Bebe au lait/Faye & Lou Breastfeeding Butterfly/Mamascarf: Any recommendations please?

[hmo2b]

I am a few weeks away from giving birth and am wondering whether it's worth buying one of the various breastfeeding scarves/cover ups. However, not sure which one to go for and so if anyone can recommend any of the above or anything else that they have used successfully I would be really grateful.
Many thanks.

Tbh, I found trying to cover up was too bloody faffy and ds would never feed properly if there was something over his head. I found leggings and tunic tops so much more practical.

I would hold off until you have had the baby and then see if you need anything. Good luck :)

They are a real 'marmite' item. Personally I hate them. I'd definitely see if you could borrow one after the birth if you feel you need it and see if it suits you (and your baby - both mine scream/screamed if their heads are covered). There's so much you need to spend money on, without finding you may have wasted it.

Initially loved my Bebe au lait it gave me confidence to feed in public, but once I got the confidence it was easier without it.
I'd recommend if you're nervous about feeding in public to help you get to grips with it. Sorry don't have any experience of the other brands.

I usually feed with a pashmina over me, which seems to have worked so far. I also bought a few nursing vest tops to wear under my regular clothes, which has made things easier too.

HTH x

A vote here for the Bebe au Lait, I use it all the time. Thought it was quite expensive for what it is, but mine is always in the nappy bag in case I need to feed out and about. I think its easy to use and my DS doesnt seem to mind being underneath it.

newyears is absolutely right - covers are really very "marmite". Not just for mothers - some babies hate them and will not tolerate them. For others, shutting out the world helps them to concentrate on the job in hand.

I'm afraid I can't help with a recommendation as I've never used one. I don't know how you'd feel about feeding without one though - often people find that practising in the mirror is useful as you can see that no one can see anything anyway :) Much less faff, I always felt, and usually more discreet, BUT if a cover is right for you then absolutely go for it.

It's worth noting that mail order companies are legally obliged to accept returns within 14 days provided they're in the original condition so you could buy one, try it carefully and return it if it's not right for you.

I am really pleased I didn't get round to buying one. DD hates being covered / gets all cosy and falls asleep on me!

I have a pashmina that I knot at one end to get her on and then have to fold it back off her to get her to feed. Why don't you try with a scarf and if your LO tolerates it then buy a proper feeding scarf if you wish.

Before breastfeeding dd (2 months old) I thought they were unnecessary and a bit wrong, but my breasts are on the larger side and my baby was a bit tricky to latch...

So I bought one similar to bebe au lait but pleasantly cheaper, called baby bubu. Its got a stiff rounded top that allows me to look at my baby and doesn't cover her face.

The main thing for me was to feel confident and happy to feed dd for as long as she wants, 30-40 minutes sometimes, especially during the early weeks.

It's great for some occasions where I feel a bit uncomfortable, such as on the bus or tube or a busy restaurant. I carry it in the changing bag and so I have the option to hide or face the world!

Another vote for the bebe au lait, although I also only used it for the first few weeks and no longer bother.

I know a lot of people use muslins or a scarf but I found it really hard to see what I was doing so the hoop of the bebe au lait was really useful.

The only thing I would say is that DD often got quite hot under there and this was in September-October so I doubt I'd want to use it in the summer months.

I just used something like a muslin when DD was tiny, then when more confident didn't use anything. Once you get the hang of it really you can't see anything, I've had people come right up to me and go arr at a baby snozzying on the bood and they still haven't realised that baby was actualy feeding. And I'm a well endowed J cup when first feeding.

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate your help and advice.

I found the bebe au lait brilliant in the first few weeks when latching on was a bit hit and miss and I needed to have a whole breast out and concentrate on what was going on. It's the hoop at the top that makes the difference - you can see the baby's face all the time and the baby plenty of space under there.

When latching on got easy, I didn't bother with a cover, and just wore two layers - a large vest underneath that I pulled down, and a t-shirt over the top that I pulled up. Stomach covered, all very discreet.

I use the bebe au lait sometimes, more to stop DS from getting distracted than for my modesty. I've also found that I am less restricted by my choice of attire with it, the vest and loose top look can be a bit boring after a few months! But, if you are handy with a needle and thread, there's a turorial online on how to make one for a fraction of the cost. I got mine as a gift but it is very pricey for what essentially is a big piece of cloth with some boning at one end.

madebythemamamonster.blogspot.com/2008/04/nursing-cover-tutorial.html