When someone suggests a blanket... - Page 2

[Breeder]

Originally Posted by butterfly_mommy

Shortly after I had my DS we were at a friends house. They had a baby about 6 weeks before us and mom always nursed the baby with a blanket over her shoulder and babies head. Anyway DS got hungry and I popped out the boob and latched him on, then our friend (the dad) asked if I wanted a blanket, he said it in a genuinely helpful tone, I think he assumed that all nursing mom's used a blanket because his wife did. I said "no thanks, We're good" then DH chimes in "Yeah Scarlett is not embarrassed to nurse and will whip it out anywhere"

The last time we over a few weeks ago she was nursing without a blanket, even in front of my DH

Lots of new moms feel self consious when they start nursing so they use cover ups, sounds like you helped her feel more comfortable. GO you!

[InstinctiveMom]

You could always put the blanket over your ownhead, calling even more attention to the whole process

[BarefootScientist]

Well, I think the expectation is that you put the blanket all the way over your shoulder, from behind your shoulder, all the way over your arm and around to the front so the whole baby and most of you is covered. Not sure if you were actually asking about the logistics of how to cover, but it took me a while to figure out how it's actually done, so I thought maybe you were.

I have done this a few times (eg. meeting with just DH and pastor). But most of the time it is just too darn much work and too cumbersome. Plus, that means you need to carry a blanket.

I'm not sure what I would do if someone came UP to me while I was nursing and GAVE me a blanket. Probably just say no thanks I guess. I like to think I'm pretty discreet without one.

[HarperRose]

When I use a blanket to cover, it's always across my midsection. Not one of my kids has ever liked being covered while they eat and I can't say I blame them. I don't like to be covered while I eat, either.

I've offered blankets when a mom seems slightly uncomfortable or the baby seems agitated. My youngest can get easily worked up if it's not nice and quiet when he's settling or if he's tired, so I do use blankets sometimes, but it's only for his sense of security and my sense of comfort (not exposing my midsection) than for the comfort of ppl around us.

[BetsyS]

I use a blanket to cover my midsection, too. When I pull up my shirt, my side is exposed, even though the baby covers up the front part of me. If I'm not in deep couch, someone could see my belly flab. I'd rather that not happen.

[ABrez]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

I use a blanket to cover my midsection, too. When I pull up my shirt, my side is exposed, even though the baby covers up the front part of me. If I'm not in deep couch, someone could see my belly flab. I'd rather that not happen.

That's why I'm all about nursing tanks! Someone in DH's family handed me a dish towel while I was nursing and DH took it and put it on his head and said, "Me next!" 'Cause he knew I was about to go off on said family member and is better at taking the high road.

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by ABrez

Someone in DH's family handed me a dish towel while I was nursing and DH took it and put it on his head and said, "Me next!"

: : :

[ilovejeff]

Originally Posted by jillc512

This reminds me of the shirt that says, "I nurse in public; if that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to throw a blanket over your head."

I want that shirt!

[3babesunder3]

With my first daughter I totally covered up unless I was at home alone. Then with second daughter..I didn't really care but if I didn't have a blanket when we were out and she needed to eat, I would sit in the car. Now..I don't really care. I find the blanket over the baby's head is suffocating. I just try to be discreet. When I'm walking around Wal-Mart and nursing, I like to have a cover because I don't like my belly sticking out...I'm a little self conscious of that. I do get a few funny looks that I am shopping AND nursing, but it doesn't bother me.

You know what really gets me though is when I got to someone's house and they ask me if I want to go in the other room to nurse? I get confused because I don't know if they are asking because they feel I need privacy or because they'd be uncomfortable if I did it there. That's kind of awkward because I'm like..uh...do I go or do I stay?

[Belle]

Sometimes when my baby is upset I'll wrap her in a blanket before we start nursing; it calms her down.

I can honestly say, I've never had anyone tell me to use a blanket to nurse. I guess I would say "I'm not cold, thanks though"

[mytwogirls]

Originally Posted by InstinctiveMom

You could always put the blanket over your ownhead, calling even more attention to the whole process

I want to try that!!!!!

[sasntappy]

I was nursing at the front of a grocery store once while waiting for dh to get through the line when a lady said something to me about needing a blanket for that. She said it rudely with a grumpy face, but I had the diaper bag next to me with a blanket in it and visible. I just smiled up at hr sweetly and said no thanks, but if you could hand me my bottle of water I'd really appreciate it. It stopped her dead in her tracks and she actually got the water for me. She didn't know what else to do. I thanked her andd she went on her way, still looking a bit grumpy about the whole scenario, but it made me laugh.

[AntoninBeGonin]

I briefly belonged to a womens' only gym and was nursing my daughter when she was still only about 6 months old. One of the daycare workers handed me a blanket. I refused to take it and told her I was fine. She tried several times to actually put it on me and Baby Girl, even though I very adamently said I didn't want it. After a minute of that I unlatched Baby Girl, jumped up, grabbed my son, and stormed out the door. Ohhhh, I was hot under the collar :. I went back a week later and made a big complaint to the manager and she apologized. I never did go back to the gym to actually use it though, just didn't feel like it. I decided to just cancel my membership.

And really, it was a womens only gym and I was in a backroom with no one around but my two kids and a couple of other toddlers. Who on earth cared that I was nursing?

Originally Posted by sasntappy

I was nursing at the front of a grocery store once while waiting for dh to get through the line when a lady said something to me about needing a blanket for that. She said it rudely with a grumpy face, but I had the diaper bag next to me with a blanket in it and visible. I just smiled up at hr sweetly and said no thanks, but if you could hand me my bottle of water I'd really appreciate it. It stopped her dead in her tracks and she actually got the water for me. She didn't know what else to do. I thanked her andd she went on her way, still looking a bit grumpy about the whole scenario, but it made me laugh.

That was fantastic!

[mnnice]

I generally think the suggestion to get a blanket is generally a way to let you know that they are uncomfortable and wish you would stop or go elsewhere. On occassion it might me a true attempt to help especially if the person offering is very modest.

If I'm comfortable where I am I'm not going to move. If that makes someone uncomfortable too bad.

[jencen]

yes, i used to cover at times...it wasn't about covering the nursing baby--I didn't care if anyone saw my boob, i just didn't want them to see the spare tire hanging over the top of my pants. Now that COULD ruin someone's lunch for sure!

[KristyDi]

When I first started nursing I would have used a blanket if I could have figured out how. I actually tried once, but got so frustrated with trying to hold an increasingly annoyed DD, my boob and the blanket while trying to latch her on I just threw the blanket back into the diaper bag and figured, "Screw it!" I haven't even tried using one since. No one has said anything to me and I haven't noticed any looks, but I usually focus on DD to avoid any looks. I do still prefer to nurse in a more private place, but it's not necessary.