Nursing in fashion

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny discusses fashionable dressing for breastfeeding in public.

We’re lucky to live in a day and age when public breastfeeding is both legally protected and generally accepted, eliminating any barriers to this natural act. Any nursing mother can tell you that you quickly get over any lingering sense of modesty or decorum when faced with a hungry, screaming infant in a public space. The real challenge of public breastfeeding is finding a way to incorporate the need to occasionally whip out a boob while maintaining some semblance of a fashionable wardrobe.

Happily, there are more options than ever before. Nursing bras, for example, run the gamut from sports-style elastic to lacy underwire. Maternity stores such as Thyme Maternity and websites such as Milkface offer a variety of nursing shirts designed to make access easy and discreet. In addition to a good nursing bra and a few tops, I personally find the following nursing “accessories” indispensible:

1. A friend gave me the GoGoMama nursing tank and I love it. If you are lucky enough to fit into your pre-pregnancy shirts already and you need a way to cover exposed skin (for warmth or decorum) when necessity dictates that your shirt be lifted up or unbuttoned to nurse, the GoGoMama tank is perfect. The fabric is light yet clingy so that it can be layered under a long-sleeved shirt, t-shirt, or blouse.

2. Another happy evolution is the appearance of fashionably designed nursing covers (or “hooter hiders”) with beautiful patterns. Gone are the days when your only option for covering up baby’s mealtime was a flannel blanket festooned with duckies or bunnies. When I was expecting #2 I spotted a woman breastfeeding in a park café with a gorgeous Bebe Au Lait cover; I asked her where she got it, promptly picked one up for myself and I absolutely adore it. I only wish I had a reasonable excuse for buying a second in another fun, fashionable fabric!

3. In the spring and fall, and even on chilly summer nights, a simple poncho or wrap makes a great, cuddly cover-up while breastfeeding. They’re rarely out of fashion, and if you already have a few in your closet that makes it that much easier to coordinate with your wardrobe. I’ve collected a few over the years, and find that there’s nothing so cosy as snuggling a warm baby underneath like my own little secret!

Do you have a favorite breastfeeding “accessory”?

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Baby Gear at Great Prices

In this week’s baby bargainista column, Jenny is getting down to the wire and the nesting instinct is starting to kick in...

I don’t know if it counts as nesting instinct, but as the due date for Baby #2’s arrival draws near I find myself compelled to shop for baby gear.

The baby’s room is still a shambles of unassembled furniture, and all the various clothes, toys, bouncy chairs, etc that I kept from #1’s babyhood are still in bins in the basement – but I feel like I can’t organize my inventory until I’ve ticked off all the items on my must-buy list:

1. a baby carrier
2. a breast pump and bottles
3. a breastfeeding pillow

I did without all these things during my 4-year-old’s babyhood, so they’re not exactly essentials; but since then enough moms, both new and experienced, have recommended these items to me that I’m convinced I’ve been depriving myself unnecessarily.

After my post about coveting a baby carrier, a number of folks recommended the Ergo baby carrier, and a friend found that they have plenty in stock at one of my favorite sources for new and nearly-new baby and toddler stuff – Once Upon a Child. I picked one up nearly-new for $99 – the cheapest price I’ve seen yet – and added an infant insert (which allows you to carry a newborn sling-style) for just another $28. Once Upon a Child doesn’t have as wide a variety of color choices as stores that sell them new, but the cost savings is more than worth it.

At Once Upon a Child I also scored a highly-recommended breastfeeding pillow, the My Brest Friend, for $49 new – $15 less than where I’d seen it elsewhere, simply because the washable fabric cover was last year’s pattern and color (again, not something I’m too fussy about when there are bargains to be had)!

Now, I just need to find the right breast pump and bottles! You can’t buy them used due to hygienic reasons, and there are SO many choices: manual, electric, combination; glass bottles, BPA-free plastic bottles… Once again, I’m open to personal recommendations! If anyone has any suggestions please let me know in the comments!