I'm travelling to Toscana with my 3 month old baby who is exclusively beastfed. I am quite nervous about the response to my breastfeeding her in public as well as being able to find quiet places to do it.
Can anyone share their experience of breastfeeing in public in Italy and the response they have received? Are there any recommendations for restaurants or quiet places, especially in Florence and Siena, where this would be welcomed?

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I'm travelling to Toscana with my 3 month old baby who is exclusively beastfed.

Oops! Of course, I meant breastfed but after missing a couple hours (months!) of sleep it may seem that way to my husband.

I breastfed both of my children exclusively and never had a problem (until I went to the US for a visit and an old man told me I should go to the bathroom to feed my oldest - huh - do you want to eat in a bathroom????)

Everywhere you go you will see paintings of the virgin Mary breastfeeding. All of my friends do it to without a problem. Of goes most try to be as indescrete as possible. I have never found breastfeeding clothes in Italy so got them from the US and I loved the fact that I could feed at any time and anyplace without having to cover up with a blanket.

Don't worry, you'll be fine.

Ha ha, beastfed... that was a funny visual!
Anyway, I honestly don't think you should be too concerned about breastfeeding being acceptable in public here. As for quiet, public places to do it at, I don't think such a thing exists here! You may want to use a receiving blanket to gently drape over your shoulder and baby while nursing, so that you don't feel too exposed to the public. Also, you wont feel like you have an audience. When I breastfed, I always made sure I wore clothing that I could lift up just enough to expose just my nipple. As opposed to wearing clothing that forced me to expose my entire breast. Even if you were to overexpose yourself, I'm sure the Italians wouldn't be as oversensitive as some Americans are on the subject.

Enjoy your trip!

What are breast feeding clothes? Like what Janet Jackson wore when she sang at the super bowl?

I think you'll be fine - just try be discrete. I've seen women breastfeeding and you can barely tell wheat they're doing if they have a blanket or similar to cover up a bit.

Beast feeding

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Originally posted by Delina:
What are breast feeding clothes? Like what Janet Jackson wore when she sang at the super bowl?

Seriously though, I was wondering that myself. My thought was basically button-down shirts. I may be wrong, but I figured you could unbutton it just enough and then cover up the rest with a blanket.

From what I remember my wife had bras with a flap in front that you opened up enough to expose some breast for the baby to suckle. The avoided all kinds of gyrations trying to expose your breasts or going bra less. These bras work best with button shirts and blouses. They didn't make life any easier if you were wearing a tee shirt or sweatshirt!

I got this really nifty breastfeeding shirt in Australia which is basically just a wrap around shirt but there are holes under the wrap around part for your baby to breastfeed.

I think breastfeeding in public is considered OK here and your baby is only 3 months old - but I've noticed that Italians tend to wean their children very young. Everyone is encouraged to breastfeed but only for 4 months tops. After that it might be considered a little "weird".

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Originally posted by Ramona:
I got this really nifty breastfeeding shirt in Australia which is basically just a wrap around shirt but there are holes under the wrap around part for your baby to breastfeed.

I think breastfeeding in public is considered OK here and your baby is only 3 months old - but I've noticed that Italians tend to wean their children very young. Everyone is encouraged to breastfeed but only for 4 months tops. After that it might be considered a little "weird".

Hmmm. According to everything I've read (in English), it's best to breastfeed for at least 6 months.

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Hmmm. According to everything I've read (in English), it's best to breastfeed for at least 6 months.

Up to a year seems quite common here in the Bay Area, but I don't know very many moms in Italy! Of course as babies get bigger breast milk is not the baby's only food source. I think cultural differences and beliefs, even in terms of medical advise, are huge factors in "how long".

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Originally posted by Delina:
What are breast feeding clothes?

