Breastfeeding Tip: Get Cozy About Nursing In Public

You have a goal to breastfeed your baby for one year and are off to a great start. Congratulations! But now you want to leave the house? Uh-oh!

Unless you're going to become a hermit for a year or want to pump bottles, you need to get comfortable with nursing in public.

And what's wrong with pumping bottles in order to go out? Nothing... and breastfeeding doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition. However, offering bottles too early in the nursing relationship can lead to problems and complicate your life unnecessarily. Not to mention it's much more convenient to breastfeed. The only thing you need to go out when you have a breastfed baby is a diaper and yourself!

Despite the horror stories you see people commenting on in the news about Moms being asked to leave public places when nursing, it's highly unlikely to ever happen to you.

I've been breastfeeding nonstop for the last 8 years in every place imaginable, and have only ever had one person say something negative.

I have, however, gotten lots of positive feedback! Sometimes people will approach and admire your baby and never realize she's nursing, or if they do, express their approval or share that their own babies were breastfed.

Here are some of my best nursing in public tips:

Wear nursing shirts. These have convenient openings that allow access to your breast but cover your side and stomach and allow for more discreet breastfeeding.

Buy a baby sling. Much of the time noone will ever know that you're breastfeeding when baby is tucked into the sling, even if they are right next to you.

Practice latching baby on at home in front of a mirror. Get good at settling baby to the breast quickly and easily, without showing any skin. This is easier after the first couple of weeks when you and baby have gotten better at your technique.

Look for baby's cues. Nurse baby as soon as she gets that look in her eye. A nursing baby attracts less attention than a screaming one! Plus if she's mad because her meal is delayed, she's going to be harder to settle onto the breast.

Try a prop. Hold a big book in front of you or put your diaper bag in your lap on your knees and this will cover you while you get baby attached. If you're in a restaurant, hold the menu and pretend to read it while you get baby attached.

And the most important thing? Attitude. Wear a big smile. Don't look embarrassed or sheepish. Look passersby in the eyes and hold your head up. You're meeting your baby's needs in the best possible way. Don't apologize for it!