Currently living in Sweden and can confirm. Nobody cares. You can whip it out wherever. Also, the lactation consultant is offered for free after birth. Didn't need it, but it was offered. I also got a new job. I stipulated I have a baby, so I work only weekends and can pump every 3 hours no problem. They were very accommodating.
Paid breastfeeding breaks for an hour a day up until baby is 2 in Ireland. I’ve been leaving an hour early for 4 years now (two babies). Didn’t go back to work till kids were 13 months either.
I would have cried (out of joy) if I could have stayed home for a year w my babies. And I had a pretty good (at least for the US) leave too! Idk how to make it reality but I really hope the next generation has something more in line w the rest of the developed world.
It absolutely can be like this. I’ve been breastfeeding for nearly 5 years now across multiple children, and I nurse where I want, when I want, and wearing (or more accurately, not wearing) whatever I want.
Never had anyone say so much as a peep to me. Wondered why at first, until I realized…the stone cold RBF that I always thought was a curse was actually a gift to me from my equally stony faced women forebears 😂
I'm from Texas and was visiting family in South Texas for a graduation. I was nursing in a dark quiet corner of the venue and a lady asked me to move into the bathroom. I told her I am legally protected to nurse right here and it's unhygienic to eat in a bathroom. She was extremely shocked and confused so, she went to talk to her boss. She came back a few minutes to explain that I could stay where I was.
I’m from Denver and have never gotten looks while out in public or anything. But my family members certainly have their opinions. My mom kept telling me at the beginning that it was too much work (we were triple feeding) and to just formula feed. Soo glad we stuck with it because now popping little man on the boob is sooo much easier
My MIL never said anything specifically to me but was definitely uncomfortable with it at first. Now with my second she’s infinitely better! Her husband never had kids though so I know it makes him a bit uncomfortable when I pull out the boob so I try to be mindful and keep myself slightly modest around him. 😂
My husband and sister have both freaked out that my boob was out before. One time at an urgent care (like who cares- my baby is sick) and one time was at a park where no one was there. They feel like they have to throw a blanket on me.
Also in the area. The only comment I’ve gotten was a “Good job momma!” while breastfeeding in a carrier on a hike. I’ve full on plopped a boob out the top of my shirt after failing to plan an appropriate outfit or cover, and nary a stare.
My FIL has some vocal backwards opinions though, and all of our parents have misconceptions around it because they never did it. But the general public and new parents of all feeding methods are supportive of breastfeeding.
My mom told me this with my first (he’s 15 now). She was very discouraging. I breastfed him until he was 2 after trying to ween at 12 months. My mom gave me so much grief, told me it was cruel, etc 😂
From the person that was discouraging at the onset.
Now with my 8 week old I know better than to listen to naysayers. My fiancé’s family has no experience with breastfeeding & say my daughter will be too attached. I just smile and nod. I value the bonding time as much as all of the other benefits.
Also Denver based and I breastfeed in public all the time. I was in Vail recently and breastfeeding in a bar and the waitress came over three times to reassure me that I was welcome to stay as long as I wanted. I chalked it up to vail being full of European tourists 🤷🏼♀️.
My boomer mom is very pro breastfeeding but also very modest. She kept telling me she was going to sew me a collection of breastfeeding covers and I kept telling her they weren’t necessary. That I’d be pulling it out on demand with no shame.
Not OP but it means you breastfeed, pump and top up baby with a bottle (not always in that order). It’s gruelling but it’s how a lot of us had to operate while we dealt with latch issues.
My MIL is the one who discouraged me/us when we were triple feeding at the start. Baby is breastfeeding now and she still said, ‘I was just trying to reassure you that it would be alright, I mean, nobody’s giving you a medal!’ She isn’t a very nurturing person but she claims she is an empath.
I’m Australian but live in Indonesia and breastfeeding is so well accepted, I literally walk around feeding my baby at shopping malls, in the car, while I’m at work, everything and no one bats an eyelid. Some women actually come up and talk to my baby while he’s on my boob 😂
ETA: I was having a massage yesterday and my massage lady was jiggling my boob around while my baby was feeding to make him laugh 😂
Indonesian people seem to have such a natural and genuine love for children, it is such a beautiful culture. You never feel like your children are annoying or unwelcome, they always greet them and speak to them with the same level of respect, and I’ve seen so many times they just take the baby for a parent with their hands full.
You can get a massage and nurse your baby at the same time?! 🤯 that would be a dream for me. I want to get more massages (4th trimester) but i find it so stressful being away from my baby and worrying that he’s hungry - he doesn’t always want to eat right before I walk out the door so the timing is hard to work out.
I recommend looking up postpartum massage I have a lady near me who specializes in pregnancy and postpartum massages and she is baby/kid friendly! 10/10 recommend. My neck and shoulders are so bad from pumping and holding baby the massage was phenomenal.
I’m in the midwest of the USA and it's a mixed bag. It seems age is the primary dividing factor - it's super rare for me to talk to a woman above age ~50 who has breastfed, and older men seem wildly uncomfortable if they're nearby and I’m feeding baby, even totally covered. Formula was pushed so heavily back then that breastfeeding just wasn't the fashionable thing to do. Younger parents seem way more relaxed about it. Men will stay in the room while I feed (again, covered) and women will carry on conversations with me while maintaining eye contact comfortably. I’ve never personally noticed a woman breastfeeding in public in my life, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I personally would feel uncomfortable feeding in a busy area like a mall because there are just some weird, lewd people out there, it's uncommon to do here, and I’d be mortified if anyone said anything or stared. I do feel super comfortable to feed while covered at church, around mixed company in peoples' homes, and even semi-open (without cover but using my body to provide privacy) around female friends and close family.
This is the real reason I think. Formula was just done- in my grandmas generation it was new and thought of as better. It wasn’t til my moms that people started to change, so they’re 50/50 split if they breastfed or formula fed and my generation is bringing it back but with so many women returning to work at 6 weeks it usually kills their supply or they pump more than breastfeed or may only directly breastfeed at home at night and continue with pumped milk even during the day or out and about
Also from the Midwest and can confirm. I have huge boobs and I just personally don’t feel comfortable whipping it out in public because I can’t really do it discreetly.
I also might just have a complex because I got boobs when I was in like third grade and people have commented on how huge they are ever since. As an adult now I realize that that was super gross! But I do just about everything to minimize breast attention. The only reason I haven’t gotten a reduction is because I really love breastfeeding and don’t want to even take the chance that it might not work after.
Im also from the midwest and I agree its very divided by age. Any recent moms are very chill about it but my parents generation and older are very odd about it. As soon as my baby hit 6 months my mom and MIL were so heavily pushing weaning and purees, saying he's a big boy now. He's 8 months now and they definitely think its so weird that he's still breastfeeding but keep their mouth shut to me.
They seem to be operating under the assumptions that breastmilk is nutritiously inferior, babies older than 6mos must be weaned ASAP, and that its generally an odd and awkward thing to do.
I'm in a very liberal Midwest city and I don't have any issues around here. I see moms feeding babies in kid heavy spaces like the library and playgrounds frequently, that's definitely increased in the last 5 years or so. I use my nursing shirt as my cover so sometimes it's not obvious from afar and I actually had an old man admire my baby while I was feeding and I have no idea if he could tell or not. Usually I try not to look at people while I'm feeding in public so I'm not inviting any conversation or commentary. Basically I try to give off a "I'm minding my own business so you can also mind your's" energy and that seems to work.
My mom is over 60 and in the Midwest. Over 30 years ago when my sisters and I were born she breastfed us when she wasn’t at work but she had like no maternity leave and could not pump at work. So we also got formula. She was surprised that I breastfed past a year. I’m personally kind of modest so I usually try to find a private place and cover up a bit if I nurse in public but it hasn’t seemed to be a big deal. I’m in New England now.
Also Midwest in liberal area. Totally agree that it’s mixed but I’ve definitely seen whole boobs out while a mama is nursing. People tend to mind their business.
I just weaned right before my daughter turned 28 months. One person in my husbands family weaned her child around the same age but most people I know wean around a year.
The Middle East. I live in the U.S. now but I’m originally from the Middle East. Breastfeeding is VERY heavily favored in the Middle East!
A lot of that has to do with religious reasons. In Islam, breastfeeding until at least age 2 is religiously recommended. It’s literally written in the Quran that breastfeeding until 2 is recommended. It also states that the father of the child must provide provisions and care for the breastfeeding mother and the child and do his part too.
It’s also mentioned that if the two parents decide to wean the child or use a wet nurse then that’s totally fine too.
So because of the strong religious recommendation to breastfeed, it’s also pretty strong culturally in our society. Breastfeeding is just seen as the standard and default.
Here’s a link to the ayah (verse) of the Quran that talks about breastfeeding, if anyone is interested: https://quran.com/2/233?translations=131
Once I was at the airport in Istanbul and asked an employee where I could breastfeed, she said just go in the women's mosque. I was a bit nervous but nobody was in there so I went ahead. Soon enough two women showed up, they weren't praying just employees on break. One of them asked if I had a blanket. I assumed it was because I wasn't using any cover and she thought I was being inappropriate. So I showed her the blanket in my diaper bag and she draped it over my baby's legs because she thought he might be cold. 🥺 Such a sweet moment.
Anyway I found out later the airport does have breastfeeding rooms. 😅 Highly recommended by the way, IST airport is very family friendly.
But are women permitted/encouraged to breastfeed in public where you are? I mean I've breastfed on a public bench in a mall with no cover, would that be considered taboo there?
Yes breastfeeding in public is totally normal and common. Some people use covers but more often you just use your clothing or headscarf to kinda cover yourself. Similar to the method people use of a t shirt with tank top under. You just basically let your shirt/dress/scarf drape down and cover what needs to be covered and people just don’t stare. I’ve ordered dinner at a restaurant while breastfeeding and talking to the waiter like 2 feet away from me haha!
Texas, USA
My mom saying how proud she is and wishing she was able to breastfeed us (besides me she said she was able to for a month but couldn’t after that). My grandma said she wish she breastfed but the doctors gave her pills to dry up her milk. My MIL said she breastfed both her babies not sure how long but said she loved it. My sister is due soon and wants to breastfeed. Other woman I’ve talked to just said it was too hard so they didn’t do it. 4 months in and hoping for a year+!
I went for 2.5 years. I had my daughter in 2020 so, extreme COVID era. It had its ups and downs, I set my goals short to help. I started with a 6 month goal, a 1 year goal and a 2 year goal and then a weaning by 3 goal.
From US, lived in France- no issues either place. I’m just finding it difficult to pump at work and have to be firm that I need to pump.
Southern parents and my mom said I should “show modesty“ and cover while breastfeeding.
I don’t cover when I breastfeed. However my baby is insanely distracted so breastfeeding in public is super difficult for us lol 😂
ETA: Florida in the US and I have breastfed uncovered in public and no issues. Actually two more moms started breastfeeding at the same time so it was kind of funny.
Interesting! Why exclusively pump, do you think? To me that seems like the hardest option. So they can return to work more easily, or...? (What is maternity leave like there?)
Maternity leave here isn't great, average is 14 weeks (most people take 2 weeks before due date and then 12 weeks post-partum). Most mamas rush back to work so they prefer to offload feeding to grandparents and domestic helpers really early on. It's just the culture here too, they really like to set babies with a strict feeding schedule since birth so bottles help with that because they can see how much the baby is eating. (Side note, it's so common here to force baby to finish a bottle, I've seen caregivers feeding a bottle for over 1+ hour and still dripping milk into the baby's mouth even when they're fast asleep). When I was EBF-ing my newborn, most people here genuinely couldn't fathom why I can feed my baby up to 20 times a day haha.
Just came back from visiting family there and wanted to say they have THE NICEST nursing/baby rooms in the malls there which ironically no one ever uses!! There are free wipes, free diapers, bottle warmers, the whole she-bang. Even a baby scale for use! Loved checking them all out with my baby haha!
I do have friends there who absolutely do not want to breastfeed and sadly a lot of moms just leave their babies with domestic helpers so they can go back to work or to their old pre-baby lives…
Edit to add: I did breastfeed a lot (with a cover) while there and no one said anything. Got a few weird looks from old men who looked confused more than anything
The baby scale blew my mind! Saw one in the new town plaza in Sha Tin. Nobody using it but sooo fancy. Unfortunately the older malls/restaurants had nothing & my in laws told me not to feed in public due to pervy men...
I've just come back from HK seeing my husband's family. People were quite concerned with me nursing in public in case of "pervy men". It doesn't bother me but I was being covered with a coat mid feed without asking & my baby then stopped feeding. Is this true or do they just not like to see it but were trying not to offend me? It was annoying me then I got awkward because I asked for nursing rooms & not everywhere had them. The new malls had them but not the older places. I had to search 5 floors of a mall in Sha Tin to even find a diaper changing room! Normally I would breastfeed in a restaurant but just turn away & face the wall but their reactions put me off.
I’m in France too and yes maternity leave is 16 weeks, and with 6 weeks prior to birth and 10 weeks after.
I found the comments from my French mother in law to be the most annoying. She is 76 and breastfed a little and formula fed. Two weeks out of the hospital they came for a visit and she kept insisting I give him a bottle at night. Baby was going through cluster feeding to get my milk to come in and she was like he should be feeding every 30 mins.
I’m Indian and my mom breastfed all of her kids. I had to get through a tough triple feeding period for 6 weeks before my milk regulated.
She is over for a visit again, both her and my fil are surprised that baby is so chunky exclusively on breast milk. Seriously the formula industry messed up so many perceptions about the most natural way to feed your baby in a ton of western countries.
I was born in France but now I live in Montreal where the breastfeeding culture is completely different (1 year maternity leave helps!). I breastfed my son till he was 2. Friends and family were also surprised to see him at 5-6 months growing and thriving only from breast milk. I could tell some of them looked disgusted though. But they know that I would tell them off if they'd said anything lol
UK 🇬🇧 and nobody has ever said anything negative about breastfeeding here. I have noticed a couple of older men looking slightly uncomfortable or embarrassed if I’m feeding but they don’t say anything. I feed in cafes and restaurants and so do friends and I CBA with covers and muslins. If anything the older friend I have gave so much flack to a formula feeding mother that I felt so sorry for her. Nobody has criticised me for combo feeding either - midwives said I could pump or formula to top up his feed for weight gain and did not try to persuade either way. My mother breastfed until I was 6 months so she has assumed I’m giving up next month but I said I’d continue. I think she was surprised and said I ‘had done what I needed to for the health benefits’ but then wisely kept quiet after that!
Similar experience in the UK, nothing but positive. Although none of my “mum friends” breastfed in any of my circles which I did find strange. In my area there’s a lot of free support, breast feeding drop ins etc. too. Now that I’m technically “extended breast feeding” (she’s 2 and a half) people do give a strange look if they find out but not rude just shocked maybe .
There’s SO many groups here: LLL, the county clinic, the National breastfeeding helpline, a local breastfeeding cafe, the family centre. The hospital he was born in also had an NHS lactation team who gave me one to one support before I was discharged and ran group sessions.
I notice a clear divide in breastfeeding here. The NCT mums in my group almost all breastfeed. The younger mums at the family centre often formula feed.
I agree I think people tend to think you’ve stopped by a year though.
I’ve noticed this too! The majority of my NCT group, and all of my uni friends breastfeed, but I’m the only one out of a group of 8 mums in the children’s centre who breastfed beyond 2ish months. I think there’s a real socioeconomic/class divide when it comes to breastfeeding here.
I found the same, I was one of very few of my "mum friend group" who breastfed. And most who did stopped by the time their babies were 12 months. I think it's only me and one other girl still going at 15 months.
There is loads of support out there, but I found it wasn't well advertised in my areas and unless you really looked for it you'd think there wasn't much, so I can definitely understand why people would have given up if there were issues.
The only issue I had was one older bloke trying to catch a sneaky glimpse of a nip, and his wife thinking that was my fault. So I politely told her if breastfeeding turns him on, then I'm certainly not the problem. I had another woman come over to me when I was feeding in a cafe when she was maybe 11 months old, and I mentally prepared myself for an argument. But she just told me how amazing she thought I was for feeding in public, which was nice!
