For many pregnant moms who have decided to breastfeed their babies there is often one lingering fear, breastfeeding in public, and a worry that this fear will lead to them being stuck at home all the time.  I had those same fears when I was pregnant with my daughter.  However, there really isn’t anything to be afraid off.  Breastfeeding in public, once you become comfortable and experienced with breastfeeding is really quite simple.  You can often do it and no one will even notice.

The key to successfully breastfeeding in public is to be prepared both by having a bit of experience with breastfeeding and making sure you have the right gear.  Once you are comfortable with the breastfeeding process (usually after the first few weeks) breastfeeding in public will be that much easier.  You’ll discover, as you nurse your baby at home, how he or she nurses, what type of environment works best for them and what gear works best for you.  Once you have the experience and the right gear you’ll be able to head out whenever and know that you’ll be able to successfully breastfeed your baby in public.

Here are a few tips and tricks for making your experience breastfeeding in public a successful one:

• Wear the right clothing.  Shirts made specifically for nursing moms are great when you know you’ll be nursing in public.  You can wear a nursing tank under a nice button up shirt or cardigan to make things easier on yourself while still looking cute.
• Be sure to purchase a good nursing bra, one that opens and closes with one hand and make sure you know how it works and that you like the way it works before you attempt to use it while nursing out in public.
• Invest in a good breastfeeding cover or sling.  By nursing your baby either in a sling or using a breastfeeding cover you’ll not only be hiding the “goods” you’ll also be giving your child a quiet, distraction free environment to nurse in.
• Practice nursing your baby in public by nursing him or her in front of family and friends when they come over to visit.  You’ll become more comfortable using all the gear like your nursing shirts, nursing bra and the sling or breastfeeding cover by trying them out a few times before hand.
• If you are still not totally comfortable breastfeeding in public be sure you find a discreet spot to sit.  It’ll help you feel more comfortable and also give your baby a little added peace and quiet for nursing.
• Know your baby’s schedule and hunger cues so you can be ready to nurse at the first signs of hunger, before they get all worked up.

The more you do it the more comfortable you’ll become.   Look around while you are out and you’ll notices other moms discreetly breastfeeding their babies too.  Often times you don’t even notice it unless you are looking for it.  Don’t worry if you decide you just can’t do it, many moms will choose to forgo breastfeeding in public all together and will instead choose to bottle feed expressed breast milk while they are away from home, that’s a perfectly fine alternative.