"Free the Nipple" NIP video

Rebis58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj4LYg_UQ_o

Came across this and thought it was great. Love the tagline at the end "There is no shame in feeding your child - even in public". I do NIP but usually cover up, not so much for my own comfort but because I worry about other people's comfort level. Silly, I know, but I get anxious about someone making a comment or glaring at me or something. 

DD hates the cover, especially now that the weather is getting hot. She yanks on it and moves her head back and forth and unlatches fairly often. We're moving to an even hotter part of the province in a few weeks, and after seeing this video I'm feeling inspired to give up the nursing cover and NIP uncovered with no shame! I'm hoping that once I do it a couple times it'll get easier/more comfortable for me.

What about the rest of you? Do you NIP uncovered? Did you feel comfortable doing that from the beginning or is that something you had to ease into/work up to?

peanutmuse

I NIP uncovered, but when we are with friends or I am around my dance students, I am more discreet. But really that just means I throw a burp cloth over my areola.

cnctf

Im no help cause I rarely NIP. If were out and DD is hungry, i'll nurse her in the car. Maybe when I buy a nursing cover, I'll feel more comfortable with it.

Rebis58

peanutmuse said:

I NIP uncovered, but when we are with friends or I am around my dance students, I am more discreet. But really that just means I throw a burp cloth over my areola.

----------Stuck in box----------

You know what, I have no idea why I hesitate. I don't bat an eye when I see another woman doing it (NIP uncovered) and I have nursed in front of friends (female) and family (male/female) and feel fine doing that. 

Before I had DD I didn't even know if I'd feel comfortable enough to nurse in front of family members (besides my mom and H) but it really never bothered me; even around my dad and brother (although I haven't nursed uncovered around H's male relatives). I think once I start doing it in public uncovered I'll quickly get over any discomfort I thought I might feel.

Rebis58

cnctf said:

Im no help cause I rarely NIP. If were out and DD is hungry, i'll nurse her in the car. Maybe when I buy a nursing cover, I'll feel more comfortable with it.

@cnctf I've done this occasionally, when I don't feel like wearing the cover, but with summer coming and us moving to a hot area of the province I just don't see this as a realistic or comfortable option - my car gets miserably hot and doesn't have air conditioning! No way DD and I are sweating away in there for 15-30 minutes when I could be sitting in an air conditioned building or in a shady spot outside in the breeze

peanutmuse

@cnctf, I'm so the opposite. I've never nursed in the car. If he was fussing in the car, I would actually take him out. It's just not a comfortable place for me.

cnctf

Rebis58 said:

@cnctf I've done this occasionally, when I don't feel like wearing the cover, but with summer coming and us moving to a hot area of the province I just don't see this as a realistic or comfortable option - my car gets miserably hot and doesn't have air conditioning! No way DD and I are sweating away in there for 15-30 minutes when I could be sitting in an air conditioned building or in a shady spot outside in the breeze

I feel you! I really want to start being more comfortable with NIP (besides in the car) but I keep procrastinating on getting a nursing cover. Ive started to experiment with my A+A swaddles as a nursing cover so hopefully I can use that since its much lighter and wont be so hot for DD. 

Rebis58

tarajeannette said:

I have a large, gausy scarf from Target. It's longer and lighter than a swaddle blanket. I use that and hold it away from my body so that I can see DD and give her some space. But if I have a looser top that can conceal me down to my nip, I'll just do that with no cover. It took me awhile to get there, but I'm glad I did. The feminist in me wanted to all the time, but I'm pretty self concious about my boobs.

@tarajeannette the first bolded part is exactly my internal conflict. The fact that I've avoided NIP uncovered not for my own comfort level but because I worry about offending others really bothers me. The feminist in me feels like every woman should nurse (or not nurse) however they want in accordance with their OWN comfort level, not because they're worried about someone else's comfort or opinion.

The second bolded also strikes a cord with me. I have larger boobs so it's not easy to breastfeed discreetly. Sure, I can hide the nipple pretty easily but you are going to see something if I nurse in front of you! I guess her head covers at least as much as a skimpy bikini would.

versed

With DS1, it took a little practice, but by developing and working on a method while in mom's group, I got really comfortable. I kinda watched how others managed, too, which helped.

Now, I'm 100% comfortable pulling a shirt up to feed LO. My only issue is showing my belly, so I usually wear a tank or belly band under my shirts. If I pull down my shirt to feed, I try to place LO's hand or the corner of a blanket next to his cheek so that in case he pops off, it's not all nipple.

Thankfully, DH is also getting more comfortable with NIP, too. He'll hold LO while I get ready and burp him after so I can put everything back.

chicki1012

Never done it in front of friends, family or in public and never will. I think it's wonderful women do it in public, but for me it's just not my thing. The only person I actually did that in front of is my mom and DH.

km_md

I will pretty much nurse anywhere and in front of anyone. Nobody in my family has been at all uncomfortable with it and DD hates being covered up. I do wear quite a few nursing tops so really most of my boob is covered during those times anyway. There have been a few times that I've felt like I should keep as covered as possible for other peoples comfort (and I have covered up at those times) but usually it's not a big deal.

painttheair14

I rarely cover. The only time I have so far was at a rehearsal dinner when another bridesmaid's bf was directly across a small table from me. It was such a pain!

At church I go to another room, but that is mostly for my own comfort. I don't think anyone would mind if I stayed.

Summer889

I NIP uncovered, with 2 exceptions: (1) if I'm wearing a shirt or dress that only has access from the top, such that I have to have my entire boob out (just a bit too much skin for me), and (2) when I'm in church (I don't want to scandalize any little old church ladies).  I thought I would be too nervous without a cover, but I found that I hate covers and nursing cover free is actually kind of empowering!  

bensmommy518

Summer889 said:

I NIP uncovered, with 2 exceptions: (1) if I'm wearing a shirt or dress that only has access from the top, such that I have to have my entire boob out (just a bit too much skin for me), and (2) when I'm in church (I don't want to scandalize any little old church ladies).  I thought I would be too nervous without a cover, but I found that I hate covers and nursing cover free is actually kind of empowering!  

Bolded is the only time I use any type of cover.  Otherwise I NIP uncovered all the time.  With DS I did start with the cover but gave it up after a few months once I was comfortable with nursing and I was confident he would latch right away.  With DD I dont think I have ever used the cover except when I had to pump in front of other people.  That I did cover up for.  Nobody wants to see me get milked. 

I do have large breasts, but with a nursing tank to cover my stomach and pulling the hem of the shirt down to her face, no one sees any skin.  And since I hold the hem of my shirt by her face anyway, if she decides to unlactch and get distracted, I just use my shirt to cover the nipple until she is more focused.