Nursing Your Kids

Nursing an infant has a learning curve. Obviously I’ve only ever nursed one so far, but I’m assuming that I’ll still have several (or more) weeks where nursing #2 has it’s challenged. There are struggles with latch, the questions of where to put the oh-so-necessary nursing pads, the trouble to find a comfortable position, and of course the struggle of how to nurse a floppy infant discreetly. Once you and your baby get used to each other it’s easy to nurse in a variety of places and a variety of positions and have most people assume you’re just holding your sleeping baby. (Unless your baby is a noisy, active eater. I can’t help you with that one.) But until then it’s tough, especially for a first time mom who’s nervous to begin with.

Do you really need shirts specially made for breastfeeding? No, like nursing bras you don’t need them, but they certainly do make things easier when they’re well made. When Sam was first born I had a small selection of nursing bras and a few ill-fitting nursing camisoles. The bras made nursing in public- and public is relative when you’re swamped with visitors those first few weeks- much easier, but it still left the question of exposing the floppy, post partum skin around my waist when I lifted my shirt. The ill-fitting nursing camisoles solved the problem of the exposed skin around my waist, but they were uncomfortable because they didn’t fit well and exposed a whole lot of flesh up top when they were unsnapped.

The moment when I knew it was necessary to buy something well-made was when I realized I had to bring my 6-week-old to a wedding. I was in the height of overproduction and Sam was nursing every two hours or less. The dress I was planning on wearing to the wedding (which I was in!) didn’t fit very well and would have required me to take it off to feed Sam. I knew there was no way I’d ever be able to relax unless I got something appropriate to wear. I went to my local upscale maternity store and bought a simple black skirt and matching top. Since all of the bridesmaids were wearing black dresses that didn’t match anyway, I blended right in with the bridal party and got to enjoy myself at my best friend’s wedding.

Eventually I decided to bite the bullet and just buy a few nice, nursing tops for the other occasions when we’d be out and I wanted a combination of subtlety and fashion. They really made all of the difference in my comfort level. I got a few tops from Japanese Weekend and a Glamourmom tank which solved all of the exposure problems of the ill-fitting camisoles. The JW tops were pricy, but they made nursing out and about so, so easy. I think that this time I’ll try to buy one more Glamourmom tank and another nursing top. I may even treat myself to a bathing suit with easy breastfeeding access. (need any info on sunscreen?)

It’s such a relief that there are so many places to buy stylish clothes that make breastfeeding easy. Some of my favorites are the two I linked to above, Motherwear, and the new line by Gap.

And if I bring the new baby to either of the weddings we attend this summer I may just have to buy this dress.