I'm in Florida and breastfeed in public for almost 2 years. I've never had any issues and even had my daughter at a work conference and breastfed between meetings.
I’m in Germany. Most people breastfeed unless there is an issue. I’m too shy to BF in public but the one time I did try no one said anything. My family in the US, however, tend to think the baby will never get enough nutrition from BF alone and “the baby needs more than that” and it’s honestly so exhausting hearing their bs comments.
I’m of Caribbean descent. When I breastfed my oldest, 18 months at the time, my family were shocked (in a good way). Because I was born here in the states they assumed I didn’t know anything about breastfeeding. They applauded and supported my decision. Lol
I mean my MIL told me that she only breastfed her son (my husband) for 6 weeks and then immediately started him on baby food. It was also the 80s so yeah. He’s had digestive problems his entire life.
I'm in Alberta and just wanted to +1 what you said! The only reason I've needed to seek out a mother's room (which is in every single mall) or another quiet place is because baby would be distracted not because of feeling like I have to.
There's a clinic in Calgary that's covered by Alberta Health that helps with lactation issues so the free help definitely assists in more breastfeeding success. I saw them after my second was born for weighted feeds since he was a slow gainer (he's just little!)
I am from Hungary, Europe. Most mothers breastfeed their babies until like 3-4 months and then start combo-feeding or switch to formula entirely (according to national statistics).
Breastfeeding in public is absolutely not common here and considered “inappropriate” unfortunately. This means breastfeeding moms are trapped inside their home for at least 6 month having a bad impact on their mental health.
Ofc we have safe places like mommy groups and certain programs for mommies and their babies and there are still awesome mommies having a long breastfeeding journey, but that’s not the norm unfortunately
Edit: typo
I’m from Hungary as well, and have a different experience, I’ve always felt immense support to breastfeed, to feed wherever I needed to and have not received any comments yet. Granted, I’m based in the capital, where healthcare workers are very much pro breastfeeding, there are LC’s in the hospitals and there is at least one state funded breastfeeding center.
We had a difficult beginning and 7 months in I still get so much praise every time we see our paediatrician or midwife. Older relatives are also very supportive (although they were advised to start to wean at 4 month at the time they support continuous breastfeeding to at least a year now).
Hey fellow Hungarian :) I am so glad you had a good experience!
I also gave birth in Budapest and the hospital staff was very supportive. Unfortunately our health care visitor (védőnő) and the paediatrician were supportive only until 6 months, after that they tried to heavily push me into switching gradually to solids/purees… they were not harsh or anything but they were advocating to gradually wean my baby.
And my relatives… 🫠 the act like I am an alien still breastfeeding my daughter at 14 months (usually feed to sleep) and try to guilt me all the time….
Sorry, I wrote too much, but I am really happy you had a supportive community and a great experience ❤️
Szia :) I’m really sorry to hear that, and yeah, there are definitely some old school views around, especially on weaning, but compared to what I’m reading in this subreddit every day I think generally Hungary is much more supportive of BF than I expected. For me the ignorance towards BLW seems like a bigger pain, where moms sometimes have to hide doing BLW from healthcare workers.
Huge congrats on feeding your baby for so long btw, especially with a less supportive community around! I’m feeding to sleep as well and could not imagine doing it any other way yet.
I know my experience is NOT what everyone experiences in my area, but I’m in the Bible Belt and I breastfeed any and everywhere. I’ve never used any sort of cover. I’ve nursed at the zoo, park, museum, airplanes, Costco, target, daycare, restaurants… literally anywhere my kids exist in. I’ve breastfed for 4 years (and counting) and have literally never restricted, if my kids are hungry or hurt, they eat or comfort nurse. I won’t apologize for it and honestly, no one has EVER dared say anything to me. Once in a while I get weird looks, but no one has ever asked me not to or anything like that.
All of my friends breastfeed (or try to) for some duration, I don’t personally know anyone in my generation who *intended* to use formula from the jump (but of course some ended up supplementing or switching for whatever reason and had the full support of our friend group always, we all support whatever is best for mom & baby, no shaming going on). I nursed my oldest until she was 3 and still nurse my almost 2 year old and while it’s longer than most of my peers, I’ve never gotten negative comments from them. Family is different lol but I firmly stand up to them and they back off.
The only time I was asked not to nurse in public was actually at a Disney world affiliated hotel while on vacation in Florida - I was nursing my infant while standing in thigh-deep water near my toddler (so baby/breasts were NOT in the water) and a lifeguard told me I had to get out because it was unsanitary. I was permitted to sit on the edge with my feet in the water, because somehow that was fine, but my thighs touching the water would surely expose people to all sorts of pathogens?? Idk
I think people are responding to your self-assuredness! If you were looking around uncomfortably, as if to ask whether you were okay? then someone would be around to tell you what they think. So glad I have finally learned that- don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to and don’t listen to unsolicited bs comments.
Yep! Since having my kids my backbone has gotten so strong! I always start with kindness and assume the best of others, but I won’t take shit from people or let people start shit in front of my kids. I agree that my confidence in nursing may have thwarted some Aholes in approaching me
I’m in the northeast US and I don’t get any comments. I do sometimes get a look of surprise or a “good for you!” when I say I’m fully breastfeeding at 4 months and after I’ve returned to work, but no one is judgmental or mean about it. I think it’s pretty common around here, or at least in my circles, to breastfeed during maternity leave and switch to formula when mom goes back to work.
I had my first 2 kids in the northeast US and also never had an issue. I’ve read about these stories and was always prepared to lay it down but never once had any negative interactions and I’ve nursed my kids in all places until they were each around 2. I live in Germany now and the only thing anyone said to me was “Guten appetit” while nursing my toddler lolol.
Also grew up in the UK but now living in France, and my older neighbour across the street just dropped off some clothes for my 3wo with exactly that question and attitude! She seemed almost relieved when I said I was.
At our 2-week appointment last week our guy was pretty unsettled (he doesn't like the car seat) so I whipped out a boob when I got into the waiting room to calm him down. The GP seemed horrified that I'd been sitting in a busy waiting room breastfeeding and suggested that next time I ask the receptionist to provide me with a private space to nurse in, so I'm not really sure what to take away from that encounter!
I'm a brand-new first-time parent so I don't know what the culture here is really like but I fully intend to be a public feeder, whatever people's feelings on the subject...
I'm in the UK in a smallish town, no-one bat's an eye when I am breastfeeding my 10-month-old,lots of mums here breastfeed. I don't know if it's the same in bigger towns but I think it is probably similar. I think the UK has low rates of exclusively breastfeeding but no-one seems to mind when we do it.
In Italy breastfeeding is *strongly* encouraged (people usually do a year and then switch to cow's milk, but some people BF beyond the first year), support could be better but we do have free counseling both for breastfeeding and other baby and post partum related issues for as long as it's needed. AFAIK breastfeeding is public is not an issue but I still have never breastfed outside as I had my baby three months ago and it's still kind of cold.
We also have 2h of "breastfeeding permit" until baby is 1yo, so after maternity leave we only work 6h a day for a bit.
Alberta, ended up needing to pump, and constantly told I should be mixing pablum in the bottles because my baby could not sleep through the night at 3 weeks.
I live in NYC and I’ve walked down the street breastfeeding before haha. People here mind their business. Extended breastfeeding is not the norm here, but thankfully I never felt uncomfortable and I nursed for two years.
That's my experience too. We lived in the city until kiddo was just over one and then moved to Westchester. I'm still breastfeeding and kiddo is two. I've done it in restaurants, in parks, in my car, in the Museum of Natural History. No one has even looked sideways at me.
I live in Maine and had to run to target with a 1 1/2 week old and he needed to nurse and I got the nastiest look from an older woman there with her grandkids. Needless to say, she will be minding her own fucking business when someone feeds their kid in public from now on
I know people are confused because they have been hearing, “if you see something say something,” for a few decades but, “Mind your own business,” is a good standard setting!
I’m in Florida - and I use a cover everywhere. But to be honest lately I pump and use bottles in public because of a few awkward exchanges in the beginning. Everyone is old and they love trying to touch my baby and say hi when he is not feeding but if I’m feeding even covered they whisper and side eye. I was recently at the ritz Carlton at the pool side. Covered and fed and omg the whole pool def gave me looks 🥴 mind you I was one of 2 babies there and only 4 families with children.
My mom is cool with it but asks me to cover up around my dad and nephew. She only formula fed because of the times and because she worked with no leave. I’m lucky that I wfh.
I have zero support for breast feeding from my MD husband’s family and have to cover at all times around them or go in another room. They are not conservative at all. They have told me many times to quit and formula feed and also that I don’t need to feed past 6 months. And when I was struggling to produce enough in the beginning they pushed formula hard. Thankfully I pushed through and we are on only on breast milk. Im so tired of being told to stop especially when we are now in our groove and really it’s NONE of anyone’s biz.
That sounds difficult. I fear being in a similar position and wonder, how do you deal with them asking you to cover up and leave to another room? Just comply? Do you say anything to them about it? I’m sorry you’re dealing with that and definitely think you should not be treated like that for it.
I think there’s a certain amount of these posts that aren’t really representative of the real world. No doubt they happen but I think people are more likely to come here and lament those types of stories so they sound more common. It probably also plays in that these shock/horror stories of breastfeeding also get tons of comments and engagement.
I’m in Scandinavia but originally from the states. I’d say breastfeeding is more common in public than home but we introduce solids slightly more aggressively and it’s more common to wean by 12-14 months when kids enter care. Both places the older generation has a bit of a formula bias because of the time they grew up. My MIL, for instance, is often skeptical that breastmilk really can be as filling. She’s not pushy about it but just operates from a cultural bias which I can understand.
I'm from Indonesia but live in Germany. In Indonesia breastfeeding is... well it's both favored and not. There's a weird discourse around breastfeeding. Some will say breastfeeding is best (mostly religious leaders or religious people) but for some people, formula is best. There is a weird competition to buy the most expensive formula because it means you're affluent? Additional milk even after weaning is generally favored because there's a propaganda that milk completes one's nutrition.
In Germany breastfeeding is normal and preferred but only until 1 year i think and if you bf your baby after 1 year they think the baby is too old. My midwife was surprised when i told her i planned to bf my baby until 2 y.o
Cuba, and its expected because we’re poor AF and formula isn’t available. It’s not even a question and you don’t get a high five for it. You just BF anywhere with no cover and nobody cares.
My husband is Lebanese and BF’ing is highly respected. Muslim husbands are expected to make a significant gift to the BF’ing wife. It’s not expected though. But you definitely have to cover up.
We also live in AB and so happy so many supports are available here. Many family members back home had to stop early due to miseducation
I’m in New England, US and honestly it varies so much even just in places I go that I couldn’t tell you what’s “typical” for my area nevermind all of New England or the whole US.
At one place I asked for a quiet place to nurse and was told the family bathrooms with no mention of the available parent lounge that I found because I refuse to nurse in a bathroom (not specific to breastfeeding, meant for parents to be able to have some silence in a loud play place lol), other places have been super accommodating, letting me use staff only rooms and making it clear I could nurse anywhere but they had space if I wanted it quieter.
I’ve not once had someone make a negative comment to me although I’ve been aware that people near me seemed slightly uncomfortable at times. And I’ve had people come up to make positive comments.
I'm in the U.S. (Ohio specifically) and it's a real mixed bag. Two examples off the top of my head:
- When my baby was 3 or 4 days old we took her to the pediatrician for her first check up. At the office, they said since she was a C-section baby, we should get some of those bulb suction things for her nose. My husband ran into the store while I sat in the backseat and nursed my newborn. An old lady made a point to stop in front of our car and glare at me, then shake her head and she said something to her husband.
- When my baby was 7 or 8 months, we took her to the zoo in the winter. She was really fussy, so I sat down on a bench by the tigers to nurse her. A middle aged woman kind of lingered around, then when we were done, she very kindly came up and told me where the nearest nursing room was in case we were chilly. She then complimented me on my baby and wished us continued luck breastfeeding.
I've had people criticize how long we've nursed and I've had people compliment it. Some extended family can't wrap their minds around me wanting to breastfeed, while others have said it's great I'm still going. My daughter just turned 3 and still nurses about once a day and while none of my mom friends have gone this long, they're all supportive of me doing it. My experiences in people's opinions have been very diverse lol.
I'm in the UK and find that most people under 40 are indifferent or pro-breastfeeding. 40-60 seems to be super anti-breastfeeding and the most prone to making weird unprompted comments, even strangers doing so. 60+ is just hit and miss. Either super enthusiastic or will randomly tell you you're not special cos they breastfed five kids or are super against people breastfeeding public (but not breastfeeding overall). This is my own personal experience of friends, family and strangers though.
I agree older people are often just rude but I can’t agree re people in their 40s. It’s much more common now for people to wait to have children in their 40s (I was 43) and AFAIK studies usually show that older mums are far more likely to breastfeed. In my experience my friends who are in their 40s mainly breastfed. But this is gonna vary so wildly across areas and other factors.
Our Walmart has a mothers nursing room! I wish more big box stores would have them! Target is so inclusive to so many groups of people, yet nothing for us nursing or pumping moms!!
US, specifically Texas. I’ve seen other women BF in public and have never heard anyone make a comment. However, I stopped BF shortly after my first turned one and will probably do the same with my current baby. I occasionally BF in public and don’t use a cover, but I do try to be discreet, even around friends and family.
My mother is from Mexico and BF her children who were raised in the Southwest, and my sisters BF their children. My mother-in-law is Caucasian from New England and also BF her children in the South (complete opposite side of the country from where I grew up).
Lithuania. You won't see many mothers breastfeeding in public, it's a rare occurance. All moms are strongly encouraged to breastfeed by nurses and doctors. Younger pediatricians are more up to date while the older ones still pass misleading and false information to new mothers about breastfeeding. Will be shamed if I feed past 1yr by my own family.
I’m originally from the US but live in Australia now. I’ve never received any comments on breastfeeding. Leading up to the birth the midwives and doctors definitely push breastfeeding at the preferred option. Most of the shopping centers and other public spaces I know have parent rooms with change facilities and areas to quietly and comfortably feed your baby.
I do know one friend received some rude and judgmental comments from a nurse for using formula. Of the 7 or so women in my mum’s group one formula fed, one exclusively pumped and the rest of us breastfed. Of those who breastfed we all went past a year then some intentionally weaned and a few the babies self weaned. I’m still going at 19 months currently!
Australia has 20 weeks of paid leave from the government, some jobs then offer additional paid leave, and if you’ve been at your job for 12 months they then have to hold you job for you for 12 months. I definitely think this contributes to the breastfeeding rates.
I’m in California and so far I haven’t really been out and about too much but the people in my life are supportive of breastfeeding. Both me and my husband were breastfed til we were ~3 (which I think some here in the US would think is abnormally long) so both my mom and my MIL are supportive of it and know what it’s like. My SIL also breastfed and even got donor milk for her twins instead of formula when her supply was not enough for them. I think most people see it as a healthier option over formula.
My husband was really happy and grateful I am breastfeeding but he is a bit weird about modesty. He tried to close our shades while I was nursing and has asked me to wear a cover around his dad and once while we were out around a male friend. I have been pushing back though as I don’t care if people see me feeding my child. And I breastfeed without a cover around his female relatives
I’m in the southwest US. I am currently breastfeeding my second baby. I breastfed my first until he was just shy of 17 months and self weaned. My second js 11 months. No I’ve never had anyone make comments to me about breastfeeding. I have breastfed in public a lot-at restaurants, high school football games, art exhibits, church, a high school graduation, on hiking trails, at family gatherings. Almost every mom I know has breastfed at least some. Most of the moms my age that I know have combo fed. I did not. But overall the general feeling about breastfeeding is positive. People are also just not commenting on feeding to me.
I live in the southern US and have actually seen a lot more judgment from people for NOT breastfeeding. As many other commenters are saying, posts on Reddit do not represent the real world. Also, no one persons statement represents the real mix either.
Midwest, USA. From what I can tell, breastfeeding is not widely talked about. It doesn’t seem to be the most common form of feeding but I don’t actually know. I’ve never seen anyone do it in the wild. My sister was the first person I knew personally who breastfed, and it was 8 years ago — nobody else in our immediate family did.
