I always thought I'd have no problem nursing in public (NIP), but have had a surprisingly hard time actually doing it. So I thought I'd start a thread where we can celebrate our NIP-ing. Today I chickened out while we were eating out with my dad & step-mom who are visiting and I ended up nursing in the car. We have some plans to go out tomorrow, so I hope I can do it!
Where have you NIP-ed?
At the Farmer's Market - that was the first time and I awkwardly positioned him in my wrap to cover everything up.
In the OB's office - awkwardly covered up with a blanket because it seemed weird otherwise.
In the airport, in my wrap.
At the docks, screw covering up ;)
In a restaurant.
And in the car - Arby's parking lot, grocery store parking lots..
I cared at first, now I don't even notice at first when I've left a boob hanging out, even in front of my dad ;)
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Hm, we really haven't gone anywhere yet. 
But I did nurse in front of the pediatrician the other day. Finn was too screamy to talk over, so I said, "Lemme just pop him on so we can talk," and sat, whipped it out, and got him to shush. And the dr didn't even squirm!! LOL! Once I did that with Nora at the drs while we were waiting for the dr to come in the room, and when she did she was all, "Oh, I'm so sorry!" and put her hand up. I was like, confused. Aren't you a freaking pediatrician?? Really, am I one of the few patients you have that bf's that it makes you uncomfortable?? So strange.
I find it harder to nurse in front of family than in a crowd of strangers at times. Almost like you feel like all eyes are on you. I got over it quick b/c, whatever, I'm going to feed my kid, but it can be hard. Props and hugs to all us NIPers!!
Thanks for the posts, it gives me more confidence! And I realize that I have done it more than I thought. Definitely in the car, and also at the ped's office. Carrie, I can't believe that your old ped was embarrassed! Mine was almost the opposite, she got real close and started looking at my latch and commenting on the cracks in my nipples when River popped off!
I SO badly want to figure out how to do this to be hands free. I tried this in my sling the other day at home, and it was a disaster. River was all strangely contorted in it, started crying, and I ended up having to shimmy the sling down my body and step out of it! I wonder if it's harder since my boobs are kinda small (barely B)? I really have to move him to the boob, can't move the the boob to him.
I've nursed almost anywhere w/ this little one already: restaurants, parking lots, Drs offices, in front of friends and family, and most recently while sitting through counseling and during DS1's infant and toddler playgroup. Coming up next week: a movie, a research talk, and potentially a meeting. DS2 is eating a lot in the course of a few hours and he loves to hang out and comfort nurse in between. It's either that or having a screaming baby in public which I find much more problematic.
I used to be much more concerned about other people's reaction when DS1 was born but after a few months I decided if people didn't want to see me NIPing, they had the choice of looking somewhere else. Since then I haven't looked back, and despite my disregard for people's feelings regarding NIPing, I've never seen anyone shoot me angry looks or get up disgustedly.
With DS1 I nursed just about everywhere we ever went while he was still breastfeeding. I have really big boobs, so there was flesh being exposed whenever I did NIP, but it didn't bother me or DH. I had a nursing cover, but DS1 HATED being covered while nursing, so in the end I only really tried to cover when nursing at Church (and that was even just in the baby nursery, as it was the only room with a chair comfy enough for nursing.)
With DS2 the only place I've been so far is the midwife's office for the 1 week weight check. I just got my boob out and latched DS2 on and continued with the conversation while he ate. I did have in in-laws here for a few days last week to help with DS1, and FIL was as awkward as ever about me nursing without covering. He acts like he has no idea where to look when the boob is out, but its not as if he is getting any nipple exposure except perhaps when we start and finish each boob as it takes a few seconds to do the bra. Once I'm out and about I'll just feed DS2 whenever and where ever he needs to eat. I'll probably try using one of the muslin swaddles to semi-cover this time as it might be a bit cooler than the proper nursing cover. But I'll probably only use it for Church again, as they are a very conservative bunch when it comes to nursing.
i've nip'd in grocery store, restaurant, target, sbux, and wherever else we've been. i have no idea if anyone has a neg reaction b/c i'm usually looking at my baby, lol! i find the covers to more obvious, and draw more attention. i think people have to be really looking at me to know what we're doing. carrie, i agree re: family being harder sometimes. i can tell people are deliberately trying not to look at me, and have a hard time looking at my face when talking to me. weird.
