Advice needed about BFing in public with nipple shields

[ZimboMum]

Hi everyone,

I'm a first time mum and my eight week old DS is EBF (which I feel so smug about ). We've used nipple shields since birth as he has a high palate and we just couldn't get him to latch on properly without about four pairs of hands! He's feeding really well and we'll stick with the shields for the time being as he just gets grumpy and confused when I try him without them!

We haven't tried BFing in public yet - in fact I'm going out this evening with DS to a friend's house so will be feeding him in front of people other than family for the first time - which seems scary in itself - but I just wondered if anyone had any tips on how they managed to feed in public without feeling totally exposed whilst faffing about with a shield?

Sorry for long post and thanks in advance for any advice

I've not used shields, but I'd say the standard advice applies: practice in front of the mirror if your worried about showing 'too much' flesh in public.

You'll get handier and more confident with time.

I'm afraid I just used to get on with it, with no concern whatsoever for what other considered to be too much flesh or not. TBH Breast feeding is usually much more discreet than a lot of norky adverts you see, even if you choose let all hang out.

Keep up the good work

Could you pop a muslin over your shoulder and get everything ready (bra and top down, shield on) under the muslin, then pop DS on after that? You can always take the muslin off once DS starts feeding if he doesnt like being covered

yy, a muslin can help, but it can also make some women feel more self conscious. Like hanging out a big white flag, lol.

Actually, I just remembered that when I was first feeding my first child I used to use a scarf (pashmina type size), I'd put it loosely round my neck so I could pull it down to cover my breast while sorting things out. I think I then used to pull it up again once DD was latched.

In the end I just used to wear a low cut vest under my top so I could pull the vest down and the top up to reveal just a 'slice' of breast and nipple which was then covered by DCs head. Showing my post-baby tummy has always bothered my more than showing my breasts though.

First try practicing in front of the mirror with no accessories and then move on to muslin / scarf / whatever if you feel the need.

hello zimbo
I used shields with DS1 for 17 months and now with DTs. I wear a top that i can pull up, and a vest underneath that i can pull down. I try and make sure the top top (IYSWIM) is a bit stretchy so i can get the shield fitted underneath it before pulling it up a bit and latching the DTs on. then I adjust the shield a bit once i'm latching on so the baby's head covers me a bit. It's not perfect, but you can't see too much. I often wear scarves as well, as i feel the ends can be used to cover things up a bit as well. I've never gone for the muslin/blanket over me thing, as personally I always felt that would draw more attention to me.
HTH - think that bfing at a friends house before out in the big wild world is a really good idea to get you more confident. Good luck!

i didn't feed with shields for long but a big loose cardigan is handy as it can conceal quite a lot while still giving you easy access

I too am using nipple shields, having developed flat nipples in the 5 years since BF DS1 !! DS2 is now 4 weeks and feeding on demand so have had to do it in some very public places. I find a nice scarf helps disguise what you are doing, DS2 on my lap, whip up my top, pop on nipple shield and cover with scarf, he then usually knocks it off by waving his hands about frantically as he is so hungry, all this accompanied by my 5 year old stating in his not so quiet voice "you can't get your boobs out in here Mummy, put it away". Seriously though, just do it, most people won't even notice and those that do dont care anyway. Good Luck and the more you do it the easier it will be

Am also feeding with sheilds - I agree with shuffle just do it, esp if you are with friends. You can't see very much at all and who cares anyway? good luck!

I used shields on and off for a few months, and fed my DS in public a few times. I'd either do what previous posters have said, or I'd tuck the shield in my bra before I went out if I knew I'd be likely to feed him - that way I didn't have to faff about getting the shield out of my bag.
HTH

Oh and well done getting to 8 weeks full stop, never mind that you have to use shields. Brilliant job

I too carry shield inbetween my boobs in my bra :-)

In public i bring baby to boob and put on shield at last minute otherwise DD knocks it off as she always flails her arms about before she latches on.

Thanks for all the great advice. I like the long cardi/scarf idea. Will give it a go :o and report back!

thanks again for the advice :)

Ps. shuffle your 5 year old's reaction to feeding in public made me giggle :o

another vote for cardigan or/and pashmina, I used to pull it over my head to get shield on before got a bit better at it, must have looked crazy!

I used shields for about 3 months with DS and in the beginning I found at first sitting with my back to rooms helped a lot, so I was only facing the people I was with who were used to seeing me faff around with them. I put DS in the right position to feed , unhooked my bra under my top and then lifted up my top to attach the shield then latched DS on. DS's head generally head most of the action I think. Gradually I got more confident and never gave it a second thought after a month or 2. It meant when he did eventually take the breast without them that feeding in public was a total breeze

Also when feeding in public I try and find a place/seat where I have my back to the majority of peoe around me.

If you don't have a scarf, best way to get a muslin to stay put is to tie it round your bra strap and then drape over boob. I try and preempt DS and get boob ready etc before it all gets a bit desperate and screamy cos he is clearly starved NOT!!!

Best of luck! You can do it. Be confident!!