happy with my nursing cover!

[porcamiseria]

after the hooter hider thread a while back i got a bebe a lair nursing cover for ds2, now 3 weeks!

yesterday i managed an all day family event and managed to sit and feed without showing the big boobs to my extended family

so for those not super keen on bf when out, i recommend!!! wish id had one with ds1

Good for you!

I really don't see what the fuss is. I keep seeing people saying that it is less "discrete" than not using it, but there are some situations where some women wouldn't mind people knowing they were breastfeeding, but really don't want to risk them seeing breast.

I don't see why breastfeeding in public is only "valid" if you are risking flashing your boobs.

I'm pretty good at feeding without a cover, or with the aid of a muslin, usually in quiet corners of restaurants or cafes. But where I can't find that level of privacy, in bright sunshine or in the company of family/work collegues who I don't feel comfortable risking baring flesh near, I have a funky print cover ( a cheap one, not a branded one) that has more structure than a pashmina, so is more comfy for DS, and creates a nice shady private space for feeding. I've only used it a couple of times, but when I have, it has been a godsend as I have been in situations where I would not have been comfortable feeding otherwise.

I really don't see why people pick on them. If they are being used then someone is breastfeeding, so good on them.

Porcamiseria, I didn't know you had given birth!!! Congratulations

i can't see why people have a problem with these either.
Personally I've never bothered with a special cover I'm happy to breastfeed without a cover or sometimes use a pashmina if with relatives or co-workers who might feel uncomfortable.

However if they make people feel more confident about public breastfeeding then they can only be a good thing.

grazie franca!

I honestly wish I had one first time, have managed burger king, massive crowded waiting room, large family party etc etc

I only posted in case their were first timers that hate doing it

thank you for posting this, and Porcelain well said re breastfeeding in public only being valid if you show off your boobs. it does annoy me.

I like mine, too :) I have some good nursing tops that mean you can feed without showing too much, but in some circumstances my nursing cover is a handy thing. I fed without it in a crowded Brooklyn Bar for my mate's 30th on Sunday, for example, but used it when DH's cousins were visiting and we went to a restaurant on Friday night... it's weird, it's just something that's good to have around for when I might otherwise be feeling self conscious about someone getting a flash of nipple. Glad it's working for you :)

Good to hear this. Im really about BF in public, but Id resisted buying a "hooter hider" as they get widespread ridicule on MN... lots of people in my NCT group love their bebe-au-lait Im soooooo not keen on revealing nipple to friends and family!!!

I got mine on sale and it's very handy - but then here in the usa I'm odd for sometimes NOT using one, rather than for using one.

I used mine today as the only seat in the coffee shop was right in the middle near the counter. The best bit was when DS finished and did his trick where he pulls off dramatically before flopping his head back to use my boob as a pillow for a snooze. Without a cover I would have had to disturb him to cover up - feeding in public is one thing but sitting with a boob hanging out holding a sleeping baby is another - but tucked under the cover he could have a nice skin-skin nap while I finished my lunch!

you've all inspired me and ive just bought one on amazon! hopefully no more trips back to the car for us now whenwe're out!

Porcelain: oohyes, my DS does that too. Do you remember the cornershop song "brimful of asha"? I only ask cos there's this chorus "everybody needs a bosom for a pillow" which I always think of! It's rather adorable, I think, and I do like that the cover gives me a bit more peace after nursing cos I can let him doze with a bosom for a pillow.

I think they can be handy too.

I bought one from eBay that's like a branded version, but to be honest I wish I'd bought a proper one as I have trouble getting the neck to stand open properly.

I also have a 'nursing poncho'. I didn't see the point of it at first (it has poppers so you can 'see the baby better' but only on one side and otherwise it's like a normal poncho), and was about to eBay it, but actually I've worn it a few times. Once was at the cinema where no one would've seen me feed, but it kept us cosy. Other times I've worn it just because it's quite nice as another bf-friendly layer and I know I could easily feed under it without a problem. Definitely not an essential though.

I've also used a muslin - the easy low-cost way to do it.

I think it's great if you can confidently feed without needing a cover, but if using one makes someone feel more able to feed in public, then they should just go for it.

I'm pleased you found something that works for you, porcamiseria (I remember you from that thread), and congratulations on your DS2.

In practice, I've found I'm not using a cover up with my DS, just hioking my top up and unhooking my bra cup - but that's only because I seem to be too incompetent to arrange any cover up quickly - I have to race to get him latched on and feeding before he WAILS SO LOUDLY that everyone in the place is looking at us anyway. And then he's on, and fiddling with a muslin or whatever just risks him popping off and WAILING.

However, I was out with a friend who was using a bebe au lait in the park recently, and I thought - actually, when it's a bit colder, that might be dead handy (I get nipple vasospasm in winter, which I don't want to affect my BF-ing). It would be one layer between my breasts and cold air, if I have to feed in the car/at the station/in a doorway etc. So I've bought one, and will practice with it at home.

Very much agree with Porcelain about the daftness of 'valid' breastfeeding. And I really like the idea that babes can have post-snack skin-skin naps underneath a cover, that hadn't occurred to me as a benefit.