Parenting and family news, picked by parents

I’m really in two minds about these cover-ups – for starters just the name Hooter Hiders puts me off!!
But seriously, if it means that a mother feels comfortable to feed in public and means that she can breastfeed the baby for longer then good for her.
On the other hand, it is such a shame (and feels like a step backwards) that women feel that they should be covered up to feed.
Personally, I never used anything like this. I actually think they would have made me feel more self-conscious – but that’s just me. I think the best thing I was ever told was to practice feeding in front of a mirror – so that you can see, well, just how little you can actually see! I used to feed mine absolutely everywhere!

I understand that some women might want to cover-up more while breastfeeding, but frankly these type of products fall into the category of baby-wipe warmers and birthing dresses: they’re not really necessary and seem to reflect how being a parent to a baby has become so defined by consumerism.

I also agree with Flo – they seem to emphasize that the person is breastfeeding. I don’t know how many times I’ve glanced over at a restaurant, pub or park and it took me several beats to realise that the mum was breastfeeding. So what’s the big deal?

I have a hooter hiders one and I love it. I seldomly use it, but I still love it – when I was uncomfortable with feeding in the beginning it was a life saver. Nowdays I rarely use it at all, but find it really helpful if my daughter is being curious and it’s interupting her feeding, and if I’m wearing something (I don’t always wear nursing tops or bras!) that shows my tummy – and trust me, then I cover for MY comfort!

The whole to cover or not to cover thing really bothers me! I choose not to cover, but I’d rather see other mums cover than bottle feed!

I was told about these by a friend in the States when feeding DS1. They offered to send me one, but when I researched them online I decided against. For me, nothing screams ’breastfeeding mum’ louder than one of these things. I was happy to breastfeed in public (eventually…) but I certainly didn’t want to draw attention to the fact. I found that a pashmina, a blanket or even a muslin could be far more discreet than one of these things.

As an expectant mother, I’m not yet sure how I’ll feel about breastfeeding in public or even in front of male friends / relations. My head tells me covering up is unnecessary, but I’m not sure the reality of baring my breasts won’t prove too daunting at a time in which my body image is already likely to be slightly skewed.