Pssst...here's a secret. 

If you're planning to bodyfeed your new baby, you'll probably spend a lot of time topless.  

"Oh, I don't know," our clients say.  "I'm pretty modest." Yet, it happens most of the time.  We have our postpartum visit and sure enough- they shyly smile and admit it- they've been topless for the better part of the last 5 days.

Y'all- nursing can be hard. The baby is like a sack of potatoes. You feel as if you need 4 more hands than you currently have. They squirm. They cry. They latch, then pop off. You're like the Niagara Falls of breast milk. You've got a sore bottom. Maybe sore nipples. Adding a cute little nursing tank, or even a basic sleep bra, to fool with and it's just. too. much.  

We cover this with our clients during Your Best Birth™ Class and at our prenatal appointment. Usually we're sitting around talking about what to expect when breastfeeding when we drop this little gem... yet they never believe us. We tell them to get a great nursing pillow (we recommend a My Breast Friend or a Boppy BestLatch, in case you were wondering) and be prepared to be topless. They laugh, sometimes a little un-easily, and I tell them I'm not joking. We laugh again or they smile and nod, completely dismissing the notion.

And then they thank us when we stop by at for the postpartum visit.  Because now they get it.

You know what, though? It's perfectly normal! It's how we were designed! Skin to skin has so many wonderful benefits, for mom and baby so get topless, get that baby skin to skin and nurse away! 

Video Extra: How to Use a Breastfeeding Pillow