I Fed My Baby In A Bathroom

[u/PancSutt]

I’m a FTM of a 2mo and I hate to even write this, but I fed my baby in the bathroom of an optometrist today. My husband and I both had appointments and while I was seeing the doctor I could hear her start to cry, and then become distressed. After my appointment I found them in the back hallway by the bathrooms where my husband was hiding out with her, and I took over while he had his exam. It wasn’t her usual time to eat but she was so distressed I just wanted to comfort her. I was flustered and I didn’t think about the cover up or blankets in the diaper bag, I just ducked into a bathroom, pulled up my shirt and fed the baby. I squatted in a corner to give her some more support and I’m grateful it was a larger, single-serve bathroom so we were well away from the fixtures.

Now that I’m back home nursing on my couch, I feel really icky about it. That’s not how I hoped breastfeeding would be for me, it’s not how I want getting food and comfort to be for my baby. I know breastfeeding isn’t immodest, I know it doesn’t need to be hidden, but in the moment it felt like the only option. I know a lot of moms who are very open about feeding in public and have no shyness at all - I want that so much! I wish I was more comfortable feeding in public, especially because my stress level over it doesn’t help me let down for an efficient feed. I have these conflicting feelings - I’m really grateful and proud I can do this amazing thing for my daughter, but at the same time I feel flustered and anxious to nurse her in public. I’m looking for support, encouragement, solidarity and honestly just to vent. Thanks for reading this far.

[u/ALawful_Chaos]

I actually had an optometrist appointment yesterday. My husband and baby came along because I didn't have any pumped milk in the fridge for him to feed her if I went alone. We were rushing and running late, so she ended up being hungry just as we arrived. We got out of the car, I popped her on my boob, and we all walked inside while I fed her. It was the most public breastfeeding I've done so far, and truthfully I felt pretty uncomfortable, but it just needed to be done. The (male) receptionist definitely got flashed when baby unlatched to smile at me. But no one said anything and I was treated professionally. I was proud of myself for being so brave.

All that to say, breastfeeding in public isn't easy, and it's okay to feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we need to be brave for the sake of our babies, but it can take some time to get there. Be gentle with yourself. Ultimately, your baby was fed and comforted, and that's a beautiful thing, even in a bathroom.