As you may already know, this week (August 1st-7th) is World Breastfeeding Week, a week to celebrate breastfeeding, change peoples negative views on breastfeeding and to help people learn more about the most natural thing in the world. If you read my blog regularly then you will know I am passionate about breastfeeding and I share a very honest account of what breastfeeding is really like in my breastfeeding diary.
The UK has one of the worst breastfeeding rates in the world, considering we are a country that knows how beneficial and amazing breastfeeding is, for some reason, research from 2015 shows that only 0.5% of mums are still feeding their babies by the time they reach 12 months old.
Why so low? Well, there are so many different reasons why mothers may decide not to breastfeed their child or continue to breastfeed after the newborn days but one of these reasons is confidence. The research conducted by breastfeeding brand Lansinoh found that more than half the people surveyed felt that UK breastfeeding rates were so low because mothers are scared of negative comments and verbal abuse when feeding in public. I totally get this, as a first time Mum with Leo I used to get really anxious about feeding in public places, even those that were mostly full of other parents, like soft play or the park. I learnt to feed discretely though and once I learnt it is actually illegal for a premises to ask me to leave for feeding my baby I soon started to feel a lot more at ease. Now I am breastfeeding for the second time and I don’t worry about feeding in public at all but there are definitely some places I feel more confident than others.
The Lansinoh research found that 48% of participants felt most uncomfortable seeing a mum feeding in a restaurant and people were most accepting of breastfeeding when it was done on a beach or park – no idea why people think breastfeeding is most acceptable when done outdoors, what is that all about? I definitely think there is a stigma surrounding breastfeeding in public and it is such a shame this negative attitude is having an effect on the UK’s breastfeeding rates.
Lansinoh Feed With Confidence Awards
Although there are lots of places mums don’t feel confident breastfeeding and members of the public don’t feel comfortable witnessing a mum feeding a baby, there are public places that go out of their way to make mums feel at ease while feeding their little ones. I always appreciate seeing a ‘breastfeeding friendly’ sticker stuck on the windows of cafes and other establishments, it makes me feel so much better to know that a place is accepting of breastfeeding and that the staff will have my back if someone says anything negative or abusive while I am feeding. To coincide with this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, Lansinoh have launched their Feed With Confidence Awards as an opportunity for members of the public to nominate an establishment they feel really champions breastfeeding and helps mums to breastfeed with confidence when out and about. So, if there is a café, restaurant, library or any public place that you feel really supports breastfeeding and helps mums to feel confident and comfortable whilst breastfeeding then give them the recognition they deserve and nominate them for this years Lansinoh Feed with Confidence Awards here. Nominations close on December 31st and a winner will be announced in January. By nominating your breastfeeding friendly establishment for the award you are in with a chance of winning a two night stay with Luxury Family Hotels.
I am such a strong believer in the fact that if society was more accepting of breastfeeding and particularly seeing breastfeeding happen in public places that more mums would attempt and continue to feed their babies for longer. Confidence isn’t the sole reason for the UK’s poor breastfeeding rates but it definitely is a major contributor. This World Breastfeeding Week lets try and encourage everyone to stop with the negative attitude towards breastfeeding and to start accepting and respecting it for what it really is, a mum simply giving her baby some food.
LANSINOH GIVEAWAY
To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week and the Lansinoh Feed with Confidence Awards I have teamed up with Lansinoh to bring all you breastfeeding mums out there this amazing giveaway. For your chance to win a bundle of Lansinoh products, perfect for helping to get breastfeeding established and helping you have a happy breastfeeding journey, just enter the rafflecopter below. Good luck and happy World Breastfeeding Week!
Prize bundle includes –
Lansinoh breast pads
Lansinoh HPA Lanolin travel and full size
Lansinoh breastmilk storage bags
Earth Friendly baby lotion
Earth Friendly baby shampoo and conditioner
Earth Friendly baby bath
Over to you now, what are your thoughts on breastfeeding in public? Do you get nervous feeding in public? If you are not a nursing mum yourself, do you feel uncomfortable seeing women breastfeeding their babies in a public place? I would love to hear all your thoughts.
Giveaway terms and conditions:
Giveaway is open to UK residents only.
The giveaway will run from August 5th until August 12th and 12.00am.
A winner will be chosen a random using the rafflecopter website.
Prixes will be sent directly from Lansinoh to the winner, Naptime Natter is not responsible for dispatching the products.
Love this! I am quite happy breastfeeding in public but I can see why some women are nervous. It would be great if more places had the sticker so women knew they’d be welcome to feed there
My little boy is due in 8 days, and I plan to breastfeed, he’s our first but I’ve had lots of breastfeeding tips from guys and girls and a lot of them say to stick with it as it’s difficult but gets easier!
Just do it, it is natural most people accept it nowadays
Don’t give up! Breastfeeding can be difficult at first, gather all the support you can from family, midwives, breastfeeding advisers, etc. Keep at it and it does get easier. Also take lecithin supplements, they help with milk production and flow.
Try not to get stressed about it all.
Lanisoh cream is magic!
