Breastfeeding in public has always been known as difficult and frown upon in some regions in The United States and Europe. I used to live in France, for a very long time and I know how it was to nurse a hungry wailing baby in public.
Nursing in Europe
I had to use the fitting rooms of departmental stores each time when I had to feed my baby. In fact, technically speaking, it was also something not right. As the name suggests, “fitting rooms” are SUPPOSED to be fitting rooms and not a nursing room. They are meant for customers of the stores who intend to try on the clothing before purchasing them, but having left with no choice, I had to so-called smuggle myself through the rooms with two or three pieces of clothing with a pretext to try them on. So, breastfeeding for me was always a rush, no doubt it was a stressful experience back then.
On the other hand, I had seen some other French ladies who were more open about breastfeeding in the public. They didn’t have any qualms about sitting and resting on the benches in the public to feed their babies while exposing their breasts. Some parents would prefer to put their babies in the baby carrier and nurse them while standing, walking, shopping or going about doing their chores. Well, that’s literally “nursing on-the-go”, isn’t it?
Nursing in Singapore
Contrary to those scenarios, we are fortunate to have a supportive community that encourages breastfeeding in Singapore. Over the years, tons of shopping centres, offices, some community centres and major attractions have installed nursing rooms for nursing mothers! If you know where you will be heading to, call or even google online to see if the building or the nearby malls are equipped with nursing rooms.
These nursing rooms are spacious enough to fit tables for a nappy change, a water dispenser and at times the rooms may even have two separate cubicles with individual velvet curtains or fitted doors to ensure complete privacy. Each cubicle comes with a comfortable sofa, a useful side table and an electric socket for any plug-ins. Both mother and baby can spend as long as they want in the nursing room in private.
A quick phone call, chatting via WhatsApp, or even a glimpse of online news-reading are possible for a nursing mother while the baby is busy “eating”. If you prefer to nurse on-the-go without the hassle of hunting for a nursing room, get the right nursing products and accessories to aid your nursing process.
Tips for nursing while on-the-go
Tip #1: Bag it
Going out with babies also means we have to go out with extra bags. For now, be prepared to leave home at least with two bags or get a big diaper bag in tow. Forego the clutch and save it for later days in the future. Instead, go for totes and diaper bags for now.
Trick:
The “baby” bag or diaper bag needs to be large to accommodate all the necessary baby needs like diapers, bottles, accessories and extra clothing. The diaper bag should also have many compartments for easy storage. Try sorting little things like baby nail clippers, cotton buds, essential oils and the likes in transparent zip-lock plastic bags. This way, it is easier to search for the wanted items when the need arises.
Tip #2: Get covered
Purchase products like nursing wrap, cotton poncho and cover. They are helpful for mothers to nurse discreetly in public while on-the-go. They are designed to help us feed our little ones comfortably with total privacy and security.
Trick:
Get an elegant-looking nursing wrap or cover in your favourite color and design. Remember to choose one that is made of soft fabric material, as it is more comfortable and promotes air flow. Most of these products are large enough to cover the baby. Now, you can have both comfort and style in one piece of clothing.
Tip #3: Pump it
Breast pumps are used to express milk. The question now is either to choose an electric or a manual one.
Trick:
The electric one is a little costly and heavier to carry around, but it is good for babies who need frequent feedings. Breastmilk can be expressed quickly and safely with an electrical pump. The manual one, however, is cheaper, lightweight and can be slipped into the diaper bag easily. Since it is fully hand-operated, there’s no need to worry about the pump “suddenly stop working because the batteries are flat”. Check out the range of breastfeeding products that Pigeon has, you will certainly find one that suits you!
Tip #4: Nursing Pillow
Breastfeeding moms tend to hunch when they breastfeed their babies. Imagine if the baby demands to be fed six to seven times per day, it can really take a toll on the posture. Having a nursing pillow helps to eliminate stress on the moms’ shoulders and get the baby in the right position for the perfect latch-on.
Tricks:
Look out for various and special features that come together with the nursing pillow. Some have pockets and inserts in which you can store the baby’s toys or accessories, while others may come with a Velcro strap that will help the baby stay put while he or she feeds. Also, remember to check out the washing instructions. Take note that some nursing pillows can only be hand-washed while others are machine-washable or are equipped with a removable cover. Stick to the washing instructions to help increase the overall life of the pillow and make it long-lasting.
Tip #5: Invest in a good bottle warmer
Warming bottles can be a difficult task, especially when you are on the go. In France, mothers may approach the nearest restaurant to heat up the baby bottles in their microwaves. However, there have been studies that show microwave heating of milk and food is harmful for babies. On the other hand, getting a bottle warmer might be a better solution.
Tricks:
There are various types of models in the market. Make sure to choose a bottle warmer that can heat up both baby bottles and baby jars in minutes. The portable one which can be activated with just a push-on button is great. It saves time, easy to use and practical.
Here are some breastfeeding essentials to help you in your breastfeeding journey.
As much as we (the adults/mothers) want to eat peacefully, happily and satisfactorily, our babies deserve the same sentiments too. So, mothers should not restrict themselves or hurry themselves, nor their babies when it comes to their baby’s feeding time. Both moms and babies should enjoy this special moment together.
By Noreen Yek Boussetta
This article is part of Breastfeeding with Love campaign, initiated by The New Age Parents and New Age Pregnancy.
Join the Breastfeeding with Love Facebook Group to find out more and be part of our breastfeeding online community!
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