Seeking advice on baby outings do's and don'ts - View Question

Seeking advice on baby outings do's and don'ts

My husband and I try to plan feedings prior to outings with our 3 1/2 month old son. Today at the mall, he started to cry. Buying new furniture was taking too long. I left my husband at the store and strolled my son to our car. A woman said aloud, "Why doesn't she pick up her [crying] baby?" Excuse me? I ignored the comment. Normally I bring a bottle with formula, but we forgot to clean the bottle before leaving for the mall and I didn't want to risk bacteria. What was I to do? I combine nursing with formula supplementation, so I thought of nursing in the car, but felt strange. Baby stopped crying and actually smiled, so he was okay for the time being, but time was of the essence. I wound up nursing him in the back seat and was glad I did. I have to get used to this. Any advice? And, I feel eyes on us when we are out in public. Babies are superstars always on stage :-)

See also: nursing, confidence, organized

Written by Eileen

Posted on 04/27/2008

See all posts by Eileen

Answers:

You are to hard on yourself. I have nursed and formula feed all 3 of my children. You just have to be prepared to feed him no matter where you are. Pack a clean bottle and formula in you diaper bag. They have containers that keep three serving of formula. By having one of those and a bottle of water in your bag you are ready for times when you feel unable to nurse. Don't let the Moms who favor one or the other get you down. You have to do what is best for your baby and you. If nursing in the car is right for you than do it. I hope you are able to enjoy the experince of feeding you baby no matter where or how you feed him.

Carrie

posted by Carrie on 04/28/2008

I nurse and formula feed also. I take a bottle of water and a container with the formula, but if i am full (to breast feed) I go to the family bathrooms at the mall the usually all have a sitting area and you will be shocked to see how many moms go there to BF. I have also done it in the car, as long as the baby is eating and we are comfortable I feed her.
My husband mountain bikes and races a lot. At the race on Sunday I fed her while sitting at the team tent talking to everyone. And while watching at one of the downhills I sat and fed her. She wasn't crying at the time so nobody was watching what I was doing, you know how if you try to feed when they are screaming it becomes a spectacle. So I try to catch it before hand but trust me we have had our grumpy days.
I make it easy on myself by layering a tank top that is low enough to keep pulled down so my belly and sides don't show with a shirt over it so when i feed her you can't tell it just looks like i am cradling her. I cover her with a light blanket.
I use cereal with formula so i have in the diaper bag an empty bottle a bottle with lots of water (so i can split it) a baggie with measuring spoon for the cereal and a small tupperware container with formula and a measurer from her last formula can inside.
Hope you find it easier as you go. Mine is 7 months old now so now I get to add the food containers to it all....
Never let it get to you, ignore others comments, and if you have to feed her in strange places don't be ashamed. As long as the baby is happy.
I know it is hard to get to do things out of the house, but they need to adjust to different eating environments I hope it works out.

posted by Kristhal on 04/29/2008

sorry my computer kept giving me an error when i would try to submit so i kept trying.... OOPS

posted by Kristhal on 04/29/2008

i also do both and it works great for me. just make sure you have pleanty of stuff ready to make a bottle if needed. I've forgotten too. Just find a place where you both feel comfortable to breast feed.

posted by Tiffany on 08/15/2008

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