Products That Can Help You Breastfeed In Public

June 21, 2009

For this month's "carnival," we're tackling the subject of breastfeeding in public. Below, you'll find a collection of posts from different bloggers.

As for me, I breastfed our kids anywhere and everywhere. If they were hungry, they ate. I found a comfortable place to sit, and got down to business. Getting a pedicure? Yes. Shopping for clothes? Check. Dining in a restaurant? Ditto.

I think I was too tired to really care what anyone thought. And I found that with a little practice, it was quite easy to feed discreetly. I never bought a fancy nursing shawl or blanket. I didn't even have a nursing top. I just managed with a nursing bra and whatever else I had with me at the time... my coat, a table napkin. You get the idea.

Nevertheless, I'm always excited to see new products that can facilitate the nursing in public experience. Babies eat around the clock and moms simply can't stay home tethered to the couch all day. So if there's anything that will make the whole thing easier, I'm all for it.

I recently posted a question on this site, as well as Twitter and Facebook, asking people what products they liked for nursing in public. I got some great suggestions, so I'll share them with you here.

Bravado nursing bras and tanks. (I LOVED these bras. It was the only brand I bought).
Motherwear nursing clothes, bras and gowns.
Boob Nursing Shirts.
Hadley Stillwell's fancy clothes for work and getting dressed up.
Japanese Weekend nursing tops, dresses and pajamas.
Glamourmom nursing tanks.
Nursing wraps/blankets from Bebe au Lait, Hooter Hider and Lila Bean.
The Bella Band to cover your stomach and hold your pants up.
The Mobleez Breastfeeding Hat.
A scarf from Mamascarf in the UK.

But in the end, you really have to ask yourself, what's in your budget and what makes you the most at ease. And as my friend Helena wrote to me, "Hm, what makes it easy to feed your child in public...how about a boob? Don't be ashamed, women, you don't need to burkha your baby to accommodate other peoples' ignorance."

Now, for the posts from other bloggers. (sorry for the delay... I still have to insert the links)
* Motherwear: Get kicked off a bus for nursing in public? Here's how to respond
* Breastfeeding 1-2-3: To Cover or Not to Cover
* Breastfeeding Mums: Nursing in Public - What's a Breastfeeding Mother to do?
* Lucy and Ethel Have a Baby: Nursing in Public - Boobs out and Proud
* PhD in Parenting: Would you, could you, nurse in public?
* Dirty Diaper Laundry: Breastfeeding in Public - Talents - I Haz It
* Kim Through the Looking Glass: Here, at the Restaurant?
* Grudgemom: Nursing in a room full of people you know
* Mum Unplugged: Awww, is he sleeping?
* Massachusetts Friends of Midwives: Nursing in Public - Chinatown, the Subway, the Vatican, and more
* Mother Mary's Soapbox: Breastfeeding Oriana
* Tiny Grass: Nursing in Public as an Immigrant
* Mommy News and Views: Breastfeeding in Public
* Stork Stories: Little Old Men...and Nursing in Public
* Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Why worry about NIP?
* Warm Hearts Happy Family: Breastfeeding and the Summertime
* Blacktating: Thank you for Nursing in Public
* Musings on Mamahood: Nip, No Tuck
* Baby Ready: A Wee NIP in the Park
* Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - We've breastfed in them all
* Breastfeeding Moms Unite: Nursing in Public - A Fresh Perspective on Nurse-ins
* Never a Dull Moment: Breastfeeding Hats? Yes! Nursing Covers? Uh...not so much
* Hobo Mama: Easy, Discreet way to Nurse a Toddler in Public

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Isn't Twitter a wonderful tool for obtaining information? I use it sometimes to help me write posts too!

Posted by: Melodie | June 22, 2009 11:39 AM

I use the nursing tanks from Target. Cheap, easy to find and work great. I've been nursing for over a year now and they're all I wear. I do put a shirt on over them if I go out in public as it makes nursing a bit more discrete (something covering the skin at top) but otherwise, they're all I wear. LOVE them!

