Breastfeeding in public with a breastfeeding bib – Free sewing pattern
Breastfeeding. The most natural way to feed your baby. Milk that’s ready to be served at the right temperature at any time, whenever your baby’s hungry. It’s healthy fast food!
Breastfeeding made my life as a new mom easier. You learn soon enough that every time you leave the house with your baby, there are so many things you can forget. Even though you stuff that baby bag with (reusable) nappies, an extra change of clothes or mouth wipes, you can be sure you’ll be out at the exact moment when you need them the most. Or they’ll be at the bottom of your bag, while you are trying to find them with one hand because your other hand is balancing all the rest. At least with breastfeeding, you can be sure of one thing: your baby will not go hungry. You brought as much milk as he could need, no matter when he needs it. And there you have it. “No matter when”. Especially in the beginning, a baby’s food schedule is pretty hard to predict, for the simple reason that they don’t have one. So you may find yourself in the middle of a crowded shopping street with one very hungry baby. And you will have to feed him.
When this happens, I try to find a silent, hidden-away corner in a tea room or something like that. A nice quiet place where I can feed my boy without being disturbed all too much, where both of us can be at ease without having to rush. If the weather permits it, even a quiet little bench in a park off main street might just do the trick. Now, what some people don’t seem to understand, is that I just want to feed my kid. I really don’t do it to provoke or to show my breasts to as many strangers as I can. I became a mom, not an exhibitionist. So I wear the discrete breastfeeding bras and dresses that allow me to feed my son quietly. You really would have to make a really big effort to try and actually see my breast. Still, research has shown that quite a number of people think it’s not done to feed your child in public. And I have noticed it as well: they pull up their noses and/or throw me a look as if I am pure evil. What on earth is that about?
Anyway, to feel a bit less exposed (for the times when I am out and about and the breastfeeding dresses are in the laundry basket) I stitched together a breastfeeding bib, or a beebib as I like to call it. You wear it like a bib and pull one arm through, to easily hold your baby. It covers your breasts and belly from the rest of the world, but it still allows you to see your baby. I think this is really important. I don’t want to cover my baby’s face up while I’m feeding him, as if eating is something he should be ashamed of. That’s one eating disorder less in the world.
I used cotton on the outside and towel cotton on the inside. I also added two double-welted pockets, where you can hide your breastpad or your baby’s dummy.
I finished the seams with bias tape and made the tape slightly longer, so I could easily tie the bib in my neck and alter the lenght if need be.
Because the bib is pretty big, I can also use it as a blanket or to swaddle my baby. So, using this, I feel less exposed and more at ease. Will some people still throw you the evil look because they think it’s not done? Well, yes. But I did not make this to make them happy, I made it for myself. And no, I will not lock myself in the house and not go out just to avoid the chance of my baby going hungry while we’re out and about. It’s not my problem if people find breastfeeding disturbing, it’s their’s. And if they can ignore the homeless people in the street that are begging for some change, they can sure look away while I’m taking care of my baby’s most basic needs.
If you are interested in this beebib, feel free to download the pdf. Keep in mind that this pattern has not been tested (yet), so if you have any comments/suggestions, let me know.
