How and when you feed your baby when you're out and about is up to you. Some parents prefer breastfeeding, and some parents prefer using bottles. For mothers who choose to breastfeed, some are more comfortable in public than others, whether for privacy reasons or because their baby is easily distracted. All in all, feeding a baby when out isn't always as simple as it is at home. Because of this, keeping a baby fed when out and about can sometimes require a little bit of planning, especially for breastfeeding mothers who prefer some privacy or for fussy babies who may be get a little bit distracted.
This guide looks at different options breastfeeding parents have when they're out. Every parent is different, and every baby is different, so it's good to understand what's available.
Can I Breastfeed My Baby in Public?
The short answer to whether mothers can breastfeed in public is that generally yes, if you're comfortable, breastfeeding in public is permitted in most developed countries. Of course this is general advice, and we can't say what's allowed or not allowed in all situations. However, even though breastfeeding may be allowed, some breastfeeding mothers aren't comfortable feeding their baby in public, and that's fine; it's completly up to the individual. Also, as mentioned, some babies are easily distracted while feeding, so parents prefer to find a quiet or private place to feed their child more easily.
Where Can I Breastfeed When I'm Out?
If you're out and need to feed your baby, many mothers will simply do the feed wherever they happen to be. If you're out for coffee with friends, in a park, or doing shopping, and you're comfortable doing so, go ahead and feed your baby! However, as we've already mentioned, not everyone is comfortable doing that, or the baby prefers somewhere quieter than a busy cafe!
This is where parents rooms come in. Although parents rooms aren't common in individual stores or restaurants, many shopping centres have them. A parents room is more than just a baby changing facility, they generally have bathrooms suitable for younger children, and also comfortable chairs where mothers can sit and breastfeed their children. However, different parents rooms have are equipped differently. Some rooms will have better feeding chairs than others. Some rooms make sure feeding areas are private, while in others, the feeding chairs aren't private. Either way though, for parents who want to feed their baby in a quieter area, a parents room is generally a good choice, even if not as well equipped.
How Can I Find Parents Rooms and Private Breastfeeding Areas?
Have a look at our map of family friendly facilities, it's a great resource for parents when they're out and about because it shows where baby change facilities are available. Beyond that though, you can also filter for venues that have a parents room as well as a private feeding area. This way you can find something that suits you and your preferences when it comes to feeding your baby. Once you find a venue that suits your needs, you can also see ratings left by other parents and also leave your own ratings. All of this is designed to make it easier to get out and about when you have a little one in tow!
What To Do If There's No Parents Room or Breastfeeding Area Nearby
Not every venue is going to have a dedicated breastfeeding area. The big takeaway is that parents rooms and private breastfeeding areas are an option, not a requirement. Most developed countries have protections allowing mothers to breastfeed in public. If you're not comfortable breastfeeding without privacy, but still need to feed your baby, consider:
- Libraries and community buildings: although parents rooms and private feeding facilities aren't often available in these buildings, they're often quieter and accommodating. You can filter for public buildings on our family facilities and baby change map.
- Parks and outdoor spaces: it's often easy to find a quiet corner of a park with a bench. Of course this only works if the weather is nice out.
- Your car: a car can be comfortable, quiet, and private if that's what you prefer for feeding your baby. This has the added benefit that you can turn on heating or cooling to make sure you and the baby are as comfortable as possible.
- Speak to staff: if you're at a restaurant or cafe, have a chat with the staff. They may be able to re-seat you or let you know about a quieter part of their venue.
Help Other Parents Find Breastfeeding Areas
Our map is community driven and, just as you're able to use it to find facilities for you and your family, others rely on community submissions to do the same. So if you know a venue with a great breastfeeding facility, or a good place to change your baby, be sure to submit a venue to our database. It helps other parents find facilities.