Posted by: genie | June 22, 2009 06:54 PM

I like to say that breastfeeding comfortably can be achieved almost free (stretchy tank under a t-shirt, which most women have). But sometimes, picking out special items just for breastfeeding is empowering too - like you can wear any old sweatshirt when pregnant really, but something pretty & special to pregnancy can lift your day.
Strangely, I remember struggling with nursing generally early on and thinking about giving up. And in one of those 3am crises, it occurred to me how much money I'd spent on nursing bras and tops - I couldn't give them up!

Posted by: Michelle @ doudoubebe.com | June 23, 2009 01:27 AM

I use a cheapee nursing sheet (by Kushies) just so no prying eyes happen to wander and see anything they don't want to see, but I love nursing in public. I've recently had to start supplementing with formula and I love the convenience of bf'ing in public.

Posted by: Cheryl | June 24, 2009 01:20 PM

On the one hand, I'm like the other moms here - you can breastfeed in whatever you happen to be wearing, but...if you work outside of the home (i.e. pumping)and can't get away with wearing the nursing tanks, then you face having to get undressed several times a day in public locations. That's pretty daunting, not to mention time consuming. This is where specially-designed pump (and breastfeeding) friendly clothes come into play. And Michelle@doudoubebe.com points out the intangible piece - empowerment - which is so huge in moms sticking with breastfeeding despite challenges.

Posted by: Holli Harris | June 24, 2009 05:12 PM

Oh, great list! I totally agree -- never used nursing clothes for the first full year I nursed. Of course, if I had known that I would continue for a full decade (4 kids, people!!!), I would have invested earlier. As it was, I ended up designing stuff (this was in the dark ages of the 90s where the only nursing clothes available were hideous -- now there are lots of options.) But the number one item for nursing success -- a sling. I used the OTSBH but now would try that or the Balboa Baby -- anything that would allow you to MOVE while spending 10 hours a day attached to your nursling. The fact that it often covered the mummy tummy left exposed by a lifted tee or a pulled-down top was a bonus!

