Breastfeeding in public

Breastfeeding in public can be quite daunting and there does seem to be an art in doing it discreetly. In Australia, it is illegal to discriminate against a breast feeding mother in the area of goods and services (including restaurants, clubs etc), so ensure that you are aware of your rights. However, to ensure that you are comfortable, you might like to look out for restaurants that show the breastfeeding welcome sign to indicate that they are fine with breast feeding mothers. If another patron objects to your breast feeding you can point out politely that you are within your legal rights to breastfeed and if they find it offensive they may like to refrain from watching. However, there does need to be a balance and I personally feel that it’s worth being discreet. You will also find that people are more likely to accept you feeding a small baby than an older one.
In order to feed discretely, you might like to view how you feed in a mirror so that you can get an idea of how it looks to others. Remember that your baby will hide the lower breast and nipple whilst feeding. Attaching baby is probably the time when you are most worried about revealing more than you want to. Take a shawl, pashmina or baby wrap and place around your shoulders, covering your breast. Put this around both shoulders – I have tried to the one shoulder technique and the material inevitable ends up slipping off! You can then feed your baby under the wrap.
Other options include wearing a very loose t-shirt and feeding baby from under the shirt. If you are a bit of a fashionista going out in a over sized t-shirt may not appeal! Another option is investing in a few little jackets, cardigans or shrugs which can go over a singlet and offer cover when you are attaching baby. I would recommend purchasing a few maternity singlets - Big W seems to have the best prices for the bonds variety.
If you are nervous about breast feeding in public, try to ensure that your outing is near or in a shopping centre with a parent room. If you are nervous or upset when feeding your baby, your baby will also become upset. It does become easier with time and the first time you breastfeed in public you will be uncomfortable – until you realise that no-one around you is really that concerned!