NIP confidence

[shanniesue2]

DS is 7 weeks old, and I love breastfeeding and feel so sorry for babies who aren't breast fed.... so I really want to do what I can to help other parents and parents-to-be view it as normal. When I first started taking DS out, I would NIP with a cover because I was using a nipple shield and well, I just wasn't comfortable putting the shield on without some amount of privacy. But now we've weaned off the shield, and I've started NIPing without a cover in most places (yesterday it was at the park and the zoo.)

Anyway, the place that I feel most uncomfortable NIPing at is church. We go to this very small church (only 4 rows of pews) and there are maybe 30-35 people on any given Sunday. So let's say it's in the middle of the sermon, and DS needs to nurse... I just feel like the priest is sitting there staring at me. I know that he isn't... but I guess I feel like it's easier to NIP in a more crowded place because I can get lost in the crowd and I don't feel like everyone is looking at me. When dressing for church, I try to make sure and wear an outfit that doesn't show too much skin when nursing. But still, something about having my nipple hanging out in the middle of a new testament reading just has me feeling sort of squirmy.

Does anyone have any tips for a mom trying to build NIP confidence?

[PatioGardener]

Sorry I don't have any tips, but I wanted to say well done and keep going !

[MommaGreenBean]

In church I use my hand to shield my nipple while she's latching on Once I"m latched I feel fine, but sometimes it's tricky and I don't like the idea of my nipple waving around

Great job on the NIP, I don't think I was confident to try anywhere until about 3 months. I think our first NIP was in Tractor Supply and I ducked into the plumbing isle to latch on

[KristyDi]

I'm with you. I can't figure how to latch her while shielding my nipple. I'd need 3 hands, one to support my breast, one to guide her head, and one to shield.

I have NIP'd in a few places, but church really intimidates me. We haven't been going to this church for very long and I don't want to rock the boat. I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't mind covering, if I could figure out how. I wore DD in a wrap today at church and I know people nurse in those, but I just can't wrap my head around the logistics of that. Thankfully DD hasn't needed to nurse during church yet.

[donutmolly]

Repeat to yourself again and again: no one sees as much as I think they see! Seriously! I've heard the suggestion to watch yourself in a mirror, so you can get an idea of how little people actually see.

It also gets better, imho, after they get through the newborn floppy head period -- by 3 or 4 mo, they're total pros at finding the nipple and latching on before anyone could notice. Honestly, most folks who complain about NIP are offended just by the idea of breastfeeding, so covering up is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

I've nursed both DD's at church -- best way to keep baby happy through sermons. I'm sure the preacher would rather have you nursing than have baby fussing! Keep on nursing them at church! Way to go!

[meganmarie]

I nurse at a small church all the time and I honestly don't think anyone notices I'm doing it. Everyone's head is facing front!

I do usually dress with a nursing tank underlayer and a shirt over it, so by pulling the top shirt up and inching the tank's flap down, NOTHING is showing when baby is latched. There might be a second of visibility in latching on and off, but someone would have to be staring hard and close at the exact spot at the right time - I really think only I can see it.

Good for you for going ahead with it. Keep it up!

[sarahtdubb]

As a PP mentioned, try nursing in front of a mirror. I think it'll help you realize how discreet you can be and how little is showing when you nurse. And also just be proud of yourself and the example you're setting to the people in your church... by seeing you nurse in church, someone else in your congregation may feel more comfortable breastfeeding when her time comes!

[Teyu]

Hmm I don't go to church and am not religious but if I did I would just keep in mind the picture of Mary nursing Jesus that floats around MDC sometimes. I mean this is assuming you go to a Christian church even. Sorry if you don't!

Also maybe if you are uncomfortable you should sit in the back row all the way to one side. I also agree with the poster who said that no one sees as much as you think they see.

I am still a bit iffy about NIP. I do it but I usually find myself thinking "I hope I don't have to!" I've done it but not too much because usually David is really into looking around at stuff and then he gets so tired from seeing all the new stuff that he will fall asleep in the ring sling. :P

Oh I also wanted to say congrats on weaning from the shield! I read that that is hard!

[velcromom]

Good for you, sounds like you are really getting to enjoy how convenient it can be to just breastfeed without any extra accessories!

I highly recommend the site www.007b.com for a boost of confidence when you are feeling a little hesitant. And of course I wouldn't mind if you visited my site too!

[*MamaJen*]

Originally Posted by shanniesue2

But still, something about having my nipple hanging out in the middle of a new testament reading just has me feeling sort of squirmy.

That line totally cracked me up. I bet nobody in the history of the English language has ever said that line before.
But being serious, it sounds like you're doing great. Like some other mamas said, it's pretty easy to be discrete if you wear a tank top under your shirt. At that point, if anybody sees anything, it's because they're trying really, really hard. Which doesn't sound like churchgoing behavior.