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Should I hide?  

post #1 of 32
9/20/08 at 7:18pm
Thread Starter 
I'm still learning to NIP, I'm a 32g/h with a small baby.

I've tried everything, the only thing that works is the boob out the top, but some say its showing too much. I hate the idea of a blanket or special hat on baby

Suggestions?

Also I find it so hard without a pillow, how do people do it?
post #2 of 32
9/20/08 at 8:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Britishmama View Post
I've tried everything, the only thing that works is the boob out the top, but some say its showing too much.
psh so what? seriously when ds NIP its like a peep show but thats the only way he will nurse and g-d help the person who says anything (someone did .. i posted a while back about it) if your uncomfortable then by all means do what you need to do but everyone else can stop staring at your boobs and worry about their own lives.
post #3 of 32
9/20/08 at 8:38pm
When I have to unbutton or pull my boob out the top I cover just my boob, not dd face, with a burp cloth b/c it makes me more comfortable.

You do what you need to do to nurse that baby.

nak
post #4 of 32
9/20/08 at 8:53pm
I don't know how little your DC is but with DS I found as he got bigger it was SO much easier. When he was little I didn't think that I would every be able to nurse in public. When he go to be about 3 months I was a pro and also cared less about what other people said. DS never liked to have his head covered so a nursing cover was never an option.
post #5 of 32
9/20/08 at 9:07pm
Only you can decide what works best for you, BritishMama!

I'm not sure what 32g/h means.

I can tell you what helped me, though. Practice. I wear different clothes out than just around the house, so NIP was a whole different ballgame. So I started practicing at home in my going out clothes.

Also, and I'm very small up top, ditching the nursing bra contraption entirely and switching to nursing shirts (with a soft, no underwire bra when needed.) Depending on the way they open, these can keep you much more covered -- IF that's what you're going for.

Third, LLL meetings. Nothing like seeing other mamas nurse newborns and toddlers to "normalize" bf in your own mind! Because, really, this is an issue about YOU being comfortable and confident!

About the pillow, sometimes it helped me to put one foot up on the bench next to me and lean my elbow/the baby's weight on that. When he got bigger, I just crossed one ankle over the other knee (not a skirt girl!) Maybe a small pillow to take with you?

If you're in England, I have no idea what the laws are over there. But if you happen to be British in the US, you generally have a legal right to nurse anywhere you have a legal right to be. So feel free to tell "some people" that you're within your legal rights, smile, and look adoringly into your precious baby's face!
post #6 of 32
9/20/08 at 9:15pm
I have been wearing a tank with built in bra (NOT a nursing tank) When it is time to nurse, I have been flopping over the top of that, and then pulling up my regular shirt. No belly shows, and next to no boob shows. I am not large chested, though. I don't know if that would be enough support for you or not.

I agree, it will get easier as they can latch themselves on. You wont need to see what is going on in a few months. Until then, do what ya gotta do to feed the baby. If it is easy for you to flop over the top, then do that. You can carry an extra pre-fold diaper with you to cover the top of your breast if you need a little coverage. The baby will cover the bottom and nipple of your breast.
post #7 of 32
9/20/08 at 9:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rockportmama View Post
I'm not sure what 32g/h means.
It's her bra size. She's saying she has big boobs and a tiny baby.



Definitely practice. You need to be comfortable with it. And baby can sense your insecurity. I never used a pillow to nurse, it was too uncomfortable. But I wasn't comfortable NIP until daughter was older. I nursed in the car or in dressing rooms.
post #8 of 32
9/20/08 at 9:22pm
Here's what I've done in your position: Take a blankie and tuck the edges in my bra straps. This drapes the blanket over your breast but not your baby. I understand how it seems like you're half naked when you've got a breast of that size pulled out. (I've been H, then I, then J with a new nursling. My breasts know the alphabet! )

As to how to breastfeed without a pillow...Well, my breasts are not just large but long; I've always just sat with my legs crossed (Indian or tailor style, depending on where you're from) and put baby in my lap. Never appreciated sagging breasts til I found out how much easier they make nursing. If you don't want to lug around a nursing pillow, why not see if you can make a little travel size pillow work; that you might be able to stow in a diaper bag.
post #9 of 32
9/20/08 at 9:35pm
practice in front of a mirror first. That always helped me. I was able to see at what angles skin was showing and how to best position DD. You can do it mama!!
post #10 of 32
9/20/08 at 9:54pm
Have you tried nursing in a sling yet? i know it's an acquired skill, but I found it to be the easiest way to nurse while shopping, etc., and some even have a "tail" that you can use to cover your upper chest if you like. I always nurse over the top of my shirt...it's just easier. Of course, I am not gifted with large breasts, so I'm not sure if it would be comfortable for you, but it's worth a try.
post #11 of 32
9/20/08 at 11:37pm
I have small breasts and I always nurse out the top of my shirt. It's easy to me and my toddler who helps himself. Just do whatever makes you feel most comfortable and remember that breasts are for breastfeeding!
post #12 of 32
9/21/08 at 5:00am
32 g/h is i think her bra size. BIG CUP

UK law sucks.

it only protects BFing mums with babies UNDER 6 months. even scotland is better than that, they are protected for a whole 2 years.

mind i am nursing a 1yr old adn have never had a problem.