I don’t know but will be reading as I am a first time Mum to be. My little boy is due in 10 weeks and I am attempting breastfeeding
Smooth lanolin on sore nipples. It also works as an excellent lip gloss. Or try using olive oil. Also, alternate which breast you start on for each session.
I am due my 3rd in december. I breastfed my 1st 2 for the first day before moving to bottles. I really really want to breastfeed this time. Going to try harder to keep going as long as I can this time!
Love these products and made it so much more comfortable to breast feed
If you’re not sure, ask for help. We struggled with breastfeeding and it wasn’t until he went on nursing strike that I got help from a lactation consultant. By which time he refused to feed any more.
It is hard but take each day one step at a time. Buy a decent nursing pillow. And try some other positions such as the rugby ball hold or lying down. You can do it!!!
I find breastfeeding in public in the first month or two really hard. You’re still learning and I always need to see what I’m doing so can’t be discreet. After that once your baby is older it’s much easier to latch them on efficiently. I carry a Muslim square for modesty if I need it and wear a vest under my t-shirt I can pull down so my tummy stays covered.
I breastfeed anywhere I don’t care what other people think! Good luck to any new mums, search for breastfeeding support groups in your area they can be invaluable. And Lansinoh is worth every single penny!!
Rhi recently posted…Lego Photo Challenge an Easy Holiday Activity
Baby is due in October, so don’t have any tips myself apart from ‘do it as it’s the best gift that you can give to your baby!’
My top tip is to don’t overthink things. Try your best not to care what others think and if you’re very worried about BF in public my main tip would be – just do it! Honestly, the first time is the hardest but once you have done it that first time – it gets much easier afterwards.
#KCACOLS
Life as Mum recently posted…Ways I Start The Day For a Happier Me
People’s attitudes are shocking considering how far we’ve come in terms of legal support for breastfeeding. I hope stats like this don’t put people off. Great stuff in the giveaway! #dreamteam
The Mummy Bubble recently posted…Maternity wards closed to pregnant mums hundreds of times
I breastfeed wherever and whenever. I won’t let her starve because we are out. I found other people have a problem but that can happen on any topic, so you have to get on with it. #GlobalBlogging
Mama Grace recently posted…A Few Wee Questions
Keep on going even you find hard because you’re tired and nipples are sore. It gets better with time and baby will latch beautifully. Just think about benefits for your baby. Breastfeed in public too.
Get a good supporting bra!
Don’t be scared to feed in public. A great cover can help you feel less akward, ( had a fab one from bebe au lait). Getting out and about will make you feel so much better and there is nothing to worry about!
I don’t have any tips as I’ve not yet tried it, my baby is due in sept! 🙂
I encouraged my wife to feed in public. Anywhere and everywhere but I know it was hard for her. I was always ready to defend her but it never came to it. #kcacols
Be patient it takes time for milk supply to come through properly and always carry spare breast pads
Breastfeeding in public is really daunting to begin with. It took me a while to feel confident. World Breastfeeding Week is such a great way to help change perceptions about breasts and what they are actually for. Lanisoh cream was my best friend in the early days of feeding! #kcacols
Keep at it, even when your finding things tough
Have patience sometimes it doesn’t happen right away but keep trying
I used to breastfeed in public, much to the disgust of my ex and my former mother-in-law. Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. We should not feel ashamed. We should be proud. Pen x #KCACOLS
Pen recently posted…Motherhood changed me … in quite unexpected ways
Seek help if you need it, there are plenty of breastfeeding clubs, classes and advice out there.
Try not to worry, if the baby feels like it feeds constantly it doesn’t mean they aren’t getting enough it’s called cluster feeding and is the babies way of making your body produce what it needs.
Also look after yourself – lots of drinks, oat cookies etc to help milk production.
I have breastfeed all mine whenever and wherever they needed it. I remember being terrified of everyone looking at me when I started feeding my 1st one, but I soon got over it and fed him on buses, trains, park benches – anywhere he needed to feed. I am not ashamed of my body, but I personally am not comfortable to reveal too much when feeding so I used to put him under my top with nothing exposed and it drew very minimal attention. Very few people could see what I was doing and I was happier that way as occasionally I had some idiots saying it was “disgusting” when they couldn’t even see anything on show and I just ignored them as they weren’t worth wasting my time on.
I would say be brave, don’t worry too much because less people will notice than you think and feed your child as and when they need it and take no notice of rude strangers – don’t let them put you off because your baby takes priority and you have every right to feed your baby.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Admittedly I was not confident breast feeding in public. I did of course, but I felt more comfortable doing it at home. Not because I was ashamed, or worried about what people might think or say but just because naturally I am a very private person and just felt more comfortable doing it elsewhere. Thank you so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back next time.
I support breastfeeding in public and I feel comfortable being around someone who’s breastfeeding. #KCACOLS
Mrs Jibril recently posted…Things I was told about giving Baby E a Pacifier
It’s so sad that breasts are so sexualised that women feel they are not able to feed their babies in public for fear of making someone else uncomfortable #KCACOLS
Laura recently posted…Siblings Project – August
Whatever works for you and your kids – that’s what to do. I used a lot of Lansinoh when I was feeding! #kcacols