Having never breastfed, it's probably hard to imagine a baby hanging off of them. But after a few weeks of nursing in the privacy of your bedroom or living room, you'll start to see them in their new role, your baby's most sacred attachment.
Usually moms stick close to home the first few weeks or months. After about 8 weeks, it's very easy to discreetly nurse in public. Always wear a long, blousy shirt you can life up from the bottom and still cover your back and side. Holding the baby on the side you're going to nurse on, you can quickly reach in and undo your nursin bra without anyone noticing. Before 8 weeks, you may need some privacy to help baby latch on, but by two months you should be able to stick their head under your shirt and just point them in the general direction and they'll latch on with no problem.
If you're shirt is long enough, there's no skin at all showing and the only hint anyone will have that you're nursing is if they notice your shirt bunched a little above the baby's head. I've nursed my three while grocery shopping, at restaurants, the movies, wherever.
My advice is to always have the number of a good lactation consultant ready BEFORE the baby is born. When you're recooperating and exhausted and worried about whether the baby is getting enough or suffering with sore nipples is not the time to be hunting down a L.C. Most people just go to their pediatrician or OB, who is not thoroughly trained in breastfeeding and will probably recommend supplementing when not necessary.
Bikerchick is right about LLL. They are usually great and a wonderful support and resource. If you ever feel like giving up because something's just not working right, give them a call and see if they can help.
Congragulations! and feel free to contact me with anything regarding childbirth or newborns.
Pennycandy
