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Breast feeding Style

14 replies

blondiebonce · 28/06/2014 19:49

Am due in less than 2 weeks and whiling away the time fantasy shopping non-maternity clothes. Am really hoping I can breast feed so wondering what kind of styles people would recommend to make BF in public discreet and practical whilst still feeling and looking stylish? I know you can get covers/shawls etc but hoping (even if just at first) to try with good outfit choices.

TIA Thanks

OP posts:
BananaPie · 28/06/2014 20:03

Try a loose fitting t shirt with a stretchy vest underneath. Pull the vest down on one side, get baby in position, then lift t-shirt up. Amazingly discreet and means that you can wear normal clothes. Breast feeding clothes are generally awful!

Hopefully · 29/06/2014 06:53

Same as banana, with shirts over vests, tshirts over vests, vests under shirt dresses (unbutton dress a bit, lift vest).

GerbilsAteMyCat · 29/06/2014 06:55

I agree, the cheap long bodied vest is your friend.
Also, no need to wearing feeding bras. So long as bormal bra fit properly you can wear them.

HaveYouTriedARewardChart · 29/06/2014 07:05

I lived in bf vests for years. Emma Jane does good ones, discreet and not too fiddly. Never wore a bra at all with them but I guess that's not recommended for anyone with normal sized boobs! Wear vests with another vest (pull one up, pull one down), shirts, t shirts, cardigans etc etc.
Expecting number 3 I have got some nice maternity / bf vests from h&m. They're quite good quality and in various combinations of white and navy.

evertonmint · 29/06/2014 07:07

T shirt with a loose cardigan or kimono type top works well too - pull t shirt up, cardigan drapes at side and can be pulled across underneath to hide any tummy.

I find slightly looser tops are better as they allow for draping over exposed bits. Having a muslin to hand can also help for extra drapeage if needed.

I bought a mid-thigh tunic top for transitioning between maternity and regular clothes this time but it's actually really annoying as when I sit down I sit on it and then I have to shuffle around to pull it up and have too much fabric to deal with. Regular hip length t shirts are much easier.

I'm feeding a week old baby at the moment, and wearing my maternity t shirts and looser normal t shirts while my tummy deflates. I'll get a little more stylish as my body gets more back to normal and feeds are less frequent.

Don't get one of those covers. They look awkward as you have to peer into them or fumble around blind, the poor baby has to feed in the dark (even my week old newborn likes feeding eyes open to have a look around which he couldn't in a cover) and nothing is less discreet than a massive cover saying "look at what I'm trying to hide" :) It's much easier to just wear normal clothing, and then you can be as discreet as you wish just by being able to see what you're doing and adjust things (clothing or baby's latch and position) more easily, plus it's not making being discreet a big issue IYSWIM.

If you later find you prefer one, fine, but the early days of breastfeeding are much easier to accomplish without a cover getting in your way.

Grin
fififolle · 29/06/2014 07:19

A pashmina may help too in early days if you're feeling a bit self conscious about getting your baby to latch on when you're out and about.

fruitpastille · 29/06/2014 07:48

I actually find my cover handy quite often but I have massive boobs and use nipple shields soiit's harder to be discreet. A muslin tucked under your bra strap can help too.. Generally I also go for looser fitting top over a vest plus cardi andnice scarf depending on temperature. Partly the loose fit is because aforementioned big boobs need a bit of disguising as my nursing bra doesn't give me a good shape. Personally I haven't had much luck with dresses so I stick to trousers and skirts.

Caitmous · 29/06/2014 07:57

I really liked 'BreastVests' (sold on Amazon etc). They are a vest that sits under your boob and covers your stomach. It means you've got one less fiddly clasp to undo with a screaming baby demanding to be fed.

fledermaus · 29/06/2014 08:06

I find the vest under tops style really doesn't work for me.

I prefer to wear wrap dresses/tops that are easy to get a boob out of, or button front dresses or shirts.

If I've feeling self-consious I tuck a muslin at the top of my boob - just so it covers exposed breast-flesh rather than falls over the baby's head though.

dobedobedo · 29/06/2014 08:14

Stretchy vests under tops, or buy a boob tube/strapless top - loads in shops at the moment, and wear that under tops instead, but under your boobs. That way they cover your stomach so you can lift top up and feed discretely.

I also chuck a muslin over my shoulder to help hide more boob, also so I can quickly burp baby. I never cover baby, as a matter of principal and also cos it must be stuffy and horrible eating under cover!

Practice in front of a mirror if you feel self conscious.

caker · 29/06/2014 08:49

I got a nursing dress from Frugi which is lovely, also Jojo Maman Bebe have some nice stripy tops and dresses.

HaveYouTriedARewardChart · 29/06/2014 09:52

Oh yeah the main thing for me is not letting my tummy be on show! Far worse than a bit of boob Grin That's the advantage of a pull-down vest. Then if you want to cover the top of your boobs as well the top layer can do that.
I'm really not a fan of those covers but I suppose for larger boobed or nervous new mums they could be helpful.

HaveYouTriedARewardChart · 29/06/2014 09:53

Breast vests sound like a great idea - will look into those. Terrible name though!!

Lovage · 29/06/2014 10:11

I never bothered about flashing people or showing bits of me, so I just wore normal clothes. The only thing I couldn't wear was dresses with high-ish necks and no buttons down the front - I did draw the line at flashing my knickers while bfing!

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