Does it get better using a nursing cover?

SoSayWeAll · September 2014

I am having a lot of trouble using a nursing cover. I have a Boppy one, but I guess I am such a novice that it is really hard for me to breastfeed effectively without being able to see LO. I also feel bad covering him up because he can't see anything. I wish the general public was more open to nursing without a cover, because I don't feel super modest about it; just don't want the stares. If we have any male guests at home I usually just take DS to another room. I feel like I have to bring DS a bottle of pumped milk if we go out or hurry up and run an errand between feedings. Does anyone have any other tips or maybe a better cover recommendation?

Valancyy · September 2014

I've never tried a cover, but a few times I tried covering with a receiving blanket (mostly at MIL's suggestion). I never got it to work, and ended up saying "screw it" and just nursing without it. Since then I nurse openly, no cover.

I would encourage you to just try nursing without one. You can't really see anything. A cover actually draws more attention to it than if you didn't use one. Just go for it! I see it as helping other women to feel more comfortable, the more of us who do it the more "normal" it will become.

Allison7 · September 2014

I haven't nursed in public, but I have been trying to use the cover at home because DH is not amused by BF. (He is also disturbed by pumping). But it is so hard. It gets hot under there! And I don't think C likes it.

SoSayWeAll · September 2014

@Allison7 that is unbelievable that your DH would be like that. I would tell him if he doesn't want to see it he is welcome to leave the room.

CanadianintheSouth · September 2014

I bought one but haven't tried it out. I pump a bottle if we are going out somewhere during feeding time. I wish I was more comfortable to just nurse in public. I would be pissed @Allison7‌! My husband is the opposite, he gets excited when I am going to nurse because he wants to see my boobs. He might be a bit sex-deprived...

PecanSam · September 2014

I use a nursing shawl that I ordered from Amazon 3 years ago. I love it. You slip it over your head and you have a huge amount of fabric that covers you. The baby can't accidentally rip it off you. You can peek at your baby through the hole that you slip over your neck.

Shiva14 · September 2014

@MorseBrooks‌ I'm crying laughing at the "toss the cover over his head" comment. Perfect solution and a great visual

!

SLMckinnon · September 2014

I have an udder cover and a booby trapper style one, both of which have nice rims to hold the fabric out so I can see LO. The booby trapper one has two rims so the fabric is held out further from baby and it gets less hot

Allison7 · September 2014

Thanks for the support everyone! DH being bothered by BF oddly enough doesn't bother me. I kind of get where he is coming from, I guess. He was always super into my boobs, but the idea of them leaking milk if he plays with them is a bit much for him. He doesn't ask me to cover if I am just nursing C, just if I am pumping. I just catch a certain look on his face sometimes when I am nursing. And I find watching the pumping process a little disturbing. It comes out with such force!

Oh, and this is a man who refused to touch the bump while I was pregnant. I wanted him to feel C move, but the idea that a person (even though that person was his child) was in there just really freaked him out. He is not touchy/feely at any time, but the baby stuff is a little overload for him. I am just glad he wants to hold the baby. As long as he is affectionate with our daughter I can handle him not being thrilled to watch BFing.

MC03 · September 2014

With DD1 I fought with the cover all the time and it sucked. This time around I've said screw it and don't use it. I through a receiving blanket over my shoulder and take out my boob and get DD ready but then take the blanket off to actually latch her and I leave it off. I've got to feed my kid and I don't really care if you want to stare. Not my problem.

And @Allison7‌ that is incredible that your DH has a problem. I would tell him he can leave if he is uncomfortable. It's just crazy to me. You are feeding his child for gods sake.

ColeyJ88 · September 2014

I'd say to just try nursing without one. It only gets harder as baby gets older and becomes more curious about the world. Some babies just won't tolerate a cover.

People need to see breastfeeding more for it to become normalized in our culture. I openly breastfeed wherever it would be appropriate to bottle-feed a baby. It is not shameful, so there is no reason why it should be hidden. If anyone stares, I stare right back. If they are uncomfortable, THEY can look away, as it is their problem, not mine!!

skalnajs · September 2014

I love my "Hooter Hider" bc the boning at the neck lets me see down into it without giving everyone else a peek. It's lightweight and pretty cute too.

caybeh · September 2014

I also have a Hooters Hider cover. I love it. I can see DD, and it's lightweight.

SherryBaby2014 · September 2014

Kelsbeno said:

I bought one but haven't tried it out. I pump a bottle if we are going out somewhere during feeding time. I wish I was more comfortable to just nurse in public. I would be pissed @Allison7‌! My husband is the opposite, he gets excited when I am going to nurse because he wants to see my boobs. He might be a bit sex-deprived...

My husband told me the other day, "I love that your boobs are out all the time!" *happy grin*

I think he's seen my boobs more these past 6 weeks than he has our entire marriage!

noycela · September 2014

I tried using a cover a couple times with DS1 and hated it. In public, I'll keep a light weight receiving blanket close and cover the top of my boob a bit. I dont usually hide DS's face under it though.

I cannot imagine trying to cover up at home! Yikes. DH is weirded out by pumping too, but tough shit! It's enough work maneuvering parts without trying to cover up too.

Jessica+Penny · September 2014

I got a Bebe au Lait cover for free at the doctor's office (score!) and I love it. I'm a STM and used blankets with the first one which sucked. I would be spending half the time adjusting it or just throwing it off because it wasn't working out. On the Bebe cover it has a plastic ring that keeps a big open hole between you and the baby.

They are pricey $24-38 on the website but my cheap self would still buy one after using my free one.

sharkmama39 · September 2014

My problem with nursing in public is bc I use a shield. Having to expose my breast, then put on the shield, then put LO, on leaves me exposed just a little too much for my taste. Once I wean her off of it, which I'm dying to do, I feel as though I will be more open to not using a cover.

Unknown · September 2014

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rockyrollgirl · September 2014

Hate the cover. Hate. Hate. Hate.

ColeyJ88 · September 2014

@MrsDeo you could just invest in a couple clip-down nursing camis and wear them under regular shirts. Then you just lift the shirt and unclip the cami. This is what I end up doing (that or no cami & just lift my shirt, but some are concerned with their stomach being exposed) because I refuse to buy overpriced nursing shirts.

pmpkn219 · September 2014

I had one of those free plus shipping covers, it had boning at the top so it bowed out and I could see down at LO. I never NIP much, but my preferred strategy is to not make eye contact with anyone but baby. If people are staring I don't know and further, IDGAF. My areolas are gigantic, and you can see part of them around baby's head ( have done mirror checks), but again- don't care anymore

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