Breastfeeding tops - waste of money or worthwhile?

[laumiere]

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)

oh also, you don't necessarily have to get "nursing" things. I went to a wedding on Saturday & wanted to wear a dress & found one that (a) a nursing bra could fit underneath and (b) was stretchy enough fabric that I could pull it down to expose a boob. A lot of maternity clothes will serve this purpose

I didn't have any luck with tops and I bought several. I found it actually more hassle to unpop things/ lift things/ etc. I think you end up revealing just as much (if that's an issue for you). I found it a hassle to keep bits of fabric away and avoid baby getting a mouthful of shirt.
I think vest under baggy shirt is a better idea.
If I was really uncomfortable about feeding in public I would buy one of these.
www.mothercare.com/Bebe-Lait-breast-feeding-cover/dp/B00195JTZM

I had a couple of these:

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/detailfash.php?type=FASH&code=A9648&proddesc=Seamless+Post+Natal+Support+Fee ding+Vest&supercategory=BRN00001&branch=&wcategory=CAT00009&catdesc=&super=0010BRN00001~0020BRN00003 ~0010CAT00009&treecode=TRE00009

I found they were handy, and didn't involve your tummy being out. They didn't help the baby unlatching/exposure issue, which luckily didn't happen to me often, but I used a muslin over my shoulder and chest area at first until I grew in confidence...and DH pointed out that more people look at you doing that, whereas if you just you hold the baby they assume you are cuddling it. I have small boobs, so I think that helps as well, as friends with larger ones have had to battle to contain them IYSWIM!

Haven't read the whole thread but if you can splash out a bit mamanana is great. They are French, so postage is a bit steep, but they source tops from all sorts of places and have a reasonable selection. You do have to check the measurements though as all the tops are slightly different sizes!

I just pull up my top. This seems to work ok. I do often put a zip up top on (hoodie type thing) or cardigan to cover up my tummy at the sides. I often put a long thin scarf on just in case I have to cover up, but it usually just sits there unused.

It is a good job I haven't been shopping for a nursing top. I have looked up all the websites suggested above and none of them do big enough sizes.

Please do just go for it and try not to be embarrassed. I do still feel self-conscious, but I haven't had any bad reactions. In some ways we shouldn't try to be too discreet as people should get used to seeing mums do the best for their baby.

Oh, another thing - I have a close baby carrier (sling) and you can alledgedly bfeed in that. But I've not been able to co-ordinate getting boobs out and baby on with strapping holding him down and everything...

I just still wear the Mothercare nursing strappy tops - bit cheaper than some of the others and if you are larger breasted the extra support helps.

Plus I have found one of those nursing cover things absolutely invaluable this time around. I got mine in Florida, but if there are some on eBay for about £16 inc postage. What they do have that might be a bit harder to recreate yourself (although I am crap at sewing so maybe it's easy) is a metal bit round the neck so you can sort of mould it so you can see your baby if you want and it stays in place.

Now all someone needs to invent is a baby that doesn't grab at whatever you are using as cover and whip it away at a crucial moment...

When my DS was very small and I was getting used to breastfeeding I used to use one of these:
www.babybabette.co.uk/

Now he is older I do what is obviously a popular method and wear a vest underneath and then just a normal top. I just kept on using the maternity vest tops I bought at Gap as they were long in the body and cover everything Personally I did buy a couple of vests with the hole cut at nipple level but found them an utter faff. So I say - breastfeeding tops are waste of money. Just buy some vests and then ensure your normal clothes are breast friendly! (i.e. no polo necked jumpers!)

It feels like I've tried most of the ones on the market! I like my Mothercare plain brown tops, because they go with most things and are flattering, but I think they've stopped making them. Mothercare does do some useful BF basics though. I've bought some Jojo and Blooming Marvelous ones off ebay, which were so-so - a bit 'odd' in style and cut. I think I've used a Carriwell, but it had rucheing on the sides - not flattering. Finally, I can recommend the Bara Glad tops - pricey but flattering and nice to look at, and I'm living in mine!

I've been breastfeeding a total of nearly three years and have never used a breastfeeding top.

I have a few for easy tummy cover ups when going out - have found really useful. (funny - couldn't give a monkey's about getting my boobs out but not post preg belly)
Just put 'nursing top' into ebay for a selection from mamaway, baraglad etc.
also here www.clevermummy.co.uk/ do a selection and if you quote LLL you get 10% off

These nursing vest tops have clips like a nursing bra so are easy to access - You do need a loose top or a cardi on top when wearing them out and about tho!

I agree a bump band is also good under a loose top so not too much bare flesh on show

i think most nursing tops are naff but i got a few from a swedish company called Boob www.boobdesign.com/boob_eng.html and I totally caned them. In fact, I am wearing one right now (its a bell-sleeved long black round neck t-shirt). They also have cute bf hoodies. I like the flap style, because you don't get your tummy or the top of your boob out. Just the nip.

They were spenny but worth it as I have washed them loads in the 7 months that i have been bf.

i had this and it was brilliant, the bamboo fabric is really nice, looser and softer than normal cotton
here

I find cardigans & loose zipped tops cover a multitude of sins. Normally I wear a normal top made of a stretchy fabric which can be pulled about to cover any unsightly rolls of fat with a cardigan over the top. When ds latches on I pull the cardigan round him and me and sort out the bra/top/baby with the other hand. That sounds more complicated than it is in reality. It does get easier the longer breastfeeding is established. As the baby gets bigger, it covers up more of your tummy!

i have always wondered this - you know the Bf tops that just have a little hole for the nipple? Doesn't the nursling object to not being able to get his/her hands/face on skin rather than fabric?