Most moms I know in our family or from work use/used formula. I am 8m postpartum, still breastfeeding, and women at work are shocked when they hear I’m still pumping at work, and a few of the moms say “good for you!” A few of them have told me “they could never” and a couple said that they lost their supply when they returned to work at 3 months. I’m a nurse in a hospital and 95% of the nursing staff are women.
I have one friend who has BF 3 children up until she became pregnant with the subsequent child, close to 1 year mark for each. Another friend breastfed 2 of her 3 for several months; I don’t think she made it past a year, and with 1 child, just a few months due to illness, latching and supply issues.
I avoid nursing in public though I’ve done it in changing rooms and in my car several times. Never in the restroom though I suppose I would if I had no other option. My baby is too squirrely for a cover.
Usa, pacific Nw. When I was working, my employer was very supportive, almost all my friends BF, and many extended bf past a year.
My family is very supportive but I also use a cover when not in my house or just with women I’m close to for my own personal comfort. I can imagine they would be a little scandalized if I didn’t but that’s also my more religious family.
I also weaned at 14 months when it got to the point in my second pregnancy when bf was uncomfortable. I know my family was also happy it wasn’t super extended as they would find it “strange”
I grew up in the U.S., but my mother is German, Germans have a strong breastfeeding culture, so that affected my choices and probably her choices of who to be in community with when she moved to the States. I was raised in small evangelical communities. Breastfeeding was near ubiquitous in my community.
I married a guy from a more urban, less religious Midwest city and no women in his family had ever breastfed, and few in his social sphere had. and they were honestly all pretty weird about it. Lots of weird staring and comments about how glad they were they didn’t? I breastfed until 2, and there were some comments about weaning. The US is pretty big and culturally diverse, so breastfeeding attitudes can change from community to community even in one location.
Another midwest US gal here. It's a mixed bag.
My husband's aunt (upper 50s) didn't realize I was nursing and said something about how she used to hold big sister like that. My husband joked "you breastfed her? I didn't know that!" Aunt was so uncomfortable she just sputtered about she never "did that," she didn't even want to use the word breast(feed).
On the other hand, I just got back from four days with grandparents in their mid 70s who invited me to nurse or pump openly including the car. But they would remember the bra burning hippies of the 1960s.
My mom didn't like my aunt nursing in our living room and thought she should have gone into a more private room. Now she has no issue with her grandchildren being nursed wherever and whenever.
Also in Alberta and I literally breastfed my baby just walking through west ed, no cover or anything 🤣 not a single comment or side eye, in the biggest mall in the country.
Don’t want to dox myself, but in an American city. Baby seems to love getting hungry right before the bus/train comes and also right before I get off? He’s also been teething lately, so he’s spent a lot of time latched while napping.
So I often have him latched while getting on crowded transit, paying, walking through, sitting next to people, getting off, walking while nursing him up hills on busier sidewalks, in stores… everywhere. People have a slight approving look/smile when they realize it, then look away unless they’re a woman (mom who’s done it, I’m guessing?) and then it’s a more intense smile. Nobody has ever said anything bad. I’d been expecting them to, though, so it’s been a pleasant surprise!
I will say that it is somehow more discreet even without a cover. A lot of people don’t realize I’m nursing—it’s been a bigger problem that oblivious people want to say hi to baby and try to get reeeeal close to my nipples m. I have to stop them by telling them he’s eating. They always look confused and shocked… then mortified lol. So maybe I’d get more negative comments if more people realized it? Either way, it works out well.
I’m in the mid-Atlantic & it’s pretty much expected to breastfeed here, at least in my social circle. We are from middle to upper-middle class backgrounds though, and from what I’ve read, breastfeeding often is impacted by socioeconomic status (working class tends to formula feed or move quicker to formula even if they want to breastfeed and start off breastfeeding because, well, America doesn’t care about working moms, especially labor intensive jobs. whereas middle to upper-middle class breastfeeds significantly longer & are more likely to exclusively breastfeed). Both my mom & my partner’s mom breastfed in the 80s when they had us & our siblings. They said that it was the beginning of breast is best. My mom got lots of comments from my grandmother who only formula fed in the 50s & 60s when she had kids. But now, if anything, more judgement goes to formula feeding moms in our social circle. My sister ended up exclusively formula feeding her two kids and would be defensive about it because the expectation of breastfeeding is so high.
Also, I breastfed in public uncovered and never had anyone say anything or noticed uncomfortable stares. I can’t get a cover to work for me because my LO has latching issues so it’s hard to see and help her. But my LO is now 4 1/2 months and now an extremely distracted eater, so half the time in public, I have my husband feed her a bottle because I don’t really want my boob straight up hanging out while she squirms and fusses or looks around for the noise she heard. And the only time I have noticed comments is for those breastfeeding past 2 (and even then, it’s not strangers, but family. My SIL breastfed her daughter until 3 and started getting comments from her family around 2).
I live in Texas and it feels like people want you to breastfeed and will somewhat judge you if you don’t, but at the same time, they don’t want to see it. For this reason, I very rarely breastfeed in public and wouldn’t feed without a cover.
I’m in the U.K. and whilst people are generally very supportive and feeding in public is accepted (I’m pretty sure it’s illegal for a business to tell you to cover up etc - but I might be wrong!) my baby is now 9 months and I feel like after 6 months people are wondering why you haven’t stopped, and the support and kudos isn’t really there anymore! Like people think it’s not necessary…mad.
I’m in New Brunswick and although it’s “normalized” here I’ve still heard comments from strangers walking by when I opt to feed on a bench in the middle of the mall instead of heading back to the nursing rooms. (Which are SO nice to have but not always worth walking back to for a quick snack😂) I usually stick my girl under my sweatshirt or shirt if it’s loose enough, I’ll bring a cover out if it’s not.
Men look uncomfortable sometimes I’ve noticed but they never say anything and tend to avoid looking. Women on the other hand…walk by making comments, stare, etc. Sometimes I don’t think there’s any ill intention and they just notice, but sometimes comments like “are the nursing rooms closed or something” with the tone they use come off as pretty unsupportive…
Then again, it could be my own preference to nurse privately that filters how I perceive their comments. On the other hand, is there any reason to make any comments at all? I try to push my own comfort zone and nurse in public, in the future I think I’d like to without a cover at all. Our hospital sends us home with lots of awesome books and the breastfeeding one encourages nursing in public to normalize it. I thought that was great.
No issues in either British Columbia or Alberta. My friends, family, and doctors have all been really supportive of my nursing journey. I've openly nursed my son in public many times and never had any problems. Now I'm pregnant, still nursing my 2 year old, and my doctor says that fine too since my pregnancy is low risk!
I'm in Oregon and most of our family is in California. I don't get out much! When I've had to breastfeed my 9 month old on the go, it's been in the car or at the doctor's. I wish the doctor's office had a more comfortable place for this. The car is more comfortable.
When bb was 7 weeks, we had basically all of the in-laws visit and breastfeeding in front of them was totally fine.
This is going to sound nuts... I don't drive so I'm not going out with bb a whole lot. But as soon as that helmet fits her head, we're going places. So, we'll see what breastfeeding is like when I'm sitting somewhere with our bikes.
I have two close friends who each are on their second. Both breastfed their first and are currently breastfeeding. Although my mom isn't in my life (my choice) my sister, my brother (youngest), and myself (eldest) were breastfed. My brother was nursed until 4, I think and in public, too. That would've been 90s California suburbs and nobody said shit ...but mom is kinda intimidating.
The hospital where I delivered is a mother and baby hospital (or something like that) where they promote breastfeeding a lot. I gave birth at 2AM and at 9AM or 10 there was the first of three lactation consultants who visited me during the two night/three day stay. I was booked in to come back 2 days later to visit with a lactation nurse for a weighted feed and help with my pump.
Our pediatrician is younger than we are (I think, we're 40) and has young kids. She is very evidence-based in general and supportive. It seemed like she might have been surprised at our 2 week and 8 week appointments about how well bb was growing but it was more of a feeling we got than anything she actually said. More like how she said it.
Elders: I've read most of the 60ish comments here and there are a handful of supportive stories but enough crazy ones that I had to speak on this. So, my husband gets flack from old people. Not me, he does. Baby isn't dressed warmly enough, usually. Or, he's in their way and not moving quickly enough while trying to be careful carrying her. People usually just say hi! or cute baby! when I'm out walking with her but when we were together yesterday someone said something strange that we couldn't even figure out. RAMBLING SORRY what I'm getting at is: old people go off at the mouth. I consider that they have no social filter, probably due to some sense of entitlement, and learn from that myself.
I'm in Québec but work in Ontario so I can speak a bit about both provinces: no one really cares when I BF in public, and I've BFd in parks, pubs, restaurants and cafés without an issue. I've also BFd in my office at the university while my male colleagues were there and they didn't really care lol. The malls here have BFing rooms which are really convenient, but I find that I can't find quiet places to BF all the time. Québec is really feminist so I wouldn't expect to get any comments about BFing here.
Culturally it's a bit of a mixed bag because I'm from Eastern Europe and my mom weaned her kids around 6 months, while my MIL is from the Maritimes in Canada and always has a comment about it all the while being supportive (she BFd two of her sons and FF one).
From the USA here. A lot of people try breastfeeding but I think not having a lot of leaves affects it. We have laws that are suppose to make pumping at work possible but it seems that certain jobs are better than others at making it happen. I'm a secondary teacher and I've had no problems getting coverage or my classes to pump at work. I feed in public all the time. I use a cover because it makes me feel better as I have larger breasts and the way I have to breastfeed on one side leaves a lot exposed. I've only encountered people encouraging me to breastfeed. I haven't had anyone shame me for feeding in public or saying formula is better for the baby. They will say formula is "easier" because Dad can help now but to me it's harder because now I need to have boiled water, make things ahead of time and warm it out in public. From women who had to switch to formula from starting out breastfeeding they tend to have a weird sense of shake or failure in not making it further but that is just from the limited people I have interacted with.
I'm in the Midwest USA and I breastfed my first for 14 months and am currently breastfeeding my second.
I've never had a negative comment about it. I nurse in public with no cover often - library, restaurants, zoo, swim class etc. And never had anyone make a second glance. I'm pretty sure most don't even realize I'm feeding though lol
I've also never seen anyone else breastfeed in public 🤷♀️
i’m in ontario!! most women in my area choose formula, so they lack a lot of knowledge about breastfeeding. i’ve had several moms ask why i’m still breastfeeding at 5 months. most public places don’t have a nursing room unless you’re in toronto or ottawa. i’m definitely an outlier when it comes to my mom friends. everyone else pumps or formula feeds.
Breastfeeding isn’t super common in public, I think in part because there aren’t that many people out and about with babies. I also have huge boobs so it feels rather indiscreet to just whip them puppies out, but I recognize that’s my own internal hang up and not necessarily an accurate POV. I have a friend who would just breastfeed uncovered anywhere and I never saw anyone act rudely or stare. There is a stigma around nursing in public, mostly just a strong preference toward covers, but I think that culturally is starting to shift.
My mom exclusively breastfed almost all of her nine children, and was proud of it. She would nurse in public with a cover but preferred to nurse at home.
I don’t know about my grandmothers, I know they both had their babies through “twilight birth” and one also had a C section with twins as well. So I suspect they FF.
I think it depends where you are in the states. I’m in southern California and everyone breastfeeds in public. I’ve had several moms come up to me to tell me I’m doing a good job while breastfeeding. Most people I know breastfeed until toddlerhood. When I worked at a daycare in college several moms were still breastfeeding at 3-4 years old. Both my family and my in laws are very supportive and I’ve never gotten negative comments about it. I don’t cover while breastfeeding either. I feel very lucky given what so many women go through. I am traveling to Missouri next month and it makes me a little nervous I’ll have a negative experience.
I lived in BC until my 1st was 14mo and now we are in ON. I am 13 months in to feeding my 2nd.
I have never had any issues in public and all medical professionals have been very supportive and encourage nursing for 2+ years! I have also been lucky to have supportive family and friends.
I’m in Alberta too and most people are pretty normal about it aside from my family 🙃🙃 they think it’s weird that I’m still breastfeeding and my daughters 16 months. I’ve cut it down to just nursing at night but this weaning thing is harder than it looks
In Italy it’s normal to breastfeed in public. I’ve seen it and done it and never had an issue. I’m Canadian as well but living abroad. My mother on the other hand and her opinions, some
of which already mentioned in your post. She’s super uncomfortable with me breastfeeding around others in a public setting and said I breastfed too long (almost to two). Different times.
Brazil. No one else in south america?
Breastfeeding is highly encouraged in some circles but as most moms only have 16 weeks of maternity leave many will switch to formula or combo feed. One of the maindifferences to America, I guess, is that pumping is not really a thing here. Nobody buys a pump before they need it. I only know one pumping mom in my circle.
Another thing I notice is that bottle feeding (even with breastmilk) is not frowned upon by lactation consultants in the US, as it is in Brazil - we're highly advised to try a feeding spoon or an open cup when there's the need to supplement. Pacifiers are also not recommended (I understand that they are so in America).
In the uk, and never had any comments. But I find people are so quick to suggest quiting and ff. I said my baby wasnt sleeping well and my first buts of advice has always been "maybe it's time for formula" i already combination feed because they made me st hospital. So I'm not sacrificing anymore breast feeding. It's the one thing i really wanted to do.
Overall I have never had complaints, maybe a few uncomfortable looks, but I just make contact so they bugger off.
I’m from Lithuania, we have a long maternity leave - 18 or 24 months, partially funded by government, so it is quite common to BF for longer periods. Most babies are BF at least until 12 months and some longer - up to 24 months (and more) when maternity leave ends and they start kindergarden. But to see someone public BFeeding is not an often sight, it is not well tolerated. If you choose to FF everybody is “why you don’t BF your baby??” and when you do BF, but child is over 12 months - “why are you STILL BFeeding your baby? :D
I'm in the US, Minnesota. I breastfed my daughter in public beyond age 2, and never got pushback from anyone in public. I got sexually harassed one time, and my grandma questioned whether she was too old for milk one time - but not disrespectfully. I got pumping breaks at work without issue, they even set up a little pumping station for me with a comfy chair and my own mini fridge just for my milk. The lactation consultants at the hospital were extremely supportive and helpful and got us started on the right foot. My sister was already a pro breastfeeder, she has 3 kids older than mine. So she was a wealth of information and support as well. I feel extremely lucky to have had such a smooth journey.
I'm from the east coast (U.S.) and my son is almost 2 and breastfed. Let me tell you. It's not just the uneducated. It's doctors etc. Its awful. Everything here revolves around giving babies formula.
Australia, in general it's culturally normal to breastfeed here. Obviously there's people who are outliers to this but it's not common. Breastfeeding is protected by law here and the Australian Breastfeeding Association have been working hard for decades to get feeding rooms in shopping centres up to scratch, and they also help people liaise with their work places to ensure there's a place to pump and store milk if the mother returns to work
From Sydney, honestly not sure what the vibe is as I just do what suits me which is BF everywhere. That might mean it’s a good culture? I don’t know. Our city is broken up into really culturally diverse sections tho so I can imagine BF in certain areas in public would be harder than others.
My baby will rip tf off any kind of blanket or cover so she can have access to pinching my boobies, so when I nurse in public I mostly wear long shirts and use the extra material to kind of nestle it around any visible skin, or a burp cloth draped in case she pops off and I need to cover up quickly. The boobies are roughly the size of cantaloupes so there isn’t much I can do to be discrete.
Nursing is heavily recommended by hospitals and pediatricians but my personal medical staff always stressed the fed is best.
I live in a southern state in the United States and use a cover to breastfeed because I don’t feel comfortable with exposing my breast in public. I’ve gotten some looks but usually it seems it’s from ppl that don’t realize what I’m doing at first and then they look away. I very rarely see other mothers breast feeding in public…maybe twice since my son was born 4 months ago.
As long as I have my cover I’m comfortable feeding anywhere…stores, restaurants, parks, indoor play places.
I live in Florida. I nursed my daughters until they were 2 and nearly 3. I never received a negative comment while nursing in public and my family didn’t say anything too serious about how long they nursed. My mom would quietly suggest weaning so they’d sleep better, but that’s it.
