Nursing Covers for Discrete Breastfeeding in Public

Good morning!

This morning I have unloaded our new delivery of Baby Hideaway's Nursing Covers, which arrived by the courier. They are unloaded from the box and I am displaying them at the Breastmates Breastfeeding shop.
These Nursing Covers are a nifty little product, made from gorgeously delightful designer fabrics too! They fold up small (into their own carry case) so you can easily keep them in your nappy bag or buggy.

Then when you need to breastfeed baby, you can just pop this nursing cover on. You can breastfeed baby discretely in public!!

With this Nursing Cover, you don't need to purchase special breast feeding clothing or nursing tops.

Very practical!

Breastfeeding and Expressing: Choosing the Right Breast Pump

If you need to express breast milk, the type of breast pump that you purchase really depends on how often you plan to use it.

Say for occasional use – like once per week, if you are going out for a night and will be away from baby, or to relieve breast engorgement and mastitis symptoms, then a manual pump would probably be best. For this I’d recommend the Avent Isis Manual Breast Pump

For medium use, say 3-4 times per week, once or twice a day, the occasional feed, or to build up your supply, then I’d recommend a mini-electric breast pump (medela)

For heavy or frequent use, such as returning to work, or being away from your baby for 8 hours per day and expressing all their feeds, then I’d recommend either the Avent Uno Electric Breast Pump or the Medela Swing electric breast pump which are both more powerful breast pumps.
if you need to express the majority of your baby's feeds, then you will need to look at either the Avent Duo Double Electric Breast Pump, or the Medela Pump in Style advanced system.

For a little more detail I have elaborated below:

The Avent Uno Electric Breast Pump is a fantastic pump because you can set the speed by starting the pump off manually, push the button, and then it continues at that speed that you started. It can also be used as a manual pump (in case of power cut), or with batteries and mains. The Avent Uno Electric Breast Pump comes with additional items such as the carry case, cooler packs, and a couple of baby bottles and avent bottle teats. (Which you’d need to purchase separately if you go for the medela brand).

Comparatively the medela mini electric breast pump only has 3 suction levels, so you just choose which level suits you for comfort. The Medela Swing Electric Breast Pump (with more closely resembles the avent uno) has the unique patented milk let down which more closely resembles breastfeeding. All of the medela pumps can only be used with batteries or mains power, they don’t have the ability to go manually like the Avent Uno does.

The difference between the medela mini electric, and the medela swing is really just the frequency that you are planning to use it.

The medela swing breast pump and the avent uno electric breast pump are more suited if you are needed to express for least 3 feed per day

All our breast pumps have a 1 year warranty also.

Now as for bottles: all Medela breast pumps come with one bottle that attaches to the pump. They don't make their own brand of teats, but we do sell Green To Grow narrow neck teats which fit the medela bottles. But you could also buy the avent bottles or the Adiri Natural Nurser and then pour/store the milk in those bottles. With the avent starter set you get 4 bottles, and 6 teats, and a brush. The good thing about all the avent bottles, is that the bottles, toddler cups, sipper cups everything, teats, etc they are all interchangeable, which makes them really useful if you are short on bottles at any time.

I would also recommend that you purchase the Avent Microwave Sterilizer or the medela microwave sterilization bags .

The microwave sterilising method method is a lot easier to use than boiling parts on the saucepan (and so many people contact me needing spare parts after they melt their stuff on the saucepan). The avent sterilizer also comes with some bottles and teats too.

Okay, well I hope that has answered your questions, I know it can get very confusing.

Breastfeeding Discretely in Public

Mothers often worry about breastfeeding in public, and they are worried about showing their post-partum jelly belly, or people seeing their breasts or nipples. Mothers can often feel very awkward, and so can people around them. Its silly though - breast feeding a baby is the most natural thing in the world.

But I agree, it can be very awkward manoeuvring a baby, lifting top, opening the drop down clip on nursing bras, removing breast pads, and then finally latching a baby. But give it a few weeks and you will get this down pact!

To feel more comfortable, we have a range of breastfeeding clothing available. These nursing tops are just like wearing regular tops but they have openings for you to access your breast. There are several styles available, such as singlet feeding tops with built in shelf support bra (the glamourmom range is extremely popular).

We also have more casual style feeding tops which have generous sizings to allow for the extra baby weight. This style has a zip that opens across the front.

Some of the more discrete nursing tops for breastfeeding we have, are so gorgeous that you wouldn't even know they are for breastfeeding. These styles feature a ruched layer, great for a smarter look, for funky mums, or even if you are returning to work, or going to a wedding.
This year we also introduced some winter breastfeeding tops in a hoodie style, and some long sleeve nursing tops made from a divine bamboo fabric. These have been very popular.

If you don't want to purchase a whole new wardrobe just for the time you are feeding baby, then have a look at some Tummy Wraps which are just used for layering over jeans and underneath a t-shirt, so that you don't show your belly. A merino poncho is also a good idea, and can be kept in the wardrobe for all occasions.

How to Preserve and Store Breast Milk

It is best to put breast milk in plastic feeding bottles with secure tops to seal in freshness. You can also use plastic bags made especially for storing milk. You can also use your breast pump to express breast milk, and store the milk directly in the bottle.
Remember to write the date on the bottle or bag before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer so you'll know how fresh it is.

