How are you all doing NIP? - Page 2

[cheeseRjedi]

I usually nurse DS before we go out but I have no problem NIP either. I've nursed walking around the store in both the Moby and my pouch and no one can see anything except my hand reaching down my shirt to hold my boob . The Moby is easy but he feels all squishy when I get him low enough to latch on. I suppose it'd be easier to wear him in the cradle hold and just untie the Moby to make him lower but I'm lazy so I just pull my boob up. The pouch is totally easy. I've invested in a few long sleeve shirts that have buttons in the front so I can just unbutton and pull my boob up and out over my bra-cami and shirt. You can't see anything.

[JulieK]

I totally plan on NIP if necessary, and won't have too much of a choice, esp with 3yo ds to deal with and take places. However, I have to admit that it's hard in the beginning when the baby isn't so independent in latching and my boobs are SO big (I call them "porno boobs"). I also have to be modest for religious purposes, at least in certain contexts, but once the baby and I get the hang of it, not much has to show, even for a split second.

[Hezzy]

I've been NIP without much trouble. I'm not interested in flashing everyone, but I do think it's important to help try to normalize it in our culture, so I just try to do my best to be discreet, but I don't worry about it. I find that most people, if they realize what you're doing, look away anyway. THEY get self-conscious, so I don't have to

My main problem with NIP is that I leak ferociously from the other boob while he nurses - I'll soak right through a nursing pad, my bra and into my shirt in about 5 seconds. At a restaurant the other night I kept stuffing bev naps into my bra to try to staunch the flow. Now, I wonder if anyone saw that! I'm trying not to be self-conscious about the wetness, but it is a bit embarrassing. I'm hoping it ends soon!

[Curlita]

So far my only opp. for NIP with Conrad was at the pediatrician's office... and the ped was a little freaked out (I had a whole post on that)! But I nursed Dylan in public with no problem... I feel like I was reasonably discreet, but my husband and family night not agree with me. I never used a blanket, although my husband was always sort of shoving one at me, and I remember my mom trying really hard to get us a corner table as opposed to a table in the middle of the room at a restaurant once, but that was more about her trying to be considerate (and not being able to fathom the idea of being comfortable NIP) than any judgment of me.

I can see where an accessory like a nipple shield would sort of complicate the process. I never know what to do with breast pads or soothies. It's one thing to display the boob, but having people see a breast pad covered with lanolin? That seems a little more personal for some reason.

Katherine, hopefully practice will help you feel more comfortable NIP...

[canadiannancy]

I feel all thumbs NIP, since Callie takes a while to latch I have to bare boob for much longer then I would like....but....I have no problems with it and will be doing it tommorrow I am sure(It is free picture with Santa at the mall....and I remmeber the line is loooong and I am sure we will need to feed a few times during the wait...I just wish I had some nursing clothes to make things a bit more discreet, since typically I am very modest....Oh well, hopefully we will get more efficient and not have to bare all for long!

[chrysalis]

Originally Posted by sorteep

I think the thing is you will project how you feel about it to others and they will reflect it back to you, does that make sense...?? so stick to what you are comfy with and slowly expand your NIP as you are comfortable and it will work out..hugs

nak

:

[GinaRae]

Originally Posted by Hezzy

My main problem with NIP is that I leak ferociously from the other boob while he nurses - I'll soak right through a nursing pad, my bra and into my shirt in about 5 seconds. At a restaurant the other night I kept stuffing bev naps into my bra to try to staunch the flow. Now, I wonder if anyone saw that! I'm trying not to be self-conscious about the wetness, but it is a bit embarrassing. I'm hoping it ends soon!

This was my problem with my last. I was always SO wet and couldn't ever go without a bra and pads. Now I still have to be careful, but it's not as bad. Once in a while if I am full like at night, I leak. Otherwise it's just a little here and there.

Do you pump at all? I don't this time and I swear it's made a difference, though I don't know why.

[myjulybabes]

I'm NIP'ing all over the place, but oddly, I'm feeling a bit self-conscious. Not enough to stop me from feeding her when she's hungry or go hide in a bathroom or something, but I do feel a little...exposed. I try to make sure she's full before we head to the store or whatever. I think I just need to get back into practice, I know I had no problems nursing ds any time any where and never felt bad. We've also had some minor issues with latch and stuff, so it can take awhile to get her going, so my nipple is just hanging out there.

And really, what DO you do with the nursing pads? I generally stuff them in my pocket, but that's gotta look odd.

[Momma Aimee]

And really, what DO you do with the nursing pads? I generally stuff them in my pocket, but that's gotta look odd.

