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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:
Original poster
laumiere · 03/01/2009 23:28

Oooh christmascliff I never thought of using belly bands, I have a couple I got in Topshop for £5.....

Thanks all, useful tips here!

OP posts:
fledtoscotland · 03/01/2009 23:35

i have a couple of h & M tops which are good for family things where i dont want to show flesh but i have a thin cardigan/wrap thing that i put in the buggy and just wear when BF when out and about. it covers a multitude of sins including when DS2 decides to look around and forgets about the job in hand. I also found that despite my expectations that people would stare, there has only been one occasion and unless you know, its not really obvious.

good luck anyway

KatieMorag · 03/01/2009 23:42

laumiere - i dont think its to do with your confidence, just how good the baby is at bf. soem of them are really focussed, other like to coem off and check out teh room, leaving your nipple just hanging there dripping milk

ILoveDolly · 03/01/2009 23:42

I found bf tops useful but also often used a pashmina thing which I could use to conceal more of myself if I started to feel uncomfortably exposed.....( if neccessary you can make a tent for young suckler)

ILoveDolly · 03/01/2009 23:42

I found bf tops useful but also often used a pashmina thing which I could use to conceal more of myself if I started to feel uncomfortably exposed.....( if neccessary you can make a tent for young suckler)

ILoveDolly · 03/01/2009 23:43

This is esp useful if you have a baby who likes to veer away from breast unexpectedly (katiemorag)

Northernlurker · 04/01/2009 01:27

I used to find a muslin very handy for those moments when they just break off and leave you mid letdown! It's so ungrateful - we are perfectly focused on them but they just get distracted by anybody who walks past in a flash colour top!

PetitFilou1 · 04/01/2009 15:39

Try the Mayreau tops or the Paola Maria tops on the Bella Mama site

Definitely worth the money and I have been described as looking glamourous in them! The cheaper ones aren't so good

whingeomatic · 04/01/2009 15:52

I wear a strappy, stretchy vest under a loose-ish top (M&S have them for about £3 each in loads of colours).

I have a muslin handy for emergency cover-ups ie when dd2 pulls off my breast to have a look around! Then I pull the vest & bra cup down & the loose top up, iyswim?

Vest covers scary belly, top drapes over exposed bit of breast...

whingeomatic · 04/01/2009 15:55

plus bfing tops only seem to go up to a size 18, I need a bit more weightwatchers attendance before they are suitable

TheBlonde · 04/01/2009 15:59

www.milkbug.co.uk has a reasonable selection although I've not ordered from them myself

I liked the Carriwell ones best

Also as Thomcat suggested boob tubes or those bump bands they sell for pg (in topshop about a fiver) under a normal top

ThingOne · 04/01/2009 16:18

My DS1 was on the boob the whole time and I couldn't understand why everyone else didn't wear bf tops. My DS2 was a different kettle of fish and I didn't have to have my norks out the whole time.

I would maybe get one or two to start with and then see how the baby goes. I was all ready to buy lots of new smart ones for my DS2 but didn't need them.

I also bought the cheap strappy vests from M&S and put them under my top, so when I pulled it up I didn't expose my belly. They pull down easily.

Wraps, loose cardies and ponchos can help if your DC has a really fussy stage or you need to remove distractions so they'll go to sleep when you are out.

MummyValentine · 05/01/2009 13:17

I think anything that makes you feel happy about feeding your baby whilst out is worth it, so wouldn't consider bf tops to be a waste of money. You can always sell them on Ebay when you've finished too.

