[Amber Spyglass]

I always wore tops that I could just pull down and aside, I found it easier than lifting tops up because I could see what I was doing.

So, when attaching DD on the left side, I would hold her in my right hand (hand on upper back, thumb under her left ear, fingers on her right cheek). Nipple shield in left hand. Pull down top and unclip bra with left hand, cover nipple with nipple shield which is in the palm of my hand. Attach baby.

When feed is finished, hold tissue in left hand. Release baby into right hand, with left pointer on nipple shield. Slide tissue to bottom of shield, remove from the top down so that excess milk drips through holes into tissue. Screw shield and tissue up together in left hand while putting bra and top in place. Slip the whole lot into a ziplock bag and worry about cleaning later.

Great guide there ^^^ Sounds exactly how I used to do it. I had attachment problems too, and used shields in the beginning. I do remember wondering if I was EVER going to be able to do it in public, and for weeks I longed to just be able to whip a boob out and feed wherever. We weaned off the shield at about 10 or 12 weeks (sorry, can't remember exactly) and it was much easier.

I do still use a wrap though (my G cups are massive and I feel very exposed, DD's head is not big enough to hide behind!) but I tuck it into the shoulder strap of whatever side I am feeding on, and have it laying from the shoulder crossing my cleavage and just sitting in front of DD's face.

Another tip I use to hide behind is I wear a breastfeeding singlet under a loose fitting sheer top. The singlet can be pulled down, and I can see through the sheer top just enough to get her attached and feeding, but unless other people are REALLY staring, they aren't going to be able to see what is going on. And the sheer top stays in place better than a loose wrap.

I hope this has helped you. Well done on breastfeeding so far though the issues that you have had, I hope you can keep going and feed easily in public very soon!

[Delillah1]

I'm feeding with a shield with baby no. 3 now. I find a large facewasher or nappy is good to put under the breast to catch drips . You can also use it to pull over your breast if you need quick coverage and hide the breast while you adjust yourself. I use a Medela shield which is recommended by the LCs at the Mercy hospital. I know Avent make one too. If you have difficulty with one you could try the other brand.
I choose darker corners in cafes where visibility is obscured a little. If you're by yourself place the pram strategically in front of the side that you will next feed from. If with others use them to provide a bit of cover by sitting a little closer to you, obscuring visibility. I unclip my bra pull down bra cup under my top and position a folded cloth nappy under the breast, take the shield in my right hand with the nipple between my 2 fingers held like a 'V', lift up my top to nipple point and quickly attach shield, then attach baby. Baby is on my lap and being held by the other hand.
I fed my first DD till she was 2.5 with the shield. She developed a real attachment to it. DD2, I managed to wean off it at about 3 months, I think. DS is 8 weeks today and I will have to try and wean him off it too. Feeding is just so much easier without it. Less fiddling and leaking everywhere. It gets easier to attach with practice but can be frustrating when bub is anxious to get on. I am grateful that I have been able to successfully feed my babies with a shield because without it I would have had a lot of trouble and probably given up. Good luck with it. You're doing a great job. The first six weeks are the hardest and you've got through them!

[becstar101]

I fed for 14 months with a shield, and ended up doing so in cafes, planes, trains, buses, 3 continents and the MCG!

You've had some great advice, but mine is more general. Ditch the wrap, too fiddly. Sit at a quiet table in the cafe, next to the wall, so you can turn in a little for a bit more privacy. Position the pram to give you a bit of privacy from the other side. Wear a singlet top under your top so you can push singlet/bra down, get shield fixed under the looser top then lift up top, attach baby and be exposing hardly any flesh.

Remember your baby is still very young, practice a lot at home, don't be too worried about flashing, most people aren't even paying attention.

[White-Lily]

I usually wore a BF bra and singlet under my t shirt. I would unclip both, pull down my bra, pull up my t shirt and fit the shield underneath the singlet. That way I could use baby's head as a cover and just pull down the singlet at the last minute. It sounds really complicated writing it down, but I had it down pat after a few weeks. The singlet also helped to catch the left over milk in the shield at the end of the feed!

I used shields with DD for about 4 months due to flat nipple and poor attachment and we did the above.
I would also store the shield in my bra (up near the clips) until I was able to wash it.
I tried using a wrap for a bit but I could never get it to work for me so I stopped that pretty quickly.
I had a huge oversupply so I always had a terry nappy/spew rag handy for clean up afterwards which was also handy if I felt any need to cover up.

I used a Medela Shield (as given to me in hospital) but I think the attachment part is a bit bigger than other brands so that may help too.

It does get easier. I weaned DD (and myself) from the shield at about 4 months.

[macka85]

I would invest in a proper breastfeeding cover with a rigid top so you can look down and see what you are doing. Then you will be covered but will still have both hands free. Something like this:

http://www.nursingangel.com.au/products/Be...sing-Cover.html

[pratique]

Used nipple shields for 3 months.

I found that the initial attachment awkward with them. I'd usually get my DH or friend to hold the wrap in place while I positioned the shield and DS properly.

Then just let him be.

TBH - if I did have to readjust I just did it and hoped no one was looking! People were overall very respectful about it.

[junebuggy11]

Another one who says ditch the cover! WAY too hard....
Feeding is messy, so I always have a cloth nappy (cut in half), which I tuck in under my bra, to try and minimise the mess. Often I will undo my bra while my top is still over me, tuck the nappy in and try and pop the shield on without showing any boob at all. Then I'll just uncover, check the position, and throw him on. He's nearly 8 months now, so we can pretty quickly tell if there is an issue!

If I am wearing something that needs me to flash I just cover my nipple with my hand.

There really is no discretion with a shield, and it's really easier to just accept and try and make everything the most comfortable for you and baby.

Good luck, it does get easier!

[heffalumpsnwoozl...]

I will add that in a combined 3 years of breastfeeding in public, I never once had anyone even look at me funny. Not even when I was using nipple shields clumsily. The stories about people saying horrible things to breastfeeding mums are actually quite rare. Don't worry yourself about what people are thinking about you. Just feed your baby.