Breastfeeding Clothes Make Nursing In Public Easier, But They Are Not Always Needed
Hello nursing mom! I'm the mother of four breastfed children who I nursed pretty much everywhere: friends' homes, church, shopping, movie theaters...even while on board a motor boat while pulling a water skier!
One reason I can easily nurse in public is that I am able to nurse discreetly, thanks to clothing that keeps me comfortably covered.
So, what type of clothing do you need?
Many nursing moms think they need to make some major investment in breastfeeding clothing. And, while I've known a few moms who want to do this, it is possible to nurse discreetly without spending a lot of money on breastfeeding clothes. Here's how:
o Make your own breastfeeding clothes, even if you don't sew much. I've converted several layered dresses and 2-piece tops into nursing wear by simply cutting two vertical slits in the layer closest to my skin. The top layer keeps the slits, and you, covered when nursing your baby.
o When wearing your own clothes, dress in layers. An unbuttoned blouse or sweater worn on top of another shirt works quite nicely.
o Many moms find that wearing "official" breastfeeding clothes makes them feel more confident about nursing in public, but they don't want to spend too much. So, look for nursing clothes at garage sales and consignment sales. Also, keep your eye on a few websites for clearance sales. I've even had friends either loan or give me their no-longer-needed breastfeeding clothes.
o If you do decide to purchase some new breastfeeding clothes, look for styles that you'll want to continue wearing when your baby is no longer nursing. Right now, two of the nursing shirts in my closet are ones I like so much that I will be wearing them for a long time!
Whether you wear breastfeeding clothes or not, you may want to consider something else for discreet nursing in public: a sling. I can't tell you the number of times I've nursed one of my babies in the privacy of a sling. Most people have no clue you are even nursing! Plus, many babies are lulled to sleep while nursing in a sling.
Oh, one other bonus to wearing a sling. . .you can take your baby many places you couldn't easily go with a stroller (and continue nursing at the same time). Like walking through a crowded store, going for a hike on a rustic trail, or taking a sightseeing tour. When your baby wants to nurse, all you have to do is adjust baby's position, latch him or her on and continue with whatever you were doing. It really is that easy!
Good luck nursing in public. You CAN do it!
