BFing toddler vacations in Italy

[possum]

Hi folks,
Our family will be going on a trip to Italy soon. My son, who will be 2 by the time we go, nurses quite a lot. Is it going to make problems for us if I nurse him in public just like I would here? Are there legal protections or sanctions that I should be aware of?
TIA,
Melinda

[eccomi]

In general Italians are much more BF friendly than Americans. They tend to breastfeed more and extended breastfeeding is more normal. That said, they are also more formal and so breastfeeding in public isn't extremely common. I nursed my son until 2 years of age and got some support and some criticism (never from strangers)- just the same as in lefty Brooklyn though. I couldn't find any legal info on the web, but I'm not surprised. Not because I don't think it exists, but because Italians are not very litigious people- they think it's strange that Americans need to refer to laws for things like the right to feed your child. Of course it depends where you will be, but I would expect some reactions, many positive and possibly some... bewildered, or embarrassed or even taken aback. If you do ever feel a need to assert yourself remember that Italians LOVE children and believe that their rights are more important than ours. If you're used to dealing with American reactions, I'd say you'll be fine, really.
Buon viaggio and have fun!

[alilu]

I agree with the PP. I'm in N. Italy and nursed my daughter in public here until the age of about 3. The only reaction I got, if any, was perhaps "still nursing" and that was when she was 3.
I've never felt the need to conceal myself while nursing (with a blanket etc).
I'm sure you'll be fine and will find that people are very warm and open towards children.
Have a great trip!

[Franci]

Hi there,

last time I was back in Italy, I was breastfeeding my toddler on a train at rush hour. I think people reaction is more of surprise.

[beatee]

how strange, I just came to this forum to post almost the exact same question! I will be in Sardinia in 2 weeks time and am a little apprehensive about it. We did a big trip through Italy during the summer, and never had any problems, but she was more of a baby then (13 months, still crawling, no real words). Now that it's a case of 'interrupting conversations to nurse' I feel a bit more nervous in public. And we were in the north during summer, where it's a bit more cosmopolitan.

I've never seen anyone else breastfeeding in Italy though...oh, apart from a lovely Italian lady I met on a train who was also breastfeeding a 13month old, but she lived in America. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that other people have been bfing their toddlers!

(i love travelling in Italy with a babe, by the way. I'm studying Italian and get so much more practice chatting with people than I ever did without a kid!