what do you think when you see someone using a bfing cover?

[reastie]

Like one of those bebe au lait style ones. Put a thread on here recently saying I was a bit about bfing in public, and, following on from some advice here I've got a bebe au lait cover thingy which arrived yesterday. Thing is, I almost feel like I'm making a deal about flashing the fact I'm bfing while using it - a bit like 'look at me, i'm bfing, yes, bfing, trying to disguise it but everyone can see it, i'm bfing'. Tried it at home and DH says since the material is jazzy (I like the pattern though ) it sort of attracts attention to what I'm doing. I feel a bit about what people think when they see people using one as I feel a bit like I might get more odd looks by using one than not using one, but don't want to feed without one and flash myself publically (lots of my tops open at the top and I'm a mahossive 38I so alot of flesh on show).

I HAD to use a little sling because DS would pop off and get annoyed with distractions around him. Under cover he settled happily to guzzle and it seemed to be the only way to get him to eat well. If I get a settled baby the second time I won't need to use one.

I didn't get people noticing, in fact, I got a few random strangers asking what I'd done to my arm (they obviously thought it was broken in a sling and felt sorry for a new Mummy trying to juggle a baby one armed!!!!).

I'm using one this time round but didn't with dc1. It's easier with one, especially in winter as I don't need to worry what I'm wearing. With dc1 I had to always try to wear something easily accessible. This time round I can just pull off and up any outfit and not worry about looking silly as I'm covered up.

I have never noticed anyone using one, so either no-one in my town uses one ever (unlikely) or it doesnt make you stand out at all.

I use the 2 tops approach now but when DD was tiny I covered up with a scarf. It's not sad, and I dont feel bullied by society, I just didnt want the entire cafe/bus passengers/FIL to see my nipples and very powerful let-down reflex and have every right to choose to cover that without other mothers feeling sorry for me.

Your body, your choice. Do what makes you feel most comfortable.

Im sure we've all seen exhibitionists who can't wait to find ANY excuse to expose themselves!! Reminds me of how some people cant wait to get naked on the beach or patients who used to parade proudly up and down the hospital corridor in those delightful hospital gowns, with their bum hanging out for all the world to see!

Nothing wrong with that if it floats your boat but its not fair to demand it from the rest of the population! There are some social norms in our western society, like it or not, one of which includes being able to maintain dignity and privacy when it comes to nudity.

Although it's a very lovely and natural thing to do, I bet none of us conceived our babies by having sex in public!!! Likewise we all go to the loo but we shut the door when in public. We get our smears done in the privacy of a doctors surgery and not in the hairdressers... and so the list goes on.

Now, to be clear, I am not saying that breastfeeding is like sex, peeing or smears, but I am saying that it is not usual to display your naked body in public (in our society) and some people wish to be sensitive about this while breastfeeding. They shouldn't be criticised for this!

I don't believe the idea of a sling is to pretend you're NOT breastfeeding or to have a fashion accessory, and I would rather be in the company of someone who confidently uses a sling, rather than an exhibitionist that can't wait to go topless unnecessarily, clearly enjoying the captive audience!!!!

Of course that's not to say that everyone who doesn't use a breastfeeding cover is an exhibitionist - far from it. I think you know if you get a kick from exposing yourself or whether you genuinely don't need a cover because you're proficient and confident in discretely feeding without one.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea ; I am a breastfeeder and so very much in favour of it.

I also don't have a problem if people don't wish to use a breastfeeding cover, be it scarf, muslin, or a special sling.

But I do have a problem if people go to any unnecessary extreme - either to forbid breastfeeding, or to insist that everyone MUST parade their breasts around while breastfeeding, (just because that's their own personal preference!!!!).

What happened to "live and let live"?!!

when i see a mother faffing about with a cover it makes me feel sad that that yet another woman has had to hush up nourishing her baby and that this social pressure will contribute to a shorter period of breast feeding and a quicker switch to formula.

also reminds me of burkas for some reason. sorry. boobs are for babies and i don't think women should have to hide this.

Zombie thread folks. Although still an interesting discussion...

just read a selection of comments to the end rather than just the first two pages. i am so going to get flamed now aren't I???

i didn't mean to offend other posters but gave my honest opinion to the OP, which still stands.