Let me start by saying, I completely support breastfeeding in public, and think anyone should be able to feed their child – whether with a bottle or a boob – when out and about.
That said, I’m anxious about it. I’m not totally sure why. Partly, I don’t relish the thought of my nipple joining the big show out here on the outside of the clothes, and partly society has very convincingly taught me forever that women’s bodies are, at the root of it all, shameful. I’ve heard the stories of women shamed at Lowes for breastfeeding (and frankly I can’t think of a more irritating situation, than having to nurse in a hardware store – no offense to Lowes in particular, but they are not soft and inviting places – and on top of that being condescended to by a prick with a store manager name tag), or at parks, or the grocery store. Breastfeeding is hard enough without having to deal with an adult in your face as well.
But the reality is that I will need to feed Grant out and about, and I’m certainly not going to hide at home and perpetuate the idea that women should stay at home to feed exclusively. So I have questions for other mothers who had fed in the greater world.
- Did you have any hesitation?
- Where was the first place you breastfed publicly?
- Do/did you use a cover? Why?
- Do you have a process or ritual specific to breastfeeding away from home?
- What has your experience been, overall? (Good, uneventful, ok, not good, etc)
- If you had reservations, how did you overcome them?
- Has your opinion changed since you first breastfed?
I only pumped with the twins until 4 months, so although I had a few times I had to pump out and about, it was easy to get in the car, for example. That doesn’t seem possible with two older kids at the park, for example. Or if the car is a million degrees in August.
I want to hear all experiences!
Revelry Reverie 
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