Breast feeding cover ups

chunkychocky

I don't think they are meant to hide what you are doing, but just to give you some self-confidence. I liked the fact that it also supported my arm (We don't have a decent Starbucks here with comfy sofas - just hard wooden chairs without arms). I didn't like the only specific BF room that I was aware of locally which was in a John Lewis - in the baby changing room so consequently smelled vile. I wouldn't want to eat in a public toilet so there was no way I was going to expect my little one to feed in there.

PinkLipgloss

I started BF with first child 2 months ago. I live in Madrid and go out and about a lot (to parks etc) and always use a bebe-au-lait nursing cover.

It's basically like an adjustable apron with the added bonus that there is a built in wire type part at the top which means I can always look down and see my baby. Plus the inside corners are terry towelling which is great for wiping his face when we're done.

I use it all the time when out and when at home and we have visitors.

It's available in a variety of designs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bebe-Au-Lait-Nursing-Cover/dp/B000XA148Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313275709&sr=8-1

I don't care that its obvious I'm BF - I just don't want people to see my breasts!

esmy

I fed mine all over the place. I used a big pashmina style scarf or a baby shawl, over the shoulder on the side they were feeding from and across their body and mine to my waist on the opposite side - hope I've described that properly!. I soon abandoned button up style tops and just pulled up whatever I was wearing. Much easier to dress again when they'd finished. As I got more confident I didn't use the scarf/shawl so much. I'm convinced that no-one except maybe other BF mums knew what I was doing. And I rarely used BF rooms - usually a toilet and not pleasant!

alwayspuzzled

I'm now breastfeeding my 4th and I've always found that a loose'ish top with a well fitting dropcup nursing bra was perfectly discreet to the extent that people talk to me about baby whilst feeding without even realizing baby is feeding. However this time round I've invested in a bellyband (from maternity ranges) for while I'm out as it stops that flash of belly roll flesh to side and front and stops the draft:T

A charity shop bargain that I've found really good for breast feeding is a Dorathy Perkins top that is of a similar style to this where the mid low cowl neck has a seperate piece inside for the flat bit (sorry not good with fashion talk:D) so with a slight bit of readjusting you can just stick your nipple out with any other flesh showing, this did however take a bit of getting used to when latching on.

I'd also agree with the confidence that is gained from other breastfeeding moms is invaluable and can make all the diffence to how long you sucessfully breastfeed for.

ETA I've never used a BF room they normally seem to be dual function smelly nappy change rooms that you just want out of asap, certainly not somewhere I'd choose to sit for anywhere between 5 - 30 minutes !!!
I've fed my 3 oldest each till 1yo and dd2 is currently 12 weeks and if baby is hungry I feed - regardless of location - and I have honestly never had anyone be rude about it.

spaghetti_monster

Wow, I've never had anyone tutting at me.. i thought those kind of dinosaurs didn't exist anymore?!...maybe I've just been lucky.

I was slightly self-conscious at first about BF in public - I just didn't want to have my boob hanging out for ages while I sorted things out.
Some good advice I read was to BF at home one time in front of a mirror - you will see just how little you can see.

I would second all suggestions about cardies - I wear a loose t-shirt and a flowing cardie and all angles are covered.
A friend always uses a small poncho (that she would wear anyway). I was thinking of trying this as LO is almost 6 months now and can get seriously distracted whilst feeding when there are lots of things going on!

What I wouldn't recommend are those feeding tops (t-shirts/vests with various layers/holes/flaps). I found that it was awkward and annoying when only a nipple pokes out - took longer to get LO latched on and then keep the top out of the way of milky dribbles etc.
Also my LO is a big wriggler and never wanted to go in the sling - for me the loose floppy clothing was the way forward.

sir_monster

Mrs E Anything that helps your daughter keep bf is a good idea if she feels concious about it, my lo was the same feeding every 2 hours, but he used to feed for about an hour (half an hour on each side) so I wouldn't have felt comfortable with an apron on me for so long, also I found I got so hot bf so for me another layer would not have been comfortable.

Re feeding rooms yes some are vile but some are nice - John Lewis ones tend to be (well ones I've been too), mamas and papas also - I guess takes going in them to work it out!

Re relatives I can understand this, I used to disappear off upstairs into his room, which I had a nice chair, tv so could bf but later on I got more confidence and thought why should I hide away - but I do understand is hard to suddenly be getting your baps out in front of your dad or father in law!

pinkshoes

My DS is STILL breastfed at 9 months, and I have a baby bubu nursing cover, which was a god-send when he was younger!



Not only did it cover my modesty, it also stopped DS looking around and exposing me, which he had a habit of doing once he got a bit older and more interested in his surroundings! It has a plastic loop in the neck so you can keep an eye on what baby is up to!

It also doubled up as a sun shade over the pram and a blanket.

If I ever have a second, I wouldn't be quite so self conscious, but having the nursing cover just made me feel more comfortable. I didn't find it faffy at all. Also, if I was out and about with friends, it often made THEM feel more comfortable, as not everyone feels at ease when someone gets their boobs out!

LolaLemon

I would recommend good nursing bras - not muther care ones if its still just a bit that looks like a bra strap at the side of breast... they caused more problems . Get cheap vest tops in colours that her clothing is, and until she and baby are more bf confident, floaty type tops... ones that the arm holes are a bit exaggerated and start half way on breast, this will make it easy for her to feed without lifting top up with a little bit of adjusting. Or she can lift top up, pull vest top down a little , bra down and her belly, sides and back are all covered. Wearing a cardigan will cover arms and shoulders.

From being a peer support worker for past 3+ years, I haven't found many mums or babies who liked the covers, a lot of the babys didn't like being put in darkness to be fed, and fussed and fidgeted and even crying.... this is not to say don't get one, but I wouldn't recommend paying full price for one, try gumtree, eBay, freecycle, BfN, la leche league or local run breastfeeding support groups/cafe. Oh also make sure that they are able to see baby feed, to make sure attachment is good and to have eye contact.

gillypkk

i HATED the idea of putting something over my baby while feeding! how would you like someone shoving a blanket or whatever over your head while you were eating? eyecontact while feeding a baby is the earliest form of communication and bonding between mother and babay and putting something over the baby while he/she feeds to me is horrible.

i just used the 2 vest tops one up one down. dorothy perkins do them 2 for £9 i think it was so not alot of expense at all or even cheaper in primark.

she needs to be aware baby may not like it and she will be missing out on the bonding experience while out and about.

teasleym

I didn't buy a "proper" coverup, I treated myself to a pretty cotton scarf (from White Stuff) that was about 30cms wide. It was quite lightweight and I always wore breastfeeding tops which opened at the top (rather than the lift the whole top up version.)

I could put the scarf around the back of my neck with the ends dangling on the side I would be feeding and tucked my baby into it. No one could see what was going on, but the scarf was light enough that I could see my daughter and it was not overheating her or feeding her in the dark!

Its easy to wash, pretty, v lightweight, and I can now wear it anyway even now we're no longer feeding, and its a lot cheaper than the breastfeeding covers. And if you just wear the scarf anyway, you're not carrying around anything extra in your change bag!