Breastfeeding in public is totally possible and becoming more and more normal. Breastfeeding in public allows moms to get out and be active in the community even while exclusively breastfeeding. In this post, I will give you 10 tips to be absolutely successful at breastfeeding in public both WITH and WITHOUT a nursing cover (including my favorite ever nursing cover!)
Breastfeeding may seem daunting as a new mom or first-time mom. I totally understand! I was there before. (If this is you, then here are a few tips from experienced breastfeeding moms to new moms!)
These tips will hopefully help you be confident when you step out for the first time with your baby for more than an hour.
Let’s go to those breastfeeding tips now!
There are affiliate links in this post. This means if you click on a link and buy something, I might receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Also, I received the nursing cover free from Milk Snob in exchange for a review on my blog. All opinions on the blog are completely my own.
10 Tips for Breastfeeding in Public + The Best Nursing Cover for New Moms
After breastfeeding Little One and Little Two for a year each, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks for successfully breastfeeding in public. I want to share them with you so you can feel comfortable breastfeeding in public!
You can breastfeed in public with confidence and without the fear of embarrassment. After you’ve survived the first week with your baby, well maybe the first month, you might be ready to get out of the house!
1. Know the laws
If you’re nervous if you’re doing something “wrong” when breastfeeding in public, don’t be.
Did you know that:
- All 50 states have laws in place that state women came breastfeed any time, anywhere.
- 30 states exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws
- 29 states have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace
So if someone approaches you and asks you to move somewhere private to breastfeed, kindly respond that you have a right to feed your baby any time and anywhere.
As a note, no one has ever asked me to move when breastfeeding my littles. But it’s nice to have back up if they do!
2. Minimize nipple exposure
One of the biggest fears of breastfeeding moms is nipple exposure.
So, I’ve found that helping baby latch and being ready for the unlatch were the biggest factors to minimize for exposure.
Most of the time I used a nursing cover so that I could have more time to help my little one latch (especially in the first month). The nursing cover was really helpful when my babies and I were still getting used to breastfeeding!
If I didn’t have my nursing cover, I found a quiet place or at least a corner where I could breastfeed in public discreetly. Using the cradle hold or cross-cradle hold was helpful.
3. Minimize ‘side boob’
My favorite ways to minimize the dreaded ‘side boob’ were to wear comfortable nursing clothes or again, use a nursing cover.
For comfortable nursing clothes: first, find a comfortable and affordable nursing bra; second, wear a nursing tank top underneath a shirt.
For the bra, you might like this article from Milkology “Have Your Nursing Bra Fit Perfectly: Advice from Bra Creators.”
The tank top gave me access to more clothes in my wardrobe and meant spending less money on nursing clothes! I felt covered wearing the nursing tank but could wear other cute tops on top.
I do love my maternity and nursing clothes from Stitch Fix though (read about how to get the best Stitch Fix box that fits your style!)
The other way to minimize ‘side boob’ is to use a nursing cover like this one that wraps all the way around. More below on WHY it’s my favorite nursing ever!
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4. Practice at home
Like most things in life – practice. practice. practice.
Practice latching quickly and minimizing nipple exposure.
If you aren’t comfortable breastfeeding under a cover, then try it at home first. If you always breastfeed with a pillow at home, then practice without one in a comfortable setting!
Practicing will help you get the trick of breastfeeding in public without feeling the pressure of others watching.
5. Find a quiet spot to sit
Let’s be real, this isn’t always possible. But, if you’re at Six Flags enjoying a fun day with the family, you could probably find a bench somewhere off the beaten path.
Finding a quiet place both gives you privacy as well as keep distractions to a minimum for older babies who might want to look at everything around them.
6. Rest your back against something
Although my posture is improving and my arms are getting stronger, I still get tired while breastfeeding. Finding a bench, a tree, or even the side of building to lean against makes breastfeeding more comfortable. And when you’re more comfortable, it will be easier for your baby to relax as well!
7. Look at your baby
If you feel uncomfortable for any reason and you’re not sure where to look, just gaze at that little baby in your arms! If others see you lovingly feeding your little one, they might be more hesitant to say anything to you (if they were even planning on it).
Breastfeeding is a personal decision for you and your family. So don’t worry what looks others are might or might not be giving you. Just keep your eyes focused on your little one!
8. Give a big smile
I’ve thankfully never encountered negative comments while breastfeeding in public. And normally, I just use step 7 and stay in my little corner until I’m done breastfeeding. But, when I do make eye contact – I give a confident smile.
Smiling at others while you are breastfeeding tells them you are content with that you’re doing. It sets the tone and might stop a negative comment. It shows you are confident and that there’s no reason for anyone to be uncomfortable.
You might be pleasantly surprised that others are actually giving you encouraging smiles anyway! And they were just waiting for you to make eye contact!
9. Breastfeed in a baby carrier
Although I never mastered the art of breastfeeding in a sling, I had several friends that loved breastfeeding while babywearing. This is a great way to be both hands-free and feed at the same time. Double win!
Plus you stay covered up and most people are none the wiser.
10. To cover or not to cover – a breastfeeding essential?
That is a great question. Breastfeeding while covered is quite the controversy.
Many advocates of breastfeeding argue if it was truly accepted, we wouldn’t think twice about breastfeeding in public. And that if we want to normalize breastfeeding, we shouldn’t cover up.
I agree this is true. But I don’t think this is the case yet in the United States.
I advocate that whatever makes mom feel the most comfortable to continue breastfeeding is what she should do!
This is why I make an argument for finding the right cover for you (if you want one!)! Because of that, I wanted to recommend my new favorite cover.
