Ways to Make Breastfeeding in Public More Comfortable and Discrete

Breastfeeding is a natural and normal thing to do, yet when it comes to nursing in public, many new mums can feel a bit anxious about it. Although in our society breastfeeding is acknowledged as important both for the mum and the baby, unfortunately, there are still people that can make critical remarks. Besides that, many mums may feel uncomfortable especially if they happen to be in busy public places while still getting used to nursing. Luckily there are a few ways you can feed your baby in a manner that is more comfortable and discrete.

Can I Breastfeed in Australia?

Before I move to how to breastfeed in public discreetly, let's just say that breastfeeding in all states of Australia is your legal right and not a privilege. Mums have their right to feed their babies wherever they happen to be. Anyone who might tell you to be discreet or refuse you service because you are breastfeeding is breaking the law. Discriminating against a person either directly or indirectly on the ground of breastfeeding is illegal.

Where to Breastfeed in Public

Some places can be more comfortable and offer some privacy even when you're out and about. When looking for the right place you want to concentrate on two things. You should be able to sit comfortably, ideally, the place should include some support for your back and it should be less visible to the general public. You may look for mothers' rooms which are located in shopping centers and department stores, museums, zoos, etc or look for a booth in the food court area. You can also look out for places displaying the “Breastfeeding welcome here” sticker on their front doors. When outdoors, you may also be able to find a bench in the park with a back that gives you support. If you happen to be on a bus, sit next to a window as this means you’re less visible to other passengers and you can lean against the side of the bus to be more comfortable.

You might find breastfeeding in public easier if you do it in a supportive environment for the first few times. Visiting a mother and baby group or a venue where breastfeeding is welcomed with a friend may be better than for instance, going to a crowded shopping mall or on a train by yourself.  But you don't necessarily need to search for particular places to feed your baby because there are a few items that can make breastfeeding more comfortable and discreet in public. This brings us to the next point.

Consider a Cover

You can buy a breastfeed cover for privacy when feeding your baby in public. One will give you all the comfort and discretion you need when doing so. They usually include an adjustable strap around the neck so that you can get it to the right length, boning at the top so you can still see your baby while they feed and a large piece of fabric to cover your chest and tummy so you always feel comfortable. From nursing scarves and ponchos to wraps or aprons when it comes to design, there are a lot of styles to choose from so you'll be sure to find breastfeed cover that will suit you. There is a slight difference between all these. Nursing covers or aprons provide the most coverage and they would work great for very shy mums and those with large breasts. Nursing scarves cover only half of your body so they provide for decent coverage but on the other hand, are more stylish that aprons and you can wear them long after you've finished breastfeeding. Therefore, when choosing it all comes down to what is more important for you.

As for the material, breastfeed cover made from natural materials such as cotton or bamboo is your best bet.  Bamboo, for instance, is a very lightweight, breathable and durable material that allows for the air to circulate, preventing your baby from overheating. 

Choose Comfortable Clothes

Nursery clothes are specially designed to make breastfeeding more convenient. Although they are not mandatory to have in order to breastfeed comfortably (as a regular button-down shirt or a few tops with enough stretch that you can pull up would do the job) they sure come handy. Pulling up your regular top can expose more skin and can reveal your tummy for the rest to see, plus the weather might be chilly for you to expose skin. But with the right nursing clothing like dresses and tops with secret holes or slits, you could pull your breast out with minimal skin showing. Therefore, these can definitely make breastfeeding much easier and discreet for you.