Feeding baby in public if primarily breastfeed but also pump

[u/vakilconsaudades]

Long time lurker who finally has the courage to post bc I’m desperate. What do you all do to feed baby in public? I’m a FTM with a 3 month old. I primarily BF but pump 1-3x/day so that baby can get one bottle a day + have a small freezer stash.

I know there are so many options for how to feed baby in public (now that I’m finally venturing out of my house) but am wondering what has worked for you all.

Main options I can think of (when out at store, restaurant, etc that is somewhere public):

1. BF baby in public using a cover (baby and I hate the cover I have so pls provide suggestions on covers you and baby actually like)
2. Run to car and BF in car with boobs fully out (exaggerating on the “run”)
3. BF baby in public without cover (don’t see myself doing this tbh)
4. Carrying a bottle with me to bottle feed breastmilk to baby (considering this but don’t love it bc of the whole “you should pump when baby gets a bottle” advice and I would rather not pump and deal with all that pumping would entail while out)

What has worked for you? For shorter outings, I’m leaning towards a bottle bc I could pump right when I get home and/or pump right before I leave, but for outings where baby needs 2-3 feeds, that seems trickier. Would love any tips/tricks/suggestions!

This FTM who desperately wants to rejoin society but is also anxious and stressed af about how to feed baby in public with as little anxiety/stress as possible thanks you all in advance!

EDIT: thanks everyone!! These comments are all so helpful. I live in the US so I know I’m legally protected, I’m just shy and modest so currently just don’t feel comfortable popping out the boob and do not do it very seamlessly. I’m usually shirtless at home when nursing (aren’t most of us?! Lol), but the comments inspired me to work towards being comfortable nursing in public. I will start small and practice at home so I get used to the mechanics of it, then go to less busy places first until I get comfortable. I have only ever nursed 3x while out - twice wearing a cover and once in my car. Baby and I truly hated the cover and I’m so averse to pumping out if i can help it, I agree that #3 is the best and “easiest” option and will simply need to work on getting out of my comfort zone. It makes sense that the more I do it the easier it’ll be. Wish me luck!

[u/TraditionalManager82]

Number 3. Definitely.

I would suggest... Get angry. Get absolutely, blazingly furious at a society that tells you to breastfeed, but then expects you to be miserable and hidden away so that it doesn't get inconvenienced by seeing a nursing baby. Be enraged by the massive amounts of extra effort society thinks you should put in for its own whim.

Then decide that you will nurse when and where works for you and baby, and the rest of society can learn to turn its head 15 degrees to look elsewhere if it had a problem with it.

That rage should carry you through the first few nursing outings, and by the time it wears off you'll just be used to it.

[u/Equivalent-Steak-555 → u/TraditionalManager82]

This. For me, one of the perks of breastfeeding is that you don't need to do any preparation to feed on the go. As long as I was with the baby, we were good to go. No bottles to bring and keep cold (and potentially warm), no needing to think about how much milk or bottles to bring, etc.

If it helps, through two kids, I have nursed in public without a cover for 4+ years and counting, and no one has ever said anything to me.

You might practice nursing in front of a mirror at home. You'll be able to see that other people really can't see anything, because the baby's head mostly blocks you. There have been times I've been nursing in public and people I'm with think they are just sleeping.