12/12/2009

I cover up because sometimes my daughter unlatches and if I didn't cover up i would be exposed. My six week old is too young to play games so it isnt an issue yet. If you can get your baby to latch on and off with no one seeing with out using a cover - more power to you. As a first time mom I'm just not that good yet. I'm just estatic that I can nurse in public in general. All of my friends either did not breastfeed or used expressed bottles while in public. When at home I only cover up in front of male friends and family.

Ronda - posted on 12/11/2009

You should do what you feel comfortable with not what other people want you to do. I agree with everyone who pointed this out, if somebody makes a big deal about not covering up they were not educated enough about the real reason women have breasts'. My fiance and his family even were embarrassed by me just openly breastfeeding in public. My baby doesn't like being covered up and she likes to look at me and play with my hair while eating so I do what is most comfortable for the both of us. So do what you prefer and ignore the reactions of other people.

Liane - posted on 12/11/2009

Personally, I feel more comfortable using a cover. That being said my almost 5.5 month old son is starting to pull at/play with the cover. I'm not sure how much longer it will be before he pulls the whole thing off. As for what you do, I think you should bf however you and your baby are comfortable. If anyone has issues with it that is their problem, not yours. It seems as though you are comfortable with it so enjoy the freedom you have of not nursing under cover!

Kyrie-dee - posted on 12/11/2009

to be honest neither do I! I have a 6 month old son and last time i had a scalf he chewed it without me realising and choaked! if I use a blanket or scalf he just pulls it off and throws it! Leo's dad had an arguement with me over it and said his friend said I only went to watch him play football with his friends so I could get them out for the lads! but I carried on breast feeding and ended up splitting with him as he was smoking pot! a man had a go at me the other day saying it was disgusting what I was doing so I told him he didn't have to look he could look else where and it would only be disgusting if I put my son down and let them loose! lol

Sara - posted on 12/10/2009

I cover. I just don't feel comfortable with perfect strangers seeing my breast. With all the sick people out there I don't need someone outside of my husband doctor and of course baby to see my breast. People know that I'm nursing based on the fact that I'm covered up. I am more comfortable and so is the company that I keep.

Jessy - posted on 12/10/2009

Quoting Theresa:

Unless i'm in my room, I always cover up! I feel that breast are a private part of our bodies weather or not you are breastfeeding. yes it is natural, but so is going to the bathroom; and we do that in private. At least i do.
I always feel so uncomfortable around others who don't cover up. I don't want to see your boobs and i don't want you looking at mine. I especially feel its inconsiderate to others.
No, breastfeeding is not shameful, but i don't feel like explaining to my nephews or brothers about breast.

maybe if someone took the time to educate your nephews and brothers (everyone really), from a young age there would be far less contraversy over the whole issue.  many countries have adopted and fostered breast feeding societies that not only promote but encourage and empower women and their bodies.  your reference to going to the washroom alone isn't the same either; men can walk around with no shirt on at all in public, they use the washroom privately. so i do not see why is is so riske to have a womans breast exposed when our male conterparts do so without question. i have 5 sisters and 3 brothers all of whom are younger then me, as well as 3 children of my own. all have been breast feed. i wouldn't ask you to eat under a blanket, i would invite you to the table with the rest of the family. young children have to be taught what breasts are for so they are not confused when it comes time to use them. when raised in an accepting environment children just accept that breast feeding has been done since the beguining of time and should be no different in terms of modesty as giving a baby a bottle. if we had these kinds of standards in north america maybe we could give mothers and babies everywhere the chance to eat in peace (which is really all this is about anyway, having a quick snack).

Theresa - posted on 12/09/2009

Unless i'm in my room, I always cover up! I feel that breast are a private part of our bodies weather or not you are breastfeeding. yes it is natural, but so is going to the bathroom; and we do that in private. At least i do.
I always feel so uncomfortable around others who don't cover up. I don't want to see your boobs and i don't want you looking at mine. I especially feel its inconsiderate to others.
No, breastfeeding is not shameful, but i don't feel like explaining to my nephews or brothers about breast.

Jayme - posted on 11/20/2009

This is kind of late in the discussion. However just because you cover up doesn't mean you have to be exposed or that you are being disrespectful. I do not use a cover b/c my son would just pull it off or cry. I have a topless shirt underneath my shirt to cover my lover have and his head and the top of my shirt cover the rest. I am not "whipping out my breast" to show the world. You can be discreet w/o using a cover. Especially when your child is older he/she should be able to latch on while your breast is mostly covered.

