HomeHealth articlesbreastfeedingWhat Makes a Mother Hesitate to Breastfeed Her Child in Public Places?

Breastfeeding in Public With Confidence - An Overview

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Breastfeeding a baby in public is often looked upon as an act of shame and subject to criticism. Learn more to break such societal taboos.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Richa Agarwal

Published At November 16, 2022
Reviewed AtMay 22, 2023

Introduction:

Women face many challenges from conception to post-delivery baby care, including feeding the baby in public places. Most of the time, society is not as cooperative towards such acts. As a result, the mother feels shyer rather than supportive of their child’s needs. A woman has the right to breastfeed her child by covering the child or uncovering the child. Every country's state law grants mothers permission to feed their children. Hence, it is no longer a taboo but a child's birthright.

What Creates a Hesitancy in Mothers to Breastfeed the Child in Public Places?

Many factors put the mother in a stressful situation regarding whether to breastfeed her child. Some of the known reasons are:

  • Societal pressure.

  • Fear of body shaming.

  • Fear of exposure to private body parts.

  • Considering the atmospheric pollutants which can harm the child.

  • Generalized fear of the public.

  • Shyness.

  • People are more conscious than child conscious.

What Are the Best Practices to Follow While Breastfeeding the Child in Public?

The best way to breastfeed a child in public is by using different covers according to the comfort of the mother and child. Different breastfeeding covers available are:

  • Fully Covered Nursing Cover: This covers the entire face and body to the waist of the mother. It provides enough air passing and is comfortable to wear. The material is thin and fully covered, blocking the view of the breast from public view. However, nursing the child in this manner creates visual obstruction due to the covered cloth.

  • Wired Aprons: A laced apron is worn by the mother and can be adjusted according to the body’s shape and size. This also enables the mother to monitor the child's sucking. During feeding, the side covers can fly away and alert people around.

  • Two-Shirt Method: The mother can wear two shirts while breastfeeding her child. All she needs to do is lift up the cover of the outer top and unbutton the inner top to lactate her child.

  • Packed Milk: If a mother is uncomfortable breastfeeding her child in public, she can breast pump her milk in a feeding bottle and meet her child’s needs. Such pumped milk can also be stored in the refrigerator for future use.

  • Baby Blanket: A mother can simply pull over a towel or a cover while feeding the child.

Does Breastfeeding in Public Only Means Feeding the Baby?

Often, the cry of the baby is not just for food. The child develops an emotional bond with the mother during breastfeeding. This creates a need for constant pampering in the child's mind and skin-to-skin contact. The child even develops an understanding of their mother's behavior. Babies often cry when they are frightened of any external stimulus and require a consoling touch from the mother. The child’s cry also alarms discomfort, illness, hunger, pain, and other unknown factors.

What Is the Ideal Age to Which a Mother Can Breastfeed Her Child?

Breast milk is the safest and healthiest food for a baby. Ideally, the first six months are essential for breastfeeding the child. This can be extended for longer periods as the child demands. This is a personal choice and can be entertained for up to two years. The child will get all the benefits of the mother’s nutrition during these years. The mother can try feeding her baby using formulated products. Breast milk can also be pumped and used to feed the child.

What Are the Ideal Positions Practiced While Breastfeeding the Child in Public?

There are many different positions adapted to feed the baby. They are:

  • Keeping a pillow or support on the lap and placing the baby over it. Ensure the breast is placed inside the child’s mouth, creating a latch.

  • Pumping the breast milk should be followed immediately after breastfeeding the baby.

  • In some cases, partial milk pumping is practiced before feeding the baby.

  • A breastfeeding blanket or cover can be used to cover the baby for privacy reasons.

  • Proper skin-to-skin contact should be made to keep the baby alert and to develop a bond between the mother and child.

  • A better position allows the proper intake of milk.

  • A mother should adopt a comfortable position with her back supporting her.

  • The baby’s hip, shoulder, and ear should be at the mother’s arm level.

  • The mother should gently hold the baby by the neck while feeding.

  • The child should have a tummy to tummy contact with the mother.

  • The ideal nipple position should initially be at the baby’s nose level and changed to lip level.

What Are the Different Types of Breastfeeding Positions?

There are ideally two positions practiced while breastfeeding the child. They are:

  1. Cross Cradle Position: The child is raised to the breast level with a supporting pillow underneath. The head is slightly tilted back so that the chin meets the breast first. To establish a latch, squeeze the breast tissue inside the baby’s mouth.

  2. Football Hold Position: This procedure is often carried out in women with a caesarean delivery. More pillows are incorporated while holding the baby and used behind the parent's back. The baby is positioned in front or sideways while feeding. The forearms of the mother sideways support the baby’s back. On the other hand, it can be used to sandwich the breasts.

What Are the Different Techniques Used While Feeding the Baby?

There are no written rules for breastfeeding the child. Any position which makes the mother and baby comfortable should be practiced. Here are some breastfeeding techniques followed.

  • In order to create a latch, a drop of milk is poured into the child’s mouth to give the milk taste.

  • The child’s upper lip can be rubbed with a nipple to encourage a wide mouth opening.

  • Usually, a crying baby is pacified by giving the mother the finger to suck before creating a latch.

  • Make sure the nose should not touch the breast while feeding, and the mouth should be wide open with the angle of the mouth measuring 120 to 150 degrees wide with the chin touching the breast.

  • Pull the child downwards if the nose touches the breast. For a proper supply of milk, breast tissue should be squeezed instead of the areola. Switch the breasts left and right if the baby is not feeding properly.

What Are the Different Feeding Signs Shown by Babies When Hungry?

The baby showcases a variety of signs signaling its emotion for hunger. Some of them are:

Early Signs:

  • Rapid eye movements during sleep.

  • Constant stirring or body movements.

  • Making sucking sounds.

  • Yawning or intervals of mouth opening.

  • Thumb sucking.

  • Creating licking sounds.

  • Rubbing the face with hands.

  • Stretching and increased physical movements.

Late Signs:

  • Irritability.

  • Sleep.

  • Exhaustion.

  • Fussiness.

  • Crying.

Conclusion:

Calming, the hungry crying baby, should not be hindered due to societal norms or the mother’s fear. Feeding her child is every mother’s birthright. The first childbirth is a learning process for every mother, and so is feeding in public. Women should support other mothers in this act and normalize the breastfeeding trend. Society should be educated about the importance of breastfeeding and learn to differentiate breasts from being idolized as a sex organ to nature’s way of nourishing her child.

Dr. Richa Agarwal
Dr. Richa Agarwal

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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