I keep them "caught" int eh flap of the bra that i pull down to feed the baby -- i do it at home too other wise "someone" runs off with them while i nurse.

NOt perfect, but if you can get them caught up in teh bra flap, and pull them aside / down with the flap .... it can help.

Otherwise i just drop them in the sling by the baby

AImee

[GinaRae]

Originally Posted by myjulybabes

And really, what DO you do with the nursing pads? I generally stuff them in my pocket, but that's gotta look odd.

I've stuffed it in the sling, in the other bra, in my pocket, in my hand...

[Momma Aimee]

also as theo got bigger he started to hold on to them

[Hezzy]

Originally Posted by GinaRae

This was my problem with my last. I was always SO wet and couldn't ever go without a bra and pads. Now I still have to be careful, but it's not as bad. Once in a while if I am full like at night, I leak. Otherwise it's just a little here and there.

Do you pump at all? I don't this time and I swear it's made a difference, though I don't know why.

No, I haven't been pumping. I want to say that the leaking has been slowing a bit, although I'm not sure this is true. I don't take much comfort in the books that say it's usually not a problem by 6 months. 6 MONTHS!?!?! Oh, well.

[Danielle69]

my friend sent me a hooter hider. It is a beautiful floral print that you use to cover up and it has a molded neck so it doesn't collapse on the baby and you cabn see the baby while they nurse. I like it-But sometimes I think it attracts more attention. My friend loves it though....

http://www.bebeaulait.com/why.html

[Googy]

I think that comfort with NIP is actually a really complex thing. It depends on so much: your body image, your family background, the area you live in (some places NIP is quite common and welcomed, other areas it is unheard of and shunned), how "coordinated" you are when nursing, how distractable/fussy/difficult your DC is while nursing, the list could go on and on.

For me, I am fairly comfortable with my body, so I'm not too freaked out about someone seeing part of my boob. My family background is awesome--my parents were original LLL members back in the 70s, so seeing women nurse was part of my everyday life growing up. Where I live I don't see tons of women NIP, but it is certainly done and I don't think its considered too big of a deal.

With DD1, though, I was not very coordinated--I really needed the Boppy and a comfy seat to do a half-decent job nursing her. Now, with DD2, I'm an old pro. I can nurse anywhere, anytime, in any position.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that no one should feel bad about themselves if they aren't comfortable NIP. I think the whole idea behind feminism for me is that women should be free to CHOOSE to do what they are comfortable with. Therefore, you shouldn't HAVE to nurse in public or private, you know?

[Momma Aimee]

NIP is definatly a leanred skill.

I found with DS1 the more praticed he and i became the less i even NOTICED if I was in public

at some point, nurseing at home, at mom's, at church, meeting the Pastor in his office (with DH), at the sotre, while walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, at The Old North Church, on a plane, on a train, in court .... it all blurrs together.

I know i got to a pint i never even thought about 'how am I going to nurse here" I just did it ..... compnay picnics, while cooking, walking around malls or hainv lunch with Scott's boss..... a personal fav of mine was a gun show where i swear i was the only female much less the only mother, wedding, funerals, building sites ....

I have found the more confident you are, the more natural you are, the less other notice. 1. i don't think people generally notice that much anyway - i think it is "pimple on Prom night" YOU think eveyoine is noticeing cuz you are not at ease and 2. the more at ease you are the less you draw attention to yourself and 3. the more confident you are in any part of your life, the more natural you feel, the more confidnce you put off and the more people accept it -- remember the first time you were big enough to wear high heels??

Personally I do NOT cover -- unless feeding in a carrier and the carrier is a de facto cover, not intental ..... 1. Theo HATED to be covered and would fight, cry and not nurse and cause a much much bigger stir if i tried and 2. I think the cover draws more attention than the baby and nurseing ... getting something (blanket, shawl, cover) out, get baby in place, moving clothing, getting the baby latched, getting it all settled .,..... I feel that just calmly putting baby to breast, moving some clothes and feeding baby -- and when you are praticed you won't even look down is much less "drawing of attention" JMO.

I suppose I might cover in a few situations (if we were touring churhes in Italy again) .. but then I would just wear the babe in the sling and let that cover for me ... nothing special.

But I appercitae anyones level of confort -- just be sure it is for YOU and not for theose around you -- really or in your own perception of how they will react.

It is your legal right, and it is your baby's birth right.

Pratice, pratice, pratice.

I am not as quick and easy with C yet as I was with T ... but i am better now with C than I was with T at 6 week ..... it is all a learning curve.

Aimee