Everything You Should Know About Nursing in Public

Every state has laws on nursing in public. While these vary from state to state, the crux of the law allows a nursing mother to nurse their child in public spaces without recourse. “Thirty-one states exempt breastfeeding moms from indecency laws,” Jada Glover, a Certified lactation counselor and health coach at LactationMamas.com, told Mom.com. This means you should feel comfortable nursing anywhere. However, you may prefer a cover to ensure your breast is not exposed to the broader public.

When it comes to breastfeeding at work, the Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers provide a private space that employees can access to nurse in private. This designated space is not the bathroom stall. The objective of the law is to ensure that mothers feel that they have a secure and private place to nurse. Employers cannot penalize moms for nursing at work.

The simple answer to "Where can I breastfeed in public?" is that you can do it anywhere because the law gives you the right to do so in all 50 states. But some places give you more privacy than others and make the experience a little less stressful. Shopping malls, department stores, and baby shops all have baby-feeding rooms. These rooms are usually equipped with a comfy chair and changing table. They are quiet and private, away from the hustle and bustle of busy stores.

Even some universities are installing lactation pods where students and faculty who need to care for their children can breastfeed or pump. If you’re planning a busy day out, you may want to do a little research ahead of time to find a breastfeeding station along your route. This may make the day run smoother for you, knowing ahead of time where you can stop to feed or pump.

Mandie Brice, mom of an 18-month-old, has had a good experience breastfeeding in public. “My son has been to about 25 NBA games in his life so far, and has been breastfed at most of them. One of the scariest things for me has been the fear of ending up with my boobs on the jumbotron by mistake!” Brice told Mom.com. She demonstrates that a healthy sense of humor can make a big difference in your comfort level with breastfeeding in public.

Many new moms find themselves anxious about breastfeeding in public when they first start. They are unsure about the rules and don’t want to be confronted by someone uncomfortable with their actions. Being prepared can greatly reduce the anxiety that moms experience. Here are some tips to help you when breastfeeding in public:

• Put on comfortable clothes that provide easy access to your breasts. These include loose-fitting tops that pull up from the waist or button down the front, or nursing tops with flaps that snap or button.
• Utilize a blanket. You can wrap a small blanket around your shoulder to prevent exposing your breasts to the public.
• Use a baby sling to help breastfeed your baby. Slings can help keep your baby close and in a good position to feed. Note: Do understand that there are suffocation concerns with babies and slings. Be very attentive to your baby’s actions.
• Find a quiet place like a women’s lounge or dressing room to breastfeed in a quiet and private space.
• Practice at home so that you become comfortable with the movements and positions of your body and your baby while breastfeeding. This can make a world of difference to your comfort level when breastfeeding in public.

If someone criticizes you while you are breastfeeding, it is best to have a preplanned response. Remind the person that it permitted by law and that you have the right to breastfeed your child anywhere and are following the rules. If you feel that you are in danger, move to a place where you feel safe and secure with your baby. It won’t take much effort to find people who will support you.