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From:
Melissa Cole <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:44:48 -0800
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I appreciate this thread because I have unfortunately noticed the covering
up phenomenon increasing in the breastfeeding support groups I lead. I have
seen everything from a blanket used as a cover to up to a huge tent like
thing that attached with Velcro around mom's neck. Yikes! I think part of
the issues is that there are a bunch of companies making these cover ups now
so it is another gadget a bf mom assumes she needs.

At the beginning of the group discussion time I always let moms know that
they are welcome and encouraged to take care of their baby's need and nurse,
etc , etc... Luckily I have a 4 mos old baby so I can provide some positive
peer pressure by nursing without a cover.

 In one group that I co-lead at, the idea of nursing in public is so
nerve-wracking to some of these moms that they prefer to bottle feed EBM
rather than nurse (and this is a BF class mind you). Of course these are the
moms that wonder why their milk supply is dwindling. So for this class we
talk a lot about the basics of how milk is made, baby cues, etc. One thing I
have noticed is that a lot of these moms are not tuned in to their babies
cues at all. I usually need to convince moms to take their babies out of
their plastic bucket car seats.

When moms express discomfort with nursing in public we talk about a variety
of things but two tips seem to help these moms realize that very little
breast is actually visible. I ask them how much of my breast they can see
when my baby is nursing (you can use a doll or another willing mom if you
have no nursling). The response is always, "not much" to "nothing". Also, I
encourage moms to bf in front of a mirror so they can gain confidence and
see what other may see. Many moms have said this has helped them. We also
talk about how BF is more noticeable when you are all covered up vs. just
cradling your baby to BF and then most everyone just thinks the baby is
asleep (like Jaye mentioned). Also, I remind the moms with other children
how wonderful it is that they are role-models for their kids and that their
kids will know how human babies are meant to BF, etc.

Melissa Cole

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