I find it interesting that it's okay to be in a mall and walk past a lingerie store where the models chest is almost completely out of the bra. (Hello cleavage), yet someone would find the a slight exposure of the breast while breastfeeding repulsive.

Jessy - posted on 11/20/2009

i used a cover once found it embarasing and never again. i live in canada so its legal to bare all and i take full advantage of that. we were hiking in the woods when she was 2 months old i just took off the whole top. in more public places some people have isues but those are their problem not mine. dinner tables dance recitals whatever my babies hungry! her head covers it anyway. i see no problems do what is comfortable to you

Carlisa - posted on 11/20/2009

nah,if they didnt wanna see ur boobs (other people) then let them look the other way
i cover up WHEN I CAN
meaning----
.....when i remember a blanket (i used clean open diapers to cover up)
.....when she leaves the blanket on

ive even walked while BF (shopping for that matter LMAO)

Laura - posted on 11/20/2009

Once you've seen a boob you've seen them all, boobs are boobs, big deal. I do cover up when nursing, when I nursed my twins and now my 8 month old. But mostly for me I don't like the way my body looks after having twins, I got horrible stretch marks and I have a lot of extra skin from stretching with the twins and now even more from my little one who is 8 months cuz it was even easier to stretch out with him. Someday I will be able to afford a tummy tuck. Mostly I cover up for me to hide my body but also for my husband to cuz he get a little jealous if he sees a male walking by and trying to look at me., Its not that big of deal to me I prefer to be coverd but to each their own! Whatever makes you comfortable is what you should do.

Theresa - posted on 11/20/2009

I cover up enough to hide parts of my torso that I personally don't want other people to see lol. His head normally isn't covered up, and sometimes he actually prefers it; he's definitely a snuggle bug! And I don't think covering up is necessarily sending the wrong message. It's a matter of comfort and modesty, in my opinion. Not trying to offend anyone!! Just my opinion =]

Emily - posted on 11/20/2009

I cover up when I am in public with a nursing wrap. It is really lightweight and has a big opening at the neck so I can still see my baby. It makes me uncomfortable if my tummy is exposed when I lift my shirt. I do this for me only, not to please anyone else. I am not offended if a breastfeeding mom doesn't cover, but I think it would be respectful to still be discreet and not let everything hang out. It is not necessary to do that.

Jemma - posted on 11/18/2009

What with the easy access bras and tops that are available now and the positive encouragement from the NHS I don't see the need or a reason to cover up. Ok the discreat breastfeeding can take time to get the hang of. My daughter is now 6 weeks old and sometimes its easy sometimes its not. I've used a blanket to cover us once when feeding her in public - i met my husband in his work for lunch and she decided she wanted feeding, as he is a soldier I didn't feel too comfortable exposing myself infront of 50 odd other soldiers. Especially as i was still geting used to feeding her. But now I refuse to cover up, its one of the most natural things in the world. I'm proud to say i've breastfed my child and will challenge anyone that asked me to stop feeding her in public.

Diana - posted on 11/18/2009

I cover sometimes...but most of the time when I'm in public I nurse in the car or in a nursing room. The mall near my house actually has a nursing room next to the family bathroom, which I truly appreciate. It gets me and my son away from the hustle and bustle so that he can concentrate without distractions. It's really a very relaxing time for both of us. If I can't find complete privacy, however, I try to find an out-of-the-way place that is at least semi-quiet and semi-private. I prefer to cover for my own sense of modesty rather than any feelings of shame or consideration for others' sensibilities.

Brooke - posted on 11/18/2009

No i don't cover and i've been feeding in public for the entire nine months my baby girl has been alive and plan to continue till she's weened. it's a sad sad thing our society has set when women can't openly feed their children but we can have ads and pictures of scantly clad women posted every where. i just cover myself with my shirt i make sure to wear shirts that are loose enough that i'm comfortable and yet it's still "modest" but it's illegal for anyone to make you leave some where b/c your Breast feeding you have the right to breast feed anywhere your baby's hungry! so don't reconsider you do what you and your baby are comfortable not what others want. good luck and congrats on breast feeding :)

Angela - posted on 11/18/2009

I guess I semi-cover, I make sure my shirt is pulled down almost to his face (shirt, not a bulky sweater or anything) and I have him cradled in a blanket with it kind of bunch up next to his head. If someone wants to catch a lookyloo at my breast, then they have to work really hard, but most importanly my sons face is not covered so he can breathe and we can look at each other!

