breast feeding...cover up

[ghostspirit]

hi i was just looking for some advice on how i can cover up when breast feeding. i have not made any effort to get the things i need i dont even have proper nursing bras. so they will be top of my list. we are going out for a family meal so i need to be discreet/cover up. i looked at breast feeding scarfs but they look horrible. any ideas?

Proper nursing bras are a good idea, but you don't need to buy anything else. Just wear a top that allows you access to your breasts (one you can pull down, or up, or buttoned front). When you need to bf, just turn away from other people, quickly unbutton shirt and bra, latch baby on. Then turn back. For me, that was more than enough (though I am down the 'whip em out' end of the continuum).

If you prefer more privacy, any shawl, or a big scarf, will do.

If you want a cover up, then a pashmina type shawl is good.

Clothing wise, I liked a vest-plus-top combo. Top lifts up, neck of the vest goes down.

I wore a vest top under another top and just pulled the top one up and vest down. I never flashed at all using that method. Was ideal for us since both of my DC hated anything covering them up while feeding.

What about a breastfeeding top like this one from JoJoMaman or I just bought a cardigan in a size bigger than usual and some breastfeeding tops. DD was quite a sicky baby so I always used muslin cloths, M&S do some really pretty flowery ones

Just drape a muslin over your shoulder if you are accessing boob from the front/top. Or wear a top you can pull up to feed

devora i normally just whip them out to haha. it might just be that i have not got the nursing bras yet. might just get them and see how i go. feel a bit closed in with scarfs.

Feeding aprons are quite good but I generally use the vest top under a loose top method unless I am around someone who I would be embarrassed to show my tits to (bil).

seems i should do the top/vest method :)

I have always found that it draws more attention faffing about with scarfs, muslins etc. Nirsing bra with one loose top, one vest underneath, vest goes down, top comes up, boob in the gap. Sometimes a cardy can cover any side exposure but you really won't show anything. Did you see in the press that lady asked to cover up with a napkin in fancy London hotel? Waaaaayyyyore obvious with the napkin.

The nursing bras are the key thing! They mean you can just get to your nipple without having to unhook the bra. Once you've got your bra sorted, just experiment with clothes till you find the ones that allow you to cover the most flesh.

scarfs, muslins etc just draw attention. Although now I am more confident and baby's head is big enough to shield I just do the vest top thing. Get the boob out under normal top, bring baby to me, whilst she's in position just lift top up slightly and let her latch on.

scarfs, muslins etc just draw attention. Although now I am more confident and baby's head is big enough to shield I just do the vest top thing. Get the boob out under normal top, bring baby to me, whilst she's in position just lift top up slightly and let her latch on.

I don't mind if people know I'm breastfeeding but sometimes like to cover (as dd unlatches and I spray milk/flash nipple! ). My boobs are of a size where it can become a nightmare!
I do the vest under a top thing. Or a button/zip top and cardigan/hood to use as a cover.
I also use a "nursing apron" if she's distracted, which of course covers me as well. Mine cost under £10 off Ebay. It has a c shape strip of plastic in the top, so you pop the strap over your head and you can see down to the latch etc. TBH I rarely use it now but found it useful to start out. Now I latch her on and if she looks like she'll get distracted I use my jacket or a muslin. But in the early days I would have found that hard to do so I'm glad I bought the apron.

Some women prefer to cover, some don't. See what works for you. Don't let anyone tell you you "must" either cover OR not cover 'to make a point' - the point is its up to you! Like skirts/trousers ... nowadays we wear both, and provided it's not peer pressure a woman should be free to choose.

Actually on reflection I sometimes use the apron BECAUSE it's obvious ... as in "Look I'm feeding a baby here, so can't move my chair/get up" or "Look I'm feeding a baby here ... and proud! Just because I don't want to flash my stretchmarks boob, doesn't mean I think it should be hidden."

I think sometimes people confuse the (in my case vain/practical if she's distracted) desire to cover with being ashamed of feeding itself. But to me "people can tell if you use a scarf, it's obvious" is a non point!
I'm not ashamed of feeding at all. I don't care if they know I'm breastfeeding!
But at the same time I am a bit purple stripy at the moment, and have always preferred to cover my torso.
And my baby loves to look around, which makes feeding inefficient.

If they sold a scarf/apron that said "feeding my baby!" ob it I'd gladly use it.

I'm not particularly shy but I like to save others blushes, ie dad, FIL, people I work with and use a mamas and papas apron. It's fab. It doesn't matter to me if it draws attention to feeding as my breast is completely covered. A reasonable amount of my breast is exposed- she's only on the nipple after all- so I don't think I'm discreet at all. We're reasonably new to it though

Oh the advantage of an apron is it doesn't fall off

Seraphine nursing wrap/shawl... I live in it :-) pricey but worth every penny and surprisingly adaptable as emergency blanket/ sunshade etc!