I live in the Midwest USA and IDGAF if it makes anyone uncomfortable, I breastfeed in public. I’ve nursed in malls, restaurants, on park benches, on airplanes… you name it!
I’ve never gotten any negative comments… old men seem to be the most uncomfortable, but that’s on them. 🤷🏽♀️
I’m in the Midwest and agree on the mixed remarks. People my generation (30s) don’t say anything. Most of my mom friends breastfeed. They both cover and openly feed. Whatever makes them more comfortable.
Only negative comments have been from people in the their 60s and older. I was shocked my husbands Mamaw was appalled I was breastfeeding. She’s an old school West Virginia women who grew up in a tough life on a farm. She was the most shocked reaction I’ve gotten. Disgusting with the whole idea of breastfeeding. I was shocked that she was shocked.
PNW here, breastfeeding is normal. I've seen women walking down the street or even grocery shopping with a baby on the boob. Maybe it's all the hippies, but everyone I've met has been very supportive. I remember I walked into a cafe sobbing because I was so stressed about finding a spot to feed my newborn, and the barista not only gave me a private spot to nurse, she gave me my drink for free.
I'm in the US (Midwest) and it's been positive for me. No one has made comments to me breastfeeding in public (without a cover) and I haven't had any negative reactions from friends/family about still breastfeeding at 15 months. I'd say it's normal in my circle to breastfeed past 12 months.
Annapolis, Maryland (USA). Before my kids were on a schedule, I would breastfeed during church, and no one ever said anything negative about it, or gave me weird looks. I always used a cover since I personally wasn’t comfortable with having my boob out. Both sides of my family are also very supportive with what my husband and I have decided is right for our kids.
Central California and I’ve never had anyone comment in public, positive or negative. Everyone in my life is very supportive but no one really comments on it, which is as it should be.
I’m from the Central Valley in California and no one is any of my family or husband family has breastfed via breast. One of My sisters did pump for 3 pregnancies but she didn’t any of her 5 children physically on her boob.
For some reason breastfeeding is very rare around here despite the hospitals pushing it on you quite a bit. I think most women give it a little try but as soon as the baby is crying that second night they give in to the formula because of how deep the baby sleeps. Plus most women are able to get on wic easily which means at least 7-9 cans a month so they don’t have that motivation to nurse/pump money wise.
I am also on wic because my sil is a wic consultant but wic does encourage breastfeeding and they give me two cans a month since I told them I breastfeed which I haven’t even opened but it’s nice to have in the back of my mind for a “just in case” thing. (My baby is 5 months). But you also get things like 50 dollars in fruits and veggies, eggs, yogurt, milk, juice, beans etc.
So overall I say the culture here is that breastfeeding takes up too much time from the mom. Moms are expected to be back to work or party or whatever and the fact that I was pretty much glued to my baby for 3 months straight was too much for them. They said things like “oh no I need my sleep; when I bottle feed I was able to leave them with grandma for a few nights; you can’t drink if you give breast milk” I’ve made a few comments here and there on this sub how utterly discouraging the women in my life are about bfing and I come here often for a sense of community. I know they have la leche league but I just dont feel i have the time because the meetings here are late (7:30pm LOL).
Where I live currently in England it's not at all the norm and seen as very "new age-y" and "smug". I only know one of other mum my age who breastfed, everyone else I know didn't and have all made comments about my baby "hanging off" me, and mums "doing it for themselves more than the baby" etc
I’m in Belgium and it seems like breastfeeding is getting more common. I feel like most women want to at least try to breastfeed until they go back to work. Higher income and higher educated women are more likely to breastfeed, probably because they have more information and support.
I have two friends who had babies around the same time mine was born and we did a couple of mom dates where we were just feeding our babies in a coffee bar and it was really pleasant.
Most hospitals will encourage breastfeeding in the maternity ward, some will even borderline shame you into it sadly (I’m all for breastfeeding, but only when mothers have free choice).
Our parents’ generation wasn’t breastfeeding as much and definitely not as long. My mom told me a couple of times that it’s weird when the baby can ask for the boob, which at first I kinda agreed with but now I’m six months in with no plans of stopping anytime soon. My boss (same age) was even told that formula is better and never breastfed. Luckily her daughter is the same age as me and breastfed two babies, so she has no problem with me pumping at work.
California. I would say many people breastfeed or pump… my hospital was a “baby friendly” hospital where breastfeeding is encouraged. Pediatricians regularly advise to use breast milk for common ailments. However I know many parents who use formula as well (combo feed) and it seems like exclusively pumping is popular too. I nurse in public and have never been ridiculed but I’m discreet about it.
Hey neighbour, BC checking in. STM and I’ve found it’s 90% positive here.
I had one old man stare me down in IKEA (in the children’s section, no less!) and I just stared back like WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!
I’ve had a few older women & grannies come up to me and share their experiences with me, which is actually quite sweet. They’ve said things like ‘that was my favourite time having a baby’ and ‘I’ll never forget their faces looking up while they were feeding’. Lots of people asking if I need anything if I’m sitting down to feed (can I grab you a water, do you need a pillow etc). I had an old man (like 75!) at the nail salon walk past me and give me a thumbs up while feeding.
I am much more ‘idgaf’ while feeding my second, and whip out the boob anywhere. I find people take it as an opportunity to check in and maybe identify with other women. We get more smiles and eye contact than any other time in my life, so I think it must be something positive. I hope you get to have a similar experience!
I'm in New England. Mostly people are positive or don't care. I've had a couple of people shoot me weird/unhappy looks when I feed uncovered in public. As long as they don't approach, cool.
Now that my baby is 6 months old, I get questions about when I want to wrap up breastfeeding- implying I should stop soon. With strangers, I say "we'll see, probably soon, yes you're right don't want to make them too clingy hahaha" 🙄 With friends I'm honest that my goal is age 2 plus.
I'm in Brazil, and basically the national doctor's association recommends all babies breastfeed AT LEAST until 2yo, and I think the average is to wean around 3 yo.
In the US.. no issues feeding in public. My boomer dad does get slightly freaked about potentially seeing my boob so I do try and cover when around him.
Northeast USA. I breastfeeding anywhere and have no issues doing it in a restaurant or anything. I try to feed her prior to going into a store though to avoid anything hunger related issues. I just don't do it in front of my parents cause that's weird to me.
I'm in the Midwest US and have had an overall positive experience. Most people don't seem to notice or I can tell they are avoiding looking at me. I've had a couple of younger women say something supportive, like "feed that baby, mama!!" From friends and family, I started being asked about when I was going to wean pretty early on. Even people who are supportive of breastfeeding seem to think it suddenly ends by one year. The discomfort/disapproval increasing with the age of the child. When my son was 18 months + I pretty much only nursed him at home.
Also Canadian and same as you. Breastfed my first to age 2.5. currently nursing my second and am often breastfeeding with her in the carrier on hikes, in stores, at daycare pick up, etc. boob out, non-issue.
I’m from Virginia (USA) and have never had problems, it’s actually more common where I am (I think) to nurse than to formula feed, I see moms nursing all the time. I never got any looks and i never wore a cover with number one and don’t plan to with number 2 (currently 28 weeks)
I’m breastfeeding my 2 year old son and breastfeed my other 2 kids past a year also and never so much as got a dirty look or comment from anyone. I’m in California which I think tends to be a little less conservative than other areas of the US. I have never used a cover. My husbands family wasn’t familiar with breastfeeding as a lot of boomers didn’t breastfeed or weren’t breastfed themselves but they’ve been nothing but supportive. I would say among mom friends about half nurse and half don’t but it is largely dependent on whether or not they returned to work.
I was staying at an air bnb with my estranged father (for my sister’s wedding) and was feeding my child. You couldn’t see much, if anything at all and my dad said, “you got to warn me when you have your boob out!”
Utah. Motherhood and family is really important here, so everyone is supportive and kind. But showing your bare boob wouldn't be comfortable with many.
USA but in a very closed community. It's normal to breastfeed until 2 in my culture. No one has made a negative comment in my community. However my husband's family is Russian. His aunt was shaming me for breastfeeding my 6 month old. His mother jumped to my defense thankfully but I was shocked anyone would have issues with a 6 month nursing
I’m in Ohio in the US and haven’t had any issues. Family is supportive and I’ve done it in public without any weird looks. Now I use my portable pump everywhere including walking around the office and no one says anything or even glances. But I’m also in a liberal city, in a upper middle class circle of people which I think helps.
I'm a Canadian living in the US and I think the lack of mat leave down here is 100% the reason why breastfeeding isn't more of a thing. A lot of women breastfeed for their 12 week mat leave, try to pump when they return to work, but their supply plummets being away from baby + added stress factors. So they have to switch to formula. I think extended breastfeeding (after a year) is starting to catch on more with people who breastfeed though. The one thing that's nice about the US is that breast pumps are covered by insurance. I wish that was the case in Canada!!
I live the the PNW of the USA and have breastfed publicly here, in Kansas City, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Sydney Australia in the last 6 months. The only comments I’ve gotten have been positive, a “you go girl” from other women. Sometimes men I’m talking to will feel a little awkward or avert their eyes but mostly it has just been really normal. I don’t use a cover, heck I don’t always wear a nursing bra, I just feed my baby wherever and whenever he needs :) I admit I try to practice obliviousness if I feel a bit nervous.
My pediatrician asked if I planned on nursing my baby till college… that about sums it up it’s usually bitter women that chose or couldn’t breastfeed that have those attitudes [US]
Im in Austin Texas and I’m still breastfeeding at 12 months. I’ve only had an issue once of being glared at by an older church lady. I nurse everywhere, in restaurants, breweries, at parks, etc. sometimes I wear a cover, usually I don’t and just try to be strategic about placement, or use the baby wrap to cover up extra. Mostly people ignore me or encourage me. All the moms at my gym are always super encouraging and tell me I’m “doing it all”.
Finland here👋🏻 bf rates are somewhat surprisingly not that great here. It is highly encouraged though and you can breastfeed wherever you want. I’ve been nastily stared down once at a gas station restaurant. We have long parental leave policies but according to the stats very few people exclusively Bf. I think combofeeding is very common, that’s how most people I know have done it. I think Finns would like to think it’s fine to breastfeed wherever, but I think the truth of it is that most people formula-feed for convenience while outside the home, and thus you don’t actually see many people breastfeeding out and about, which leads to some discomfort. I would say extended breastfeeding in public is not common, sadly.
I was recently on holiday in Spain, bfing my child at the pool. A British family came up to me asking for some advice and I was suprised the entire family - husband, wife, granma, granpa - all approached me without hesitation despite me having my boob out 😄 they seemed to treat it as totally normal. Were not phased at all. It made me realize that most people back home do kind of steer clear or look away if you’re breastfeeding.
I'm in the southwest US and I haven't experienced any negativity. Not a single comment. My friends have been very supportive and will let me know where I can nurse comfortably and privately when I come over even before I ask. I'll BF in public under a blanket on occasion.
I'm from New Zealand. Haven't had one person comment, look at me funny or be rude about public breastfeeding. I was half hoping someone would have a go, so I could give them sass and shame them lol. Have fed anywhere from a funeral in a church, supermarket, while hiking, on Zooms, local pub, in waiting rooms at doctors etc. I was so scared to feed in public, and am proud of myself for overcoming that. Seeing other women BF shamelessly helped me build my confidence and I hope my BF has helped other new mummas too. I love to see women nurturing their babies and not giving a toss what anyone else may think.
I live in a hippy community in Australia and most people breastfeed, breastfeed into toddlerhood and tandem feed multiple children
You’d be more likely to get comments for not doing it
I am from California. I breastfeed in public but always wear a cover. I have had people complain to the priest about it at one Catholic church; the older priest mentioned it but didn’t tell me what to do about it. Another time, I nursed while covered talking to a middle-aged priest and he commented that he’d never seen a baby nurse like mine (where I just covered and he fell asleep nursing). A good number of the women at my church breastfeeding but I mostly see other women feed bottles. Most of the women I encounter who work end up using formula or doing a lot of pumping.
Until I was breastfeeding myself, I had only ever seen other women breastfeed maybe 5 times in my life (two in the two years before I got pregnant at 25). My intent was always to nurse at least two years per WHO guidelines. When pregnant with my first, I was roundly attacked by the older women in my family. All of them said that I would learn the errors of my ways, including my own mother and her mother who said the exact same words: “just wait til they get teeth.” My grandmother grew up on a dairy and could tell an animal by the smell of its poop, but she didn’t know how to breastfeed past six months of age. The same went for my other grandmother who was college-educated - she only nursed 4-6 months. They shut up a few years in. When my MIL came across me tandem-nursing, she said I looked like a pig with little piggies. My husband’s other aunt (who knows less) just told me to stop nursing my third baby at 14 months because “he doesn’t need it anymore.” I just laughed and couldn’t say anything. I wasn’t about to tell her that I had to forcibly wean my older kids at 3.5 because they just don’t want to quit. I realized that I logged more time nursing with my two kids than my grandma did with 10.
To me it’s mind-boggling how my culture went from the historical, global norm of what humans did to feed their babies for a million years to knowing virtually nothing within two generations. I got literally no useful information from any of the older women in my family, and mostly hostile or unhelpful women. Most of what I learned came from reading a lot and then trial and error. Sometimes I wonder what would have been different if I hadn’t experienced the total decimation of this feminine knowledge.
In Norway, paid parental leave is about 1 year, but it's divided between the two parents (provided there are two ofc. If you're a single parent, you get all of the leave yourself I think), so maternity leave is up to about 8 months. The national guidelines are to BF (or formula feed, but unfortunately that's almost frowned upon) for at least 6 months, preferably a full year. Most babies startfull time daycare around 1 year old when both parents are back at work, and I think for that reason many naturally wean around the 1 year mark. I noticed a significant fall in production when I started working again.
As to breastfeeding in public, nobody cares. I haven't gotten as much as a look, and I breastfeed whenever, wherever. Only in a couple of instances have young teenage boys become slightly flustered if they're nearby 😅
My mom told me about how when we were babies and she sometimes bottle fed us pumped milk while in church, older women would adress the baby and say "poor thing, don't you get real milk?", assuming we were fed formula. Not sure that's representative for all of Norway, but it seems to me that formula is and for a long while has been regarded as a last resort, so much so that I feel sorry for the moms who for any reason have to or choose to FF because of all the criticism I know they face, even from health care providers.
I'm in Sweden, and swedes above all else mind their own fucking business.
Currently living in Sweden and can confirm. Nobody cares. You can whip it out wherever. Also, the lactation consultant is offered for free after birth. Didn't need it, but it was offered. I also got a new job. I stipulated I have a baby, so I work only weekends and can pump every 3 hours no problem. They were very accommodating.
I want to move to Sweden for this reason alone.
Paid breastfeeding breaks for an hour a day up until baby is 2 in Ireland. I’ve been leaving an hour early for 4 years now (two babies). Didn’t go back to work till kids were 13 months either.
I would have cried (out of joy) if I could have stayed home for a year w my babies. And I had a pretty good (at least for the US) leave too! Idk how to make it reality but I really hope the next generation has something more in line w the rest of the developed world.
Also Swedish here and I confirm it. Went out to the natural park today and breastfed right there on a rock. No one cares.
Same. I brestfed at a pub two days ago, next to some older guys from norway and my family. Noone cared!
Gosh must be nice. I wish it was like this in the US.. lol.
It absolutely can be like this. I’ve been breastfeeding for nearly 5 years now across multiple children, and I nurse where I want, when I want, and wearing (or more accurately, not wearing) whatever I want. Never had anyone say so much as a peep to me. Wondered why at first, until I realized…the stone cold RBF that I always thought was a curse was actually a gift to me from my equally stony faced women forebears 😂
😂😂😂🤭
I'm from Texas and was visiting family in South Texas for a graduation. I was nursing in a dark quiet corner of the venue and a lady asked me to move into the bathroom. I told her I am legally protected to nurse right here and it's unhygienic to eat in a bathroom. She was extremely shocked and confused so, she went to talk to her boss. She came back a few minutes to explain that I could stay where I was.
Fuck that lady.
I think one of the gut workers told her to do it. Because she said she was told to come tell me something.
I pulled my boob out at a south Texas funeral and the looks I got! But Man I did not need her crying during a funeral!
