Covering up while nursing in public

Question

This is a spinoff of another question.

Do you think there is anything wrong with a mother who is extremely shy about her purple stretchmarked destroyed twin vessel body covering up with a light gauze fabric or something, just enough to keep the baby as comfortable as possible but also allow her to maintain her own personal dignity?

Does that somehow hurt the cause? I can't ever see myself comfortably nursing in public with any part of my body exposed. When I had my twins I covered up whenever the doctors or nurses came into the room. I can't help it. I was raised to be very modest and I don't think that will ever change.

Answer 1

I covered up when i breast fed. Not at home,but in public I did.

Answer 2

I did use a blanket when i nursed my daughter, mostly because I was still getting the hang of it so was not yet completely comfortable.

With my son, I just didn't bother with a blanket.  I was a pro by the time he was born, so it was a lot easier to just sit down and nurse without adjusteing my position/figuring out what I was doing  :)

Answer 3

they have these breast feeding shirts that I found on-line.  It is like a vest but goes on backward to cover all of mom while feeding.  

Answer 4

Yes, as long as it's a light blanket, you leave airflow and not a crib comforter like I see some women with. Especially when it's hot like it is now. Breastfeeding twins? That takes way more guts than showing boob.  

Answer 5

Like everyone else has said the most important thing is that you are comfortable, so if a blanket makes you comfortable then go ahead.  Modesty in any way is not a bad thing.  There is no reason you should feel like you should change for others.  Just because you have a baby does not mean that all of a sudden you can't still be modest.

And honestly, why are you scared that covering up hurts the breastfeeding cause?  I though the whole point was to get woman to try to breastfeed.  Covering up does not say that you are ashamed of breastfeeding.  It just mean that you don't want to show your b***s.  And I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

And by the way there are several nursing tops that can make breastfeeding very discrete.  You might want to look online and see if any will work for you.

Answer 6

Go with whatever make YOU comfortable and who cares about anyone elses negative thoughts

Answer 7

There is NOTHING wrong with being modest in public...I am the same way.  If you are looking for a great cover, check out bebeaulait.com.  I purchased a cover from there and it is wonderful. Lightweght, big enough to cover everything, and there is a plastic "wire" at the top that lets you see  what you are doing.  

Answer 8

It's not a question of "what's good for the cause" it's a question of feeding the baby. And if you feel the need to cover up to do that, then go for it. However you do it, just breastfeed!

Personally, I preferred to wear a nursing shirt that minimized my exposed skin so that the baby's face covered what my shirt didn't.  

Answer 9

Hooter hiders or Babe Au Lait covers are wonderful.  I used them to help my son focus on the task at hand - feeding - and not watching the world go by!  Without it, I can't get a good feeding in, he's too distracted.

Answer 10

It's all about what's comfortable for you.  If you're comfortable covering up, then by all means, cover up.  If you feel weird about exposing skin that you don't want anyone to see, you may not be able to let down.

I think that after a while, you won't feel the need to cover up as much, but do what you need to do.  I like tube tops or tube top-like garments that you wear around your waist.  You lift up your top, but leave the tube top in place to cover up your midriff.  Some women like to use a tank top the same way.  Pull up your top, pull the tank down and nurse.  You can also cut holes in an old T shirt or tank top, then layer another top over it.

I still think it's cool that you breastfed your twins for three weeks.  Most women don't even try to breastfeed twins.

Answer 11

If I breast feed in public I cover up...I'm been told not to, but it makes me more comfortable to cover up. I say to each their own.

Answer 12

Do what works for you.  I covered up (in public) because that is what made me feel comfortable.

Answer 13

If that's what makes you comfortable, I wouldn't want to show my personals to people, that might be indecent exposure! LOL.

But KUDOS to you for not only breastfeeding 1 but 2 babies! You are a strong mother to withstand all of it for the sake of your babie's health. It gives me goosebumps because so many women choose not to anymore.

Answer 14

not al all do what you wnat to do- i just like it when other people what to smother other peoples children with blankets while they are eating. at first i didnt get it down right and thats just what i did.

edit- sorry i typed that wrong- i was saying i dont like it when other people complain and try to force other people to use blankets- no i wouldnt be happier- nursing my 16 month old here. it jsut came out wrong lol. dont get mad.

i think you're being brave enough to dod it in public anyway-good job especially with twins

Answer 15

i dont see anything wrong with what your doing...it your body and your dignity.... i think its fine for women to go with or with out cover up...breastfeeding is natural!  

Answer 16

Do whatever helps you feel the most comfortable. With my daughter I never fed in public because I was so shy about showing anything and I really never did figure out how to cover up properly. With my son I bought myself whats called a hooter hider and I loved it. I could finally feed my son in public without having to worry about it. Now that he's almost 6 months old refuses to eat with anything covering his head. But I've somewhat mastered the getting him on while uncovering.