Just curious. Do you use a nursing cover or blanket when NIP?
I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb with a giant ugly purple thing draped over me, and it's awkward and hot and takes up diaper bag space. But I have only NIP without it at BFing group and other people's houses. I am tempted to just say "screw the cover" and go practice NIP without a cover at Panera or something just to get used to it.
I generally didn't. I don't own an actual nursing cover. I usually wore nursing tanks under my shirts, so I could pull my shirt up and my tank down, exposing only a little skin, and the baby covered all of that. I have small breasts, though, so that may have made it easier to stay covered. A handful of times when I was wearing something that it was hard to stay covered in, or my whole stomach was exposed or something, I threw a blanket over myself.
Post by electricmayhem on Nov 1, 2012 13:45:58 GMT -5
I used a muslin baby blanket as my cover, b/c it was lightweight and didn't really take up a lot of room in my diaper bag, but I didn't always have it with me. I practiced getting DS on without showing a lot at home when I was still on leave, b/c my mom liked to stare (sigh), so doing it when we were out and I didn't have the blanket was not really a big deal.
Not usually. However, last weekend I was out with my ILs and DH's aunt/uncle without DH and I needed to feed DS. So I put my jacket on backwards because I was wearing a dress and had no way of not completely exposing myself in Starbucks.
I use one. When he was younger, I needed to see in order to get him latched on correctly. Now that he's older, he's always popping on and off to look around, smile at people, etc plus he plays with my shirt and lifts it up so I would be constantly exposed without one.
I used a cover for the first few weeks. Then sometimes I'd use a blanket and sometimes nothing. It's been nothing for a long time now. No one has ever said a thing to me. It's all about doing what works for you - if you feel less conspicuous without the cape, go for it. I found it easiest to wear low-necked things and pull a boob out the top, but this varies with size of said boob.
Post by rootbeerfloat on Nov 1, 2012 13:47:12 GMT -5
I rarely used a cover because DS didn't like it. So after some practice, I did get used to NIP, though I would try to find a dressing room or find a bench out of the way or go to my car (within reason). When DD came along, I had to be a lot more brave because if I was out with both kids, I couldn't always sequester DS for 20 minutes while I fed his sister.
I do. I feel like this way, no one can give me crap. Plus L is known to just pull off without warning, and I don't need the world to see my blistered nips.
DD is too easily distracted not to use a cover. I end up in pain if there is a lot going on around us if I try, even at home. I've done it around friends and family, but its just easier in public to have a cover.
I used a cover with DS1 most of the time, now I usually use an aidin and anais blanket while I get DS2 latched and then move it away from his face. I also.pull my shirt up and tank down to stay more covered. I actually have big boobs, bit still don't feel too exposed.
If I don't have the right type of top on I pull down because I would rather show boob than belly. I will throw a burp cloth over the top of my boob sometimes.
Post by karinothing on Nov 1, 2012 13:51:01 GMT -5
When DS was little I put a A&A blanket over my head and latched him on and then pulled it down so it just rested on top of my breast (so his head was in the open if tha tmakes sense). He got to hot otherwise. NOw I just pull up my shirt and let him go to town. I don't expose myself until he is right about to latch and I am pretty sure no one see anything.
We don't really NIP much anymore though. He is happy with solids or a sippy of water.
I never did, and I used to NIP a lot, especially with DS2. I always wore a tank and a nursing bra with a shirt over it. I'd pull up the shirt, pull down the tank, and only exposed enough for DS to latch onto. Once he was there, you couldn't see anything, and I think most people would just think I had a sleeping baby in my arms.
I always feel like nursing covers draw more attention to what you are doing, but if you want to be 100% sure that you don't show any skin, they are effective
I did sometimes--mostly at the beginning. My babies hated being covered after a few months. If I was semi off the beaten path I definitely wouldn't bother. I have huge boobs so it was a little tricky at times to be subtle.
I'm comfortable now NIP without a cover, but MH is weirded out by it, so when he's around at least I use an A&A blanket, which we have in the diaper bag anyway. I agree that the Hooter Hider-type covers made me feel like I was sticking out like a sore thumb, so I gave that up after a month or so.