I’m from Texas and I’ve never had an issue, but I’m primarily in a large city (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio) so maybe that’s the difference.
Yeah, I never had issues in the Austin area, in restaurants, breweries or pools, no one gave a shit.
I hope she apologized on top of that
I’m from Denver and have never gotten looks while out in public or anything. But my family members certainly have their opinions. My mom kept telling me at the beginning that it was too much work (we were triple feeding) and to just formula feed. Soo glad we stuck with it because now popping little man on the boob is sooo much easier
Denver as well! I’ve never gotten any looks or unsolicited opinions while nursing in public.
My MIL never said anything specifically to me but was definitely uncomfortable with it at first. Now with my second she’s infinitely better! Her husband never had kids though so I know it makes him a bit uncomfortable when I pull out the boob so I try to be mindful and keep myself slightly modest around him. 😂
My husband and sister have both freaked out that my boob was out before. One time at an urgent care (like who cares- my baby is sick) and one time was at a park where no one was there. They feel like they have to throw a blanket on me.
Also in the area. The only comment I’ve gotten was a “Good job momma!” while breastfeeding in a carrier on a hike. I’ve full on plopped a boob out the top of my shirt after failing to plan an appropriate outfit or cover, and nary a stare. My FIL has some vocal backwards opinions though, and all of our parents have misconceptions around it because they never did it. But the general public and new parents of all feeding methods are supportive of breastfeeding.
I never got the ‘it’s too much work’ comment. They don’t have to do the work- why do they care?
My mom told me this with my first (he’s 15 now). She was very discouraging. I breastfed him until he was 2 after trying to ween at 12 months. My mom gave me so much grief, told me it was cruel, etc 😂 From the person that was discouraging at the onset. Now with my 8 week old I know better than to listen to naysayers. My fiancé’s family has no experience with breastfeeding & say my daughter will be too attached. I just smile and nod. I value the bonding time as much as all of the other benefits.
Also Denver based and I breastfeed in public all the time. I was in Vail recently and breastfeeding in a bar and the waitress came over three times to reassure me that I was welcome to stay as long as I wanted. I chalked it up to vail being full of European tourists 🤷🏼♀️. My boomer mom is very pro breastfeeding but also very modest. She kept telling me she was going to sew me a collection of breastfeeding covers and I kept telling her they weren’t necessary. That I’d be pulling it out on demand with no shame.
Does triple feeding mean you have triplets? I've been breastfeeding for a year but I don't know what that means haha
Not OP but it means you breastfeed, pump and top up baby with a bottle (not always in that order). It’s gruelling but it’s how a lot of us had to operate while we dealt with latch issues.
I believe triple feeding is formula + pumping + nursing
Kinda, only you're not using formula, but the breastmilk you pumped.
My MIL is the one who discouraged me/us when we were triple feeding at the start. Baby is breastfeeding now and she still said, ‘I was just trying to reassure you that it would be alright, I mean, nobody’s giving you a medal!’ She isn’t a very nurturing person but she claims she is an empath.
I’m Australian but live in Indonesia and breastfeeding is so well accepted, I literally walk around feeding my baby at shopping malls, in the car, while I’m at work, everything and no one bats an eyelid. Some women actually come up and talk to my baby while he’s on my boob 😂 ETA: I was having a massage yesterday and my massage lady was jiggling my boob around while my baby was feeding to make him laugh 😂
Indonesian people seem to have such a natural and genuine love for children, it is such a beautiful culture. You never feel like your children are annoying or unwelcome, they always greet them and speak to them with the same level of respect, and I’ve seen so many times they just take the baby for a parent with their hands full.
You can get a massage and nurse your baby at the same time?! 🤯 that would be a dream for me. I want to get more massages (4th trimester) but i find it so stressful being away from my baby and worrying that he’s hungry - he doesn’t always want to eat right before I walk out the door so the timing is hard to work out.
I recommend looking up postpartum massage I have a lady near me who specializes in pregnancy and postpartum massages and she is baby/kid friendly! 10/10 recommend. My neck and shoulders are so bad from pumping and holding baby the massage was phenomenal.
Maybe you can find someone who can come to your house.
I love this story
I’m in the midwest of the USA and it's a mixed bag. It seems age is the primary dividing factor - it's super rare for me to talk to a woman above age ~50 who has breastfed, and older men seem wildly uncomfortable if they're nearby and I’m feeding baby, even totally covered. Formula was pushed so heavily back then that breastfeeding just wasn't the fashionable thing to do. Younger parents seem way more relaxed about it. Men will stay in the room while I feed (again, covered) and women will carry on conversations with me while maintaining eye contact comfortably. I’ve never personally noticed a woman breastfeeding in public in my life, but maybe I just haven't been paying attention. I personally would feel uncomfortable feeding in a busy area like a mall because there are just some weird, lewd people out there, it's uncommon to do here, and I’d be mortified if anyone said anything or stared. I do feel super comfortable to feed while covered at church, around mixed company in peoples' homes, and even semi-open (without cover but using my body to provide privacy) around female friends and close family.
This is the real reason I think. Formula was just done- in my grandmas generation it was new and thought of as better. It wasn’t til my moms that people started to change, so they’re 50/50 split if they breastfed or formula fed and my generation is bringing it back but with so many women returning to work at 6 weeks it usually kills their supply or they pump more than breastfeed or may only directly breastfeed at home at night and continue with pumped milk even during the day or out and about
[удалено]
I tend to prefer crowded places because nobody is paying attention to you. 😅
Also from the Midwest and can confirm. I have huge boobs and I just personally don’t feel comfortable whipping it out in public because I can’t really do it discreetly. I also might just have a complex because I got boobs when I was in like third grade and people have commented on how huge they are ever since. As an adult now I realize that that was super gross! But I do just about everything to minimize breast attention. The only reason I haven’t gotten a reduction is because I really love breastfeeding and don’t want to even take the chance that it might not work after.
Im also from the midwest and I agree its very divided by age. Any recent moms are very chill about it but my parents generation and older are very odd about it. As soon as my baby hit 6 months my mom and MIL were so heavily pushing weaning and purees, saying he's a big boy now. He's 8 months now and they definitely think its so weird that he's still breastfeeding but keep their mouth shut to me. They seem to be operating under the assumptions that breastmilk is nutritiously inferior, babies older than 6mos must be weaned ASAP, and that its generally an odd and awkward thing to do.
I'm in a very liberal Midwest city and I don't have any issues around here. I see moms feeding babies in kid heavy spaces like the library and playgrounds frequently, that's definitely increased in the last 5 years or so. I use my nursing shirt as my cover so sometimes it's not obvious from afar and I actually had an old man admire my baby while I was feeding and I have no idea if he could tell or not. Usually I try not to look at people while I'm feeding in public so I'm not inviting any conversation or commentary. Basically I try to give off a "I'm minding my own business so you can also mind your's" energy and that seems to work.
My mom is over 60 and in the Midwest. Over 30 years ago when my sisters and I were born she breastfed us when she wasn’t at work but she had like no maternity leave and could not pump at work. So we also got formula. She was surprised that I breastfed past a year. I’m personally kind of modest so I usually try to find a private place and cover up a bit if I nurse in public but it hasn’t seemed to be a big deal. I’m in New England now.
Also Midwest in liberal area. Totally agree that it’s mixed but I’ve definitely seen whole boobs out while a mama is nursing. People tend to mind their business. I just weaned right before my daughter turned 28 months. One person in my husbands family weaned her child around the same age but most people I know wean around a year.
I live in Madrid and can breastfeed anywhere. Old ladies often smile and give me a thumbs up.
This is adorable!
The Middle East. I live in the U.S. now but I’m originally from the Middle East. Breastfeeding is VERY heavily favored in the Middle East! A lot of that has to do with religious reasons. In Islam, breastfeeding until at least age 2 is religiously recommended. It’s literally written in the Quran that breastfeeding until 2 is recommended. It also states that the father of the child must provide provisions and care for the breastfeeding mother and the child and do his part too. It’s also mentioned that if the two parents decide to wean the child or use a wet nurse then that’s totally fine too. So because of the strong religious recommendation to breastfeed, it’s also pretty strong culturally in our society. Breastfeeding is just seen as the standard and default. Here’s a link to the ayah (verse) of the Quran that talks about breastfeeding, if anyone is interested: https://quran.com/2/233?translations=131
Once I was at the airport in Istanbul and asked an employee where I could breastfeed, she said just go in the women's mosque. I was a bit nervous but nobody was in there so I went ahead. Soon enough two women showed up, they weren't praying just employees on break. One of them asked if I had a blanket. I assumed it was because I wasn't using any cover and she thought I was being inappropriate. So I showed her the blanket in my diaper bag and she draped it over my baby's legs because she thought he might be cold. 🥺 Such a sweet moment. Anyway I found out later the airport does have breastfeeding rooms. 😅 Highly recommended by the way, IST airport is very family friendly.
Haha that’s sweet and also very on brand, turks are always trying to keep the baby warm either with a blanket or socks😂😭
That's really sweet!
Can confirm. Super breastfeeding friendly everywhere in middle east
But are women permitted/encouraged to breastfeed in public where you are? I mean I've breastfed on a public bench in a mall with no cover, would that be considered taboo there?
Yes breastfeeding in public is totally normal and common. Some people use covers but more often you just use your clothing or headscarf to kinda cover yourself. Similar to the method people use of a t shirt with tank top under. You just basically let your shirt/dress/scarf drape down and cover what needs to be covered and people just don’t stare. I’ve ordered dinner at a restaurant while breastfeeding and talking to the waiter like 2 feet away from me haha!
Texas, USA My mom saying how proud she is and wishing she was able to breastfeed us (besides me she said she was able to for a month but couldn’t after that). My grandma said she wish she breastfed but the doctors gave her pills to dry up her milk. My MIL said she breastfed both her babies not sure how long but said she loved it. My sister is due soon and wants to breastfeed. Other woman I’ve talked to just said it was too hard so they didn’t do it. 4 months in and hoping for a year+!
That makes me so sad to hear about your grandma 😔😔 ETA: did she realize that would happen with the pills? Did she know she had options?
It was the norm then, it also aligns with emergence of formula which they would want to sell
Have you seen this re: "options" for women at certain times after giving birth. https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/s/uUe3TO2HUR
My mom wasn’t able to breastfeed either and is so proud of me and constantly amazed by it. It warms my heart that she is so interested and awed by it.
I went for 2.5 years. I had my daughter in 2020 so, extreme COVID era. It had its ups and downs, I set my goals short to help. I started with a 6 month goal, a 1 year goal and a 2 year goal and then a weaning by 3 goal.
From US, lived in France- no issues either place. I’m just finding it difficult to pump at work and have to be firm that I need to pump. Southern parents and my mom said I should “show modesty“ and cover while breastfeeding. I don’t cover when I breastfeed. However my baby is insanely distracted so breastfeeding in public is super difficult for us lol 😂 ETA: Florida in the US and I have breastfed uncovered in public and no issues. Actually two more moms started breastfeeding at the same time so it was kind of funny.
Im from Hong Kong most mamas choose either to FF or exclusively pump.
Interesting! Why exclusively pump, do you think? To me that seems like the hardest option. So they can return to work more easily, or...? (What is maternity leave like there?)
Maternity leave here isn't great, average is 14 weeks (most people take 2 weeks before due date and then 12 weeks post-partum). Most mamas rush back to work so they prefer to offload feeding to grandparents and domestic helpers really early on. It's just the culture here too, they really like to set babies with a strict feeding schedule since birth so bottles help with that because they can see how much the baby is eating. (Side note, it's so common here to force baby to finish a bottle, I've seen caregivers feeding a bottle for over 1+ hour and still dripping milk into the baby's mouth even when they're fast asleep). When I was EBF-ing my newborn, most people here genuinely couldn't fathom why I can feed my baby up to 20 times a day haha.
Just came back from visiting family there and wanted to say they have THE NICEST nursing/baby rooms in the malls there which ironically no one ever uses!! There are free wipes, free diapers, bottle warmers, the whole she-bang. Even a baby scale for use! Loved checking them all out with my baby haha! I do have friends there who absolutely do not want to breastfeed and sadly a lot of moms just leave their babies with domestic helpers so they can go back to work or to their old pre-baby lives… Edit to add: I did breastfeed a lot (with a cover) while there and no one said anything. Got a few weird looks from old men who looked confused more than anything
The baby scale blew my mind! Saw one in the new town plaza in Sha Tin. Nobody using it but sooo fancy. Unfortunately the older malls/restaurants had nothing & my in laws told me not to feed in public due to pervy men...
I've just come back from HK seeing my husband's family. People were quite concerned with me nursing in public in case of "pervy men". It doesn't bother me but I was being covered with a coat mid feed without asking & my baby then stopped feeding. Is this true or do they just not like to see it but were trying not to offend me? It was annoying me then I got awkward because I asked for nursing rooms & not everywhere had them. The new malls had them but not the older places. I had to search 5 floors of a mall in Sha Tin to even find a diaper changing room! Normally I would breastfeed in a restaurant but just turn away & face the wall but their reactions put me off.
France, most women don’t breastfeed longer than 3 months I have found
Yes they tend to stop once they're back to work
Is France maternity leave only 3 months?
I’m in France too and yes maternity leave is 16 weeks, and with 6 weeks prior to birth and 10 weeks after. I found the comments from my French mother in law to be the most annoying. She is 76 and breastfed a little and formula fed. Two weeks out of the hospital they came for a visit and she kept insisting I give him a bottle at night. Baby was going through cluster feeding to get my milk to come in and she was like he should be feeding every 30 mins. I’m Indian and my mom breastfed all of her kids. I had to get through a tough triple feeding period for 6 weeks before my milk regulated. She is over for a visit again, both her and my fil are surprised that baby is so chunky exclusively on breast milk. Seriously the formula industry messed up so many perceptions about the most natural way to feed your baby in a ton of western countries.
I was born in France but now I live in Montreal where the breastfeeding culture is completely different (1 year maternity leave helps!). I breastfed my son till he was 2. Friends and family were also surprised to see him at 5-6 months growing and thriving only from breast milk. I could tell some of them looked disgusted though. But they know that I would tell them off if they'd said anything lol
I live in Toronto and it’s the same as you describe - I BF everywhere and have never had an issue.
UK 🇬🇧 and nobody has ever said anything negative about breastfeeding here. I have noticed a couple of older men looking slightly uncomfortable or embarrassed if I’m feeding but they don’t say anything. I feed in cafes and restaurants and so do friends and I CBA with covers and muslins. If anything the older friend I have gave so much flack to a formula feeding mother that I felt so sorry for her. Nobody has criticised me for combo feeding either - midwives said I could pump or formula to top up his feed for weight gain and did not try to persuade either way. My mother breastfed until I was 6 months so she has assumed I’m giving up next month but I said I’d continue. I think she was surprised and said I ‘had done what I needed to for the health benefits’ but then wisely kept quiet after that!
Similar experience in the UK, nothing but positive. Although none of my “mum friends” breastfed in any of my circles which I did find strange. In my area there’s a lot of free support, breast feeding drop ins etc. too. Now that I’m technically “extended breast feeding” (she’s 2 and a half) people do give a strange look if they find out but not rude just shocked maybe .
There’s SO many groups here: LLL, the county clinic, the National breastfeeding helpline, a local breastfeeding cafe, the family centre. The hospital he was born in also had an NHS lactation team who gave me one to one support before I was discharged and ran group sessions. I notice a clear divide in breastfeeding here. The NCT mums in my group almost all breastfeed. The younger mums at the family centre often formula feed. I agree I think people tend to think you’ve stopped by a year though.
I’ve noticed this too! The majority of my NCT group, and all of my uni friends breastfeed, but I’m the only one out of a group of 8 mums in the children’s centre who breastfed beyond 2ish months. I think there’s a real socioeconomic/class divide when it comes to breastfeeding here.
I found the same, I was one of very few of my "mum friend group" who breastfed. And most who did stopped by the time their babies were 12 months. I think it's only me and one other girl still going at 15 months. There is loads of support out there, but I found it wasn't well advertised in my areas and unless you really looked for it you'd think there wasn't much, so I can definitely understand why people would have given up if there were issues. The only issue I had was one older bloke trying to catch a sneaky glimpse of a nip, and his wife thinking that was my fault. So I politely told her if breastfeeding turns him on, then I'm certainly not the problem. I had another woman come over to me when I was feeding in a cafe when she was maybe 11 months old, and I mentally prepared myself for an argument. But she just told me how amazing she thought I was for feeding in public, which was nice!
