When did you stop nursing in public?

[KathrynH]

DS is 16 months and we still nurse in public. It's fairly rare, however, because he doesn't nurse as much during the day anymore. We haven't run into any opposition yet, but I know many out there have. 

I was wondering when others stopped nursing in public, if ever.

[tooraloora]

DS is 18 months now and we still nurse in public. I figure we'll start being more private about it when he needs it less (he's a big comfort nurser and outings can be a little stressful for him) and I'm feeling less comfortable. I'm not particularly concerned with what age that happens.

[goldenwillow]

31 months here and I will nurse in public. 

I went through a time where I was uncomfortable about it, mainly when I felt he could wait a bit, KWIM?  Got over that pretty quick.  Now a days I could care less what others think.  IMO, it is their issue.  I do not "whip it out" (respectfully) like I did when he was younger.  If there is a need I have no reservations. 

[Billie1221]

My toddler is 23 months, and I haven't for a while now, probably since last fall. She is interested in everything going on around her and would rather eat a quick snack than be tied down with nursing. I didn't make a conscious effort to not NIP, it just happened that way. If she did ask, I'd put her in my ringsling and nurse on the go, and probably nobody would even know. :)

[PatioGardener]

Mine is 21 months old and we nurse in public still. Last week it was the grocery store, this week the hospital . He doesn't often ask when we are out and about, but if he does, we nurse.

[Adaline'sMama]

I quit at one year unless DD was really upset. Mainly because she was really squirmy and wouldnt stay latched for very long, so she was exposing my whole nipple constantly.

[nstewart]

I don't generally (DS is 18.5 mos) but only because he usually only nurses before naps and bedtime, and through the night now.  Sometimes he'll ask when I get home from work, but then, I'm home.   Generally I try to nurse whenever he asks so if I were out and about, I would NIP without hesitation.

[nstewart]

Also, I kind of make a point of telling people that we are still BFing whenever it makes sense in the conversation.  I'm proud of it, and I want people to know it is normal.  I love that my (male) boss isn't phased by the fact that it comes up in conversation.  His wife nursed each of their 3 sons for 3 years.

[gravida]

DS is just about 2 and we rarely nurse in public anymore. Partly because he is too busy to want to but also because he is so distracted when we are out that he ends on on and off 500000 times and it drives me mental. If it is close to nap/bed time or he is having a rough time (like a fall or something) then I will but if he is just bored I ask him to wait and he is fine with it.

[Jennyanydots]

My younger daughter weaned right around her 2nd birthday, and though she it was rare because she mostly just nursed at the beginning and end of the day by then, we'd still nurse in public if she wanted to, right up till the end.

[jocelyndale]

My son self weaned the week he turned four.  The last time he nursed, we were in public.  Fairly deserted area, but public nonetheless.  While he nursed less and less in public as the years went on, I never stopped nursing him in public if he asked.

[Carriebird]

Mine is 2 1/2 and I am starting to feel uncomfortable.  But I'm determined.  I just give myself a good pep talk and grit my teeth and do it.  I figure it's almost my duty to help make it more "normal" and for people to see it in public.  I try to look relaxed and smile at everyone.

[Honey693]

I quit NiP around a year.  It just wasn't working for me then.

[Mama4life14]

Originally Posted by Carriebird 

Mine is 2 1/2 and I am starting to feel uncomfortable.  But I'm determined.  I just give myself a good pep talk and grit my teeth and do it.  I figure it's almost my duty to help make it more "normal" and for people to see it in public.  I try to look relaxed and smile at everyone.

Aww! Your so great! Its Moms like you that make it easier for others!

My son stopped nursing during the day around 18months, we pretty much NiP until then. He really only nursed at night and all night til morning. Oh and before nap, but it was always at home.

[anjsmama]

I'm so surprised how long some of you do/have/are NIP, for the mere fact my DD just can't do it! She's 13 mo and hasn't NIP probably since 9 months or so because she's SO SO SO distractable! She almost never asks to nurse while we're out, and on the rare occasion that she does, she nurses for 1.2 seconds before doing a cartwheel off my lap and she's off again. Actually, that's pretty much the way it goes at home too, she likes to nurse upside down, and usually she'd rather watch DS play with a balloon than nurse. 

[cantorsac]

I nursed my son in public until he was almost 2...from that point on, it was harder because he was always so distraced.  When he became distracted he would latch off the nipple quickly causing the milk to spray.  From that time on, we go to a mothers room or i tell him he will have to wait.

Leah

[kitteh]

We rarely nurse in public now because 2 year old DD is usually so busy doing other things that she just isn't interested, but sometimes if she is due for a nap and starts to get fussy I can head her off by nursing, and I do it in public if that's where we happen to be. If I miss that early window of opportunity she could devolve into a stubborn, screaming tantrum so the way I see it, I'm doing everyone a favor by nursing and not subjecting them to her meltdowns!

I used to be really concerned with covering up, but dd most of the time doesn't like anything covering her head. I also tried those glamor mom nursing tanks that clip on to your nursing bra and go under any regular T-shirt, and they're great for discrete nursing on the go, but their smallest size is a little too big for me now so I've stopped using that too.

[voca]

2 1/2 and we still nurse in public pretty regularly. I am generally oblivious to social approbation, which helps a lot.

[GoBecGo]

Nearly  22 months here and still NIP.  She does regularly expose me, but i just laugh at her - everyone and their dog has seen what i got at this stage LOL!

[aphel]

I admit we don't NIP too often anymore. DD is 19 months, and likes to pop on and off. She also prefers to have my whole boob exposed when nursing, and will actually push my shirt off my breast and say "No!" when I try and keep myself covered. I don't mind NIPing, but I do mind my whole breast and nipple being frequently exposed.

She's pretty good about understanding "Not right now.", and she's also unlikely to ask to nurse when we're out because she's usually distracted and running around. But if she was upset and really needed to nurse, I would have no problem. Just brace for nipple exposure folks!