Which Breast Feeding Cover?

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Which Breast Feeding Cover?

I don't know how long the breast feeding cover has been around, but I only discovered them with my 8th baby. How I ever made it through the first seven without one I will never know.

“My opinion is that anybody offended by breastfeeding
is staring too hard”
-- David Allen

Yes, a blanket tossed over the shoulder works...sort of. Until the baby gets squirmy or the blanket slips down or you need to see in order to get her latched on correctly.

Peoples reactions to witnessing a mom breast feeding vary.

Most people try to ignore it.
Some curious 6 year olds stick their noses right next to your baby's face and say "What is he doing?"
Some people have to fight to keep their eyes from drifting repeatedly.

Don't get me wrong. I am proud of breast feeding. I just don't particularly like being "gawked at" by anyone other than my husband.

My nightmare experience breast feeding in public with my now 7 year old comes to mind. It was the Christmas season and our entire family was at the packed-out mall. My daughter was a newborn at the time, and she was hungry, but there was not an empty seat to be found anywhere, let alone a quiet place off to the side somewhere.

I finally sat down on the floor in front of a department store window and tried to breast feed. Getting her to latch on correctly was still a struggle, and required both of my hands and both my eyes. Even using a blanket, I couldn't find a way to get her latched on without exposing myself to the hundreds of people milling around (and sitting on the benches nearby, peoplewatching). We were soon both in tears!

Oh how wonderful it would have been to have had a breast feeding cover (and a chair)!

Moboleez Breastfeeding Hat

Style=A+ Coverage=C Price=A Ease of Use=A

The MoBoleez Breastfeeding Hat wins the day for style when it comes to breast feeding covers. While it doesn't do a lot for camouflaging what you are doing, it provides a little coverage for what you are doing it with. This adorable hat covers the breast, not the breastfeeding!

This nursing cover won't provide as much coverage as some of the others, especially for the side views. This problem could be remedied by using it in conjunction with a nursing tank (see below), or an oversized button-down shirt.

This one also may become a problem when your newborn gets a little older and easily distracted while nursing, turning his head to see what is going on and leaving you bare for the world to see.

On a side note, my husband says that these hats would be too feminine for his taste if our baby was a boy (good thing she's not).

Nursing Tanks

Style=A Coverage=B Price=B Ease of Use=A

Nursing tanks are a great item for any nursing mom's wardrobe. They give a little extra disguise to those temporary post-pregnancy love handles while providing coverage for your middle when pulling your shirt up for breastfeeding. They don't work however, at covering from the top if you need to unbutton your shirt. The best part is that they blend right into your wardrobe - either hidden under your clothes, or flirtily peeking out below your shirt.

My favorite nursing tankis actually a strapless tank that attaches cleverly to the hooks on most nursing bras. Just be sure to order a size smaller, since this one tends to run large.

Udder Covers Breast Feeding Cover

Style=B Coverage=B Price=A+ Ease of Use=A

The Udder Covers breast feeding cover is my newest purchase. The 100% cotton makes it breatheable for those hot days, but it also gets very wrinkled in my bag. I like the pretty patterns and the adjustable ring. The coverage is not as great as some of the others, but it gets the job done.

The best part about it? Right now if you enter the promo code "onefree" at checkout, it brings the price from $43.95 down to $11.95 (including S&H). I really don't like the name (makes me feel like a Jersey cow), but I can overlook that due to the awesome price.

Balboa Baby Nursing Cover

Style=A Coverage=A Price=B Ease of Use=A

Balboa Baby makes my favorite "blanket-type" breast feeding cover.

If you have yet to see one of these types of covers in action, here's what makes them so great. First, they have a strap that holds the cover in place without any hands. Second, most have some type of "boning" that holds the top edge away from your chest so that you can see what's going on inside.

I like the Balboa Baby best because it is more contoured than other cover-ups, which helps everything stay in place even when your little one is squirmy. That means that this one gets my vote for the best coverage. You will find the price to be about $45 some places, but you can save a several bucks here.

Bebe au Lait Breastfeeding Cover

Style=A Coverage=A Price=B Ease of Use=A

Another one that I really like is the Bebe au Lait breast feeding cover (also sold as Hooter Hiders....don't like that name either). Similar in style and price, where this one lacks the contour that the Balboa Baby has, it makes up for with its generous size. They are about the same price, so I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

One thing to be forewarned about is that all of these blanket type covers tend to trap a lot of heat in warm weather. This makes it sweaty inside for mom and baby. Choosing a lighter colored fabric will help reflect the sunlight rather than absorb it.