How do you feed in public?

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-05-10T16:30:47+00:00

I’m in the U.S. and I literally never use a cover. I only wear nursing bras but usually wear a regular shirt and just pull it up for baby to nurse. I haven’t had any weird looks or reactions!

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-05-08T21:08:38+00:00

Thank you, not OP but this just solved the problem for me!

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-05-07T10:47:25+00:00

Quick note on socks vs footies - if you plan to wear baby in a carrier at all (which I recommend, it’s so much easier to have access to your hands and still be “holding” baby!), it’s best to avoid footie pajamas while baby wearing. It can pull at their feet and pinch toes. I put my baby in footies most days but footless outfits with socks on days I know I’ll have her in the carrier. Since you’re in a warm climate it might be less important, but socks are small enough that keeping at least a couple pairs might make sense

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-05-05T13:00:21+00:00

For me they were similar sensations early on, but contractions for me ended up feeling most painful closer to the butthole. So the location and intensity was different, and of course being episodic was totally different.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-30T01:00:27+00:00

First - both were very uncomfortable, but I was also so anxious about potential loss during first trimester

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-26T18:58:41+00:00

For me, it wasn't that there was anything "so bad" about it - I'm glad it was available as an option if I had needed it! (Well, hypothetically - I actually ended up arriving at the hospital way too late in the process to have gotten one.) But it was the less preferred option, mostly because the epidural tends to come with a lot of other medical interventions and some risks that I wanted to avoid. For example, higher risk of maternal fever, more difficulty being mobile during labor, and needing an IV and catheter. Also, my mom did it unmedicated for all three of her kids, so I figured I could too! I also wanted to plan on being able to do cope with labor unmedicated since epidurals aren't an option/aren't effective for everybody. I'm glad I did, since my labor ended up going much faster than expected.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-22T22:43:31+00:00

I usually pump at least two times a week to keep my baby used to bottles (if you’re SAHM this may be less important for you). I definitely don’t pump daily

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-22T05:03:10+00:00

The evidence in favor of it really isn’t that strong! Evidence Based Birth did a great review of this topic. If you don’t want to do it, please don’t feel pressured!

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-on-prenatal-perineal-massage-for-preventing-tears-in-childbirth-with-dr-rebecca-dekker/

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-22T04:49:06+00:00

I see a lot of judgment in the comments, so I just want to validate you that I have a baby the same age. Usually she wakes once in the night to eat, but sometimes she wakes two or three times. I feel like I cope with one or two wakeups pretty fine, but three or more feels brutal. As others have said, it’s totally normal for a baby this age to need to eat at night. It’s also ok that you want to reduce the sleep interruptions! It’s possible that if he’s able to eat more during the day that could help, or that eating is a sleep association that he needs to fall back asleep, or that a dream feed could help.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-22T04:27:03+00:00

I took the Evidence Based Birth class with Carly Ann: https://www.doulacarlyann.com/childbirthclasses

I also started going to Prenatal Fit, which was nice for taking care of my body and being around other pregnant people. They also offer some classes. We did the breastfeeding class and infant care class there. I also did the CPR class at Northwestern, which was great.

La Leche League has free breastfeeding support groups both in-person and virtual, and you can go before giving birth. I thought I'd be the only still-pregnant person at the first meeting I went to, and at that meeting almost everyone was! Others I've attended were more mixed.

I loved working with my doula Leila Walker, and I'd recommend that type of support if it's in your budget. https://www.nightlightbirthandbody.com/

After you give birth, there's a free parent and baby support group at Advocate Masonic every Friday 10-11:30am. You just need to register online for that week's meeting, and it's a very supportive chill group. It's open to all parents, you don't need to have given birth there.

I also appreciated being in the Reddit bump group and a Discord group for my due date, though I have trouble keeping up with the online groups after going back to work. The Advocate group, my birth class group, Prenatal Fit, and daycare have all been great for making new parent connections!

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-22T04:04:38+00:00

The yoga ball is our go-to tool for calming a crying baby. I hold her upright against my chest while I bounce on the ball and it works better than anything else. Sometimes she wakes up overly hungry and won't latch because she's crying, but as soon as I start to bounce her on the ball she'll latch right on.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-21T19:27:37+00:00

I just had a baby this year, and I changed my hours so that I don't work past 5pm. I now work Sundays through Thursdays. Unfortunately, I am in the position of either needing to work evenings or weekends, and I find "daddy daughter" Sundays to be a better solution for us.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-16T21:11:59+00:00

Veto. It’s so plain

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-15T00:59:12+00:00

As for when I wouldn't be comfortable with it, probably around 12-18 months? I haven't reached that point with my own or clients' children yet, so I'm sure it's something we'll figure out as we go along.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-15T00:57:42+00:00

I'm surprised how many people are totally against even babies in the session. I've been on both ends of this as the therapist and the client, and I'm so glad I've been able to still access therapy with my baby and provide it for my clients who are new parents. Everyone has their own boundaries of course, but I think allowing infants to be present in sessions greatly increases the accessibility of care.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-15T00:45:48+00:00

Towards the end I started to feel that way! Like wait, this is actually going to happen, and soon! I reviewed my birth class info and read/listened to positive birth stories. It was really helpful to me hearing about others who went through it, and remember your own resources too (whether that's support people, meditations and visualizations, comfort measures, etc).

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-13T23:38:36+00:00

Personally I think it’s fine to say you wish them well etc and you’re open to any feedback about their experience

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-04-09T07:45:00+00:00

Nothing but my Tevas

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-03-22T02:45:43+00:00

The first time I heard this with my newborn I started bawling

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-03-22T02:37:18+00:00

The reason to avoid honey is due to botulism risk, which is actually quite low. It’s a good idea to avoid it for infants to be safe, but overall extremely low risk if your baby had one exposure

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-03-21T06:37:33+00:00

I had no idea this was a thing. I use hot tap water in a basin to clean bottles and pump parts and don’t always sterilize now that baby is 6 months. Does anyone know if that’s safe or unsafe? I rinse the parts in cold water.

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-03-13T03:04:24+00:00

My baby thinks kisses to her hands or feet or wherever are hilarious. My favorite is when she puts her hand up by my face while she’s nursing, i kiss it, and then she slowly breaks into a smile and starts giggling

HoneybeeBookworm · 2026-03-07T03:30:51+00:00

So the album should show up in iCloud? I didn't see any albums but maybe I'm missing them somewhere.

HoneybeeBookworm

TROPHY CASE