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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Breastfeeding tops - waste of money or worthwhile?

66 replies

laumiere · 03/01/2009 22:39

I'm 30w with DS2, and having had a crack at bfing DS1 (he was prem and I switched to ff at 8 weeks, mostly due to lack of support) I'm being more systematic about pre-empting the problems I had bfing before.

One of my major issues was BFing in public, I just hated being looked at and DS being stared at. I used to use a pashmina which was ok, but not always practical. Are the breastfeeding tops on the market actually worth investing in and would they help? Do any MNers have any recommendations?

(I do appreciate that I shouldn't feel awkward about public feeding, but that's not really what I want to discuss, more practical ways to keep bfing)

OP posts:
bubbleymummy · 03/01/2009 22:48

I think anything that makes you feel more comfortable about feeding is definitely worth investing in! I would also suggest trying a sling - handy for carrying the baby and feeding -two birds with one stone! I personally haven't tried any of the tops so I can't recommend one in particular but I have seen a few mums with them at my LLL meetings and they're really lovely! I'll ask where they got them next time I see them.

Grendle · 03/01/2009 22:49

Personally, I find them incredibly useful and have worn them a lot over the last 43 months! I don't like exposing my tummy/side and find them a convenient way to be vaguely discreet. I mostly wear ones with slits either side from H&M or vertbaudet like this. I have a couple of mamacocoon ones too.

I have one that I got on eBay that has a double layer of material at the front and the underneath layer has 2 holes in it. I like this style, but haven't found a decent UK supplier (I think it came from the USA or Australia). I did once get something similar from JoJoMaman or bloomingmarvellous, but the material was horrible and made me really sweaty .

I'm not much of a style guru though .

Tryharder · 03/01/2009 22:51

I bought a couple of bf tops from Mothercare and yes, they were quite expensive but, I got a fair bit of wear out of them so I suppose they were worth the money.

You could always look on ebay if you are willing to wear second hand ones - they would obviously be cheaper. It all depends on your budget.

TBH, I just wear a normal vest top under a jumper and yank it up when required.

ataraxis · 03/01/2009 22:51

I haven't had the easiest experience with bf and similarly am not particularly confident bf in public. I tend to wear zip up tops with a t-shirt/vest top underneath, or a normal top with a cami vest underneath - it gives a level of 'cover' (including covering tummy etc) that makes me a lot more confident.

Original poster
laumiere · 03/01/2009 22:56

bubbleymummy the sling is a good idea, we used to have a ring sling (which I hated) but now have a hugabub which has very good coverage.

Grendle I can understand the skin exposing issue, I think Rootitootibaby do the top you want www.rootitootibaby.co.uk/.

OP posts:
chequersandroastedchestnuts · 03/01/2009 22:58

Personally (and other people have had better experiences so please ignore me if you'd rather!) I had two b/feeding tops from H and M and actually didn't find it that discreet having to pull them back and position the nipple in the correct place in public.

What I did find invaluable was investing in some tight, very supportive nursing vests and wearing them instead of a bra. Then I'd wear a top over them and just unclip the cup under my top and latch DD on whilst keeping the rest of my boob covered with the top layer.

I found this far, far more discreet than nursing tops.

Grendle · 03/01/2009 22:59

I haven't seen those ones laumiere, thanks. They look like the underneath layer of the one I have .

ilovelovemydog · 03/01/2009 22:59

I live in these

llareggub · 03/01/2009 23:00

Personally I found the more I tried to cover up the more self-concious I felt. I did get more confident as I grew "older" as a breastfeeder, but I'd have though a pashmina would do the job just as well as any other garment.

chequersandroastedchestnuts · 03/01/2009 23:00

(meant to say the vest also keeps the tummy covered).

You can have my H and M nursing tops ffp if you'd like? They've barely been worn, one white and one black, both meidum size.

ilovelovemydog · 03/01/2009 23:00

(and covers your tummy)

AnarchyAunt · 03/01/2009 23:00

Yep, nursing vests are brilliant. I had two I adapted myself, and would pull top up and vest down, so I could feed without exposing wobbly pasty tummy.

Thomcat · 03/01/2009 23:00

The best thing for me was to wear a boob tube, under my boobs, under my everyday top, or an XL vest top that I could wear under my boobs so when I pulled normal top up my stomach wasn't all exposed.

Northernlurker · 03/01/2009 23:02

I never used them but as I always used a pillow or rolled up blanket to feed with (big boobs - don't ask) that was between me and the world as well iyswim - you certainly can't see any tummy!

Original poster
laumiere · 03/01/2009 23:04

llareggub I found I'd leave it at home, or be too hot in it. This time around I have a DS of 2.5 with SN to deal with too so was thinking maybe a top would be easier.

chequers which vests would you recommend? I'm about a 36D if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
chequersandroastedchestnuts · 03/01/2009 23:04

Wow northern, what did you carry the pillow around in? I always miss my trusty pillow when I'm out and about - find it so much easier to b/feed if I can rest my elbow on one.

chequersandroastedchestnuts · 03/01/2009 23:07

laumiere, mine are made by Emma-Jane, I got them on figleaves I think. Did also get a bamboo one made by them but that was no good, not supportive enough.

ThursdayNext · 03/01/2009 23:09

I didn't really like the slit style nursing tops, I think they are quite expensive and didn't find them particularly useful

I do like to wear a stretchy vest under my top for belly coverage, I have cheap M and S ones

Original poster
laumiere · 03/01/2009 23:12

chequers I'd love to have the H and M tops, thanks. Email ladydiventa at hotmail dot com and I can send you postage.

OP posts:
chequersandroastedchestnuts · 03/01/2009 23:13

Okey dokey, will do now.

Northernlurker · 03/01/2009 23:14

I often took the pillow in the car but with the pushchair I tended to stick a smaller one in the bottom or roll up blankets. My toddler and baby group had a pillow though - which was a huge help.

KatieMorag · 03/01/2009 23:18

i can understand that its not nice to be stared at but TBH i have never had anyone stare at me, and i've out and about feeding for 4 1/2 years. People assume you are cuddling your baby, especially when they are small and wrapped in a shawl or blanket, so you can pull it up a bit to hide things if baby suddenly decides to pull off and have a look around

thats why i woudl hate to wear one of these cover up things that say - look everyone i am bf

i found the two layer thing a bit too hot and so generally wear baggy t shirts. not very stylish i know but i am usually accessorised with snot or sick so it doesn't really matter

and thsi is easier when your baby is a bit older and doesnt have to be latched on, when you can just shove them up your t shirt and they do their own thing

Original poster
laumiere · 03/01/2009 23:21

KatieMorag am going by my previous exp here, DS1 was a difficult latch and often pulled off, and unfortunately I wasn't confident enough to just stick him on. Hence I was often a lot more exposed than i was comfortable with!

OP posts:
Grendle · 03/01/2009 23:23

Not everyone can attach their baby without looking! I've never got to this stage with either child, even at 3.5 years!. If I don't pay attention then I get sore Hence why I find feeding tops so useful .

christmascliff · 03/01/2009 23:24

I've gonev for the alternative of ANY top with a bump band under it. The bump band hides ALL of my many rolls of excess flabmilk stores .

Gave up on feeding tops as seemed to be really obviously feeding tops so felt I was ALWAYS being looked at, not just when feeding.

Good luck, and believe me, you soon don't care who watches !!!!!

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