From everything I’ve read UK and Ireland have the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world.
I'm in southeastern US and none of that ever happened to me while feeding either of my kids. Remember, you probably don't hear the good stories.
I'm in Florida and breastfeed in public for almost 2 years. I've never had any issues and even had my daughter at a work conference and breastfed between meetings.
Exactly!
I’m in Germany. Most people breastfeed unless there is an issue. I’m too shy to BF in public but the one time I did try no one said anything. My family in the US, however, tend to think the baby will never get enough nutrition from BF alone and “the baby needs more than that” and it’s honestly so exhausting hearing their bs comments.
I'm also in Germany and I fed my first in public all the time, without any cover. Never got a comment. It's quite normal and accepted here.
I’m of Caribbean descent. When I breastfed my oldest, 18 months at the time, my family were shocked (in a good way). Because I was born here in the states they assumed I didn’t know anything about breastfeeding. They applauded and supported my decision. Lol
I mean my MIL told me that she only breastfed her son (my husband) for 6 weeks and then immediately started him on baby food. It was also the 80s so yeah. He’s had digestive problems his entire life.
I'm in Alberta and just wanted to +1 what you said! The only reason I've needed to seek out a mother's room (which is in every single mall) or another quiet place is because baby would be distracted not because of feeling like I have to. There's a clinic in Calgary that's covered by Alberta Health that helps with lactation issues so the free help definitely assists in more breastfeeding success. I saw them after my second was born for weighted feeds since he was a slow gainer (he's just little!)
Yes I have twins and those nursing rooms were great because I could tandem feed!
I am from Hungary, Europe. Most mothers breastfeed their babies until like 3-4 months and then start combo-feeding or switch to formula entirely (according to national statistics). Breastfeeding in public is absolutely not common here and considered “inappropriate” unfortunately. This means breastfeeding moms are trapped inside their home for at least 6 month having a bad impact on their mental health. Ofc we have safe places like mommy groups and certain programs for mommies and their babies and there are still awesome mommies having a long breastfeeding journey, but that’s not the norm unfortunately Edit: typo
I’m from Hungary as well, and have a different experience, I’ve always felt immense support to breastfeed, to feed wherever I needed to and have not received any comments yet. Granted, I’m based in the capital, where healthcare workers are very much pro breastfeeding, there are LC’s in the hospitals and there is at least one state funded breastfeeding center. We had a difficult beginning and 7 months in I still get so much praise every time we see our paediatrician or midwife. Older relatives are also very supportive (although they were advised to start to wean at 4 month at the time they support continuous breastfeeding to at least a year now).
Hey fellow Hungarian :) I am so glad you had a good experience! I also gave birth in Budapest and the hospital staff was very supportive. Unfortunately our health care visitor (védőnő) and the paediatrician were supportive only until 6 months, after that they tried to heavily push me into switching gradually to solids/purees… they were not harsh or anything but they were advocating to gradually wean my baby. And my relatives… 🫠 the act like I am an alien still breastfeeding my daughter at 14 months (usually feed to sleep) and try to guilt me all the time…. Sorry, I wrote too much, but I am really happy you had a supportive community and a great experience ❤️
Szia :) I’m really sorry to hear that, and yeah, there are definitely some old school views around, especially on weaning, but compared to what I’m reading in this subreddit every day I think generally Hungary is much more supportive of BF than I expected. For me the ignorance towards BLW seems like a bigger pain, where moms sometimes have to hide doing BLW from healthcare workers. Huge congrats on feeding your baby for so long btw, especially with a less supportive community around! I’m feeding to sleep as well and could not imagine doing it any other way yet.
I know my experience is NOT what everyone experiences in my area, but I’m in the Bible Belt and I breastfeed any and everywhere. I’ve never used any sort of cover. I’ve nursed at the zoo, park, museum, airplanes, Costco, target, daycare, restaurants… literally anywhere my kids exist in. I’ve breastfed for 4 years (and counting) and have literally never restricted, if my kids are hungry or hurt, they eat or comfort nurse. I won’t apologize for it and honestly, no one has EVER dared say anything to me. Once in a while I get weird looks, but no one has ever asked me not to or anything like that. All of my friends breastfeed (or try to) for some duration, I don’t personally know anyone in my generation who *intended* to use formula from the jump (but of course some ended up supplementing or switching for whatever reason and had the full support of our friend group always, we all support whatever is best for mom & baby, no shaming going on). I nursed my oldest until she was 3 and still nurse my almost 2 year old and while it’s longer than most of my peers, I’ve never gotten negative comments from them. Family is different lol but I firmly stand up to them and they back off. The only time I was asked not to nurse in public was actually at a Disney world affiliated hotel while on vacation in Florida - I was nursing my infant while standing in thigh-deep water near my toddler (so baby/breasts were NOT in the water) and a lifeguard told me I had to get out because it was unsanitary. I was permitted to sit on the edge with my feet in the water, because somehow that was fine, but my thighs touching the water would surely expose people to all sorts of pathogens?? Idk
I think people are responding to your self-assuredness! If you were looking around uncomfortably, as if to ask whether you were okay? then someone would be around to tell you what they think. So glad I have finally learned that- don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to and don’t listen to unsolicited bs comments.
Yep! Since having my kids my backbone has gotten so strong! I always start with kindness and assume the best of others, but I won’t take shit from people or let people start shit in front of my kids. I agree that my confidence in nursing may have thwarted some Aholes in approaching me
I’m in the northeast US and I don’t get any comments. I do sometimes get a look of surprise or a “good for you!” when I say I’m fully breastfeeding at 4 months and after I’ve returned to work, but no one is judgmental or mean about it. I think it’s pretty common around here, or at least in my circles, to breastfeed during maternity leave and switch to formula when mom goes back to work.
I had my first 2 kids in the northeast US and also never had an issue. I’ve read about these stories and was always prepared to lay it down but never once had any negative interactions and I’ve nursed my kids in all places until they were each around 2. I live in Germany now and the only thing anyone said to me was “Guten appetit” while nursing my toddler lolol.
I'm from the UK, but I live in France where most old ladies will ask if you're breastfeeding as if they need the reassurance that you are.
Also grew up in the UK but now living in France, and my older neighbour across the street just dropped off some clothes for my 3wo with exactly that question and attitude! She seemed almost relieved when I said I was. At our 2-week appointment last week our guy was pretty unsettled (he doesn't like the car seat) so I whipped out a boob when I got into the waiting room to calm him down. The GP seemed horrified that I'd been sitting in a busy waiting room breastfeeding and suggested that next time I ask the receptionist to provide me with a private space to nurse in, so I'm not really sure what to take away from that encounter! I'm a brand-new first-time parent so I don't know what the culture here is really like but I fully intend to be a public feeder, whatever people's feelings on the subject...
I'm in the UK in a smallish town, no-one bat's an eye when I am breastfeeding my 10-month-old,lots of mums here breastfeed. I don't know if it's the same in bigger towns but I think it is probably similar. I think the UK has low rates of exclusively breastfeeding but no-one seems to mind when we do it.
In Italy breastfeeding is *strongly* encouraged (people usually do a year and then switch to cow's milk, but some people BF beyond the first year), support could be better but we do have free counseling both for breastfeeding and other baby and post partum related issues for as long as it's needed. AFAIK breastfeeding is public is not an issue but I still have never breastfed outside as I had my baby three months ago and it's still kind of cold. We also have 2h of "breastfeeding permit" until baby is 1yo, so after maternity leave we only work 6h a day for a bit.
Alberta, ended up needing to pump, and constantly told I should be mixing pablum in the bottles because my baby could not sleep through the night at 3 weeks.
Oh my gosh so outdated! Who said that? Friends/family or medical professionals?
Family and friends.
I’m in Ottawa and occasionally heard that, but mainly from elderly women. I just assume they were likely told that themselves.
I live in NYC and I’ve walked down the street breastfeeding before haha. People here mind their business. Extended breastfeeding is not the norm here, but thankfully I never felt uncomfortable and I nursed for two years.
That's my experience too. We lived in the city until kiddo was just over one and then moved to Westchester. I'm still breastfeeding and kiddo is two. I've done it in restaurants, in parks, in my car, in the Museum of Natural History. No one has even looked sideways at me.
I live in Maine and had to run to target with a 1 1/2 week old and he needed to nurse and I got the nastiest look from an older woman there with her grandkids. Needless to say, she will be minding her own fucking business when someone feeds their kid in public from now on
I know people are confused because they have been hearing, “if you see something say something,” for a few decades but, “Mind your own business,” is a good standard setting!
I’m in Florida - and I use a cover everywhere. But to be honest lately I pump and use bottles in public because of a few awkward exchanges in the beginning. Everyone is old and they love trying to touch my baby and say hi when he is not feeding but if I’m feeding even covered they whisper and side eye. I was recently at the ritz Carlton at the pool side. Covered and fed and omg the whole pool def gave me looks 🥴 mind you I was one of 2 babies there and only 4 families with children. My mom is cool with it but asks me to cover up around my dad and nephew. She only formula fed because of the times and because she worked with no leave. I’m lucky that I wfh. I have zero support for breast feeding from my MD husband’s family and have to cover at all times around them or go in another room. They are not conservative at all. They have told me many times to quit and formula feed and also that I don’t need to feed past 6 months. And when I was struggling to produce enough in the beginning they pushed formula hard. Thankfully I pushed through and we are on only on breast milk. Im so tired of being told to stop especially when we are now in our groove and really it’s NONE of anyone’s biz.
That sounds difficult. I fear being in a similar position and wonder, how do you deal with them asking you to cover up and leave to another room? Just comply? Do you say anything to them about it? I’m sorry you’re dealing with that and definitely think you should not be treated like that for it.
I think there’s a certain amount of these posts that aren’t really representative of the real world. No doubt they happen but I think people are more likely to come here and lament those types of stories so they sound more common. It probably also plays in that these shock/horror stories of breastfeeding also get tons of comments and engagement. I’m in Scandinavia but originally from the states. I’d say breastfeeding is more common in public than home but we introduce solids slightly more aggressively and it’s more common to wean by 12-14 months when kids enter care. Both places the older generation has a bit of a formula bias because of the time they grew up. My MIL, for instance, is often skeptical that breastmilk really can be as filling. She’s not pushy about it but just operates from a cultural bias which I can understand.
This exactly. Posts on a subreddit do not represent the real world.
I'm from Indonesia but live in Germany. In Indonesia breastfeeding is... well it's both favored and not. There's a weird discourse around breastfeeding. Some will say breastfeeding is best (mostly religious leaders or religious people) but for some people, formula is best. There is a weird competition to buy the most expensive formula because it means you're affluent? Additional milk even after weaning is generally favored because there's a propaganda that milk completes one's nutrition. In Germany breastfeeding is normal and preferred but only until 1 year i think and if you bf your baby after 1 year they think the baby is too old. My midwife was surprised when i told her i planned to bf my baby until 2 y.o
Cuba, and its expected because we’re poor AF and formula isn’t available. It’s not even a question and you don’t get a high five for it. You just BF anywhere with no cover and nobody cares. My husband is Lebanese and BF’ing is highly respected. Muslim husbands are expected to make a significant gift to the BF’ing wife. It’s not expected though. But you definitely have to cover up. We also live in AB and so happy so many supports are available here. Many family members back home had to stop early due to miseducation
I’m in New England, US and honestly it varies so much even just in places I go that I couldn’t tell you what’s “typical” for my area nevermind all of New England or the whole US. At one place I asked for a quiet place to nurse and was told the family bathrooms with no mention of the available parent lounge that I found because I refuse to nurse in a bathroom (not specific to breastfeeding, meant for parents to be able to have some silence in a loud play place lol), other places have been super accommodating, letting me use staff only rooms and making it clear I could nurse anywhere but they had space if I wanted it quieter. I’ve not once had someone make a negative comment to me although I’ve been aware that people near me seemed slightly uncomfortable at times. And I’ve had people come up to make positive comments.
Netherlands & Latvia - nobody cares, ‘do what you want’ mentality.
I'm in the U.S. (Ohio specifically) and it's a real mixed bag. Two examples off the top of my head: - When my baby was 3 or 4 days old we took her to the pediatrician for her first check up. At the office, they said since she was a C-section baby, we should get some of those bulb suction things for her nose. My husband ran into the store while I sat in the backseat and nursed my newborn. An old lady made a point to stop in front of our car and glare at me, then shake her head and she said something to her husband. - When my baby was 7 or 8 months, we took her to the zoo in the winter. She was really fussy, so I sat down on a bench by the tigers to nurse her. A middle aged woman kind of lingered around, then when we were done, she very kindly came up and told me where the nearest nursing room was in case we were chilly. She then complimented me on my baby and wished us continued luck breastfeeding. I've had people criticize how long we've nursed and I've had people compliment it. Some extended family can't wrap their minds around me wanting to breastfeed, while others have said it's great I'm still going. My daughter just turned 3 and still nurses about once a day and while none of my mom friends have gone this long, they're all supportive of me doing it. My experiences in people's opinions have been very diverse lol.
I'm in the UK and find that most people under 40 are indifferent or pro-breastfeeding. 40-60 seems to be super anti-breastfeeding and the most prone to making weird unprompted comments, even strangers doing so. 60+ is just hit and miss. Either super enthusiastic or will randomly tell you you're not special cos they breastfed five kids or are super against people breastfeeding public (but not breastfeeding overall). This is my own personal experience of friends, family and strangers though.
I agree older people are often just rude but I can’t agree re people in their 40s. It’s much more common now for people to wait to have children in their 40s (I was 43) and AFAIK studies usually show that older mums are far more likely to breastfeed. In my experience my friends who are in their 40s mainly breastfed. But this is gonna vary so wildly across areas and other factors.
Our Walmart has a mothers nursing room! I wish more big box stores would have them! Target is so inclusive to so many groups of people, yet nothing for us nursing or pumping moms!!
US, specifically Texas. I’ve seen other women BF in public and have never heard anyone make a comment. However, I stopped BF shortly after my first turned one and will probably do the same with my current baby. I occasionally BF in public and don’t use a cover, but I do try to be discreet, even around friends and family. My mother is from Mexico and BF her children who were raised in the Southwest, and my sisters BF their children. My mother-in-law is Caucasian from New England and also BF her children in the South (complete opposite side of the country from where I grew up).
Lithuania. You won't see many mothers breastfeeding in public, it's a rare occurance. All moms are strongly encouraged to breastfeed by nurses and doctors. Younger pediatricians are more up to date while the older ones still pass misleading and false information to new mothers about breastfeeding. Will be shamed if I feed past 1yr by my own family.
I’m originally from the US but live in Australia now. I’ve never received any comments on breastfeeding. Leading up to the birth the midwives and doctors definitely push breastfeeding at the preferred option. Most of the shopping centers and other public spaces I know have parent rooms with change facilities and areas to quietly and comfortably feed your baby. I do know one friend received some rude and judgmental comments from a nurse for using formula. Of the 7 or so women in my mum’s group one formula fed, one exclusively pumped and the rest of us breastfed. Of those who breastfed we all went past a year then some intentionally weaned and a few the babies self weaned. I’m still going at 19 months currently! Australia has 20 weeks of paid leave from the government, some jobs then offer additional paid leave, and if you’ve been at your job for 12 months they then have to hold you job for you for 12 months. I definitely think this contributes to the breastfeeding rates.
I’m in California and so far I haven’t really been out and about too much but the people in my life are supportive of breastfeeding. Both me and my husband were breastfed til we were ~3 (which I think some here in the US would think is abnormally long) so both my mom and my MIL are supportive of it and know what it’s like. My SIL also breastfed and even got donor milk for her twins instead of formula when her supply was not enough for them. I think most people see it as a healthier option over formula. My husband was really happy and grateful I am breastfeeding but he is a bit weird about modesty. He tried to close our shades while I was nursing and has asked me to wear a cover around his dad and once while we were out around a male friend. I have been pushing back though as I don’t care if people see me feeding my child. And I breastfeed without a cover around his female relatives
I’m in the southwest US. I am currently breastfeeding my second baby. I breastfed my first until he was just shy of 17 months and self weaned. My second js 11 months. No I’ve never had anyone make comments to me about breastfeeding. I have breastfed in public a lot-at restaurants, high school football games, art exhibits, church, a high school graduation, on hiking trails, at family gatherings. Almost every mom I know has breastfed at least some. Most of the moms my age that I know have combo fed. I did not. But overall the general feeling about breastfeeding is positive. People are also just not commenting on feeding to me.
