Breastfeeding in public: a guide for new mums

By Sara Keli

Just when you think you’ve got the hang of breastfeeding, you need to take your baby out … and you are feeling all the feelings about having to breastfeed in public. Where can you do it? How do you do it? Help! 

The laws on breastfeeding in public

The good news is that in Australia, women are protected by the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 which makes it illegal to discriminate against any person on the grounds of breastfeeding. 

That means you can feed your baby whenever and wherever they need it. Whether you are in the supermarket checkout line, sitting on a park bench, eating a meal in a restaurant or watching a sporting match, you’re perfectly within your rights to do it.

This protection also extends to using a breast pump to express milk for a baby. You can do this anytime, anywhere, just like you can with breastfeeding. 

Ultimately, if your baby is hungry, or you need to express milk for the purposes of feeding your baby, you are supported by the law to do this no matter where you are.

To cover up or not cover up?

The short answer is that whether or not you cover up while breastfeeding comes down to personal preference. 

Some mums prefer to use a breastfeeding cover or muslin wrap thrown over them while they are breastfeeding, while others find that too difficult to juggle the baby and the cover. Neither is right or wrong.

Wearing the right clothes will also help with breastfeeding in public. You can purchase breastfeeding tops and dresses that feature panels and zips to help with gaining access to the breast while giving some level of cover so your breast is not totally exposed (if that is something you are concerned about).

If you want to wear normal clothes, layering can help to give some level of cover to make you feel comfortable. If you wear a singlet under a t-shirt, you can lift the t-shirt up which will cover the top of the breast, and pull the under singlet down so your stomach is covered. 

Be aware of dresses that don’t have a neckline that allows access to the breasts, if you’re trying to be discreet … I’m sure we don’t need to spell out what that would mean for trying to breastfeed in public!

Using a breast pump in public

While using a breast pump in public is protected in the same way that breastfeeding is, expressing milk does require more logistics than breastfeeding.

First up it is choosing the best breast pump for your needs. We have hundreds of reviews of the best breast pumps by parents just like you, along with tips on how to choose the right one for you. If you will be using it outside the home a lot this is something to consider.

If your pump is electric and requires a power supply, you might need to hunt around a bit more to find the right spot that allows you to pump and also sit comfortably. 

You will also need to have a plan for breast milk storage – so either baby bottles or breast milk storage bags and then somewhere to store these. While breast milk can be kept at room temperature for up to four hours, it’s a good idea to have a refrigeration solution (e.g. an ice brick in a cooler bag to store the breast milk until you get home) so all your pumping efforts don’t go to waste.

Public breastfeeding tips

If you are venturing out of the house with your baby, these public breastfeeding tips will help allay your fears and worries.

• You are protected by law to be able to breastfeed your baby whenever and wherever they need it – if someone has an issue with it, remember that it is their problem and not yours.
• If you find people are staring at you while you are feeding your baby it is probably because you have a gorgeous baby in your arms! Most people are supportive of breastfeeding mothers so don’t assume they are staring because they have a problem.
• It might take you some time to get used to breastfeeding in public, but don’t worry – you will get there, and soon it will become second nature.
• Parents’ rooms will often have a comfortable chair and a relaxed environment to feed your baby, plus somewhere to change their nappy after the feed. While you are building up your confidence about breastfeeding in public, this could be a good place for you to start.

Read more 

Five tips to help boost your milk supply 

When will my milk come in?

Dealing with breast refusal