I read this before I got pregnant, I think. I've never known anybody who nursed, and I've never even really been around a baby until Liam was born, so everything is new for me. I did watch a lot of "how to" videos with regards to nursing, and I definitely think it helped.
I haven't had too much experience with NIPing. I can't figure out how to nurse in the sling yet, but I've been trying every couple of days. I'll be doing more come this weekend/monday and then next weekend. Maybe I'll get a story to share.
have you seen this?? it is awesome! a friend of mine has seen it at the art exhibit ttoo.
i did not realize peds count as NIP..i thought ypu were supposed to nurse there. ours is a little crunchy so she asked me to nurse to comfort LO, and it being 3 days pp, i was not sure if it would work, hands shakin a little so the ped helped undo my nursing top! and the babe latched right on! pheeew.
we had in laws visiting 2nd week pp,so that was really hard for me so i just kept going back to our bedroom to nurse.
2 days ago, which i thought was my first NIP, we were walking on the beach and DH was wearing her - she cried, so i asked him to take her out and just fed her there, very few people around
wednesday i fed her in the moby in my car in a very public parking lot.
i m still very shy about it tho.
Mine pointed out that he didn't find it tittilating as I'm his daughter. Not sure why that needed to be said. I just said, "Good!"
My FIL leaves the room. Every time. I'm sure he thinks he's giving me privacy, but in fact I'd rather the conversation just continue like normal. I feel like it draws more attention and makes me feel uncomfortable BECAUSE he's uncomfortable. Idk. I too think that since this is baby #2 and obviously I'm fine nursing in front of everyone else whenever baby needs boob that he'd catch on. But he's an old man so I cut him some slack, I guess.
Saw this on bring back boobie beanie
Thought it was funny.
I try to NIP whenever I can. Both DS and I find covering to be a hassle but will do it in occasion if DH requests it. It's mostly at church due to the fact that everyone is so modest.
I nurse in front of family, at MD appointments, in his wrap at the store. What drives me crazy is when I nurse in front of my MIL. She will literally stand inches from my boob (with her face). One of these days I'm not going to be able to contain my annoyance and ask her if she wants to latch on.
My FIL is very respectful. He doesn't mind me nursing in front of him. He will continue to converse but doesn't want me to feel like he's staring if he's trying to look at DS (unkowing that we are nursing)
Saw this on bring back boobie beanie
Thought it was funny.
I try to NIP whenever I can. Both DS and I find covering to be a hassle but will do it in occasion if DH requests it. It's mostly at church due to the fact that everyone is so modest.
I nurse in front of family, at MD appointments, in his wrap at the store. What drives me crazy is when I nurse in front of my MIL. She will literally stand inches from my boob (with her face). One of these days I'm not going to be able to contain my annoyance and ask her if she wants to latch on.
My FIL is very respectful. He doesn't mind me nursing in front of him. He will continue to converse but doesn't want me to feel like he's staring if he's trying to look at DS (unkowing that we are nursing)
Such a cute comic.
In regards to nursing in church and modesty issues, while I don't have any personal experience (not a church-goer) one of the blogs I read has a very good idea of it.
She is LSD and a feminist, but she's nursing a toddler and a younger child, and doesn't cover up in church.
Here are all her breastfeeding posts, I'm not sure how far back you'll have to go to find ones regarding modesty, but it might help your point of view on everything.
I nip everywhere...stores, restaurants, ymca, Church, the car (in parking lots), ped's office etc. I have a slight issue with clothes that are easy for nip as most of my clothes don't fit me yet. I don't cover as I'm too clumsy, she hates it and it attracts more attention.
She also 'nurses' her dolls and stuffed animals.
Just wanted to say that as I've been reading your posts, I've been sending you lots of love and positive nursing energy. 
You seem to have so much love and dedication to your LO, and I can't wait to hear an update from you soon saying that he's nursing like a champ... because I KNOW it will happen.
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