Baby due next month, I KNOW I will be a 'shy' breastfeeder' any tips on...

[Hopeitwontbebig]

clothes or ways to 'cover up' or do it discreetly? I don't want to

a) end up spending most of my time in my bedroom and

b) even worse, give up before I've even started.

It's a personal thing with me, I REALLY won't feel comfortable doing it in front of in-laws etc. Don't mind friends or DH so much, but family eugh.

Sorry

I posted on hear months ago about my 'issues' re breastfeeding. SO SO SO SO want to make a success of it this time.

First time around I used a nursing cover/hooter hider. Just makes life easier than worrying if you're exposed. (I also made a few for friends as they arent complicated to sew but can't be ar*ed any more)
I just found them easier than using a muslin or shawl.

The do them in mothercare these days. (I had to get mine from the US!)

I could never manage it with my sling and I hated pulling up my top.

This time round I have a couple of H&M maternity tops which are very discreet, but still got my nursing cover in case I find I'm still too shy!

I second the hooter hider! I was happy to BF anywhere when I had it on - it covers everything but you can still see what is going on and have eye contact with the baby. It was especially good in the early days when I wasn't so used to latching dd on, and around 4 months when she would be very distracted/keep coming off to look around the room.

I thought I would be really shy but before I knew it I was whopping them out all over the place .

Another one for the vest and shirt, muslin in the bra strap or pashmina.

My tips would be - for the first few weeks go easy on yourself and make sure most of your visitors are people you would be comfortable to feed in front of (female friends etc). If not, make sure you can nip off somewhere else if you need to. They can be a bugger to latch on in the beginning. After a few weeks you will be able to do it much more discreetly as you can just hitch your top up quietly in a corner.

But honestly it does get easier and you will feel more comfortable as time goes by. Don't feel that you can't bf because you find it embarrassing in the early stages.

In your own house, aren't you the queen of the castle? Your DH should really help out by telling people before the baby is born that guests will have to phone first and will need to get up off the couch and move elsewhere when it's time to bf. Then he will have to tell them when that time comes, and usher them away. Stand your ground and do not scuttle out of your own comfy seat because of guests! As you get established, use a shawl for bfing in public, but you may find that bfing hormones will change your attitude and you will feel very little embarrassment about just whipping up your top and bfing. It can be done very discreetly even without wrapping yourself up once you and baby get the latching on thing down.

Got some stretchy lycra vests from M&S in pretty colours (often in packs of two). Added bonus is you can tuck them into jeans and they hold all the saggage in and leave your belly covered up when you feed. Then any top/blouse (pref bit baggy) that you pull up or open from bottom. Vest top then pulls down over breast and you show minimum flesh!
Used to latch on by turning to side then bingo once on, nothing can be seen.
Also think the H&M tops are good, under a cardy. The verbaudet ones went out of shape too quickly for my liking.
Also (bit obvious I know) survey the spot and depending which side you are next feeding on, choose a snug corner seat where your blushes will be spared.
I do agree with mathanxiety tho, once you are up and running with it, you may find yourself not giving a monkeys. Good luck!