BobbiDee - posted on 11/18/2009

I don't cover up, my 10 month old son doesn't like it... i did at first but then my husband told me not to worry about it because if someone has a problem with it they can take it up with him... all that he wanted me to constraint on was feeding our son...

Mindy - posted on 11/18/2009

I didn't cover up. Luke didn't like it. My family didn't feel comfortable when I nursed.
So they would leave too. I loved being able to nurse Luke. So I think we should be proud.
Nursing is the best thing for our baby's.

Christine - posted on 11/18/2009

Nope I dont I try to be a little covered by my tops but we dont cover are heads to eat y should they!

Barbara - posted on 11/18/2009

Quoting Christie:

Unfortunately,in the town I live in,I HAVE to cover up.People here aren't supportive about openly breastfeeding.Some restaurants will ask you to leave or cover up.It's so ridiculous.My son is only 2 weeks old and isn't quite on a schedule yet.I never know when I'm going to have to feed him.It sucks.

Your profile says you are from Texas.  If you still live there, then your rights to breastfeed are protected by law.  It is illegal  to ask you to cover up or leave because you are breastfeeding, and you can tell them that next time it happens.

Google breastfeeding laws by state and you can get a rundown of all the states where your rights are protected.  (they usually are.)  Hope that helps!

Deb - posted on 11/18/2009

I usually cover in public - not at friends house or families house but in public I do. And I don't always use a blanket for a cover...sometimes my shirt covers me quite well. I belive that breastfeeding is natural and appropriate...but I don't want or need people staring. Nor do I want to make other people feel uncomfortable. I'm not breastfeeding to make a political/social statement, I'm nursing because it is best for my baby. That being said I try to make sure my boobs are not hanging out. I feel that having my boobs hanging out draws way more attention and makes some people very uncomfortable. As long as you can't see anything (aka shirt or blanket covering) thats all that matters. I usually have blanket sitting so that I can look in and see my babies face and I use a reciving blanket only to make sure she doesn't get too hot.

Barbara - posted on 11/18/2009

OMG, can't believe your M in L did that, she should know better. any all anyone can see is the babys head. i've feed 4 and feeding was never an issue any place any time

Amy - posted on 11/17/2009

I will also state that I had a gigantic argument regarding this with a coworker who insists that laws protecting nursing mothers are either a) allowing women to file false sexual harassment suits or b) opening women up to unwanted sexual comments. Of course this led to the discussion of breasts being sexualized by society and how sexual harassment and abuse are never warranted but there was no getting through to him.

Amy - posted on 11/17/2009

I used a cover when my daughter was younger (I'm a fairly modest person in general) but now that she's older she just yanks it off, so it's not worth the hassle.

Lorie - posted on 11/17/2009

I do but my baby also pulls the blanket down. I have found that by wearing a tank top under all my shirts does the trick and I don't need a blanket. If you pull the shirt on top up and the tank down you are covered at all times. I hated to see my baby get hot and sweaty under a blanket because other people are uncomfortable with what is perfectly natural. Good luck!

Nicole - posted on 11/17/2009

no covers! the laws protects us and besides, there is nothing shameful, immodest, etc about a breast being used for it's primary purpose. besides, I don't eat with a cover on my head so why would I subject my baby to it? on a completely frivolous and childish note: I find muffin top atrocious yet no one bothers to hide or cover that up :) - I once used this argument on the bus with a snarky teenager.

Randi - posted on 11/17/2009

I cover up while feeding in public. I think it is a preference. I feel strange feeding in public to begin with( this is my first) and so for my modest issues- I like to be covered. My little on is only 7 1/2 weeks old so it hasn't become a game yet. Just takes some getting used to.

Heather - posted on 11/17/2009

I used to cover while nursing in public...more because i felt more comfortable doing so then anything else...My daugter is now 8 months old and has started hating being coved while feeding(which I really don't blame her for)
So I don't cover in public anymore
I think its all how you feel comforable doing

Stina - posted on 11/17/2009

It depends. In mixed company, I tend to cover up. In very public places (restaurants, stores) I cover b/c I don't like the idea of perverts staring.

At parks, walking around my neighborhood, in the nursery at curch, in the company of women, I generally stay uncovered- my shirt and undershirt keep me moderately covered and my baby eats better without the cover.

Mom's and mother in lawsdon't always understand the things we choose to do for our children. My own mom seemed shocked when we were out shopping with my second baby and I had to stop to nurse her before driving home. "don't you have a bottle for her?"

Kimberly - posted on 11/17/2009

I don't cover up. My child gets hot under there breathing..that poor thing. I once read that bottle fed babies dont need cover why should breast fed babies...by the way everyone out breast are made for BREASTFEEDING and nothing else. I do makes sure im not showing anything my husband is a little more concerned than me!