Posted by: Roxanne Beckford Hoge | June 25, 2009 12:19 AM



« Previous · Main · Next » Products That Can Help You Breastfeed In Public June 21, 2009 For this month's "carnival," we're tackling the subject of breastfeeding in public. Below, you'll find a collection of posts from different bloggers. As for me, I breastfed our kids anywhere and everywhere. If they were hungry, they ate. I found a comfortable place to sit, and got down to business. Getting a pedicure? Yes. Shopping for clothes? Check. Dining in a restaurant? Ditto. I think I was too tired to really care what anyone thought. And I found that with a little practice, it was quite easy to feed discreetly. I never bought a fancy nursing shawl or blanket. I didn't even have a nursing top. I just managed with a nursing bra and whatever else I had with me at the time... my coat, a table napkin. You get the idea. Nevertheless, I'm always excited to see new products that can facilitate the nursing in public experience. Babies eat around the clock and moms simply can't stay home tethered to the couch all day. So if there's anything that will make the whole thing easier, I'm all for it. I recently posted a question on this site, as well as Twitter and Facebook, asking people what products they liked for nursing in public. I got some great suggestions, so I'll share them with you here. Bravado nursing bras and tanks. (I LOVED these bras. It was the only brand I bought). Motherwear nursing clothes, bras and gowns. Boob Nursing Shirts. Hadley Stillwell's fancy clothes for work and getting dressed up. Japanese Weekend nursing tops, dresses and pajamas. Glamourmom nursing tanks. Nursing wraps/blankets from Bebe au Lait, Hooter Hider and Lila Bean. The Bella Band to cover your stomach and hold your pants up. The Mobleez Breastfeeding Hat. A scarf from Mamascarf in the UK. But in the end, you really have to ask yourself, what's in your budget and what makes you the most at ease. And as my friend Helena wrote to me, "Hm, what makes it easy to feed your child in public...how about a boob? Don't be ashamed, women, you don't need to burkha your baby to accommodate other peoples' ignorance." Now, for the posts from other bloggers. (sorry for the delay... I still have to insert the links) * Motherwear: Get kicked off a bus for nursing in public? Here's how to respond * Breastfeeding 1-2-3: To Cover or Not to Cover * Breastfeeding Mums: Nursing in Public - What's a Breastfeeding Mother to do? * Lucy and Ethel Have a Baby: Nursing in Public - Boobs out and Proud * PhD in Parenting: Would you, could you, nurse in public? * Dirty Diaper Laundry: Breastfeeding in Public - Talents - I Haz It * Kim Through the Looking Glass: Here, at the Restaurant? * Grudgemom: Nursing in a room full of people you know * Mum Unplugged: Awww, is he sleeping? * Massachusetts Friends of Midwives: Nursing in Public - Chinatown, the Subway, the Vatican, and more * Mother Mary's Soapbox: Breastfeeding Oriana * Tiny Grass: Nursing in Public as an Immigrant * Mommy News and Views: Breastfeeding in Public * Stork Stories: Little Old Men...and Nursing in Public * Chronicles of a Nursing Mom: Why worry about NIP? * Warm Hearts Happy Family: Breastfeeding and the Summertime * Blacktating: Thank you for Nursing in Public * Musings on Mamahood: Nip, No Tuck * Baby Ready: A Wee NIP in the Park * Tales of Life with a Girl on the Go: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - We've breastfed in them all * Breastfeeding Moms Unite: Nursing in Public - A Fresh Perspective on Nurse-ins * Never a Dull Moment: Breastfeeding Hats? Yes! Nursing Covers? Uh...not so much * Hobo Mama: Easy, Discreet way to Nurse a Toddler in Public June 21, 2009 09:29 PM · Link · Breastfeeding in Public ~ Product Reviews TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http://mamaknowsbreast.com/mt/pings.cgi/464 Comments Isn't Twitter a wonderful tool for obtaining information? I use it sometimes to help me write posts too! Posted by: Melodie \| June 22, 2009 11:39 AM I use the nursing tanks from Target. Cheap, easy to find and work great. I've been nursing for over a year now and they're all I wear. I do put a shirt on over them if I go out in public as it makes nursing a bit more discrete (something covering the skin at top) but otherwise, they're all I wear. LOVE them! Posted by: genie \| June 22, 2009 06:54 PM I like to say that breastfeeding comfortably can be achieved almost free (stretchy tank under a t-shirt, which most women have). But sometimes, picking out special items just for breastfeeding is empowering too - like you can wear any old sweatshirt when pregnant really, but something pretty & special to pregnancy can lift your day. Strangely, I remember struggling with nursing generally early on and thinking about giving up. And in one of those 3am crises, it occurred to me how much money I'd spent on nursing bras and tops - I couldn't give them up! Posted by: Michelle @ doudoubebe.com \| June 23, 2009 01:27 AM I use a cheapee nursing sheet (by Kushies) just so no prying eyes happen to wander and see anything they don't want to see, but I love nursing in public. I've recently had to start supplementing with formula and I love the convenience of bf'ing in public. Posted by: Cheryl \| June 24, 2009 01:20 PM On the one hand, I'm like the other moms here - you can breastfeed in whatever you happen to be wearing, but...if you work outside of the home (i.e. pumping)and can't get away with wearing the nursing tanks, then you face having to get undressed several times a day in public locations. That's pretty daunting, not to mention time consuming. This is where specially-designed pump (and breastfeeding) friendly clothes come into play. And Michelle@doudoubebe.com points out the intangible piece - empowerment - which is so huge in moms sticking with breastfeeding despite challenges. Posted by: Holli Harris \| June 24, 2009 05:12 PM Oh, great list! I totally agree -- never used nursing clothes for the first full year I nursed. Of course, if I had known that I would continue for a full decade (4 kids, people!!!), I would have invested earlier. As it was, I ended up designing stuff (this was in the dark ages of the 90s where the only nursing clothes available were hideous -- now there are lots of options.) But the number one item for nursing success -- a sling. I used the OTSBH but now would try that or the Balboa Baby -- anything that would allow you to MOVE while spending 10 hours a day attached to your nursling. The fact that it often covered the mummy tummy left exposed by a lifted tee or a pulled-down top was a bonus! Posted by: Roxanne Beckford Hoge \| June 25, 2009 12:19 AM Post a comment (If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.) Name: Email Address: URL: Remember personal info? 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Products That Can Help You Breastfeed In Public

June 21, 2009

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