Scared to NIP

[ladysarcasma]

OK, I am sure this topic has come up before, but I didn't see a thread, so I thought I'd say something here.

I have supply issues and I've been trying to fix them. The only real way to fix a supply issue is to nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse. I don't work in an office, but I do work from home, and I travel an awful lot. And I am positively terrified of NIP.

I have tried a couple times. I have HUGE boobs with HUGE nipples so that whole "only a little bit or none at all shows" thing....no. No, I have to take out the whole entire thing, so nursing without a cover is just not happening for me. Fine, my baby is cool with a cover. But I just can't do it! The couple times I've tried, I've immediately felt that horrible feeling you get when you dream about being naked in public. Totally vulnerable and paranoid.

I really don't know what my problem is. I know I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm just so weird about anyone seeing any part of me ever that I can't bring myself to do it. I really need to learn because my supply issue will never be resolved if I can't fix this problem. I feel like such a bad BFer because I'm always reading the other boards full of women who just "whip it out" and say "deal with it" to anyone who looks.

My problem is: It's really not about rude looks or comments. I don't care about what other people think necessarily. It's about me and not wanting to be seen. It's my own body that I don't want people gawking at.

Has anyone else had this problem? How do you get over this?

 

[iwantabub]

I did before bubs came.
I also have massive boobies and my nipples have gotten huge!!!! So I know what u mean...

I got a couple bfing tops that have a under and an over so as soon as the baby latches I pull the top part down if that makes sense... Same as two singlets one on top and on under Neath that way no boobage is showing and I also put a wrap over for extra protection...

U could also try a sling... That way your boob is totally covered by baby and wrap...

If all else fails try to express and take it in a bottle?

Good luck...
Don't feel silly... I can nip but I also feel very much like my boobs are mine my babies and my husbands so I hate the thought of being exposed in public Aswell... I guess I just got over it coz we were out and baby wanted a feed which I hadn't anticipated and I just had no choice.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

I've not braved it yet either. I keep putting it off because I have such over active letdown that before I can feed her I have to tuck muslins all over the place so my clothes don't get drenched which is very unsubtle.

I really want to go the the big shopping mall that's an hour drive from here though so I'm just going to have to risk it soon.

 

[missk1989]

Im not sure its the same where you are but here in the uk most big department stores have feeding rooms or just chairs in the baby changing unit. Any chance you could use this until you are more comfortble?

 

[lpjkp]

I know how you feel, and its how I felt too...but like another poster, I got over it while out and baby decided unexpectedly that he was hungry! Something inside only thought of feeding him and it didn't matter where I was! I still get a little paranoid that ill get stared at but just remember what a beautiful thing you are doing feeding your baby! Ive had people tell me they didn't even realise I was nursing so its very discreet if you cover it right x

 

[Bean66]

Sling.

I found a ring sling worked well when LO was smaller. You can use the tail over your shoulder for extra cover.

 

[cat lover]

Im not mad about it either but i have a bebe au lait nursing cover which makes me feel more confident. As a pp said, if u really arent happy with it you can stil go to the mall for example and feed in the feeding rooms (not sure what country you are in). i have also fed in the car quite a few times

 

[ladysarcasma]

Im not sure its the same where you are but here in the uk most big department stores have feeding rooms or just chairs in the baby changing unit. Any chance you could use this until you are more comfortble?

I wish there were feeding rooms! That would solve so many problems! I am in the US and the only places I can think of that have feeding rooms are stores aimed at babies (like Babies R Us). I live in a part of the country where BFing isn't a very popular or encouraged option. I've been supplementing with formula for some time at the doctor's recommendation when LO wasn't gaining so him being hungry doesn't actually leave me with no choice but to nurse. The formula is the reason I can't rebuild my supply. I wish I had been better informed at the time. I would have pumped to keep my supply up instead of just supplementing and letting it tank.

 

[I Love Lucy]

I'm not comfortable NIP for the exact same reason you're not comfortable. If I have to nurse while out I use my nursing cover and then sit in my car or go to a room if I'm at someone's house so that I can have some privacy. I've been very thankful for how supportive my family has been considering no one in my family has chosen to breastfeed.

 

[superfrizbee]

You can get nursing tops which although can be a bit pricey, certainly helped me nip with more subtlety!

