I’ve had the discussion at least a dozen times with various friends who were nursing or planning to nurse: a nursing cover need not relate to your baby. You’re accessorizing yourself. You can pick a fabric or fabrics that work with your own style of dress and blend nicely. Which is not to say that moms should HAVE to cover up or get into any of that lengthy discussion. My own feeling is that a nursing mom is focused first and foremost on feeding her baby, and for me, a nursing cover meant I could do that without being distracted (or my babies being distracted) by passersby or commentary.
After sending friend and new mom Katie a whole bunch of links, she chose Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern Optic Blossom in Linen. (At the time it was available on Fabric.com but it looks like it’s out of stock until October. Waaah.)
Marjorie was happy to help model. She’s so cooperative. I asked my kids to note that she stood perfectly still without so much as the mention of M&Ms.
If you’ve not examined a nursing cover in person before, you may not know what the big deal is. The genius part of it is the adjustable neck, and…
But only Mom can see what’s happening. In this case, there’s a 2yo at my house who thought this was the perfect time for peekaboo. I followed the tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets and it was perfect. The only change I made was putting the D-rings on the right side because I thought that would be easier for a right-handed Mama. But it’s not a substantive change.
I’m thinking of adding loops to the center later on so that Katie can use this as a car seat tent, too, so that people will keep their grubby paws off of Liam at the grocery store and such. I mean, I understand why people WANT to touch babies. I just don’t understand how so many fail to take a moment to ASK before touching. But that’s a whole other sensitive topic. I know I’m already opening a can of worms by talking about nursing.
Lastly, I feel that I must share this anecdote. ‘Cause I’m still laughing about it. When I first got a nursing cover 5 years ago, I got a “Hooter Hider”. After explaining it’s purpose to a friend’s husband, he looked at me with annoyance. “Hooter hider?” he said. “We don’t need hooter hiders. I want to see the hooters. I don’t want to see the baby. We need baby hider hooter show-ers!”
Mama Thompson says
love the fabric. I just made a cover for myself last week…super easy and I think it will be great when this baby finally gets here.
ninjadesigns says
i made one a little while back that looks a whole lot like yours! but mine is completely reversible: http://ninjadesigns.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/baby-baby-baby/
and i found it very difficult to take pictures, i don’t have a nice display bust like you ;-)
i can’t remember where i got the tutorial from, but i definitely improvised along the way, especially where the boning is concerned!
Yosefa says
I’ve been thinking about making one of these, but I think I might prefer the poncho-style one. The baby and my shirt can hide most of my hooters, I want to cover all that post-baby flab, back included. Do you know any good patterns for that? I want a little pocket to hold my breast pads. I think we hide our hooters to make the ones around us feel comfortable. I agree it is the mom’s accessory and doesn’t need to match the baby’s gender or anything. Personally, I wouldn’t want it to be too loud, or clash with my usual wardrobe.
Emily says
hahahaha to your friend’s husband. I wish my little one would’ve nursed undercover but she refused. Love the boning and adjustable neck. I also agree about strangers and their grubby paws, especially in the winter.
crafterhours says
Hi Yosefa, I haven’t seen the poncho style. I always layered a nursing tank under other shirts– loved that because the tank kept my sides and back covered (and warm in the winter) and I was more relaxed knowing that I was well covered all the way around.
Lis says
Unrelated, but to answer Yosefa… Old navy makes some great tanks for nursing. They are super stretchy, long enough to be sure to cover a post-partem belly ans very stretcy/low at the top for pulling down under your bra. Ttoally not cool to be worn by themselves, but awesome under another shirt. Definitely don’t need anyone looking at my belly.
emily @morefromthemoorefamily says
I love them, but the baby hates them… he whips it off as soon as I put it on. I love the fabric your friend chose!!
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says
Gorgeous fabric! I loved my hooter hider bought off etsy.
P.S. I love your anecdote… it sounds like something my hubby would say ;)
Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday says
Amen! I was at a steakhouse a few weeks ago in the bathroom getting ready to change my 11 week old baby. I had her up on my shoulder when a woman exited the bathroom stall and TOUCHED ME BABY. Immediately upon exiting the toilet stall, before washing her hands.