This has been an ongoing controversy for as long as I can remember. I think that the extent of the argument plays a role in what it means to “breastfeed in public.” I have seen moms in various places such as restaurants or malls simply whip it out for all to see with no thought whatsoever. Then I have seen other moms struggle to use a blanket to at least cover up and show some decency, keeping in mind this doesn’t always work. Then there are the moms who try so very hard to put their babies underneath their shirts to hide everything possible – and trust me, this just doesn’t work either.

I must say that for the moms who are not willing to hide their food source body parts, this is most definitely inappropriate not only to yourself, your baby, and possible siblings, but also to people who are around, especially those who also have children present. There are a lot of moms that would beg to differ on this opinion since they believe “all natural” is the way to go, and it’s how children learn the meaning of life. Okay, I believe that this is a little to far, but if you are one of those moms, then I can’t stop you and you are entitled to your opinion on the matter.

I don’t have a problem with breastfeeding in public as long as some sort of secure nursing cover is present. This is what I used while nursing my babies and the nice thing about those nursing covers is that they are so discreet and it almost looks like you don’t have a baby under there, but are just covering yourself up with a blanket because you are cold. I had someone comment on that.

What do you think?  Is it appropriate to breastfeed in public whether you are just whipping it out for all to see or using a blanket or nursing cover? Please share your thoughts and opinions, we would love to hear from you.

Image c/o Testing It Up

Although simple in shape and design, nursing pillows are an important part to the success and comfort of breastfeeding. Friends and family may have recommendations, but ultimately, you’ll need a pillow that fits you and your needs. Keep our simple tips in mind when choosing a nursing pillow for you and your newborn.

A nursing pillow is important for the following reasons: It allows a comfortable position for the baby to nurse, prevents back pain in the mother and ultimately, encourages breastfeeding.

There are different types of nursing pillows on the market. One of the most popular is the U-shaped pillow that fits around the mother’s waist and puts baby in an optimal position. Moms love these pillows because they’re soft, portable and include washable slipcovers. And, these pillows double up for tummy time for baby.

Another option is a sturdy foam pillow that offers a more customized feel. These pillows form to the baby’s body and create a supportive place for baby to nurse. The advantage is that babies can be placed in a variety of positions, which is especially beneficial during the newborn stage. Included are straps that secure the pillow to the mother’s waist.

If you’re someone who is on-the-go a lot, you may benefit from an inflatable nursing pillow that has a removable cover and straps to secure the pillow. These portable pillows are especially useful, as they contain quick inflatable pumps and back-support pillows.

Image: womenhealthtips.net

All while carrying your precious baby in your belly, you have been advised and encouraged about breastfeeding.  Because it sounds wonderful and the benefits are amazing, you make the decision to do it before your baby is even born.  This is great news.  Of course it is easier said than done for a lot of new moms.  I remember being on board with the decision, thinking it was going to be a breeze and absolute bliss.  Boy was I wrong!

The first few days of breastfeeding I became so discouraged I wanted to give up.  My milk wasn’t coming in as fast as I would have liked it to and my sweet baby wasn’t latching on very easily.  I felt alone and like I couldn’t do it and just thought it would be easier to simply bottle feed.  A friend of mine who nursed 4 of her children gave me endless tips and encouragement.  Finally, it became very easy and was a joy.  The key is to not give up.  Here are some of those tips that I learned and used on all my babies:

Breastfeeding Tips

• It’s important to make yourself as comfortable as possible before breastfeeding.  If you are uncomfortable, then it will become difficult to achieve the proper milk flow and your baby will sense you are not comfortable and will also become uncomfortable.
• After you achieve your comfortable place of nursing, make sure your baby is latching on correctly.  You want his mouth to be completely covering the nipple and areola.  If you hear a gulping sound, it is working swimmingly!
• Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.  I learned that water helps with your milk supply!
• Refrain from pacifiers or bottles for at least the first month of breastfeeding.  You want your newborn or preemie to adjust to one nipple – your own.
• There are special lotions you can apply to your nipples since they can become cracked, raw and sometimes bleed.  Taking care of yourself will help everything become easier than you could have imagined.
• Hang in there for at least 6 weeks.  If it doesn’t become better after those six weeks, consider another method, but at least try pumping before giving up altogether.

After breastfeeding became easy for the first three months, I was very frustrated! Why?  My sweet babies, all three of them (different ages), decided to completely stop at three months.  Strange isn’t it?  They preferred bottles after that, so I pumped my milk for 6 months and gave it to them in the bottle.  At least they were still getting the best milk a mom could ever give them, mother’s milk! 

So, hang in there!  You can do it!  You are never alone in the breastfeeding world.  You can always talk to a friend or a family member who is experienced or search for online support groups.  There are even books that make it so much easier.

If you have any breastfeeding tips that worked for you that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you!

Image: Wikimedia Commons

There are many reasons why a mother would want a breastfeeding cover. Moms enjoy the fact that a breastfeeding cover offers some privacy when they are nursing in public or even in their own homes when other people are around. Although they love the opportunity to bond with their child, nursing can be a challenge when the baby is hungry and privacy is unavailable.

Some mothers point to the fact that their other children or their children’s friends are confused when they see the mother nursing, so a breastfeeding cover offers a way to avoid that discussion until a more appropriate time.

A more discreet way of nursing

Although moms have been throwing a blanket over themselves and their infants for years, today’s breastfeeding covers are a step above a baby blanket. Some of the advantages include:

-          Neck straps to keep the blanket in place even if the baby kicks or you shift position

-          Stain resistant fabrics

-          Stiffer top sections to keep the top open, allowing for eye contact between mother and child as well as ventilation

-          Use the cover as a stroller cover or as a diaper changing surface

While the primary reasons many moms point to for purchasing and using these covers is to promote their own privacy, this is certainly not the only use for these versatile blankets. Don’t drive yourself crazy with a baby blanket – get a breastfeeding cover and make this time more enjoyable for yourself and your baby.