Breastfeeding in the Hospital

[AprilBabe26]

I plan on breastfeeding & I want my privacy while learning how as this is my first child. I'm not comfortable with anyone other than my husband around for that-can you have the nurses  tell visitors they need to step out or wait to go in while feeding or is this something we need to do ourselves?
I know most people will have the common decency to leave the room but his mother won't & I'm just wondering if this is one more thing I'll have to be the bad guy on...I'm not going out of my comfort zone for her so if I need to speak up I will, just thought it would be nice if that wasn't on my shoulders too.

[Mommyof5_1angelbaby]

I understand how u feel i would ask the nurses definitely. When I had my son I had c section was my 4 th( but first time i was trying nursing) and took a real long time in surgery so I get in my room hours after and before I even get to try breastfeeding everyone was in visiting and I felt bad but I said look I havnt gotten to try nursing him yet I'm sorry but u have to leave. They understood.

[aw219]

The nurses are there to tell people to go away.  You can come up with a code word with hubby too, like "oh I'm craving a banana" and that means for him to go get the nurse to clear the room!

[schenner2]

Nurses can be your best friends! Just tell your nurses that you want to be alone to nurse or that you want to limit the length of visitors for 15 mins or whatever. They will be snotty for you so you dont have to IF you ask them to. They will also make up excuses like needed to do some sort of test or check the pad under the bed to get people to leave the room. They see new moms get stuck visiting when they should be nursing or eating or sleeping! While i loved getting visitors if everyone of them stayed for 45 mins to an hour you would never get to nap or nurse your baby. Letting your family and friends know you are wanting to nurse alone until you get the hang of it should help for most freinds/family.

[Skyseyes]

I've never had to deal with this. Visitors always knocked before entering and if I was feeding my husband or the nurse would tell them they would have to wait and if I needed to feed the baby again and they were still there or if someone at all was there my hisbw or I would simply inform the visitor and they understood and left. Lol...glad I haven't had to deal with people who don't get the hint or think it's okay to hangout

[susamor]

I know all about that. I feel like I have to plan ahead about how im going to handle my mil and sil. My husband wasnt much help last time around. Im coaching him starting now.

[AprilBabe26]

Awesome I'm glad to hear that, I'm seriously more anxious about having to deal with my mil than the actual labor & my husband is such a mama's boy it's hard for him to not give in to her...ugh.

[m_r_p]

Just tell the nurses.  My hospital is definitely pro beastfeeding. With my first I had a friend who refused to leave while I breastfed..and it was super awkward. I didn't know what I was doing so the lactation consultant was trying to show me and help me get baby latched. My friend just sat there and stared at my exposed boob. It was really uncomfortable for me. The nurse even subtlety hinted that she wait in the hall but She just sat there.

[abjenks15]

Our hospital has a sign to hang on the door. That was my husband's job :)

[Jsyska]

I would tell your family now.  Just tell them that you'd like privacy when you're trying to nurse.  That way they'll kind of know that they should leave when they're visiting you

[susamor]

Ask visitors to step outside. Say you don't want baby to be distracted.  And dont make the mistake I made by delaying feedings to not inconvenience my in laws. Ugh! This time around I wont be shy about asking them to step outside!!

[Sass508]

The nurses will totally help you if you ask them but I feel like your visitors should have an understanding of your modesty level ahead of time if possible.

If I were you I would just tell the nurses ahead that you won't be able to when there's company

[bsjolie]

My nurse did it without me asking. But just let them know your preferences and they will help

[kelley_bump]

You can get the nurse to do it just let her know that's what you want and they have no problem kicking people out