TTM about NIP need tips and advice

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

I have been nursing LO since day one but I never NIP. I am terrible with my nursing cover and despite trying to figure it out we both end up irritated and I throw it on the floor, not to mention we live in Louisiana and she gets super hot and sweaty under the cover. When we're in public I just bring bottles with pumped BM. This has been working great for us so far since we don't leave home much. However, we are flying across the country in a week and a half, there will be 9 hours of travel time so I will to have to NIP at some point. I have checked and neither airport has a private nursing room. One has a "family restroom" they suggest for nursing. There's no way I'm feeding my baby in a bathroom. I would love to get comfortable enough with NIP to do it on a regular basis without a cover. How do you get LO latched on without flashing everyone and what about when LO randomly unlatches in the middle of a feeding? Also, do you think it would be better for me to try and nurse in the airports or during flight? LO will need to eat four times during travel and I plan to have two bottles with me. I'm looking for any tips, tricks, advice, or first hand experiences from other nursing mommas to help ease my anxiety about NIP. Thanks in advance.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

I do have nursing bras and tanks. I plan to wear them under a loose fitting top. I am planning to really get some good practice in this week at home. Usually I just let it all hang out since no one is here but I'm going to really make the effort to see how discreet I can be.

magentawarped · June 2014

Learn to scope out private corners of public places...an empty bench that faces the wall, a booth in one of the airport restaurants, a seat facing out the window in an empty terminal. Being able to recognize good nursing spots helps a lot if you're not super comfortable with NIP.

Functional clothing is a must. I find that soft-cupped nursing bras are easier and faster to use in public than the formed cup ones. There are some nursing tops that have a hidden panel rather than just an elastic neckline, so they leave fabric over the top of your breast while you nurse. This can cut down on the odds of a full-out flashing.

Keep an arm behind LO's head so that if she unlatches, she's still blocking the view. Cradle hold is really good for that.

Finally, just relax! I know that's easier said than done, but if you're tense, she's likely to have a harder time nursing. Even if someone sees a nip slip, it's highly unlikely that they'll say anything. Hell, a lot of folks will think less on it than you will.

Good luck!

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

Thank you!!! @magentawarped‌ We have been working on the cradle hold. I've been doing the football hold since birth and that's what feels natural to us. We're slowly getting the hang of a new position. I think I'll check out some nursing tops this week and see if I can find some like what you mentioned.

magentawarped · June 2014

Just for an example, this is the kind of top I was talking about.

https://www.amazon.com/Milk-Nursingwear-Womens-Empire-Scoop/dp/B00DC6GMQK/ref=zg_bs_5674543011_8

mlynn333 · June 2014

I'm totally with you on being nervous about NIP. So many people tell me I shouldn't be, but I know for me its nice to know I'm not alone in my anxiety

My favorite combo is loose, flowy shirt over nursing tank. I pull up the shirt, and when/if she pulls off the loose top shirt will slip down and cover most if not all of what is left exposed.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

@bribbon‌ love the idea with the hat! Genius! We are a military family and the second airport has a USO. I am planning to nurse there for slightly more privacy. I normally do not use a nursing pillow but I do nurse in a nice plush recliner. I am currently looking into the travel nursing pillow.

@mlynn333‌ it's good to know it's not just me. I'm sure I'm over thinking everything. Hopefully once I do it I'll "conquer my fear".

shellbell3845 · June 2014

Great advice here! And I really hope it goes well and that you can conquer your fear. I was terrified the first few times, but each time it gets easier. I've found it to be liberating that I can go out whenever I want and not have to worry about pumping. Good luck! You can totally do this, mama!

shellbell3845 · June 2014

Oh -- I'm also wondering if you should go somewhere a time or two to "practice" so it's not so intimidating when you already have the added stress if traveling. Go to the mall, a restaurant, etc.

versed · June 2014

You can do it! I agree with others that the easiest combo is nursing tank and loose shirt. Shirt goes up, tank goes down and baby latches. My LO is getting so good at it that he can pretty much get to my shirt up and tank down for me! (I'm only half kidding). Practice with a mirror out, and you'll see just how natural it looks. Without the nursing cover, you'll even draw less attention to yourself. I've had many people come up to me while I was nursing to see baby, having no idea my nipple is right there, too. And with 9hrs of travel time, you may want to just ditch the bottles altogether, otherwise you'll want to find a place to pump, which can be more awkward than NIP.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

shellbell3845 said:

Oh -- I'm also wondering if you should go somewhere a time or two to "practice" so it's not so intimidating when you already have the added stress if traveling. Go to the mall, a restaurant, etc.