Boob (maternity and nursing clothes)

Another great Swedish invention

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Annika,

I breastfeed here without any problems. I currently try not to breastfeed while out with my baby not because I'm particularly modest but because my son is HUGE and breastfeeding while out with him (imagine having a heavy can of paint hanging from your nipple while sitting in a rickety wooden chair, which is what is offered in most restaurants) is not the best. I now pump and then take a bottle with me if I'm going to be out for more than three hours with him. My baby is almost four months old and his pediatrician told me I can begin giving him pears this month but I'm going to breastfeed exclusively until six months and then wean. My son has pretty bad eczema and I was advised to wait until he's had allergy testing to make sure he doesn't have food allergies. Poverino.

As for breastfeeding clothes, I'd LOVE to have some of those tank tops I've seen in the U.S. that have a built-in bra and flap that opens up for easy breastfeeding and minimal breast exposure. I've never seen anything like that here. I'm a little tired of wearing the same ugly button-down shirts or zip-down hoodies all the time. I look at them and they scream 'spit up' to me...

In general, I find Italy to be very baby-friendly in the sense that babies seem to be welcome everywhere. However, it's hard to find places with changing stations, etc. so that's the downside.

Michelle

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As for breastfeeding clothes, I'd LOVE to have some of those tank tops I've seen in the U.S. that have a built-in bra and flap that opens up for easy breastfeeding and minimal breast exposure. I've never seen anything like that here.

http://www.activebabycare.com/eu/index.html

Shipping and handling only €6.50!

Those are really nice, Annika - thanks.! But 33 euro plus shipping for a singlet?? (I may get one anyway but ow!)

I also saw some nursing tops at H&M in Rome near the maternity wear (H&M mama).

Cool! Thanks, Annika. I should have looked at your original link. I thought the Boob link was a link to a slang dictionary saying 'boob' was a Swedish word. There was some other 'gross' word I was surprised to learn was Swedish another time on the forum.
Michelle

W.H.O. recommends a minimum of 1 year breastfeeding but better 2 years. Our docs here reecommend no less than 6 months but say 1 year is better. I BF my eldest until she self weaned at 15 months. She self weaned I believe because I was then 5 months pregnant with her sister and the flavor of my milk had probably changed.

MSHOEN: The eczema could be an allergy to what you are eating. Try to give up all grains and dairy and eggs. You would have to do it for at least 2 weeks before you would see a difference but if it is that you can nip the problem in the bud sooner rather than later. Oh and it is strawberry season. For all those breastfeeding, PLEASE avoid strawberries at all costs (as well as the other serious allergens like nuts and shellfish). Remember what you eat goes to your baby.

I know this is off the original topic but if anyone needs any help or advice, I am more than willing to help (was LLL back in the day)

I see you you mean by breast feeding clothes now. The Boob tops are nice, I agree they're a bit expensive, but I've got a feeling that you'll get a lot of wear out of one. Get a colour which will go with everything. BTW, I wonder when the model on Annika's link (see short sleeved tshirt bit) gave birth ... Washboard stomach!

I feel like I need to have another baby just to take advantage of all cool maternity clothes they have now (my son is almost 10)! Just kidding, but seriously, those breastfeeding/maternity tank tops Annika linked to look really neat and comfy.

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement.
I have every intention of being as discreet as possible so hopefully all will go well.

I think those tank tops are what my daughter who was just here with her 7 month old has. She also has one of those baby carriers that can go on the front or the back. She can actually nurse the baby while walking around and no one is really aware of it. As far as I've seen I wouldn't worry the least bit about nursing your baby in Italy. Seems to be quite well accepted as just part of life.

Ciao,
We have a travelogue of nursing pictures from all over Italy. Everywhere from St. Peters to the Grande Canal with quite a lot of Le Marche in between. I also nursed my daughter long-term. She finished nursing last summer in the heat of Puglia at the age of 5. There was occasionally curiosity about nursing an older child but never a problem, anywhere in Italy!

You were nursing a 5 year old?
I'm all for nursing (doing it right now!)...but at 5 years old!! That's just really strange. Just curious as to your reasons.
www.anythingbutdull.blogspot.com

Five is nothing- John D Rockefeller was breastfeeding in his 80s.