To think breastfeeding covers that look like giant shopping bags are a bit odd

[Muse84]

That's it really. Always draw the eye. It's like they've put the baby in a giant IKEA bag and hung it around their neck!

Just a light hearted observation. I am FTM who breast feeds and I always found that two tops and an occasional strategically placed small muslin do the job perfectly. Nobody sees a thing, even when nosy baby looks around.

I'm not judging anyone here, I struggled at the beginning too. I just wonder who invented these bags then sold them to poor women who may not realise how much they stand out.

Maybe they feel super happy and confident using them, in which case I'll shut up and support them

I did once full on flash someone my whole boob when it was very early days and was feeding dc1. He did a bit of a yuk face! Tbf I probably didn’t look my best at that point but really. He looked like a bit of a cunt though. I have cunt radar. So meh. He had a wife and son with him. Poor souls.

It's like they've put the baby in a giant IKEA bag and hung it around their neck!

What sort of cover is this? I’ve never seen one.

I fed DD In a sling that might have looked like that but it was a sling for carrying her in, not a breastfeeding cover.

I'm not sure why a woman trying to feed her child bothers you so much. Breastfeeding is hard enough.

It's what works best for the mother that's important.

I never used anything to cover DS as he did not like it at all. It was just top up, bra down, baby on. If I felt a bit exposed in a cafe or something I used to pop my bag on the table as a barrier.

"eh, he'll never eat all that..!"

I know people bang on about how unnecessary they are but I find all my purpose made breastfeeding clothes a lot easier to feed in than anything else.

Purpose made breast feeding clothes are different - they make it easier to breast feed. Those cover things are basically saying I must hide the fact that I'm breast feeding for fear of offending anyone. Just breast feed where and whenever you want.

I never liked them, too claustrophobic and seemed to have the opposite intention - drawing all eyes to the giant (often jazzy print) blanket.

I don't think using a cover is necessarily a sign that someone feels uncomfortable about breastfeeding per se, just lacking confidence in their ability to do it without showing more boob than they would like to. Our society is pretty accepting of mini skirts, but I don't want to wear one because I don't like having that much of my leg exposed- I'm not trying to pretend that I haven't got legs at all!

I see using a feeding cover in the same way- we all have the right to breastfeed without being expected to cover up, but that doesn't mean those who prefer to shouldn't be able to choose to use a cover if they prefer to.

I have several covers and have used them frequently over the past 2+ years of breastfeeding. I love them to bits, don’t feel ashamed to be feeding my child, just enjoyed the privacy they gave me to feed anywhere without my own sense of dignity being compromised.

Yes they are capacious but that’s part of their appeal, they’re light cotton and airy and allow plenty of wriggle room even for my 2 1/2-yr-old. I’ve fed on buses, trains, in restaurants, on the steps of the National Gallery, round countless friend’s houses, and the cover actually helps my DS focus and not get distracted, even lulls him to sleep sometimes which is a bonus!

I know it’s not hiding what I’m doing under there, and good job too, it’s not a secret! I find it quite odd all the previous posters who have bewailed the need for covers but then gone on to say “I just used to use a muslin when out and about…” well surely that’s just the same thing?! Apart from a cover can’t be loosened by an errant gust of wind or a flailing child’s arm.

Each to their own, eh? We’re all doing our best to raise our children the best way we know how.

The right to breastfeed openly in public isn't an obligation to do so.

Those cover things are basically saying I must hide the fact that I'm breast feeding for fear of offending anyone

No. Me wearing a cover was basically me saying ‘I feel more comfortable with a cover’.

and even if that is the reason people wear one, that’s their right. They don’t have to be constantly fighting the breastfeeding cause. It’s not their responsibility. Feminism is about choice.

This is the perfect example of women tearing other women's choices apart and simply not listening to their point of view and accepting it.

I DO NOT TAKE ANY ISSUE WITH WOMEN BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC, I SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO DO IT MYSELF SO I CHOSE TO BUY A COVER.

Wow. Rather over the top replies. Personally I think they are odd looking, it doesn’t mean I judge the mother or anything alleles others have wildly extrapolated! Clogs imo are also a bit odd, I am still friendly with clogs wearers and think no less of them.

From my point of view I think they look fussy to carry round, I know all of mine have hated covering during feeding and I don’t feel the need. I have big boobs and I don’t give a shit about others when I feed tbh, 7 combined years of doing so and I’ve had pretty much zero comment on it. Doesn’t mean I want to take them away from others, judge them etc. Live and let live, there are tons of things others do that I don’t understand and I don’t need to think about...

Breastfeeding mum's get negative comments if they cover up and if they don't also for doing the selfless act in general... As a breastfeeding Mum myself I say it is the most rewarding and amazing experience you shouldn't feel ashamed be proud of it and don't let anyone's mindless inexperienced comments put you off from giving your baby the scientifically proven, 100 % natural ultimate start in life.

For the large part, these covers are an example of another item of kit promoted to (mainly) mums that isn't really needed by the vast majority of people who buy one. Whilst accepting some mothers might not feel comfortable without one, their prevalence can give the impression that breastfeeding is something to be covered up

It's all a bit prudish and harking back to Victorian england

Then I’m a prude 🤷🏻‍♀️. Shoot me.

(Actually I’m not)

They’re a bit puritanical and I imagine a bit stuffy for the poor baby in there. . I’ve never seen one in rl.

I didn’t care if anyone saw a bit of boob

That's cos there ain't nothing wrong with a bit o boob

The comments from people who have never used or seen one in real life are giving me a giggle.

I really do not understand what using one has to do with anyone else?!

Can I see the stats stating that these breast feeding covers are the reasons young mum's are breast feeding? Seeing as a lot of my mum friends hadn't heard of them they certainly aren't being shoved down our throats. They are there if you want them and you dont buy them if you don't want them.

I don’t think women are ashamed of breast feeding. It’s that they don’t want to show strangers their tits. Like we don’t go round showing our arses or fanjos. But some women can’t breast feed without showing their boobs so cover up.
Conflating a sense of dignity or privacy about ones body with a feeling of shame about breast feeding is a bit of a red herring I think.

Why does it matter if it draws attention to the fact you are breastfeeding? Surely thats a good things whether its with a top, cleavaging or cover?

I used a cover for the first month as the baby couldnt feed without shields. Those buggers are slippery. After that i had breastfeeding tops except when it was sunny, my baby hated the sun in eyes and the cover was light and great for it. Definitely didnt look like an ikea bag though.

Why are you so bothered about how other people feed?

Not that bothered but I think breast feeding should be given a lot more kudos, rather than ushering breastfeeding women into back rooms and toilets or changing rooms (see other thread about bf woman by swimming pool). Using one of those big cover ups just buys into that whole women should not be seen breast feeding b.s.