Bethany - posted on 11/17/2009

It's rude not to cover up. Whether or not breastfeeding is natural and beautiful has nothing to do with it. The issue is exposing your breast in public. If you (speaking in general here) wouldn't bare your breast in a public place otherwise, then why do you think it's okay to do so while feeding a child? I honestly find it repulsive when someone decides it's fine to bare everything in front of people. Whether it's for breastfeeding or not. And the whole attitude some women have about how it "encourages breastfeeding awareness" is ridiculous. No one I've ever talked to has had an issue with breastfeeding. They only have problems with women who just "whip it out" no matter who is present.



When I'm in public I show respect toward others by covering myself as much as possible (and yes, my first child was a blanket-hater). Why should someone else be out in public and have to worry about my bare breast around their husband or children? It's an issue of common courtesy.

Jennifer - posted on 11/17/2009

It depends on the place and situation. At restaurants I do. Mostly because my husband thinks I should. Drs offices, the beach, playground, I don't worry about it. I try to consider the people around me who I care about. If they are ok with me nursing without covering then I do whatever I feel comfortable with depending on the place and circumstance. Hope that helps:)

Imelda - posted on 11/17/2009

I do.Why would I want to show my breasts to everybody?

Adriana - posted on 11/17/2009

I never covered more than my top did. You could never see a thing so I didn't see the point of extra coverage. But we've been living in Europe for the last 6 years so nobody even cares.

Cara - posted on 11/17/2009

No I don't cover up but I am discreet. I wear a nursing vest, a t-shirt and as it's winter now a cardigan too! So i'm not getting my whole breast out but when baby is being nosey some people might get an eyefull! Breastfeeding used to be taboo not that long ago and I firmly believe that by nursing in public I am helping the next generation of women to feel nursing is a normal part of life and they should not be ashamed. I am not suggesting we burn are bras and I wouldn't get my G cups out for the world to see but I will feed my baby whenever and where ever she needs it. that's what is important! whether we cover up or not is up to us as individuals! Good if people know what we are doing breastfeeding will be normalised again!

Kim - posted on 11/16/2009

A breast is not a dirty part of your body, so I don't see what makes it inapropriate... Society made it dirty when actually it's not! I find it sad that our society does not encourage this more....

Aubree - posted on 11/16/2009

Please, please, please cover up. It's okay to feed in public, but children and men do not need to be seeing this. It's a very sacred thing between child and mother and it's not something that anyone should be ashamed of, but in my opinion, it's extremely inappropriate to show your breast in public.

Kim - posted on 11/16/2009

No! If you feel comfortable, keep up! Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural thing and anyone who can't handle to see you do it should just look away. You should never feel guilty or embarrassed to feed your child, no matter what!

Erin - posted on 11/16/2009

I also don't cover in public and am very happy to see that so many other women agree. I live in a part of the country where hardly anyone nurses so I get some pretty strange looks in public, but I am happy in my heart because I'm doing what is best for my child!

Jessica - posted on 11/16/2009

I don't cover up it is nothing to be ashamed of. Breast are just lumps of fat on our chest that god gave us to be able to nurse our children.

Marina - posted on 11/16/2009

My daughter did the same thing and if I tried to keep the cover in place she got very upset. She is 2 years old (almost 26 months) and I still breastfeed her and I do not cover up when in public. I still try to be discreet but it draws more attention to us if I try to use a cover and I also do not think it is needed. Breastfeeding is natural and beautiful and a lot of women show a lot more on an everyday basis just because of their skimpy clothes than I do when feeding my daughter. I think that women who breastfeed should do it PROUDLY-it is after all the BEST thing for your baby!

Jackie - posted on 11/16/2009

I did at first when i started breastfeeding but then i decided that it wasn't necessary and i really didnt care.
but i did use a burp cloth to cover a little around my brother because he did make a big deal like a little kid lol

Tristan - posted on 11/16/2009

I don't cover. He wont let me cover him, never did, he yanks at anything draped over him and he pulls off the breast to look around, it's like he thinks he's missing something if I try to cover him. he wants to be able to still be social while feeding and its natural. I personally don't even care if other people are comfortable with it or not. I am not rude about it, & I still keep discrete & dress to accommodate feeding in public. I have been asked in a restaurant to cover up by an older lady who worked there, she was all flustered by me feeding him but I simply said to no, I'm sorry I don't do that, she got over it. But do what ever makes you comfortable because that is all that matters.