breast feeding in public?

I am traveling to GZ in April with my still being breast fed 1 yr old. I was wondering about the social norms, and attitudes? Restaurants, zoo, subway, outdoors? I want to be respectful and still take care of my son. Thanks for any advice

I breast fed #1 for 13 months and plan to do the same with #2 who is 4 months now. I used to live in HK, now I live in Beijing. I have found Beijing MUCH more pro-breast feeding than HK.


While I only had two times in HK where I was made to feel a bit uncomfortable, I think they were rare. As long as you 'just do it' and cover up a bit, people are generally fine. But if you 'ask first' then they seem to say 'why not go to the toilet', to which my response is 'would you like to eat your dinner in the toilet'... So I learned not to ask, to select semi secluded seats, and just feed. By doing this I never had a problem.


With Baby 2, I was more of a pro (and so was she compared to #1), and even walked through central with baby in the sling while she was feeding and nobody knew! hahaha


I have these great breast feeding tops, the tank tops with 'peek a boo' flaps for ease of feeding. I do usually try to cover up, but it just doesn't always work - for example, if baby is fussy, I need to see baby to help them get a good latch or keep them interested (first baby was jaundiced and feeding meant a lot of attention from me).


When my husband is with me - he sometimes assists in giving me better cover if I just can't do it myself.


When I am out, I try to get corner tables in restaurants, window seats on planes, etc... I refuse to feed in toilets or unsanitary places, but will happily go to breast feeding rooms if available - especially when they have comfy armchairs!


So, I was in Beijing in July... and I had a very funny breast feeding experience which made me realise that HK and BJ have very different issues!


I was looking at flats, and I was waiting in the playground while the agent went off to get a key. It was feeding time, so I thought I would feed with a cloth over my shoulder...


Well, that lasted about 30 seconds...


Ayis and mothers brought their children to see me feed - holding them up to get a better view!

They encouraged them to touch the babies head!

One younger ayi was telling me I need to give the baby water too, and an older ayi (or maybe grandmother) jumped in to explain that breast fed babies don't need water (go grandma!).

Many commented what a good eater my baby is.

The older ayi (same one) moved the cloth off my shoulder and put it only on babies head to keep her head covered (rather than all of her and me)!


And the advise I then got while burping... well, you all know how that goes.


What this taught me was that in Beijing breast feeding is MUCH more accepted than HK, and that in Beijing unless I feed in private I can forget any type of privacy at all!


Overall, I am happy to find anywhere that is comfortable to breast feed, I find China is much more PRO BREAST FEEDING than HK, and have found more places in Beijing than in HK.


You have nothing to worry about - have a great trip, and enjoy all the extra attention and help you will get for having a baby! When you go to eat, watresses will often offer to hold baby or play with baby, when you are out and need help lifting a pram, help is there, etc... I feel spoilt at times with how much easier it is in China than HK for me - not that HK was bad, just that China is really amazing in this way. You might want to consider a sling or ergo for carrying baby and have a light weight muslin cloth to cover them so baby can get some privacy from all the 'help' you will get.


Have a great trip!

I agree. My third baby is now 11 weeks old and I also approach the 'just do it' mentality. I definately get stares and comments in Cantonese but have never had anyone challenge me. I am determined to continue and stand up for my rights and my baby's rights to feel comfortable doing this most natural of things.


The irony is that when I gave birth here in HK, I was swamped with piles of leaflets about how breastfeeding is best, etc etc. But even on the postnatal ward in the hospital (public one), I was made to feel very uncomfortable about breastfeeding! God forbid I should have any of my breast exposed.


Anyway, I say just carry on and perhaps in a small way by doing that, we will help change the public attitude for future generations of local women who are currenty steering well clear of breastfeeding.

Thank you for the responses, I really appreciate it. Personally I am very comfortable breastfeeding, I just did not want to push myself on another culture. I found mainland China overall more friendly and comfortable than HK when I was there 3 yrs ago alone. I couldn't wait to take my family to the mainland China, and your emails put me at ease. I don't know why my post said based in GZ, I am from the USA. Here depending where you are in the country makes a difference. When I lived on the west coast everyone I knew breastfed, but here in Pennsylvania very few do. Even stay at home moms opt. for formula. Maybe HK to GZ is rather regional also.

I lived in GZ for 4 years and ran the La Leche League Group there.

You will have NO problems bf in GZ.

You GO, girl!

I'm back in Victoria Canada now and missing China...have fun there!

Are you going for the Canton Fair? If so, try to go to a www.gwic.org event. Good fun and you'll meet very knowledgeable expat women. Let me know if you need a translator or other help.


cheers from Ruth

Hello Ruth

It is a small world I am from Port Angeles, WA. I LOVE Victoria!

Do I need a translator? I wasn't planning on using one. We are just sight seeing and doing a trip to Yangzhou.


Thanks for a reply ig you get this

Valerie

From where I am I can SEE the Olympic Mountains. My house is on a hill in Victoria and I always look at your mountains!

I hope you are going to GZ during the first half of April...the second half is when the Canton Fair (huge trade fair)is on and all prices skyrocket.

Do you mean Yangshuo? If so, have a look at www.yangers.com for lots of good info.

If you need any tips about GZ, send me an email ian_mcall(a)mac.com

Or yell really loudly! ;-)


cheers from Ruth, your neighbour to the north.

PS Look at asiaxpat Guangzhou Practical info as well for more things to do and see.

Yup, china is soooo much more friendlier and pro BF than hk. I live inshenzhen,s till breastfeeding my 13month old. sometimes end up breastfeeding outside and people either let you get on with it or like CRJ says, you get a very encouraging audience of grandmas.


not like hk where i was once told to go to the underground parking of a well known shopping mall for doing what's most natural in the world.


wonder why there are sooo prudish?

"wonder why there are sooo prudish?"


I'm going to speculate that they want to seem modern and sophisticated. Also perhaps it is better in the more "Chinese" areas of HK.