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You've gotten really good at getting your little one latched on to nurse and now you're ready to "take the show on the road." Once you get the hang of it, you're going to really appreciate being able to nurse your baby on the go. There's less to pack into that diaper bag and you'll never be without milk. Learn the ins and outs of nursing comfortably and discreetly in public.

Mom-Tested Tips

Watch other nursing moms
In the United States, new moms may have never seen other women breastfeed, let alone nurse in public. If you visit a La Leche League meeting in your area you can meet other nursing moms and their babies, and get...

You've gotten really good at getting your little one latched on to nurse and now you're ready to "take the show on the road." Once you get the hang of it, you're going to really appreciate being able to nurse your baby on the go. There's less to pack into that diaper bag and you'll never be without milk. Learn the ins and outs of nursing comfortably and discreetly in public.

Mom-Tested Tips

Watch other nursing moms
In the United States, new moms may have never seen other women breastfeed, let alone nurse in public. If you visit a La Leche League meeting in your area you can meet other nursing moms and their babies, and get comfortable nursing in a group of your peers before heading out in public.

Schedule a practice session
Practice discreet nursing at home in front of your partner or a mirror, or in a dressing room at the store. When you take a look, you'll probably be surprised at how little you can actually see.

Plan ahead
Before you leave home, brainstorm a few potential locations where you'd feel comfortable nursing. If you're new to breastfeeding in public you probably will feel more comfortable in out-of-the way places, away from crowds. But, don't resign yourself to nursing in the restroom. You don't eat in there, and your little one shouldn't have to either.

Wear breastfeeding-friendly clothing
Choose tops that can easily be lifted from the bottom to allow easy access for nursing. If you're concerned about milk leaks, wear a dark-colored or printed top which can help conceal potential wet spots.

Wear a bra that can be pulled up or unfastened easily with one hand. Avoid the hiding-under-a-blanket look that can actually draw attention to what you and your baby are doing. (One place you might want to throw this advice out the window is at the beach or the pool, where you may need to cover up with a towel unless you have a roomy bathing suit cover-up.)

Nurse your baby sooner, rather than later
It's so much easier to get your baby latched on, without drawing a lot of attention to yourself, when you watch for your baby's hunger cues, such as sucking on her fingers and squirming, rather than waiting until a full-out hunger scream.

Breastfeed on the move
Nursing your baby in a sling can be quite discreet once you get the hang of it. Passersby are less likely to get up close and personal when your baby is slung across your chest, presumably sleeping. The extra fabric of the sling can also be pulled up to give you a bit more protection and confidence.

Relax. Most people won't know what you're doing!
Even those friendly people who walk right up to you to look at your beautiful baby probably won't have any idea you're nursing. Usually the only ones who know exactly what you're up to are other nursing moms.

Beat your distractible baby to the punch
It can be very challenging to discreetly nurse your older baby who is busy enjoying the wide world. She may pull away from your breast at the most inopportune time, leaving you exposed with your milk flowing.

It can be helpful to take the time to nurse your busy little one peacefully in the car, right after you arrive at your destination. If you find that you still need to nurse while you're out, find an out-of-the-way location, perhaps a comfortable dressing room or a booth in a restaurant, facing away from the crowd.

Teach your toddler breastfeeding manners
Teaching manners starts at home. If you don't want your little one stroking your other breast or playing with your nipple while you nurse, tell them so. (And don't wait until you're visiting your mother-in-law!)

Also, be careful what you "name" your breasts. Make sure it's something you're comfortable hearing your toddler yell out in the mall. And, if you're not comfortable nursing your toddler in public, nurse ahead of time, warn her that you won't be nursing while you're out, and take along a drink and healthy snack as well as a few favorite toys to distract her.

It's your right to breastfeed
Breastfeeding in not indecent exposure. Your constitutional right to nurse has been established through case law (Dike vs. The Orange County School Board, 1981), which concluded, "The Constitution protects from excessive state interference a woman's decision respecting breastfeeding her child."

To find out the law in your state see La Leche League International's summary of breastfeeding legislation in the U.S. The absence of a law in your state does not mean it's illegal to breastfeed in public. If you do live in a state without a clear law about breastfeeding in public, you can contact your state legislator and ask them to sponsor a bill addressing a woman's right to breastfeed in public.

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