To ask for your experiences/recommendations of breastfeeding covers?

[LilacRain]

That can be worn over a baby carrier?

I usually feed my 4-month-old in a Baby Bjorn One Carrier when out but it's hard to be discreet.

Or is it worth getting a different carrier? Any recommendations? I have a wrap too (just a stretchy piece of fabric) but it's fiddly to tie and hard to adjust for feeding.

Look folks, its just as valid a choice to want to cover up as not, so lay off the OP. I feed anywhere and everywhere and am not bothered about who sees what, but thats my choice. If other women make another choice, thats up to them.

flaps around like a crazed eel has me PMSL. My DS has similar moments and gets totally wild eyed, often preceded by a snorting noise I call the truffle snuffle as he's trying to find the nipple. (hint: it's right in front of your face buddy)

Thanks Lorelai, that's the funniest thing I'm likely to read today!

Honestly happy if people find something that works for them... Covers look so impractical, a total faff, you can't see what you're doing so it takes longer, you end up looking like you're wearing a big tent. One more thing to remember (another obstacle to actually feeding while out).

I'm pretty shy about my body, would never wear a bikini, wear shorts to the swimming pool, mostly wear baggy clothes. Those covers just look so impractical.

Flashing seems like exactly the right word to me (shrug).

I think that using a cover up is entirely the choice of the person concerned . No one has criticised the Op for wanting to do so.

Many posters have pointed out that some covers make the wearer extremely conspicuous . The only time I have ever noticed a baby feeding is when it's mother was wearing a large table cloth type cover which appreared to fasten with Velcro around her neck .

I assume that those suggested up thread are not like that .

Very few mothers or babies want to " flash" anything hmm. if a baby is hungry , it's just wants fed. I find this emotive and pejorative language very unhelpful and off putting

You've obviously got a thing about this, but you're choosing to interpret the word in a very particular way. "Flashing" to a great number of people does not automatically mean dude in a trench coat waving his knob at you. It just means a quick look at something, a momentary view. Like flashing a light in someones eyes. You've chosen to see it in a very nasty way, and while thats your choice, it says more about your viewpoint than those you've decided are sharing your view. So, y'know, stop that.

I don't mind people knowing I'm feeding. Most of the time I'm not bothered about BF openly with boob out, but at times I'd like to be able to cover up. My baby does the crazed flapping eel thing too
I've tried big scarves (draped over one shoulder) but he pulls at them or they slip off.
Trying to feed him on the train the other day I was paranoid about milk spraying everywhere, it can spray a metre or so when he pulls back!

austengirl love the phrase 'truffle snuffle'! My ds does that too - he sort of hyperventilates with excitement and starts snorting!

I didn't really cover up but on occasions where baby was distracted or fussy I just used a muslin cloth, sort of draped over my shoulder or tucked into my top/bra. Strap a bit.

Have just looked up the mamascarf and bebeaulait thingies, the bebeaulait looks like an apron, quite cumbersome and will draw attention imo the mamascarf looks better but you are paying a premium price for what is a triangle of material.

I have some of the larger muslin cloths and one of those would work just as well and not as expensive, infact I bought muslin material and got a friend to hem a few to a size thst was good for me during summer for swaddling.

What about the bfeeding tops with a sort of slit in so not so exposed? I think experimenting with clothing may help, a cardigan or shawl thing you can wear over the carrier if you see what I mean would allow you a bit of coverage whilst still providing access for feeding.

Good luck op I hope you find something that works for you.

lilac I was a sprayer as well, when ds1 was little I fed him on the tube, he pulled off to be nosy and I sprayed bloke sat opposite and his newspaper... It was one of those moments where nobody knew where to look.

Expecting Dc6 at easter so will have the joys of feeding all over again.

Love truffle snuffle and can relate to crazed eel flapping!

Yikes, samantha28, that's a bit extreme isn't it?

It's no surprise women are reluctant to breastfeed when there are attitudes like these around. I just knew this thread would be full of people ridiculing the desire to remain covered up. Just because you start breastfeeding, doesn't mean the rest of the world suddenly ceases to regard breasts as a private body part. Its totally understandable that some women do not suddenly particularly want to flash expose their breasts to others, just because they're now a mother. And an equally valid choice to have no inhibitions with it, but you can hardly be surprised that not everyone will share your opinion.

No one has ridiculed the Ops desire to cover up .

I didn't say I had no inhibitions .

I never said I wanted to show my breasts, let alone " expose " them

What are you on about ?

I use one. I don't know which make mine is but it gets pretty warm under there, Its cotton but seems thick. I looked at the Bebe ones today, muslin is much better, I'll be buying one.

I don't find it too fiddly to use, nor do I feel it gains more attention than anyone else breast feeding.

Go with what you are most comfortable with and bugger everyone else x

Samantha, you need to google the bebe au lait item; to me it looks exactly like an overgenerous apron, giant bib for mom, or tablecloth.

The only one I've recall IRL looked like a huge poncho.

LOL lljkk, they certainly make quite a statement . Personally I'd feel an idiot sitting in Starbucks wearing something like that. But each to their own.

I do get rather annoyed at the posters suggesting that if you don't want to wear one of these , you want to " flash " your nipples/ breast , expose yourself and " you have no inhibitions " .

Wearing a tablecloth / apron with a baby underneath it ( and have everyone stare at you ) or being being naked in public ( and have everyone stare at you ) are NOT the only two alternatives.

The vast majority of mums just use a shawl or blanket that their baby is wrapped in or scarf / snood that they are wearing. Others ers use their cardigan or the baby's muslin ( also handy for catching dribbles ) .

I managed perfectly well with these for five years and so did everyone I know . But of course, that makes no money for anyone does it ? So I can see why some people get annoyed when it's suggested as an alternative.

The " OMG you are a weirdo exhibitionist flasher if you won't buy / recommend / wear one of these products " is rather tiresome and does a disservice to both mothers and babies .