 

[optimistic1]

I hate NIP for the same reasons and I hate using my nursing cover. I like to watch my daughter nurse and its so hard to do so with an awkward cover over her but I can't bring myself to just whip it out! I also have an over active let down and need dish towels and burp cloths tucked in everywhere so I don't leak all over my clothes and what's more awkward than sitting there with your entire boob out (dinner pate nipples staring everyone in the eyes) tucking cloths around my boob all before finally latching my baby on..I have no advice I'm actually going to stalk to see if you get this resolved because I'm in the US too and there's not any special rooms for ladies like us. I actually get funny looks when people find out I breast feed..like breast feeding is the weird way to feed a baby. I'm going to act totally shocked next time I see someone mixing formula in a bottle and say.. you formula feed, that's so weird!

 

[ladysarcasma]

I hate NIP for the same reasons and I hate using my nursing cover. I like to watch my daughter nurse and its so hard to do so with an awkward cover over her but I can't bring myself to just whip it out! I also have an over active let down and need dish towels and burp cloths tucked in everywhere so I don't leak all over my clothes and what's more awkward than sitting there with your entire boob out (dinner pate nipples staring everyone in the eyes) tucking cloths around my boob all before finally latching my baby on..I have no advice I'm actually going to stalk to see if you get this resolved because I'm in the US too and there's not any special rooms for ladies like us. I actually get funny looks when people find out I breast feed..like breast feeding is the weird way to feed a baby. I'm going to act totally shocked next time I see someone mixing formula in a bottle and say.. you formula feed, that's so weird!

Hahaha! I want to do this too!

 

[optimistic1]

I so would but id feel bad after..I'm such a softy!

 

[twinmummy06]

LadySarcasma - I could have written this 2 years ago. I have MAHOOSIVE boobs and NIP with a floppy newborn and a cover was just impossible for me. I found the cover even more of a hindrance.

I ended up using the two shirt method - wear a singlet under your normal top. When you need to feed, bring one up and one down to make a little gap to slip your boob through. With a little practice I could get basically only nipple out, (with no giant top boob showing because the shirt covered it) no tummy showing because of the other shirt and baby to latch on quickly.
I'm the same as you - I was self conscious of showing too much flesh. I pretty much show nothing when feeding

Have you tried practicing at home, even in front of a mirror to help improve technique before trying in public?

 

[optimistic1]

I ended up using the two shirt method - wear a singlet under your normal top. When you need to feed, bring one up and one down to make a little gap to slip your boob through. With a little practice I could get basically only nipple out, (with no giant top boob showing because the shirt covered it) no tummy showing because of the other shirt and baby to latch on quickly.

Love this idea I'll have to try this. I usually just run around in tank toss cause they pull down easily so I'll have to try layering now. I'd love to be able to get out of the house now and then and not have to give her a bottle. Right now any time we leave we have to time it for right after she eats and falls asleep so we know we have atleast 2 hours before she needs to eat again..which is hard to do when we have to be some where at a certain time.

 

[ChimChims]

I don't know where all you live, but the more I'm out and the more I have to Nurse In Public, the more I am learning that there are good places to do it. I've found corners tucked away almost everywhere - private benches and such - that make ideal locations. I've even discovered that some places have rooms especially for nursing mommies. I was sitting awkwardly by the side of the main path at the zoo pulling out my massive breasts (I was an H cup... and then went up) under my shirt with my skirt up high so I wasn't exposing belly, with husband and older LO standing by, bushes on the side, and the stroller on the other side. Man, I felt stupid, and my baby kept popping off to look around. We finally got up and moved along b/c she just wasn't taking her dinner properly. Wouldn't you know, down the way tucked just behind the aviary they had a building with a room for nursing mamas only. They called it the nesting room or some other zoo themed thing. It had nice private rooms inside of it with curtains to pull for privacy, and I ended up sitting in the ac on a hot day, in a comfy recliner, nursing and enjoying elephant-painted artwork on the walls.

That is just one example, but there are places if you look. Sometimes being off to the side helps that shyness issue. I respect that you want to keep your body private. I NIP whenever I need to now, and my LO won't use a cover but I still try not to show anything at all b/c I also respect the privacy of my body. Try not to look at it as a self image PROBLEM, as much as respecting yourself. Even in this world where modesty is not the norm, it is still a wonderful thing. You are not odd, bad, to be shamed, or a prude for having a little extra consideration of your decency.

 

[Salt Air]

My problem is: It's really not about rude looks or comments. I don't care about what other people think necessarily. It's about me and not wanting to be seen. It's my own body that I don't want people gawking at.

This is EXACTLY how I felt too (you explained it much better than I ever did!) I tried bottles but LO didn't like it, so one day I just thought 'sod it' & got on with it. It's still not something I'm 100% comfortable with but it gets a little easier each time. And I have a happy baby

And I treated myself to nice new nursing tops too, which do make it easier. I figured I've saved a fortune on formula so why not buy something that makes NIP a bit less stressful.

Good luck, stick at it!