This cover was not around when I was pregnant with my first 5 years ago, and its the ONE thing I bought when pregnant with Little Three.
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My favorite nursing cover and why
A friend of mine was breastfeeding her baby in public and had one of these covers. And by public, I mean mom’s favorite restaurant, Chik-fil-a. I asked her the brand and she said Milk Snob!
I did some research, and I saw that this 5-in-1 nursing cover was actually a product on Shark Tank in November 2016. (I say 5-in-1 because it’s a car seat cover, nursing cover, high chair cover, grocery cart cover, and temporary blanket haha).
Since I just started my blog, I sent the company an e-mail and asked for one to do a review. As mentioned before, everything in this review is completely my opinion based on my experience and use.
Related Post: 5 Summer Breastfeeding Covers for under $20
Overall Best Nursing Cover Recommendation:
Read Reviews Milk Snob Nursing Cover
The Material and Design
Soft and Silky Fabric
First, a good nursing cover that will be right next to baby’s skin and body should have soft fabric suitable to being near a newborn and baby. I love that Milk Snob has a soft, breathable rayon fabric and organic fabric’s to choose from.
When I received my cover in the mail, I was immediately impressed with how soft and silky it was. Actually, my pediatrician even commented on how smooth it was during our two-week appointment with Little Three!
Stretchy Materials
I next checked out how the fabric stretched. Thankfully this fabric is very stretchy in just the right ways!. When I was trying out this nursing cover on my car seat it fit easily around the car seat. It’s also easy to put on because of the elasticity.
Shape
I love the shape of the design that is more cone shaped with smaller opening on top and a larger opening on the bottom. This serves well when nursing and when stretching over the car seat, high chair, or grocery cart.
I love that the hole is big enough to look at Little Three if I need to, but won’t sag low enough that I feel exposed while nursing.
On the car seat, it leaves a small hole for me to look at Little Three, but keeps most of the sun off of him!
Size
So, I LOVE the size of this nursing cover.
I used to have all separate items: a nursing cover, a car seat canopy, and a high chair/grocery cart cover and they were BULKY.
I never really used the high chair/grocery cart cover because it was one extra thing I had to carry. And it was big.
I love that this one cover replaces all of the above! Perfect minimalist piece.
Related Post: Minimalist Baby Essentials List
Less to carry in the diaper bag
I previously carried my nursing cover in the diaper bag making it ONE more thing to pack.
With this design, I can have the nursing cover on the car seat (where I need it). And then take it off when it’s time to nurse, and I don’t have to have anything extra in the diaper bag.
One less thing to remember = win for me. Especially with three kids!
Wide Range of Designs
Since I knew that I would be using this cover as both a car seat cover and nursing cover, I knew I wanted one that I would be willing to wear as well. These nursing covers are basically large infinity scarves!
I loved that there were a TON of designs available for both baby boy and baby girl moms. I chose the Levi because I wanted something slightly boyish, but there are some super cute girly ones I really liked too.
These ones are below are available on Amazon to ship free within two days. But there are tons of other cute designs on the Milk Snob website! The flower one is called Hampton Rose and the more modern one is called Freehand.
How does it work as a nursing cover?
Since this product is primarily advertised as a nursing cover, I wanted to give my review of it’s use as a nursing cover first.
Great 360* Coverage
First, I used to have this type of nursing cover. Don’t get me wrong, it worked fine for two years with my other littles. But I didn’t like that it didn’t cover my back or sides very well. And that it took up a lot of space in my diaper bag.
I don’t know if any of you have experienced this, but if you are breastfeeding in public, then your shirt comes up in the back when you are nursing.
This means you have to put your back to the wall somewhere or try and find a corner to nurse in so that you’re not flashing people on the side or back.
What I love about the Milk Snob nursing cover is that you put it over your shoulder and it not only covers your baby and side but your back as well. So you don’t feel as exposed when you are nursing in public.
My experience
Little Three is almost a month and I’ve already used it a church, the park, and a friend’s house several times. I’m more in love than when I originally opened it out of the box. This is my number 1 gift to new and expecting moms! It is perfect for them!
Added bonus: Since the fabric is stretchy then it doesn’t rest on the baby’s head as much so Little Three doesn’t get as mad about it being on top of him! Woohoo!
Milk Snob Car Seat Cover Review
Actually, I technically tested the car seat first since Little Three still had a couple of weeks to be born when I first received the Milk Snob Cover.
We were taking pictures with the kids in the Texas blue bonnets so I figured I would take the opportunity to take a few pictures of the car seat. (Yes, I’m a little obsessed with taking pics of my kids with my favorite 50 mm lens).
- I love that it covers the whole car seat and that I can still see the baby through the top.
- It’s easy to grab the handle on the car seat when carrying it around.
- I can still reach back and give the baby the pacifier if I need to while driving in the car. Win!
Milk Snob High Chair and Grocery Cart Review
I haven’t had a chance to test this out on the high chair or grocery cart since Little Three is only one month old. But I hope to update this review soon!
Other Articles from Simplified Motherhood You Might Like
Essential Things a New Mom Needs for Herself
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Last Minute Hospital Bag Checklist for MOM and BABY
Newborn Care Survival Guide: Week 1
The E.A.S.Y. Newborn Daytime Schedule
2 COMMENTS
This is so great! It’s the perfect list to not just breastfeed, but build the confidence you need for it. It’s the best example of how “fake it til you make it” actually works. Just smile and wave haha!
Haha. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but sometimes the “fake it til you make it” is totally what you need to boost your confidence and help others feel more secure about you breastfeeding! That’s a great way to put it!
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