Breastfeeding in public: 5 tips for nursing mothers

Your baby gets hungry on her own schedule, not yours. Sooner or later that means feeding her in a mall, a restaurant, the car or a waiting room. For some mothers this is no big deal. For others, especially the first few times, it feels nerve-racking.

Both are normal. With a little planning, feeding when you are out becomes one more thing you do without thinking.

1. Pick a cover that suits you

Many Malaysian mothers like to use a nursing cover, for privacy or for modesty. There are a few styles:

• Apron. Ties round your neck and drapes over your baby. A stiffened neckline lets you look down at her while she feeds.
• Poncho. Slips over your head and covers you all round, front and back.
• Scarf. A loop of stretchy fabric you can wear as a scarf when you are not feeding, then pull down over your baby.
• Shawl. Drapes over your shoulders, often with buttons to hold it in place.

Choose light, breathable fabric. Under a thick cover in our heat, your baby can get hot quickly. Check on her often, keep the fabric away from her face, and lift the cover to let air in.

2. Wear clothes made for feeding

A cover is not the only option. Nursing tops and dresses have hidden openings or zips across the chest, so you can feed without lifting your whole top. Many baju kurung and jubah now come in nursing-friendly cuts too.

Layering also works. Wear a nursing vest or a vest with a stretchy neckline under a loose top. Lift the outer layer and pull down the inner one, and your tummy and back stay covered.

Underneath, a good nursing bra does a lot of the work. Our Maternity Nursing Bra has clip-down cups you can open with one hand, soft, moisture-wicking fabric, and no underwire. The pads are sewn in so they stay in place, and the straps adjust as your size changes. It comes in M, L and XL, in black and cream.

3. Practise at home

Try a feed in front of the mirror with the cover or outfit you plan to use. You will see how much shows (usually far less than you fear), and your baby gets used to feeding under fabric. A few practice runs make the first outing much calmer.

4. Find a comfortable spot

Most large malls, airports, hospitals and many government offices in Malaysia have a nursing room (bilik penyusuan), often next to the baby changing room. They usually have a chair, a sink and sometimes a socket for a breast pump.

When there is no nursing room, look for a quiet corner, a café booth or a bench facing away from the crowd. Feeding in the car is another option, with the engine off and the air-conditioning on if it is safe to do so.

5. Know that you are doing nothing wrong

Breastfeeding is how babies are fed. Malaysia has no law against breastfeeding in public, and it is widely accepted. You do not owe anyone an apology for feeding your hungry baby.

If someone does comment, a calm "She's hungry" is enough. Most people will not notice at all.

A few extras for your bag

• A muslin cloth for burps and spills
• A bottle of water for you, because feeding makes you thirsty
• Spare breast pads
• A small tube of Intensive Nipple Cream. It moisturises and protects nipple skin, and there is no need to wipe it off before the next feed. It is halal certified by BPJPH, Indonesia.

If your baby is teething and biting, read our tips for breastfeeding a teething baby.