I've done it in a bathroom stall, the backseat of a car, on a park bench, a movie theater, and of course I've done it on a recliner and my bed. Breastfeeding is not for the faint of heart, or the particularly modest. Before my son was born the very thought of baring all in front of friends and family was unfathomable, then suddenly you are popping them out in your living room with your father-in-law sitting right beside you. Especially early on, when this child was hungry, he was HUNGRY and his needs trumped my need to cover-all. These days I just don't give a crap.
Now I know why formula became such a popular choice when I was a child. You really can't go anywhere when you are breastfeeding. I'm sure that wasn't a problem before cars and malls, but these days staying at home all day, every day is just not happening. Well isn't that the very definition of "stay-at-home mom," you ask? Not for this mom anyway.
While it has gotten easier, there really isn't a good public place to nurse your child. You just have to find the least conspicuous spot and go for it. I feel great that I have been able to breastfeed my child, but to those that have been permanently scarred from my over-exposure, I am sorry. Ah, whatever, they'll get over it.
When my baby #3 was 2 months old, we went to Disney...so I nursed on the airplane, in the hotel lobby while we were waiting for our room, in just about every restroom in all the Disney parks (& Sea World too!), and during several of the shows. I thought I'd be smart and bring some of those little (and expensive) bottles of ready to feed formula, but as it turned out she couldn't tolerate them AT ALL, so I had no choice but to nurse her continually. My baby #4 *never* took a bottle, ever! So until she started eating solids it was just me. I have to say I remained pretty modest and would never nurse without being covered up, but I definitely got more & more free with where I was willing to do it! Desperate times...! Few places have good nursing spaces - I think Sea World had private nursing rooms. And you're right - the spectators will get over it!
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