breastfeeding in public

[nicolejoy]

I never noticed just how many people DO breastfeed in public until I was breastfeeding, then it seemed like I would see it every day! I think that a lot of people may look at it and think that they're just holding the baby close, not actually feeding...

HK isn't too bad - I never got any negative comments about breastfeeding in public. I did use a cover most of the time, and I'd generally go to a coffee shop or something like that too - but there were a couple of times when baby was hungry and I wasn't prepared so I just fed her without the cover. You've gotta do what you've gotta do I never pumped and gave bottles though - I'm too lazy for that

 

[Shenzhennifer]

I was disappointed when I came to HK with how few people were breastfeeding in public (that I saw...save for that one foreigner with very large breasts in Pacific Coffee that day. In my baby's early days I didn't care much and would breastfeed wherever I wanted, but always with a cover (I used a pashmina). But I always looked for baby rooms first, unfortunately only in large malls. I think with smaller babies it's more 'acceptable' since they are totally reliant on us. Not my thinking, just my interpretation.
Later when my baby started to get a bit fussier(5 months+) and not into doing it in public, it was harder to do it in public without showing some nipplage. I also became more modest and sought refuge in feeding rooms or toilets.
I basically just avoided eye contact with others. If I got blatant stares, I would stare back and sometimes comment back(not in the best mood when hungry baby is crying and I'm feeling flustered.
I had a hard time breastfeeding for the first 4-6 weeks so I didn't introduce the bottle until 5.5 weeks and it was too late. He never accepted another until about 9 months old, which was a bit hard on me. For the next one I hope to introduce it around 3-4 weeks if all is going well. If it is a 'natural', even earlier.

 

[LeahH]

The Bebe au Lait is great, I fed everywhere up until my son became too fussy around 6 months (I think if you have larger breasts it can be more difficult to be discreet!).

Coffee shops, restaurants (including chinese local places), all fine - never had any odd moments.

Introduced the bottle with EBM at 4 weeks as BF was going fine - if you are having problems maybe wait until BF is really well established. I didn't use the bottle for going out, but for those times when I was out by myself.

 

[Melli]

Thank You All !!
I highly appreciate Your comments and am much more relaxed now towards this topic.
Can't wait for the baby to arrive....6 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lalligirl]

Hi Melli,

i also breastfed in public whenever i needed to. in the early days when bub & i were still getting used to it, i used a cover or cloth if i'd remembered to bring it. but as we got better and more comfortable at it, i used the cover less because it seemed to get in the way.

the biggest difficulty i had was occasionally not being able to find a seat anywhere (especially if i happened to be out on a sunday). though, i quickly learnt where all the coffee shops and feeding rooms were, so that became less of a problem after a while.

i fed til bub was about 15 months, but found i feeding in public discretely became more difficult after she was about 10-12 months and had more of an interest in what was going on around her than she did in milk. but by then she could usually have some other snack to tide her over til we got home, so it wasn't too much of a problem.

good luck!

 

[solidstars]

i used the bebe au lait nursing cover, though on hindsight i wish i introduced the bottle earlier! baby is now 1 years 2 months and i'm still bfing

 

[mocha]

I breastfed everywhere and anywhere 33 mths for my younger and 24mths for my elder. So i have over 6 six yrs breastfed everywhere and anywhere. I never have any problem.

I also consider the biggest difficulty i had was not being able to find a seat anywhere.

However, i have just realised by visiting a HK mom's Forum which some moms in HK won't do it and against it so much.

Anyway, HK is still so conservative.

 

[Lali07]

Whilst its nice to be culturally sensitive, its also important that people understand its just baby food!

I breastfeed my baby when he is hungry, public or not. I think it needs to be seen as more normal, so I say if you are comfortable breastfeeding in public - go for it!