NIP= Nursing in Public. Could there be an better acronym? Because of course, when you’re nursing in public, it sure does involve the nip(ples)! Ba dum ching.
I remember when my son was just a couple of weeks old and family was visiting and we were going to take a trip to the park. I hadn’t left my house for longer than an hour at that point, and for good reason- this baby wanted to feed all the time and it was still so new and uncomfortable, I had no idea what I would do if he needed to eat while we were out. I mean I wouldn’t have my chair or my pillow! I couldn’t exactly just have my entire breast hanging out while I held his head with one hand, my breast with the other trying to get a good latch, could I? Let’s just say we were in the learning stages and I was slightly overwhelmed at the thought of having to feed my baby in public.
I pictured myself, stuck at home for the next 6 months with a baby who constantly wanted to eat. I imagined myself watching the world go by while I stared at the window, unable to leave the house because of this constant feeding schedule I was on. It seemed like breastfeeding was going to kill my social life.
Not so! After a few awkward attempts, including the time at the park when I forgot my breast pads, got peed on and happened to wear the tightest shirt I owned, making nursing almost impossible, I slowly became a nursing in public pro. I would feed whenever and wherever I wanted. I learned to plan my wardrobe around where I was going, who would be there and how much of my breast I would be comfortable showing them. (Visits to the in-laws required different outfits than lunch with my friends, for example). I could breastfeed while drinking a coffee, texting and walking down the street. After a few months I felt like a breastfeeding star.
Let me tell you- this doesn’t come easily to everyone and for some, it never happens this way. And that’s okay! You don’t have to love breastfeeding your baby in a busy restaurant, you don’t need to have your entire breast hanging out of the top of your shirt. It’s fine to use a cover or blanket if you want to be discreet. If you want to search for that family nursing room, by all means- go for it girl! I happen to love some of the breastfeeding rooms in the city, especially some of the suburban malls. They are like luxury relaxation rooms, where you can feed and change baby without feeling like you’ve been sent off to a bathroom stall- which is never ok, by the way!
I happen to be a firm advocate of the right to nurse in public. In fact, I even had my own dramatic public breastfeeding incident when a security guard at a mall asked me to remove myself from the food court to find the nursing rooms. Personally, I don’t think anyone should ask a nursing mother to cover up, leave, or find a designated area. Happily, the law agrees with me, and you can breastfeed anywhere that YOU are legally allowed to be. This includes, but is not limited to: stores, restaurants, parks, movies theatres, streets, malls, etc.
Being uncomfortable with nursing in public is one of the “booby traps” that can sometimes stop mothers from wanting or being able to reach their breastfeeding goals. If you felt unable to feed your baby in public, you’d probably also be feeling isolated and lonely, right? That’s the exact opposite of how a new mom should feel!
So, if you’re not feeling totally comfortable with sitting down in any old place and feeding your baby then here are a few tips.
Photo from: Seraphine.com
1- Dress for success. A good nursing bra is the best place to start. Something with an easy clasp so you don’t need to fumble too much. On top of that you can layer a tank top with a cardigan, a shirt or sweater made for breastfeeding, or a loose top that makes it easy to slip baby underneath. There are even dresses made for nursing, which are perfect for summer (what’s the alternative, lift your dress over your head?!)
2-Perfect your position. I always found it easiest to nurse in a position where I could have my arms and back properly supported, so I could focus on latching baby on as quickly as possible and getting my clothes arranged so that I felt covered and comfortable. Practice at home and you’ll find a position that makes you feel at ease- try it in front of a mirror so you can see what others will be seeing.
3-Cover it up if you want! There are lots of cute nursing covers out there if it makes you feel more at ease. Personally, I found they made me look like I had a flashing sign on my head that said “BREASTFEEDING MOTHER!!” but some women really like how they can be covered, but still see baby and nurse in peace.
4- Find places that cater to the nursing mom. For your first few outings, before you turn into a NIP pro, go where you feel safe and comfortable. Nourri-Source, a Quebec breastfeeding organization, has put together something called “La Route du Lait”. They have located stores and restaurants where you are welcome to come in and nurse your baby as needed. They have stickers on their doors to indicate this, and I’m pretty sure there’s an app as well!
5- Act natural and BE CONFIDENT! You have every right to be where you are and to nurse your hungry baby. Look people in the eye and give your most self-assured smile. Remember that another new mom might walk by and see you and just maybe YOU will be the one to give her the confidence to head out for the day with her new baby. You can normalize breastfeeding just by doing it, and then maybe our children won’t even have to worry about “nursing in public” even being a thing. Maybe they’ll just call it ‘breastfeeding’.
How do you feel about nursing in public? Are you comfortable letting it all hang out or do you prefer to cover up?