I think I might. This week would be perfect for that. DS will be at VBS a few hours everyday so I would be able to completely focus on what I'm doing without worrying about him running off.

SuzyQq02 · June 2014

You can do it!

I will say, though, check out the family rest room. I've nursed lo in "bathrooms" at the mall, but I put it in quotes because they have nice lounge spaces with couches and chairs set away from the toilets and sinks. So you might be pleasantly surprised.

slwprincess · June 2014

Nursing tank under, flowy top over. Pull up flowy top, pull down flap. Most people don't even realize I'm nursing. I was very nervous with my first, better with my second, and just don't give a damn with my third. It takes practice but really, I don't even think about it any more.

slwprincess · June 2014

Oh and keep a burp cloth over that shoulder. If LO unlatches suddenly, you can cover with that in a pinch.

magentawarped · June 2014

SuzyQq02 said:
You can do it!

I will say, though, check out the family rest room. I've nursed lo in "bathrooms" at the mall, but I put it in quotes because they have nice lounge spaces with couches and chairs set away from the toilets and sinks. So you might be pleasantly surprised.

I was just popping back in to say this. The family restroom at my mall has a nursing room that's completely walled off and has a locking door, with a comfy armchair inside. The airport may have something like that and they just didn't explain clearly. Check it out before you write it off.

shellbell3845 · June 2014

I'll second the vote for Bebe au Lait. I really love mine.

Also, pp mentioned having DH (or someone) help. If I'm not by myself, I make the other person hold/hand me the baby.

One more thing -- I find it tremendously helpful to prop my feet on something -- the stroller, another chair, etc. It provides a little more support.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

SuzyQq02 said:

You can do it! I will say, though, check out the family rest room. I've nursed lo in "bathrooms" at the mall, but I put it in quotes because they have nice lounge spaces with couches and chairs set away from the toilets and sinks. So you might be pleasantly surprised.

Oh good to know. Thanks. I'll check it out.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

Thank you everyone for all the support and great advice!

RondackHiker · June 2014

I don't pull my shirt up first. I reach under and unhook the bra and tank and tug them down. Then I pull baby close and lift up my shirt and put baby on as it's exposed.

ScaredOfCats · June 2014

You've already had great advice. If you are a baby wearer, try nursing in whatever carrier you have. I really like NIP in my ring sling. I just tuck LO in a cradle hold, pull up the top rail, and it provides great coverage. This works best with just a nursing tank and not a blousy top layer.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

ScaredOfCats said:

You've already had great advice. If you are a baby wearer, try nursing in whatever carrier you have. I really like NIP in my ring sling. I just tuck LO in a cradle hold, pull up the top rail, and it provides great coverage. This works best with just a nursing tank and not a blousy top layer.

I thought about trying this because I will be wearing her through the airport. But I don't know if it will work in my Mei Tai. Has anyone tried that? This is the one I have (not me in pic)

RondackHiker · June 2014

@AndreaG2010‌

It works best if you can lift your boob out of the top of your shirt. Keep the waist strap tight and loosen the shoulder straps and kind of "bounce" LO down to your boob. Bring LO back up after.

AndreaG2010 · June 2014

RondackHiker said:

@AndreaG2010‌ It works best if you can lift your boob out of the top of your shirt. Keep the waist strap tight and loosen the shoulder straps and kind of "bounce" LO down to your boob. Bring LO back up after.