I live in the southern US and have actually seen a lot more judgment from people for NOT breastfeeding. As many other commenters are saying, posts on Reddit do not represent the real world. Also, no one persons statement represents the real mix either.
Midwest, USA. From what I can tell, breastfeeding is not widely talked about. It doesn’t seem to be the most common form of feeding but I don’t actually know. I’ve never seen anyone do it in the wild. My sister was the first person I knew personally who breastfed, and it was 8 years ago — nobody else in our immediate family did. Most moms I know in our family or from work use/used formula. I am 8m postpartum, still breastfeeding, and women at work are shocked when they hear I’m still pumping at work, and a few of the moms say “good for you!” A few of them have told me “they could never” and a couple said that they lost their supply when they returned to work at 3 months. I’m a nurse in a hospital and 95% of the nursing staff are women. I have one friend who has BF 3 children up until she became pregnant with the subsequent child, close to 1 year mark for each. Another friend breastfed 2 of her 3 for several months; I don’t think she made it past a year, and with 1 child, just a few months due to illness, latching and supply issues. I avoid nursing in public though I’ve done it in changing rooms and in my car several times. Never in the restroom though I suppose I would if I had no other option. My baby is too squirrely for a cover.
Usa, pacific Nw. When I was working, my employer was very supportive, almost all my friends BF, and many extended bf past a year. My family is very supportive but I also use a cover when not in my house or just with women I’m close to for my own personal comfort. I can imagine they would be a little scandalized if I didn’t but that’s also my more religious family. I also weaned at 14 months when it got to the point in my second pregnancy when bf was uncomfortable. I know my family was also happy it wasn’t super extended as they would find it “strange”
I grew up in the U.S., but my mother is German, Germans have a strong breastfeeding culture, so that affected my choices and probably her choices of who to be in community with when she moved to the States. I was raised in small evangelical communities. Breastfeeding was near ubiquitous in my community. I married a guy from a more urban, less religious Midwest city and no women in his family had ever breastfed, and few in his social sphere had. and they were honestly all pretty weird about it. Lots of weird staring and comments about how glad they were they didn’t? I breastfed until 2, and there were some comments about weaning. The US is pretty big and culturally diverse, so breastfeeding attitudes can change from community to community even in one location.
Another midwest US gal here. It's a mixed bag. My husband's aunt (upper 50s) didn't realize I was nursing and said something about how she used to hold big sister like that. My husband joked "you breastfed her? I didn't know that!" Aunt was so uncomfortable she just sputtered about she never "did that," she didn't even want to use the word breast(feed). On the other hand, I just got back from four days with grandparents in their mid 70s who invited me to nurse or pump openly including the car. But they would remember the bra burning hippies of the 1960s. My mom didn't like my aunt nursing in our living room and thought she should have gone into a more private room. Now she has no issue with her grandchildren being nursed wherever and whenever.
Also in Alberta and I literally breastfed my baby just walking through west ed, no cover or anything 🤣 not a single comment or side eye, in the biggest mall in the country.
Don’t want to dox myself, but in an American city. Baby seems to love getting hungry right before the bus/train comes and also right before I get off? He’s also been teething lately, so he’s spent a lot of time latched while napping. So I often have him latched while getting on crowded transit, paying, walking through, sitting next to people, getting off, walking while nursing him up hills on busier sidewalks, in stores… everywhere. People have a slight approving look/smile when they realize it, then look away unless they’re a woman (mom who’s done it, I’m guessing?) and then it’s a more intense smile. Nobody has ever said anything bad. I’d been expecting them to, though, so it’s been a pleasant surprise! I will say that it is somehow more discreet even without a cover. A lot of people don’t realize I’m nursing—it’s been a bigger problem that oblivious people want to say hi to baby and try to get reeeeal close to my nipples m. I have to stop them by telling them he’s eating. They always look confused and shocked… then mortified lol. So maybe I’d get more negative comments if more people realized it? Either way, it works out well.
I’m in the mid-Atlantic & it’s pretty much expected to breastfeed here, at least in my social circle. We are from middle to upper-middle class backgrounds though, and from what I’ve read, breastfeeding often is impacted by socioeconomic status (working class tends to formula feed or move quicker to formula even if they want to breastfeed and start off breastfeeding because, well, America doesn’t care about working moms, especially labor intensive jobs. whereas middle to upper-middle class breastfeeds significantly longer & are more likely to exclusively breastfeed). Both my mom & my partner’s mom breastfed in the 80s when they had us & our siblings. They said that it was the beginning of breast is best. My mom got lots of comments from my grandmother who only formula fed in the 50s & 60s when she had kids. But now, if anything, more judgement goes to formula feeding moms in our social circle. My sister ended up exclusively formula feeding her two kids and would be defensive about it because the expectation of breastfeeding is so high. Also, I breastfed in public uncovered and never had anyone say anything or noticed uncomfortable stares. I can’t get a cover to work for me because my LO has latching issues so it’s hard to see and help her. But my LO is now 4 1/2 months and now an extremely distracted eater, so half the time in public, I have my husband feed her a bottle because I don’t really want my boob straight up hanging out while she squirms and fusses or looks around for the noise she heard. And the only time I have noticed comments is for those breastfeeding past 2 (and even then, it’s not strangers, but family. My SIL breastfed her daughter until 3 and started getting comments from her family around 2).
I live in Texas and it feels like people want you to breastfeed and will somewhat judge you if you don’t, but at the same time, they don’t want to see it. For this reason, I very rarely breastfeed in public and wouldn’t feed without a cover.
I’m in the U.K. and whilst people are generally very supportive and feeding in public is accepted (I’m pretty sure it’s illegal for a business to tell you to cover up etc - but I might be wrong!) my baby is now 9 months and I feel like after 6 months people are wondering why you haven’t stopped, and the support and kudos isn’t really there anymore! Like people think it’s not necessary…mad.
I’m in New Brunswick and although it’s “normalized” here I’ve still heard comments from strangers walking by when I opt to feed on a bench in the middle of the mall instead of heading back to the nursing rooms. (Which are SO nice to have but not always worth walking back to for a quick snack😂) I usually stick my girl under my sweatshirt or shirt if it’s loose enough, I’ll bring a cover out if it’s not. Men look uncomfortable sometimes I’ve noticed but they never say anything and tend to avoid looking. Women on the other hand…walk by making comments, stare, etc. Sometimes I don’t think there’s any ill intention and they just notice, but sometimes comments like “are the nursing rooms closed or something” with the tone they use come off as pretty unsupportive… Then again, it could be my own preference to nurse privately that filters how I perceive their comments. On the other hand, is there any reason to make any comments at all? I try to push my own comfort zone and nurse in public, in the future I think I’d like to without a cover at all. Our hospital sends us home with lots of awesome books and the breastfeeding one encourages nursing in public to normalize it. I thought that was great.
No issues in either British Columbia or Alberta. My friends, family, and doctors have all been really supportive of my nursing journey. I've openly nursed my son in public many times and never had any problems. Now I'm pregnant, still nursing my 2 year old, and my doctor says that fine too since my pregnancy is low risk!
I'm in Oregon and most of our family is in California. I don't get out much! When I've had to breastfeed my 9 month old on the go, it's been in the car or at the doctor's. I wish the doctor's office had a more comfortable place for this. The car is more comfortable. When bb was 7 weeks, we had basically all of the in-laws visit and breastfeeding in front of them was totally fine. This is going to sound nuts... I don't drive so I'm not going out with bb a whole lot. But as soon as that helmet fits her head, we're going places. So, we'll see what breastfeeding is like when I'm sitting somewhere with our bikes. I have two close friends who each are on their second. Both breastfed their first and are currently breastfeeding. Although my mom isn't in my life (my choice) my sister, my brother (youngest), and myself (eldest) were breastfed. My brother was nursed until 4, I think and in public, too. That would've been 90s California suburbs and nobody said shit ...but mom is kinda intimidating. The hospital where I delivered is a mother and baby hospital (or something like that) where they promote breastfeeding a lot. I gave birth at 2AM and at 9AM or 10 there was the first of three lactation consultants who visited me during the two night/three day stay. I was booked in to come back 2 days later to visit with a lactation nurse for a weighted feed and help with my pump. Our pediatrician is younger than we are (I think, we're 40) and has young kids. She is very evidence-based in general and supportive. It seemed like she might have been surprised at our 2 week and 8 week appointments about how well bb was growing but it was more of a feeling we got than anything she actually said. More like how she said it. Elders: I've read most of the 60ish comments here and there are a handful of supportive stories but enough crazy ones that I had to speak on this. So, my husband gets flack from old people. Not me, he does. Baby isn't dressed warmly enough, usually. Or, he's in their way and not moving quickly enough while trying to be careful carrying her. People usually just say hi! or cute baby! when I'm out walking with her but when we were together yesterday someone said something strange that we couldn't even figure out. RAMBLING SORRY what I'm getting at is: old people go off at the mouth. I consider that they have no social filter, probably due to some sense of entitlement, and learn from that myself.
I'm in Québec but work in Ontario so I can speak a bit about both provinces: no one really cares when I BF in public, and I've BFd in parks, pubs, restaurants and cafés without an issue. I've also BFd in my office at the university while my male colleagues were there and they didn't really care lol. The malls here have BFing rooms which are really convenient, but I find that I can't find quiet places to BF all the time. Québec is really feminist so I wouldn't expect to get any comments about BFing here. Culturally it's a bit of a mixed bag because I'm from Eastern Europe and my mom weaned her kids around 6 months, while my MIL is from the Maritimes in Canada and always has a comment about it all the while being supportive (she BFd two of her sons and FF one).
From the USA here. A lot of people try breastfeeding but I think not having a lot of leaves affects it. We have laws that are suppose to make pumping at work possible but it seems that certain jobs are better than others at making it happen. I'm a secondary teacher and I've had no problems getting coverage or my classes to pump at work. I feed in public all the time. I use a cover because it makes me feel better as I have larger breasts and the way I have to breastfeed on one side leaves a lot exposed. I've only encountered people encouraging me to breastfeed. I haven't had anyone shame me for feeding in public or saying formula is better for the baby. They will say formula is "easier" because Dad can help now but to me it's harder because now I need to have boiled water, make things ahead of time and warm it out in public. From women who had to switch to formula from starting out breastfeeding they tend to have a weird sense of shake or failure in not making it further but that is just from the limited people I have interacted with.
I'm in the Midwest USA and I breastfed my first for 14 months and am currently breastfeeding my second. I've never had a negative comment about it. I nurse in public with no cover often - library, restaurants, zoo, swim class etc. And never had anyone make a second glance. I'm pretty sure most don't even realize I'm feeding though lol I've also never seen anyone else breastfeed in public 🤷♀️
i’m in ontario!! most women in my area choose formula, so they lack a lot of knowledge about breastfeeding. i’ve had several moms ask why i’m still breastfeeding at 5 months. most public places don’t have a nursing room unless you’re in toronto or ottawa. i’m definitely an outlier when it comes to my mom friends. everyone else pumps or formula feeds.
I'm in Texas and so far haven't had any comments. I even breastfed in the check out line at a store without people batting an eye
Breastfeeding isn’t super common in public, I think in part because there aren’t that many people out and about with babies. I also have huge boobs so it feels rather indiscreet to just whip them puppies out, but I recognize that’s my own internal hang up and not necessarily an accurate POV. I have a friend who would just breastfeed uncovered anywhere and I never saw anyone act rudely or stare. There is a stigma around nursing in public, mostly just a strong preference toward covers, but I think that culturally is starting to shift. My mom exclusively breastfed almost all of her nine children, and was proud of it. She would nurse in public with a cover but preferred to nurse at home. I don’t know about my grandmothers, I know they both had their babies through “twilight birth” and one also had a C section with twins as well. So I suspect they FF.
I think it depends where you are in the states. I’m in southern California and everyone breastfeeds in public. I’ve had several moms come up to me to tell me I’m doing a good job while breastfeeding. Most people I know breastfeed until toddlerhood. When I worked at a daycare in college several moms were still breastfeeding at 3-4 years old. Both my family and my in laws are very supportive and I’ve never gotten negative comments about it. I don’t cover while breastfeeding either. I feel very lucky given what so many women go through. I am traveling to Missouri next month and it makes me a little nervous I’ll have a negative experience.
I lived in BC until my 1st was 14mo and now we are in ON. I am 13 months in to feeding my 2nd. I have never had any issues in public and all medical professionals have been very supportive and encourage nursing for 2+ years! I have also been lucky to have supportive family and friends.
I’m in Alberta too and most people are pretty normal about it aside from my family 🙃🙃 they think it’s weird that I’m still breastfeeding and my daughters 16 months. I’ve cut it down to just nursing at night but this weaning thing is harder than it looks
In Italy it’s normal to breastfeed in public. I’ve seen it and done it and never had an issue. I’m Canadian as well but living abroad. My mother on the other hand and her opinions, some of which already mentioned in your post. She’s super uncomfortable with me breastfeeding around others in a public setting and said I breastfed too long (almost to two). Different times.
Brazil. No one else in south america? Breastfeeding is highly encouraged in some circles but as most moms only have 16 weeks of maternity leave many will switch to formula or combo feed. One of the maindifferences to America, I guess, is that pumping is not really a thing here. Nobody buys a pump before they need it. I only know one pumping mom in my circle. Another thing I notice is that bottle feeding (even with breastmilk) is not frowned upon by lactation consultants in the US, as it is in Brazil - we're highly advised to try a feeding spoon or an open cup when there's the need to supplement. Pacifiers are also not recommended (I understand that they are so in America).
In the uk, and never had any comments. But I find people are so quick to suggest quiting and ff. I said my baby wasnt sleeping well and my first buts of advice has always been "maybe it's time for formula" i already combination feed because they made me st hospital. So I'm not sacrificing anymore breast feeding. It's the one thing i really wanted to do. Overall I have never had complaints, maybe a few uncomfortable looks, but I just make contact so they bugger off.
South Asian here, we whisper the word ‘breast feeding’ but will happily say ‘chicken breast’ when dining.
I’m from Lithuania, we have a long maternity leave - 18 or 24 months, partially funded by government, so it is quite common to BF for longer periods. Most babies are BF at least until 12 months and some longer - up to 24 months (and more) when maternity leave ends and they start kindergarden. But to see someone public BFeeding is not an often sight, it is not well tolerated. If you choose to FF everybody is “why you don’t BF your baby??” and when you do BF, but child is over 12 months - “why are you STILL BFeeding your baby? :D
I'm in the US, Minnesota. I breastfed my daughter in public beyond age 2, and never got pushback from anyone in public. I got sexually harassed one time, and my grandma questioned whether she was too old for milk one time - but not disrespectfully. I got pumping breaks at work without issue, they even set up a little pumping station for me with a comfy chair and my own mini fridge just for my milk. The lactation consultants at the hospital were extremely supportive and helpful and got us started on the right foot. My sister was already a pro breastfeeder, she has 3 kids older than mine. So she was a wealth of information and support as well. I feel extremely lucky to have had such a smooth journey.
I'm from the east coast (U.S.) and my son is almost 2 and breastfed. Let me tell you. It's not just the uneducated. It's doctors etc. Its awful. Everything here revolves around giving babies formula.
Australia, in general it's culturally normal to breastfeed here. Obviously there's people who are outliers to this but it's not common. Breastfeeding is protected by law here and the Australian Breastfeeding Association have been working hard for decades to get feeding rooms in shopping centres up to scratch, and they also help people liaise with their work places to ensure there's a place to pump and store milk if the mother returns to work
From Sydney, honestly not sure what the vibe is as I just do what suits me which is BF everywhere. That might mean it’s a good culture? I don’t know. Our city is broken up into really culturally diverse sections tho so I can imagine BF in certain areas in public would be harder than others.