Kiz
post #13 of 32
9/21/08 at 5:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Britishmama View Post
Also I find it so hard without a pillow, how do people do it?
I don't know! My little guy is nearly 11 months old and I'm still using pillows. Zomg, they are such a pain! : I think I'm going to burn 'em when I no longer need 'em.
post #14 of 32
9/21/08 at 7:23am
Thread Starter 
thank you everyone!


there are no LLL meetings near by, I never see women BF either




Quote:
Originally Posted by painefaria View Post
I don't know how little your DC l
5 weeks!



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sagesgirl View Post

As to how to breastfeed without a pillow...Well, my breasts are not just large but long; I've always just sat with my legs crossed (Indian or tailor style, depending on where you're from) and put baby in my lap. Never appreciated sagging breasts til I found out how much easier they make nursing. If you don't want to lug around a nursing pillow, why not see if you can make a little travel size pillow work; that you might be able to stow in a diaper bag.
i think it would be easier if mine didnt sag



Quote:
Originally Posted by greene_mama View Post
Have you tried nursing in a sling yet? i know it's an acquired skill, but I found it to be the easiest way to nurse while shopping, etc., and some even have a "tail" that you can use to cover your upper chest if you like. I always nurse over the top of my shirt...it's just easier. Of course, I am not gifted with large breasts, so I'm not sure if it would be comfortable for you, but it's worth a try.
i can nurse on the left with boob exposed, the right is then tricky and it;s impossible to close the sling with baby + boob

sorry nak like always
post #15 of 32
9/21/08 at 9:37am
try the burp cloth or blanket like a PP mentioned. I go over the top, myself and while I don't always cover up, when I feel the need to do so, I usually use a burpcloth or a blanket with one corner tucked into my brastrap and let it drape over my breast, not on baby's head. It takes a little practice in front of the mirror.

Also, try the cross football hold: take the baby's head in our right hand, like a softball with baby's body on your forearm. I like to have one leg on either side of my forearm. then you hold your left breast with your left hand and put baby on your left breast. reverse for right side. It's really easy to balance a young baby on your forearm while holding it;s head like a softball. When you hold baby's head like that, it makes for really easy control and it makes it easier to get baby latched without a boppy or pillow

nak
post #16 of 32
9/21/08 at 11:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Onemagicmummy View Post
32 g/h is i think her bra size. BIG CUP

UK law sucks.

it only protects BFing mums with babies UNDER 6 months. even scotland is better than that, they are protected for a whole 2 years.

mind i am nursing a 1yr old adn have never had a problem.

Kiz
Very big cup. I was an H cup when I had my middle daughter, and she was about 5lbs at birth. She was, no kidding, smaller than my breast. I so identify with the OP's exposed feeling.

Quote:
i think it would be easier if mine didnt sag
Are you holding baby with one arm & breast with the other? That's what I loved about putting the baby in my lap to nurse. It meant I only had to hold my breast a little up off the baby's face, and I was able still to have a free arm.
post #17 of 32
9/21/08 at 11:27am
nak

seriously, I just whip it out there. and dd likes to look around a lot while we're in public, so half the time my nipple is just hanging in the breeze. But I really don't think anyone can really look at a leaky mom boob with a baby hanging nearby and think "heh heh, nice tits". Something about the baby "desexualzes" them and makes them just food receptacles.

and if anyone does stare/get finicky about it, i advocate telling them to get a grip.
post #18 of 32
9/21/08 at 11:49am
Have you tried an undershirt? I would wear tanktops under my outershirt, boob goes over the tank top, outershirt gets pushed up to cover the top of the boob. Mine may be "little" (C/D) but I feel ya on the saggy bit. When DD became a toddler, or it was too hot to wear 2 shirts, I'd pop the boob over the top and put my hand over the top of my boob.
Then again, it never bothered me to have my boob hanging out
post #19 of 32
9/21/08 at 11:51am
Thread Starter 
Been lucky so far she sleeps on the sling


Quote:
Originally Posted by HidaShara View Post
nak

seriously, I just whip it out there. and dd likes to look around a lot while we're in public, so half the time my nipple is just hanging in the breeze. But I really don't think anyone can really look at a leaky mom boob with a baby hanging nearby and think "heh heh, nice tits". Something about the baby "desexualzes" them and makes them just food receptacles.

and if anyone does stare/get finicky about it, i advocate telling them to get a grip.

LOL I love that

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sagesgirl View Post
Very big cup. I was an H cup when I had my middle daughter, and she was about 5lbs at birth. She was, no kidding, smaller than my breast. I so identify with the OP's exposed feeling.



Are you holding baby with one arm & breast with the other? That's what I loved about putting the baby in my lap to nurse. It meant I only had to hold my breast a little up off the baby's face, and I was able still to have a free arm.
my boob is bigger than dd's head

my lap is too low for that

1 hand on breast one on baby
post #20 of 32
9/21/08 at 12:21pm
I bought a bunch of bellabands when i was pregnant and now that i am nursing, I still wear them to cover my stomach while nip. so i pull up everything I am wearing but still my whole stomach is covered. it works really well for me
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