Breastfeeding/Nursing covers

Squiggler

Hi all,

Baby is due very soon and I've been trying to decide whether a breastfeeding cover (like this one - bebe au lait) are good.

Have any of you used one? Is it fiddly? I was thinking it might be useful for in the hospital, and for feeding in public later.

liliq

I haven't used one personally, I think I'd find them fiddly and bulky and awkard to be honest. I had some difficulty getting breastfeeding established so I really had to see baby easily to check latch etc. I popped a muslin cloth over my shoulder and draped it over baby's head the first few times I nursed in public, but found that we'd both get really hot and sweaty so ditched it pretty quickly. I kinda took the convenience out of breastfeeding for me.
In the hospital I definitely wouldn't bother, I'd pull the curtain and as someone suggested in another thread, let a hormonal roar if it twitches to open!
For feeding in public initially, if it would make you more comfortable, I say go for it definitely. If you end up not liking it or only using it for a little while you could always sell it on.
After a while I think it's nearly more conspicuous, once you get the hang of it noone will even notice you're nursing.

Squiggler

Thanks liliq, wouldn't be considering it at all but currently under threat of c-section because baby decided it would be fun to try breech for a change.

Which has me totally stressing because I probably won't be able to get up to close the curtains and I don't want other people's visitors staring at me. Was thinking that maybe having my own personal curtain would make things easier

liliq

I'd say pop a muslin cloth into your ward bag and use that for the moment.
I was ridiculously lucky that I ended up in a private room the day after a section so only had my own visitors gawking
If you do have the section, ask a midwife to show you how to nurse lying down... it will make it easier to be a bit discreet and will mean you're not putting pressure on the wound.
Hope baby turns back around for you!!

Moonbeam

Last time I was on a ward and everyone kept their curtains closed.
I found a baby blanket or muslin cloth while wearing a breast feeding top perfect.
H and M do the tops.

cyning

I bought a snood in Penney's and used it alot in the hospital: It was handier than a muslin because it went around my neck so wasn't trying to keep it in place if that makes sense? I still use it when my in laws visit because they're very uncomfortable with my breastfeeding

Also (and probably totally common sense but never occoured to me in the hosp for some reason) vest top under pj top means when you're trying to get the hang of it even once baby's latched your belly isn't on show: I didn't think to get breastfeeding tops either

dublinlady

Agree with all above - and when I had the section I was in a ward with 4 others and everyone kept the curtains closed all the time - was really private and nurses pulled it after them
I had breech baby too and really the section not as bad as you expect! And midwives v helpful!

January

First time I was in everyone kept curtains closed and nobody talked to each other. Second time (in the Coombe) I was in a four bed ward (public) and every morning we threw back the curtains and had a good chin wag together, we even used to chat when we were awake with the babies in the middle of the night, I was lucky that it was all the same girls for the time I was in, we all left on the same day!

Squiggler

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Hannibal Smith

Squiggler, you should be up and about the next day after the section. The painkillers are fantastic! You'll be surprised how mobile you are.

As for the breastfeeding on my first I had midwives kneeling on the bed squeezing my nipples (r/l laughing thinking of it) trying to get milk out of them trying to encourage him to latch on! I appreciate that may not be every ones cup of tea lol, but what I mean is they're all women in the ward, most of you will be breastfeeding so don't worry about covering up in the hospital or let it stress you out. You just focus on what you want to do.

Squiggler

It's not the other women, or the midwives/nurses that I'm worried about, it's their visitors, and the Dr's. I just don't think I'm going to want an audience. But maybe muslins will give enough coverage.

I hope you're right about being up and about so quickly (although we're still hoping a section won't be necessary at all), but I think it is best to hope for the best but plan for the worst. Antibiotics and I don't get on.

Hannibal Smith

Ah right I get you. Don't worry, your curtain will be there, the first day just ask the midwives to pull it after themif they don't automatically do it. Sure pack the muslins anyhow, you'll be using them regardless.

I hope you get the birth you want, but you should be up and about the next day if you have a section. Of course everyone's different etc...but its rare that you wouldn't be mobile the next day. You have to be to do the nappy changes! plus it'll be a planned section, so all will be nice and calm.

Oh...just to add....if you get antibiotics and painkillers and they're not working or you feel unwell on them, let them know so they can change them..you will have such a wealth of medication at your disposal.

Neyite

Squiggler wrote: »

Thanks liliq, wouldn't be considering it at all but currently under threat of c-section because baby decided it would be fun to try breech for a change.

Which has me totally stressing because I probably won't be able to get up to close the curtains and I don't want other people's visitors staring at me. Was thinking that maybe having my own personal curtain would make things easier

You'll be able to get up after the section. The nurse gave me baby to nurse in the bed the day he was born and took him for changing when he needed it and handed him back. They ensured the curtain was pulled at all times. The following morning after mine 2 nurses helped me shower and changed. You will be walking slowly but you will be walking and be able to pull the curtain.

I used muslins in the hospital for cover - anything else was far too warm.

implausible

If you end up with a section, it could actually be a good thing for breastfeeding. I had a section on my first and because I was in hospital for 5 days, my milk came in and me and babs had loads of time to get the hang of it. The midwives were fantastic, lifting babs in and out for me the first 2 days whenever I buzzed and helping me to get him latched on.

As for covering up, as others have said, a muslin will do the job. When at home or out and about, vest tops under your tops are a godsend, as are a good selection of large scarves. There really is very little on show, you just think you're exposed because you are looking down. I drove my other half and sister mad constantly asking what they could see!

IvyTheTerrible

I find any sort of cover fiddly and the baby doesn't like having his head covered.

What I have found as a discrete way of feeding: I use a breastfeeding cushion. I pull up my top to feed him. So, the cushion masks the bottom have of my torso, and the pulled up top covers the top of my boob. I have seen photos of myself feeding him like this and you really can't see anything.

NextSteps

I'd say a baby blanket or muslin is just as easy. (Speaking for myself, in the days after baby was born, I couldn't have given a damn who saw what part of me. Modesty just wasn't a priority!) Plus, the hospital is awfully warm, and you might want to be looking at baby, both because you can't get enough of him/her, and to make sure he/she is latched on right.

But, really, whatever helps!

Squiggler

Well, that wrap I posted a picture of has stiffening stuff around the neck so you can see in at baby, but nobody else does. Which probably wouldn't be the case if using a muslin draped over baby's head.

But it doesn't seem like anyone has used one.

Thanks again for the responses.

MillyLou

I have that wrap. Bought it when baby was three months to give me more privacy and confidence when feeding in public. My only regret is not buying one sooner. The stiffened neck area means you can gaze into your little ones eyes as you feed. You can see the baby, and the baby can see you. The material is light, but durable as well as washable. Most definitely one of the best purchases I made. I also find it handy to use as a sun cover for over the car seat.

Hobbitfeet

I haven't used a cover tbh I wouldn't care who was looking but that's just me. I think you should do what ever makes you feel comfortable and happy and if that means using a cover go for it. It's so important to be comfy and relaxed when feeding especially in the early days when it can be fidjity(sp). Hope your birth and bfing goes well x

How Strange

I didn't use a specific cover although I did think of buying one when I was pregnant. I used an Ikea muslin cloth which are really big.

However if you feel buying a cover in advance will give you the confidence to start breastfeeding in hospital then go for it. You may use it for months or not use it at all but if having it makes you feel confident then it's money we'll spent.