Awesome! Thanks! I will try that tomorrow. If I could wear her and feed her at the same time that would be perfect! I will definitely be getting a shirt like the one @magentawarped suggested.

Edit: For clarity

sdlaura · June 2014

I nurse in public all the time but I've never figured out how to do it in a carrier. My biggest advice would be not to stress - just feed baby when baby needs to eat, in an out of the way area if it makes you more comfortable.

SuzyQq02 · June 2014

Oh, and I'll also offer a clothing suggestion... undercover mama nursing tanks. I hate dealing with two sets of clips with bra and tank, these don't have straps and have little loops to slip over the nursing bra clips. So much easier to maneuver.

I pinned a hack for making them using regular camis and just cutting the straps off and sewing the ends into a loop. Seems easy enough, but haven't tried it yet.

1linedrawing · June 2014

I nurse in my ergo. I have ginormous boobs and it's the only "discreet" way of nursing. People seriously have to try to see my boob.
Even then, I just drape my cardigan ove the side I'm nursing on.

MamaAllison · June 2014

@1linedrawing I want to learn to do that! It's my goal for the summer. There are YouTube videos... Believe or not!

OP you can do it! It's always a little awkward but once you do it it is really no biggie. Good luck!

iwubrory · June 2014

@1linedrawing‌ Are you wearing a nursing top when you bf in your Ergo? Just trying to figure it out because that seems impossible for me. I don't wear clothes specifically made for nursing.

1linedrawing · June 2014

iwubrory said:
@1linedrawing‌ Are you wearing a nursing top when you bf in your Ergo? Just trying to figure it out because that seems impossible for me. I don't wear clothes specifically made for nursing.

No. My boobs are hugenormous so I just pull them over my bra and shirts because they are big/heavy enough to stay out and not slip back in.
I do wear a clippy nursing bra when I go with an underwire tho- just to clarify. It makes it a touch easier.
I also always wear stretchy tops, v-necks, button downs, or low scoops.

1linedrawing · June 2014

I also loosen my ergo so she is down a little lower than normal

ScaredOfCats · June 2014

There are quite a few YouTube videos on how to nurse in whatever type of carrier you have. Also if you are tired of "clicky" nursing tanks, my new go to are the long spandex ones that are everywhere. You can just shove them down without them stretching out. I get mine at Kohls in the jr area. They are super inexpensive.

iwubrory · June 2014

1linedrawing said:

iwubrory said:
@1linedrawing‌ Are you wearing a nursing top when you bf in your Ergo? Just trying to figure it out because that seems impossible for me. I don't wear clothes specifically made for nursing.
No. My boobs are hugenormous so I just pull them over my bra and shirts because they are big/heavy enough to stay out and not slip back in.
I do wear a clippy nursing bra when I go with an underwire tho- just to clarify. It makes it a touch easier.
I also always wear stretchy tops, v-necks, button downs, or low scoops.

Ha, before I got to the end of your post I thought, "I have huge boobs, I've never thought about pulling them over my shirt. Let me try this.." It didn't work. Then I read the rest of your post. I have a pretty high cut non stretchy shirt on. Womp womp.

1linedrawing · June 2014

Lol I just pictured trying to pull a boob out of a unisex crew neck.

tenfour · June 2014

Everyone gave great advice - definitely the tank under another shirt for coverage. I actually don't like the nursing covers because I think they are big and bright and draw more attention. I'd honestly just try it once if I were you - it's scarier than it sounds. Get DH to cover you the first time but after the first few times it seriously becomes like nothing. I sometimes use a poncho and peek my head through the neck hole and feel around to get him latched. He pops on and off a lot but under the poncho I feel protected. I never bring a pillow with me but if I'm sitting indian style on the ground my knee will prop up his head high enough. Or if I'm in a chair I have to cross my leg and the higher knee will prop him up.

So I nurse in the Ergo, but also have that Mei Tei you have - if you just loosen the shoulder straps a little you should be able to do it, but then obviously make sure to tighten them back up! No one can even tell what I'm doing under there, it's my favorite way to nip.

Good luck! You can totally do it.

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