Before you first breastfeed in a public setting, you should lay out the clothes you are going to wear.   A loose fitting shirt or a top that lifts or can be unbuttoned from the waist is key.  Anything that will let you feed your baby without exposing your breast is the best type of clothing to wear.  Remember, the baby will cover the nipple and your lower breast.    You can also buy special nursing blouses or shirts that have hidden slits and panels.   Or, if you have one handy, a shawl will do just as well.

Now that you have what you going to wear laid out, try on the nursing bra and clothes.  Practice in front of a mirror first of breastfeeding so you will be able to see what others will see.    By going through the motions, you will learn what movement works and doesn’t work.   If you feel you are clumsily fumbling with your clothes and nursing bra, you’ll soon figure out that the clothes are not doing you any favors.

To relieve any anxiety from nursing in a public place, you should also learn to recognize your baby’s pre-nursing signals.    It gives you time to find a comfortable area and prepare to nurse.  Morever, it is always easier to get a baby to latch on discreetly when she’s not crying and calling attention to you.

When it is time to nurse, get your shawl out and put it around your shoulders.   Gently drape the shawl over the baby and lift your loose fitting top and lower your nursing bra cup.  Latch baby onto your breast to feed.

Breastfeeding in public need not to be embarrassing when you are discreet and have everything prepared.

If this is your first child, or the first time that you are considering prolonged breastfeeding, then you’ll need to consider a few things when purchasing the most important nursing underwear garment:  nursing bras.

Finding a bra under normal circumstances for most women is a challenge.  It is reported that many women actually wear the wrong size bras resulting in strap slippages, saggy breasts, fat rolls of the back, etc.  While this is somewhat unsightly, it is of no consequence.  However, finding a good nursing bra is a must to prevent things like blocked milk ducts causing mastitis.

When buying a nursing bra, you have to examine the ease in which the cup will be able to slip off the breast.  Familiar to most women is the type of bra that unfastens in the front.  However, with a nursing bra, this type of front fastening bra offers much more support in the breast and has thicker straps and band.

Another type of bra designed for nursing is the zipper bra.  A zipper is sewn right underneath the cups for easy release.  Just unzip and fold the cup over the breast at feeding time.

The third type of nursing bra that mothers wear is the button bra.  A button fastens the cup to the strap which can be unbuttoned when the baby is hungry.

Finally, you can also consider a stretchy nursing bra.  Be reminded, however, that this is a nursing bra and not a regular bra in which you pull the cup over your breast.  This type of bra is made of material designed to stretch and will not lose their shape from numerous feedings.

Since nursing your baby should not be a hassle in fighting with your bra, you want to find one that is comfortable.  You should think of convenience, practicality and support.  The bra should be made of cotton to absorb any breast leakages.  Buy a few nursing bras to rotate between washings.  You should also buy your nursing bra in the last month of your pregnancy as your breasts will be close to reaching their full size.

Nursing your baby is one of the best starts in life you can give to your baby.  Make sure you do it in comfort with a nursing bra!