So, just how do I breastfeed in public when my norks are the size of a small country?

[twocatsonthebed]

So, DD and I are starting to get the hang of this breastfeeding lark, I'm even getting used to the evening feedfests.

But, and this is a big but, now that she's 7 weeks, I'd quite like to go out and about a bit more. The problem is, I have no idea how I am going to breastfeed in public without waving my giant norks about like flags. Never small, I have now grown to an astonishing 38J (and probably bigger, that was just the largest nursing bra in John Lewis).

To breastfeed her at home, I rest DD on a pillow, as I need at least one hand to stop her drowning in busom. I can breastfeed holding her up, but even so, it's bust everywhere. And, at my new size, I don't own anything resembling a baggy top. and don't particularly want to wear one.

So, how did all you other norktastic breastfeeders manage? I need your tips so I can have a life again, please...

Ift your normal top, and put a muslin over the exposed bits of nork (without smothering your DD )

Oooh or just whip the whole thing out and announce loudly "Its VERY RUDE TO STARE!"

This is how I have seen generously-endowed mothers managing

i) wear a close fitting lycra tee shirt under an open-up shirt. Flaps of shirt sort of hide the side and tee shirt sort of clings to top part of breast hiding the vast acreage of flesh you would otherwise expose

ii) cross legs, so thigh acts as resting place for baby who sort of faces you (means you don't need a pillow) and takes breast face on

HTH

Mine too were enormous - I just took a thin blanket and lay it over dd while she fed. I was really self conscious at first, but it's amazing how quickly you learn to unhook your bar and latch baby on with no-one noticing!

I used to try and find a quite-ish corner and turn to face baby - no-one really paid me any attention. Good Luck

Twocats

My norks are also the size of Wales and I have recently bf in public with my 9 week old ds. The first time I hid under a muslin but worried about his ability to breathe.

Second time was in M and S cafe on a Saturday. It was heaving! I lifted up my top and NO ONE took any notice. Suspect my MIL was uncomfortable though.

TikTok is right - the lycra top route is very subtle. I do think though that I exposed far more flesh in my younger, clubby days!

Go for it - it was very liberating.

I also am cursed with humungous norks (38H seriously they are a public risk!) and i have breast fed in public a few times, DS2 covers up most the breast and the rest i hide with my t-shirt or his blanky. I also have one of those bfeeding double layer tops which comes in handy.

But really nobody has looked or said anything and even if they did, i would simply reply 'it's either this or he will scream the place down - you choose.'

Some shops are coming round to the idea of bf and have supplied a "mothers room". I live in the North East and I know the M&S at the metro centre has a very comfortable room, don't know if the shops near you have the same. Alternatively you can ask if they have a quiet room for you to feed you baby, mine is so easily distracted at the moment I couldn't feed in a cafe without her turning her head upside down to hear everyone's conversations. I asked in Debenhams and they said I could feed in one of the personal shoppers dressing rooms...v nice!!!

I went down the 'complete shamelessness' route and it has always worked very well for me
I use any old thing as a pillow - handbag, folded up scarf or sling, etc, and cross my legs to get the extra height if necessary.

I have friends who do elegant drapey things with shawls or muslins, but I think the bottom line is that it's surprising how little notice most people take.

Having fed two DC with 38H/36H I have found the easiest is to wear a nice fitting top. Keep the top pulled down to near where baby is, baby covers the whole tummy area anyway. I try to find a table with a cross bar beneath, as I would place the foot on the side I was going to feed, on the bar, arm on knee, baby on arm (if you can comprehend that). I would also try to sit not facing the room (if at a cafe) or in the religion/history part of a bookstore. They seem to be not as "used" . Preferably an Italian cafe (where most of the ones I've been too -- they bring you a glass of water as soon as they notice). After the first few times, you get good at it. And you'd be surprised by how little is seen. The only place I've found not really good for feeding is a pub in Ireland (even though it was a family pub) as I found later, they have low bfing rates there, so it was a bit of novelty

Having fed two DC with 38H/36H I have found the easiest is to wear a nice fitting top. Keep the top pulled down to near where baby is, baby covers the whole tummy area anyway. I try to find a table with a cross bar beneath, as I would place the foot on the side I was going to feed, on the bar, arm on knee, baby on arm (if you can comprehend that). I would also try to sit not facing the room (if at a cafe) or in the religion/history part of a bookstore. They seem to be not as "used" . Preferably an Italian cafe (where most of the ones I've been too -- they bring you a glass of water as soon as they notice). After the first few times, you get good at it. And you'd be surprised by how little is seen. The only place I've found not really good for feeding is a pub in Ireland (even though it was a family pub) as I found later, they have low bfing rates there, so it was a bit of novelty

Mine were a 34 g when I fed dd2 and I used the muslin to cover any that was out and about as it were
but to be honest I would just not worry about it, people should look away if they don't want to see.

As the proud owner of norks that reached 38K last time (and that was prolly only because that was Bravissimos largest size - they do an L now!) I would also advocate the draped muslin/close fitting top route, and a bit of brazen staring at anyone nosy or incredulous - usually the elderly in John Lewis' cafe IRC. You can only do your best, as pointed out earlier, if it's a choice between that and your LO screaming the place down, I bet most would prefer that.

Hello again 2cats - glad it's getting easier for you !

Welcome to the club of large bossom bf mums ! I am a size 38 DD. Not much bigger now than pre-bf.

I find he easiest things to wear are:

t-shirts and tops that you can just pull up like jumpers. I used to wear shirts that unbutton at the front, the problem with these is that you expose too much flesh from the top. With things without buttons, that you just pull up, you don't expose anything at the top, and at the bottom, baby covers any pot belly showing

There are loads of sexy jumpers and tops out there, so you avoid those god awful maternity/bf (over-priced too !) tops at Mothercare. I am very fashion conscious, so never bothered buying maternity clothes or bf ones. I just buy stuff I usually wear in a bigger size.

If you are concerned about anything showing from the side, a large scarf or one of those cellular baby blankets draped over your shoulder do the job nicely.

As baby grows a bigger head and bigger mouth, it gets easier as less likley to get lost in your boobs !