Use fresh, refrigerated milk within three to five days, and keep it at the back of the fridge, away from the door, at a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade or lower.

Frozen milk lasts at week in the ice box of a fridge, and three to six months if kept in a freezer set no higher minus 18 degrees Centigrade (and then up to 12 hours, refrigerated, after thawing).

The process of freezing destroys some of the antibodies in milk, so don't freeze any that you plan to use within the time limits.

But frozen breastmilk is still much healthier and offers more protection from disease than formula milk does.

To thaw frozen milk, place the bottle or bag in a bowl of warm water, run it under warm tap water, or defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Don't use the microwave for defrosting or warming - it kills the nutrients in breast milk. And don't ever save partially drunk portions for later use - health professionals recommend throwing out any milk that's left in the baby's bottle.

More information on breast milk preservation and storage guidelines is available here. We have also prepared a guide for expressing and how to express breast milk for customers at our Specialty Breastfeeding Store.

How To Express Breast Milk

There are two ways to express breast milk. Though they are certainly not a glamorous mothering role!

HAND EXPRESSING If you only need to express breast milk every once in a while, for comfort or a rare bottle-feed, you may be able to get by with expressing by hand. This is the cheapest way to express breast milk because it requires no equipment, but it can be time-consuming and takes practice. Wash your hands before you start. Then, place your thumb 4-5cm away from your nipple and your fingers below so they form a "C" around the areola, and squeeze your finger and thumb together, pushing your hand back against the chest wall, continuing this process in a circular motion around your areola. If your finger and thumb are too close to the nipple, the "squeeze" will hurt and be ineffective. Use a sterile, wide-rimmed breast milk container or baby bottle to collect the milk. Electric and manual breast pumps may be faster and more efficient to express breast milk.

BREAST PUMPS To use an electric pump, you put a suction cup over your breast, turn the breast pump machine on, and let it do the work of extracting milk into an attached container. Manual breast pumps also use a suction cup, but you extract the milk by using a squeeze mechanism or operating some other device rather than relying on a motor powered by electricity. On average it takes 15 to 45 minutes to pump both breasts. Good breast pumps try to mimic the sucking action of a baby, stimulating your let down reflex, and don't cause pain.


Knowing which breast pump is right for you depends on how often you plan to use one and how much time you can spare for expressing. If you work full-time and have to find time to use a breast pump during a busy day, you might want to choose an ultrafast hospital-grade electric pump. But if you only need to express the odd feed occasionally so your partner can feed the baby when you're out, a cheaper manual breast pump may be sufficient, and some women prefer them to electric breast pumps.

Essential Purchases for New Born Baby

I often get asked for advice by pregnant mothers, on what products are the absolute essentials that they need to purchase, in preparation for the new baby, and coming home with a new baby.

I'm also a mum, so I give advice based on my knowledge, and what I did when my children were born. (My second son was just born recently too!)

Okay, the basics:

Boobs Will Leak: so you'll need some type of breast pad to absorb leaks so that you dont wet all your t-shirts. This can be embarrasing, annoying, and a real hassle. Here at Breastmates Specialty Breastfeeding Store, wool breast pads were our founding product. Then we developed some hemp breast pads which have a slightly higher absorbency and are easier to wash and dry. So these would be essentials. But you might not be into the "reusable washable" thing, so then you could try some disposable breast pads.

Boobs are Going to Get Bigger. So you'll need to get some maternity bras. These are special bras designed for breastfeeding, where the cup drops down so that you can give baby the boob, but you don't have to remove your bra. Just measure yourself to determine your size, and order one or two bras. (and if you really want to indulge yourself we have matching knickers too). It's easy to measure yourself to determine your bra size, you just need a tape measure, and our online bra size calculator. (Bra sizes do change between different brands).

You Dont Want to Flash Everyone: when Breastfeeding your new baby, so you might want to consider looking at some of our nursing tops which are designed to help you discretely breastfeed baby. We have several styles, from singlet nursing tops, casual breast feeding tops, PJ's, and more dressy-smart type breastfeeding clothing. If you don't want to purchase a whole new wardrobe, then you might like to look at Belly Bands which just cover flabby bellies so at least that is not all on display when you lift up your clothing to feed baby. Merino wrap ponchos are also a handy wardrobe accessory.

Nip's Might Get a Bit Sore: yes, nipples can get a thrashing with a baby latching on them. So you will defintely need some nipple cream. Nipple cream should be applied after every feed, and can help to prevent cracks, grazes and sores.

Nappy Brain: Yes it is true you will really loose some brain cells and memory! the handiest little thing, inexpensive, that i have come across is the Mothers Minder Nursing Bracelet. Its a silicone wristband with a sliding time scale. You can use it to keep track of the times that you fed baby. Sure some people will laugh at this post and say "i know when the baby is hungry, they will be crying", but trust me! This little gadget gives you one less thing to worry about and remember!! Its also a great baby shower gift.

Okay, so those are the absolute essentials.... But it does depend on your family and your activities.