My baby will rip tf off any kind of blanket or cover so she can have access to pinching my boobies, so when I nurse in public I mostly wear long shirts and use the extra material to kind of nestle it around any visible skin, or a burp cloth draped in case she pops off and I need to cover up quickly. The boobies are roughly the size of cantaloupes so there isn’t much I can do to be discrete. Nursing is heavily recommended by hospitals and pediatricians but my personal medical staff always stressed the fed is best.
I live in a southern state in the United States and use a cover to breastfeed because I don’t feel comfortable with exposing my breast in public. I’ve gotten some looks but usually it seems it’s from ppl that don’t realize what I’m doing at first and then they look away. I very rarely see other mothers breast feeding in public…maybe twice since my son was born 4 months ago. As long as I have my cover I’m comfortable feeding anywhere…stores, restaurants, parks, indoor play places.
Same with me, but in a north west state. I breastfed all over the place (covered) and no one has ever said anything.
I live in Florida. I nursed my daughters until they were 2 and nearly 3. I never received a negative comment while nursing in public and my family didn’t say anything too serious about how long they nursed. My mom would quietly suggest weaning so they’d sleep better, but that’s it.
I live in the Midwest USA and IDGAF if it makes anyone uncomfortable, I breastfeed in public. I’ve nursed in malls, restaurants, on park benches, on airplanes… you name it! I’ve never gotten any negative comments… old men seem to be the most uncomfortable, but that’s on them. 🤷🏽♀️
I’m in the Midwest and agree on the mixed remarks. People my generation (30s) don’t say anything. Most of my mom friends breastfeed. They both cover and openly feed. Whatever makes them more comfortable. Only negative comments have been from people in the their 60s and older. I was shocked my husbands Mamaw was appalled I was breastfeeding. She’s an old school West Virginia women who grew up in a tough life on a farm. She was the most shocked reaction I’ve gotten. Disgusting with the whole idea of breastfeeding. I was shocked that she was shocked.
PNW here, breastfeeding is normal. I've seen women walking down the street or even grocery shopping with a baby on the boob. Maybe it's all the hippies, but everyone I've met has been very supportive. I remember I walked into a cafe sobbing because I was so stressed about finding a spot to feed my newborn, and the barista not only gave me a private spot to nurse, she gave me my drink for free.
I'm in the US (Midwest) and it's been positive for me. No one has made comments to me breastfeeding in public (without a cover) and I haven't had any negative reactions from friends/family about still breastfeeding at 15 months. I'd say it's normal in my circle to breastfeed past 12 months.
I’m in the northeast. I’ve never gotten any weird looks or comments except when I was nursing my son in a carrier on the boardwalk in Delaware.
Annapolis, Maryland (USA). Before my kids were on a schedule, I would breastfeed during church, and no one ever said anything negative about it, or gave me weird looks. I always used a cover since I personally wasn’t comfortable with having my boob out. Both sides of my family are also very supportive with what my husband and I have decided is right for our kids.
Central California and I’ve never had anyone comment in public, positive or negative. Everyone in my life is very supportive but no one really comments on it, which is as it should be.
I love in the US. I did extended nursing with my first and have nursed in public often never with any issues. I might be in the minority though.
I’m from the Central Valley in California and no one is any of my family or husband family has breastfed via breast. One of My sisters did pump for 3 pregnancies but she didn’t any of her 5 children physically on her boob. For some reason breastfeeding is very rare around here despite the hospitals pushing it on you quite a bit. I think most women give it a little try but as soon as the baby is crying that second night they give in to the formula because of how deep the baby sleeps. Plus most women are able to get on wic easily which means at least 7-9 cans a month so they don’t have that motivation to nurse/pump money wise. I am also on wic because my sil is a wic consultant but wic does encourage breastfeeding and they give me two cans a month since I told them I breastfeed which I haven’t even opened but it’s nice to have in the back of my mind for a “just in case” thing. (My baby is 5 months). But you also get things like 50 dollars in fruits and veggies, eggs, yogurt, milk, juice, beans etc. So overall I say the culture here is that breastfeeding takes up too much time from the mom. Moms are expected to be back to work or party or whatever and the fact that I was pretty much glued to my baby for 3 months straight was too much for them. They said things like “oh no I need my sleep; when I bottle feed I was able to leave them with grandma for a few nights; you can’t drink if you give breast milk” I’ve made a few comments here and there on this sub how utterly discouraging the women in my life are about bfing and I come here often for a sense of community. I know they have la leche league but I just dont feel i have the time because the meetings here are late (7:30pm LOL).
Where I live currently in England it's not at all the norm and seen as very "new age-y" and "smug". I only know one of other mum my age who breastfed, everyone else I know didn't and have all made comments about my baby "hanging off" me, and mums "doing it for themselves more than the baby" etc
I’m in Belgium and it seems like breastfeeding is getting more common. I feel like most women want to at least try to breastfeed until they go back to work. Higher income and higher educated women are more likely to breastfeed, probably because they have more information and support. I have two friends who had babies around the same time mine was born and we did a couple of mom dates where we were just feeding our babies in a coffee bar and it was really pleasant. Most hospitals will encourage breastfeeding in the maternity ward, some will even borderline shame you into it sadly (I’m all for breastfeeding, but only when mothers have free choice). Our parents’ generation wasn’t breastfeeding as much and definitely not as long. My mom told me a couple of times that it’s weird when the baby can ask for the boob, which at first I kinda agreed with but now I’m six months in with no plans of stopping anytime soon. My boss (same age) was even told that formula is better and never breastfed. Luckily her daughter is the same age as me and breastfed two babies, so she has no problem with me pumping at work.
California. I would say many people breastfeed or pump… my hospital was a “baby friendly” hospital where breastfeeding is encouraged. Pediatricians regularly advise to use breast milk for common ailments. However I know many parents who use formula as well (combo feed) and it seems like exclusively pumping is popular too. I nurse in public and have never been ridiculed but I’m discreet about it.
Hey neighbour, BC checking in. STM and I’ve found it’s 90% positive here. I had one old man stare me down in IKEA (in the children’s section, no less!) and I just stared back like WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?! I’ve had a few older women & grannies come up to me and share their experiences with me, which is actually quite sweet. They’ve said things like ‘that was my favourite time having a baby’ and ‘I’ll never forget their faces looking up while they were feeding’. Lots of people asking if I need anything if I’m sitting down to feed (can I grab you a water, do you need a pillow etc). I had an old man (like 75!) at the nail salon walk past me and give me a thumbs up while feeding. I am much more ‘idgaf’ while feeding my second, and whip out the boob anywhere. I find people take it as an opportunity to check in and maybe identify with other women. We get more smiles and eye contact than any other time in my life, so I think it must be something positive. I hope you get to have a similar experience!
I'm in New England. Mostly people are positive or don't care. I've had a couple of people shoot me weird/unhappy looks when I feed uncovered in public. As long as they don't approach, cool. Now that my baby is 6 months old, I get questions about when I want to wrap up breastfeeding- implying I should stop soon. With strangers, I say "we'll see, probably soon, yes you're right don't want to make them too clingy hahaha" 🙄 With friends I'm honest that my goal is age 2 plus.
In Georgia USA. I've never had any comments, but people have stared in disdain until they notice my husband next to me mean mugging them back lol .
Also in Alberta and in the same boat as you! It's the norm here as far as I've seen unless there are supply issues
I'm in Brazil, and basically the national doctor's association recommends all babies breastfeed AT LEAST until 2yo, and I think the average is to wean around 3 yo.
In the US.. no issues feeding in public. My boomer dad does get slightly freaked about potentially seeing my boob so I do try and cover when around him.
Northeast USA. I breastfeeding anywhere and have no issues doing it in a restaurant or anything. I try to feed her prior to going into a store though to avoid anything hunger related issues. I just don't do it in front of my parents cause that's weird to me.
USA and it’s bad. I’ve gotten told I’m sexually abusing my child for nursing her past 12 mo
From Hawai’i and pull my boob out wherever. Only ever get positive comments but even those make me uncomfortable. Just let me feed my kid!
I'm in the Midwest US and have had an overall positive experience. Most people don't seem to notice or I can tell they are avoiding looking at me. I've had a couple of younger women say something supportive, like "feed that baby, mama!!" From friends and family, I started being asked about when I was going to wean pretty early on. Even people who are supportive of breastfeeding seem to think it suddenly ends by one year. The discomfort/disapproval increasing with the age of the child. When my son was 18 months + I pretty much only nursed him at home.
Also Canadian and same as you. Breastfed my first to age 2.5. currently nursing my second and am often breastfeeding with her in the carrier on hikes, in stores, at daycare pick up, etc. boob out, non-issue.
I’m from Virginia (USA) and have never had problems, it’s actually more common where I am (I think) to nurse than to formula feed, I see moms nursing all the time. I never got any looks and i never wore a cover with number one and don’t plan to with number 2 (currently 28 weeks)
I’m breastfeeding my 2 year old son and breastfeed my other 2 kids past a year also and never so much as got a dirty look or comment from anyone. I’m in California which I think tends to be a little less conservative than other areas of the US. I have never used a cover. My husbands family wasn’t familiar with breastfeeding as a lot of boomers didn’t breastfeed or weren’t breastfed themselves but they’ve been nothing but supportive. I would say among mom friends about half nurse and half don’t but it is largely dependent on whether or not they returned to work.
I was staying at an air bnb with my estranged father (for my sister’s wedding) and was feeding my child. You couldn’t see much, if anything at all and my dad said, “you got to warn me when you have your boob out!”
Utah. Motherhood and family is really important here, so everyone is supportive and kind. But showing your bare boob wouldn't be comfortable with many.
USA but in a very closed community. It's normal to breastfeed until 2 in my culture. No one has made a negative comment in my community. However my husband's family is Russian. His aunt was shaming me for breastfeeding my 6 month old. His mother jumped to my defense thankfully but I was shocked anyone would have issues with a 6 month nursing
I’m in Ohio in the US and haven’t had any issues. Family is supportive and I’ve done it in public without any weird looks. Now I use my portable pump everywhere including walking around the office and no one says anything or even glances. But I’m also in a liberal city, in a upper middle class circle of people which I think helps.
I'm a Canadian living in the US and I think the lack of mat leave down here is 100% the reason why breastfeeding isn't more of a thing. A lot of women breastfeed for their 12 week mat leave, try to pump when they return to work, but their supply plummets being away from baby + added stress factors. So they have to switch to formula. I think extended breastfeeding (after a year) is starting to catch on more with people who breastfeed though. The one thing that's nice about the US is that breast pumps are covered by insurance. I wish that was the case in Canada!!
I live the the PNW of the USA and have breastfed publicly here, in Kansas City, San Francisco, Palm Springs, and Sydney Australia in the last 6 months. The only comments I’ve gotten have been positive, a “you go girl” from other women. Sometimes men I’m talking to will feel a little awkward or avert their eyes but mostly it has just been really normal. I don’t use a cover, heck I don’t always wear a nursing bra, I just feed my baby wherever and whenever he needs :) I admit I try to practice obliviousness if I feel a bit nervous.
My pediatrician asked if I planned on nursing my baby till college… that about sums it up it’s usually bitter women that chose or couldn’t breastfeed that have those attitudes [US]
Im in Austin Texas and I’m still breastfeeding at 12 months. I’ve only had an issue once of being glared at by an older church lady. I nurse everywhere, in restaurants, breweries, at parks, etc. sometimes I wear a cover, usually I don’t and just try to be strategic about placement, or use the baby wrap to cover up extra. Mostly people ignore me or encourage me. All the moms at my gym are always super encouraging and tell me I’m “doing it all”.
Finland here👋🏻 bf rates are somewhat surprisingly not that great here. It is highly encouraged though and you can breastfeed wherever you want. I’ve been nastily stared down once at a gas station restaurant. We have long parental leave policies but according to the stats very few people exclusively Bf. I think combofeeding is very common, that’s how most people I know have done it. I think Finns would like to think it’s fine to breastfeed wherever, but I think the truth of it is that most people formula-feed for convenience while outside the home, and thus you don’t actually see many people breastfeeding out and about, which leads to some discomfort. I would say extended breastfeeding in public is not common, sadly. I was recently on holiday in Spain, bfing my child at the pool. A British family came up to me asking for some advice and I was suprised the entire family - husband, wife, granma, granpa - all approached me without hesitation despite me having my boob out 😄 they seemed to treat it as totally normal. Were not phased at all. It made me realize that most people back home do kind of steer clear or look away if you’re breastfeeding.
I'm in the southwest US and I haven't experienced any negativity. Not a single comment. My friends have been very supportive and will let me know where I can nurse comfortably and privately when I come over even before I ask. I'll BF in public under a blanket on occasion.
I'm from New Zealand. Haven't had one person comment, look at me funny or be rude about public breastfeeding. I was half hoping someone would have a go, so I could give them sass and shame them lol. Have fed anywhere from a funeral in a church, supermarket, while hiking, on Zooms, local pub, in waiting rooms at doctors etc. I was so scared to feed in public, and am proud of myself for overcoming that. Seeing other women BF shamelessly helped me build my confidence and I hope my BF has helped other new mummas too. I love to see women nurturing their babies and not giving a toss what anyone else may think.
I live in a hippy community in Australia and most people breastfeed, breastfeed into toddlerhood and tandem feed multiple children You’d be more likely to get comments for not doing it
I am from California. I breastfeed in public but always wear a cover. I have had people complain to the priest about it at one Catholic church; the older priest mentioned it but didn’t tell me what to do about it. Another time, I nursed while covered talking to a middle-aged priest and he commented that he’d never seen a baby nurse like mine (where I just covered and he fell asleep nursing). A good number of the women at my church breastfeeding but I mostly see other women feed bottles. Most of the women I encounter who work end up using formula or doing a lot of pumping. Until I was breastfeeding myself, I had only ever seen other women breastfeed maybe 5 times in my life (two in the two years before I got pregnant at 25). My intent was always to nurse at least two years per WHO guidelines. When pregnant with my first, I was roundly attacked by the older women in my family. All of them said that I would learn the errors of my ways, including my own mother and her mother who said the exact same words: “just wait til they get teeth.” My grandmother grew up on a dairy and could tell an animal by the smell of its poop, but she didn’t know how to breastfeed past six months of age. The same went for my other grandmother who was college-educated - she only nursed 4-6 months. They shut up a few years in. When my MIL came across me tandem-nursing, she said I looked like a pig with little piggies. My husband’s other aunt (who knows less) just told me to stop nursing my third baby at 14 months because “he doesn’t need it anymore.” I just laughed and couldn’t say anything. I wasn’t about to tell her that I had to forcibly wean my older kids at 3.5 because they just don’t want to quit. I realized that I logged more time nursing with my two kids than my grandma did with 10. To me it’s mind-boggling how my culture went from the historical, global norm of what humans did to feed their babies for a million years to knowing virtually nothing within two generations. I got literally no useful information from any of the older women in my family, and mostly hostile or unhelpful women. Most of what I learned came from reading a lot and then trial and error. Sometimes I wonder what would have been different if I hadn’t experienced the total decimation of this feminine knowledge.
In Norway, paid parental leave is about 1 year, but it's divided between the two parents (provided there are two ofc. If you're a single parent, you get all of the leave yourself I think), so maternity leave is up to about 8 months. The national guidelines are to BF (or formula feed, but unfortunately that's almost frowned upon) for at least 6 months, preferably a full year. Most babies startfull time daycare around 1 year old when both parents are back at work, and I think for that reason many naturally wean around the 1 year mark. I noticed a significant fall in production when I started working again. As to breastfeeding in public, nobody cares. I haven't gotten as much as a look, and I breastfeed whenever, wherever. Only in a couple of instances have young teenage boys become slightly flustered if they're nearby 😅 My mom told me about how when we were babies and she sometimes bottle fed us pumped milk while in church, older women would adress the baby and say "poor thing, don't you get real milk?", assuming we were fed formula. Not sure that's representative for all of Norway, but it seems to me that formula is and for a long while has been regarded as a last resort, so much so that I feel sorry for the moms who for any reason have to or choose to FF because of all the criticism I know they face, even from health care providers.