Nursing at the dinner table - anyone else do it?

[Asparagus78]

Dinner time is probably the only time we all get to sit down as a family, so needless to say, I value it immensely. DS2 is only 3 months, and as can be expected, quite crabby by the time we sit down. My solution is to put him on the breast and keep him there the entire time we eat (so we all eat together!!!). I love it, and it works great for us. But here is the issue: a few weeks ago, we had friends over for dinner. I let DS2 fuss for a bit on my lap while we ate, then asked if anyone minded if I nursed as he really wasn't settling. My friend offered to help me by getting the nursing pillow and asking if I wanted her to bring me my food... my original intent was to nurse at the table (and cover up), but I didn't make that clear so I just took the pillow and said, thanks for the help, I'll be right back. I nursed in the bedroom... These people are not close friends, more like acquaintances, and I don't really know much about their parenting style or if they even breastfed. Now, we're having other friends over this weekend, again not super close friends, but they do come over about once every other month (this will be their first dinner since DS2 was born). So I guess my question is, is it weird to nurse at the dinner table? How should I approach this? I'm very comfortable nursing in public and always very conscious of being discreet... Thanks!

[detroitgirl77]

Yep, the babe has a right to eat too. I've done this at home, at the restaurant, etc. I do make sure when I am out I am wearing a nursing top so I can be discreet and not flash too much skin, lol.

[eli's mama]

Yeah I do it all the time and my babe is 7.5 months and is always popping on and off. I'm pretty much over the idea that people might not be comfortable with breastfeeding. And I don't go out of my way to wear clothing specific to nursing. I try to be discreet for my own sake when we're out. I wouldn't ask if people minded if I nursed in my own home at all. I would just do it.

[Megan73]

Eating at the dinner table seems pretty normal to me!

[velveeta]

I also think it is using excellent manners! If I had guests that were just acquaintances like you are having, I probably would make some effort to be discreet-ish. But, I don't think it is a big deal in your own home. I think it shows how everyone can really enjoy being together.

[HappyMommy2]

Yes, I have done it, and would do it again. But I just let my boobie hang out there, so I wouldn't do it with dinner guests. It made dinner time so easy and mama actually gets to eat!

[KristyDi]

Before we intro'd solids I nursed dd pretty much every time we sat down to eat. In fact restaurant tables were some of my most frequent NIP spots, but my dining room table and the ones at my parents and my Il's have seen lots of nursing too.

Honestly I wouldn't ask. It gives people the idea that it's ok to say "no." Just latch your dd on as you would when you NIP. You don't want to start feeling like you're stuck going to the bedroom every time you nurse whenever you're around these folks until whenever your dd weans.

I would assume that the 1st friend was just trying to help and just never figured that you could nurse right where you were. I think it would have been perfectly ok to say, "Thanks so much for offering, but I usually just nurse right here. That way I can still visit we you guys and not be so isolated. " It might have made them feel awkward for a bit, but they'd get over it.

[EmilyG]

I nurse at the dinner table all the time too, especailly in the beginning when dd fussed every time we all got set down to eat. I haven't done it with guests over to dinner, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't, I guess for me it would depend on who it was and how comfortable I was.

[ears73]

...whenever and wherever he needs it, for me...

[boobs4milk]

ALWAYS. my dsc stare sometime and dh has to remind them that we are all allowed to eat at the dinner table.

i get that you are trying to be a gracious hostess, but if it were me i wouldn't disrupt our routine for the supposed comfort of others esp. in my own home. no one else has to hide to eat.

[ratrodgrl]

if I didn't, I'd never eat! lol. Regardless of who, where, or what my baby eats at the table with me. Ditto what the pp's said about not asking in my own home, but to be honest I wouldn't ask in someone else's home either; I'd just do it and leave it up to them to say something if they want.

[eclipse]

I always did. I also never asked if anyone minded if I fed my kids.

[JayJay]

Yep, I did this today actually, at an after funeral lunch gathering. Everyone found it amusing how her little butt and legs stuck out of the bottom of the nursing cover! :P

[Kelly1101]

Originally Posted by eclipse

I always did. I also never asked if anyone minded if I fed my kids.

This. Never occurs to me to say "do you mind if I feed the baby?" I'm just going to feed the baby. I don't use a cover, but you can't see any of my boob anyway because I pull the shirt up from the bottom and what isn't covered by her head is covered by my shirt.

[ps4624]

I have, I do, and I will again! Your nurslings are part of the family and deserve to eat at the table!

[Asparagus78]

Thanks all! I usually never ask, so I guess I was just trying to be polite Oh well!

Thanks again for validating my beliefs, mamas!

[havsulen]

I have been nursing for the last 5 years, I can hardly remember a dinner when I haven't nursed... LOL
Quite often I have been busy cooking, so when sitting down mu nursling sees it as an invitation to feed. If anyone was uncomfortable with that - in my home - then too bad.

A text from a t-shirt I once saw came to mind: If nursing offends you, please feel free to put a blanket over your head.

I understand you wanted to be polite - but hey - you are doing the right thing so be proud, mama!

[mama2myloves]

I always do, too. My little one seems to sense when its time to eat and likes to eat with the family.

[Llyra]

In my own home, I'd nurse at the dinner table and never think twice about it, no matter who my guests were.

In other people's homes, I'd consider more what their comfort level was. In a few rare cases, I might choose to go somewhere else in the house. But for the most part, I'd still nurse right there at the table.

[breastfeeding-bff]

Wow! I've never tried this! I guess the timeing is right if you have someone to help you feed the other children... If you have more :-)

Doesn't your eating distact the baby?