Love of my life baby boy born 11/11. One and done not by choice; 3 years of TTC yielded 4 MMC and 2 CPs, through 4 IUIs and 2 IVFs. Focusing on making the world a better place instead...and running.
Post by Ashley&Scott on Nov 1, 2012 15:34:25 GMT -5
I voted sometimes, it really just depends on where we are at. I use a cover at a busy restaurant. If we're in a less busy place, like a quiet park I don't use a cover, I just pull up/pull down my shirts to expose as little as possible.
However NIP actually isn't an issue very often. I can usually time it so I can feed him in the car before we go inside the store or restaurant. It's easier, more comfortable & he's less distracted.
It depends on the situation. In moms groups, or with family and friends I generally don't (assuming whatever shirt I'm wearing allows me to be discrete). I usually use the nursing tank under regular shirt technique.
If I'm at the mall or somewhere busy I do. He's so nosy he lets go at the least distraction and I'd be showing my nipples off to everyone and their cousin if i didnt have that cover. I also have big obvious boobies ETA: I use muslin blankets for a cover.
Post by zeewifeandmama on Nov 1, 2012 17:20:02 GMT -5
Not usually, but sometimes. I wear a nursing tank daily under my clothes so I rarely feel the need, but there are days when he is being extra finicky where I will throw a blanket over us....Although he is at the stage now that he would rather play peek a boo with the blanket if its over his head. I remember feeling like you do about sticking out with a cover on. That was right about the time I just started wearing the nursing tanks and going for it..lol
Post by hilwithonelary on Nov 1, 2012 18:49:45 GMT -5
I use a cover. I know it draws attention, but DD pops on and off way to much for me to be personally comfortable without a cover. It doesn't bother me if other women don't want to use one, though.
i never ended up nursing after leaving the hospital (both times- i decided to EP for various reasons) but when i was in the hospital and anyone was around visiting- i used a cover... we have 8 of the aden & anis muslin blankets that are so wonderful as covers.... so light weight, etc. One of my twins now has claimed all 8 of them as his "white blankies" that he snuggles every night.
Post by statlerwaldorf on Nov 1, 2012 21:23:15 GMT -5
I always did. DD was too nosy and wouldn't eat without it. She would be too busy unlatching to look around and that shows way too much nipple for me to be comfortable with
My boobs are huge. I never used a cover. I don't think I ever had a major wardrobe malfunction type event and I doubt anyone really ever saw anything. Perhaps it's because my boobs are also very saggy... so when let loose from the contraint of the nursing bra, the shirt easily hid most of it and the baby could just lay in my lap and nurse. Even if the babe popped off, I just had my hand right there for coverage.
Because of the huge boob issue, I never did the over the top of the shirt method unless I was wearing the kid in the ergo and had coverage from that.
Usually no. We are outside all the time and if I'm at a park filled with moms and kids it's really not worth the hassle to me. I am good at being discreet.
If I'm at a restaurant or in the mall or something I will probably throw a blanket over my shoulder.
When DS was little I put a A&A blanket over my head and latched him on and then pulled it down so it just rested on top of my breast (so his head was in the open if that makes sense). He got to hot otherwise.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Nov 2, 2012 18:26:44 GMT -5
I hated the nursing covers. I rarely nursed in actual public with DD (as in, in a restaurant or store or something), but if I did I used a cover because I didn't want anyone to say anything rude to me. But I did feel like all it did was advertise the fact that I was nursing.
When I nursed at my in laws' house or a friend's house, I didn't use a nursing cover. I *always* had two shirts on, so I'd just pull one up and one down, and I felt pretty covered. But I was (several times) asked to cover up. Not in a rude way, but my MIL or my friend would mention -- "oh, FIL/my husband is about to walk in -- let me get your cover for you." It kind of annoyed me, but I just shrugged and covered up.
I don't know what I'll do with baby #2. At playgroup and moms club events, all the nursing moms use covers. I've seen tons and tons of moms nursing, and I've never seen anyone do it without a cover. I don't want to cause a stir, so I guess I'll suffocate under a cover :-( (not that the baby or I would really suffocate, but it's HOT in Florida!!)