Should I Inform Parents I Breastfeed?

[bluemoose_mom]

I just had a new baby. I breastfeed and will continue to do so until well into his first year (possibly longer, my first one nursed until 17 months).

Is this something I should inform my daycare parents of? I will obviously be nursing in front of my dck's. I currently do not have any children enrolled, as I was unexpectedly on strict bed rest after 19 weeks. I do not accept children under 12 months, so nursing/bottle feeding is not on my dcp's mind when we interview.

I don't nurse in front of stranger (personal preference, no haters please), so parents won't know until their kids mention it...

[KidGrind]

No, I think it’s a personal decision. I am sure you’ll cover yourself appropriately.

[bluemoose_mom]

That's the thing, I probably won't.

I mean, I'm not going to walk around shirtless or what not, but I won't have a cover. I'll just use my shirt to cover the top of my breast. The're going to see something, sooner rather than later. And kids are curious creatures, so unless they've seen someone nurse on a regular basis, they're going to be all over, asking questions.

[KidGrind]

That's the thing, I probably won't.

I mean, I'm not going to walk around shirtless or what not, but I won't have a cover. I'll just use my shirt to cover the top of my breast. The're going to see something, sooner rather than later. And kids are curious creatures, so unless they've seen someone nurse on a regular basis, they're going to be all over, asking questions.

Well if they ask, I’d tell them the truth. At the end of the day, do what is most comfortable for you.

[MamaBearCanada]

That's the thing, I probably won't.

I mean, I'm not going to walk around shirtless or what not, but I won't have a cover. I'll just use my shirt to cover the top of my breast. The're going to see something, sooner rather than later. And kids are curious creatures, so unless they've seen someone nurse on a regular basis, they're going to be all over, asking questions.

Then I would mention it. Not because it's wrong but because some parents rightly or wrongly won't be comfortable with that. It's not like being at the mall where they can choose to move their child away if they don't like it. I breastfed while doing daycare but all the parents knew, plus I used a cover. If you know there is a good possibility someone else's child is going to see your breast then I feel their parents have a right to know. It may cause problems down the line if it is something they are not comfortable with and Jonny comes home telling them he saw Miss Blue's boob.

[MissAnn]

Then I would mention it. Not because it's wrong but because some parents rightly or wrongly won't be comfortable with that. It's not like being at the mall where they can choose to move their child away if they don't like it. I breastfed while doing daycare but all the parents knew, plus I used a cover. If you know there is a good possibility someone else's child is going to see your breast then I feel their parents have a right to know. It may cause problems down the line if it is something they are not comfortable with and Jonny comes home telling them he saw Miss Blue's boob.

I agree! I am very pro breast feeding and as a parent it would not bother me in the least. Not every parent will agree with your view. I had parents having a fit because I don't have kids shut the door when they go to the bathroom. They didn't want Little Susie to notice Little Johnny has a penis......they'd have a fit if they got to see my boobs.

[EchoMom]

I absolutely would not. That's a completely uncomfortable, odd conversation to have telling another grown person something so intimate.

I nursed my DS until 20 months. But after a year old, it was really only something that happened around bedtime or nap and it was private.

I only had 1 child 4 years old 2 days a week, the others were all ages 0-2 so they were pretty young and didn't really take notice. I didn't use a cover, but still, no child ever actually saw my breast because I covered with shirt, etc. I didn't overly worry about it, but I also didn't go exhibitionist style.

For me, I would rather keep my privacy from parents and cover up a little better so as not to have children mentioning it. Unless you have older children, I really don't think they'll ever even think anything of it if you don't make any big deal of it either.

I used to tell parents a lot more than I tell them now and I realize 99% of everything is none of their business and more often than not it just causes more drama and weirds them out when you do tell them too much.

[TwinKristi]

Yeah I had 3-5yr olds kids and when I nursed I didn't cover up more than my shirt.

[SunnyDay]

I wouldn't mention it. I have never told daycare parents that my own children or I eat, or breathe, or do any of the other things that are necessary to live . Breastfeeding is just a necessary part of having a newborn. If they brought it up, I would just say that I am as discreet about it as possible.

[safechner]

I am breastfeeding to my almost 5 months old son, I personally will cover up while I doing daycare. I am sorry I wouldnt front of any kids, not ever my older daughters. I refused to do it in public, too. I do nurse my son in my car or pumped the milk for him to drink the bottle if we are in the mall or something.

The best thing is to do cover up when you nurse your infant front of your daycare kids. Most likely, the kids will tell parents about it. It is up to you to let your parents know that you are breastfeeding. I wouldnt comfortable to leave my child in your care if you are not cover up. Sorry..

[countrymom]

I nursed my dd till she was 3 yrs old. I just covered up, I had a really pretty shawl so no one knew or I would use my sling which was great (I would walk around the store and feed her and know one knew)

[Lucy]

That's the thing, I probably won't.

I mean, I'm not going to walk around shirtless or what not, but I won't have a cover. I'll just use my shirt to cover the top of my breast. The're going to see something, sooner rather than later. And kids are curious creatures, so unless they've seen someone nurse on a regular basis, they're going to be all over, asking questions.

In that case, I would definitely tell them at interview. It's their decision as a parent to decide if they want their child to witness that. I'm not judging in the least... just saying what I think is the right thing to do. (Breastfeeding is a totally AWESOME thing to do, so please don't think I'm talking down on it.)

If it were me, and I was using something to completely cover, then no, I wouldn't bother saying anything. But you're going to have kids staring at that baby ****ing on your breast, and they will be dumbfounded. I can guarantee they'll ask you and/or their parents what it's all about. If word gets back to parents who would have chosen not to place their kids with you if they had known, they'll be miffed for sure.

[Lucy]

Then I would mention it. Not because it's wrong but because some parents rightly or wrongly won't be comfortable with that. It's not like being at the mall where they can choose to move their child away if they don't like it. I breastfed while doing daycare but all the parents knew, plus I used a cover. If you know there is a good possibility someone else's child is going to see your breast then I feel their parents have a right to know. It may cause problems down the line if it is something they are not comfortable with and Jonny comes home telling them he saw Miss Blue's boob.

Yes... this. You worded it better than I did!

[Scout]

I most certainly would mention it in a casual manner in the interview. I feel they have the right to know if the child may see something of a breast. I BF my son for 18 mos but, this was before dc. I would always go upstairs in private when we were at someone's house or in my car like a PP said if we were out in public. I tried one time at a park and it made me VERY uncomfortable!

[Texasjeepgirl]

I breastfed my second daughter till she was 2 years 9 months old.
I don't recall that I went out of my way to inform any client that I nursed my child...
I didn't specifically cover up.. but I went out of my way to feed the daycare children and put them down for nap before 'nursie sleeping' my daughter for nap...(once she was older)