"You're Hungry - Again?" 1.   Cradle your baby close. Discreetly reach under your clothes to unfasten your bra.	"AH... Open your Mouth Wide!" 2. Latch baby on, then arrange your clothes to cover your breast.	"Now... you were saying?" 3.  Look up from your baby, resume your conversation, have your drink, read, or watch the passing crowd.

On hearing that I had breastfed my son for more than 2 years, a mother I had just met exclaimed "Aiyoh!  Does that mean you never went out of the house?  How did you manage to do that for so long!".

Well, I certainly have not confined myself to the house.  One of the greatest advantages of breastfeeding is it's convenience, isn't it?  A breastfeeding mother does not need to worry about carting around a big bag and making sure that there are enough bottles, milk powder and warm water.  Mommy's milk is available fresh and at the right temperature all the time.

No one has to convince us that breastfeeding is good for our children, and that breastfeeding is beautiful.  But in public?  It does sound a little daunting, especially for mothers breastfeeding for the first time.    Even the most liberal among us might feel uncomfortable about "baring" our breasts in public, even though this act of breastfeeding should be the most natural thing to do.

A new mother thus faces this dilemma:  wanting to breastfeed, and wanting to continue a previously active life out of the house, but how to do both without leaving baby at home?  I have personally breastfed my children everywhere in Singapore and on trips overseas.  You can do it too.  With some planning and practice, you will be able to breastfeed easily and comfortably wherever you are.

To help you breastfeed in public, here are some ideas and tips:

NURSING BRAS
Wearing a nursing bra is a "MUST".   Get the style of nursing bra that can be easily fastened and unfastened with one hand.   You need to hold the baby in the other hand, afterall!

DRESS APPROPRIATELY
Wear clothes that allow easy access for nursing.  With the right clothes, you can nurse without feeling like you are disrobing in public.  You can buy nursing clothes which are specially designed for breastfeeding mothers.  Wearing separates work well too.

WEAR BABY IN A SLING
You could also use a sling to nurse baby.  Slings make it easy to position a baby to nurse discretely. Once you have baby latched on, you could continue walking and shopping around.  And if you have an older child to care for, this allows you to keep up with him while still nursing the baby.  I have done this while playing with my older son at Tumble Tots sessions too!

TIMING
Pay attention to your baby's signals. Find a spot to nurse at the first hint of her discomfort, so fussing does not turn into screaming.  Loud, crying babies attract far more attention than a baby who is quietly nursing away.  For some babies, it might be better to take frequent breastfeeding breaks.  Plan your time such that you breastfeed BEFORE going into the supermarket or into the bank.  I have found this step to be an essential for a peaceful car journey with my newborn.  Observe & learn your baby's rhythms. This will help you plan your outings so that you are in a convenient place when he is hungry.

LOCATION
Find a place where you will be comfortable - a bench in a shopping centre, at a restaurant table, a quiet corner in your favourite bookstore or even in the MRT.   If you are driving, you could also nurse baby in the car before setting off on your shopping spree or run your errands.  If you need more privacy,  you could also look for a Mother/Baby/Nursing room in some shopping centres.

BODY LANGUAGE
Relax! The feeding will go easier if you do.  Looking around nervously will just draw attention to yourself.  If you do not act self-conscious while breastfeeding, people will probably not notice.  In all likelihood, they might think you are just cuddling a sleeping baby!  Babies are cute, so often draw smiles from curious passers-by.   Smile back, or create your own privacy by reading a magazine or engaging in conversation with a friend.

Practice nursing discreetly at home before your first big outing with baby.  Nurse in front of a mirror until you are confident that nothing shows.  You could also meet with friends and nurse in front of  them first to help you become comfortable enough to breastfeed in public.  If you have no breastfeeding friends, look up groups like our local Support Group and go for their meetings and workshops.  Internet newsgroups & mailing lists are also a good source of breastfeeding information and support.

Rest assured that breastfeeding in public comes easier with practice. It is a learnt skill. You will eventually become an expert at this!