I've found my breastfeeding tops to be so useful - covering up everything I don't want on view (esp. my post baby tummy) ! The best site I've found is Bella Mama they have tons of choice and lots of styles. Not all of the tops have the "slits" type of access, some are pull aside panels which personally I find a lot easier and quicker. I also found it too depressing to wear baggy clothing to go out in, having big boobs too just made me feel massive.

lizzytee · 05/01/2009 17:31

Hi laumiere

the nearest branch of H&M I've found that does nursing tops is at Bluewater - shoved right at the back! Tummy exposure was my thing although tbh the streetlife in SE10/SE13 is so exotic I'm not sure anyone ever noticed dd and I. Plus after 8 weeks in SCBU and long periods with boob out waiting for dd to have a go I had no shame on the grounds that most of SE London had seen my boobs anyway

fruitstick · 05/01/2009 17:36

I always wore a vest top with a shirt or something over the top. Then you can left the vest up to cover the top of your breast and the shirt stays in place to cover your tummy.

In the summer, the cheaper the vest the better as you don't get too hot. M&S did great multibuy offers at the time.

Sycamoretree · 05/01/2009 17:48

TBH, I don't think a bf top will help you with that issue as you've still got your boob out. I never mastered public feeding - tried with a shawl etc but tbh, with a toddler around it was just impossible as you couldn't keep your eye on them properly.

That said, I did find mine very useful second time around, just made it easier dealing with a toddler, feeding, doorbell going etc - you can just wop your boob back in a bit easier. I bought them for the same reason as you. Didn't do well with DD so wanted my best shot at BFing with DS.

I got mine from JoJo Maman Bebe, but sold them second hand on Ebay when I'd finished with them - they were in great condition, so it's probably worth looking on there for any second hand ones.

Original poster
laumiere · 05/01/2009 22:54

Hi lizzytee, I'm in Ladywell, where are you?

OP posts:
lizzytee · 06/01/2009 13:43

I'm on the Lewisham side of Greenwich.

Have been following the antenatal thread but not been able to come to any meetups due to dd.

However I am a local NCT hag so if you want to drop me a line at lgnctchair at googlemail.com get in touch!

lizzytee · 06/01/2009 13:45

I'm on the Lewisham side of Greenwich.

Have been following the antenatal thread but not been able to come to any meetups due to dd.

However I am a local NCT hag so if you want to drop me a line at lgnctchair at googlemail dot com get in touch!

lizzytee · 06/01/2009 13:46

I'm on the Lewisham side of Greenwich.

Have been following the antenatal thread but not been able to come to any meetups due to dd.

However I am a local NCT hag so if you want to drop me a line at lgnctchair at googlemail dot com get in touch!

lizzytee · 06/01/2009 13:57

at triple post.

Original poster
laumiere · 06/01/2009 18:18

Lewisham REPRESENT!

goes off to email

OP posts:
NumptyMum · 06/01/2009 22:05

Sorry not had time to read all the posts; I'm sure someone has already suggested strappy t-shirt under another t-shirt and pulling the top t-shirt up while popping boob over the top of the strappy t-shirt (iyswim). However I LOVE my Mamaway strappy t-shirts - they are great and v discreet in hot weather (no flipping boobs out over the top like some other makes of bf clothing...) and in cold weather you just wear another t-shirt or jumper over them and pull that up. I should get commission I've raved about them so many times...

Essie3 · 06/01/2009 22:15

Tooting Bec checking in!
I swear by H&M nursing tops. I only wear nursing tops. The H&M ones don't look like nursing tops, and they work well for me. Brilliant design. Look normal. So cheap as well! It took me a while to get used to them, though - a few weeks, before DS and I were more expert breastfeeders.
I got a Blooming Marvellous one in the sale but although it's pretty, it's fairly disastrous on the boob-hanging-out side of things.

cosmicdust · 07/01/2009 02:12

I got one breastfeeding top an have worn it a lot (ds now 5 months). However, it is cotton & has started to go baggy.
What I swear by is a home made one of these I know it says "look at me I'm breast feeding" but no-one can see anything & you can see your baby & don't have to worry about keeping it on. I put terry cloth pockets on the inside of mine to wipe up spills. I've found recently that ds is very distractable & using this reduces the distractions somewhat while we're out & about.