What about public feedings with Lact-Aid or SNS?

Bump... I really want to know the answer. Thanks

Well, I can actually answer my own question now! Haha! I felt like the lact-aide was mildly discreet. With planning I think you could using it in public, but I was never comfortable using it in public. That being said, our DD never had an issue switching from breast to bottle and did it from day one as I couldn't provide for her growing appetite and the Lactaide (especially after I melted the parts sterilizing it:grr: ) wasn't always available or practical.

Lol... isn't it great how time is the best teacher of all. I'm so glad to hear that you had a good lactaid experience. I think that is the one we will eventually purchase. The place we are renting our pump from also rents the sns... so I might try that too on a rental basis... and buy the lactaid... but I want to try both without breaking the bank I'm trying to spread out my costs.

I don't know how I managed to miss this post! I have a great deal of experience nursing with the Lact-Aid in public. My third child was born in Germany, half way through our three year tour there with the Air Force. We wanted to do as much traveling through Europe as we could and the didn't let the surprise adoption slow us down. I nursed him in nine different countries, on planes, buses, trains, boats, etc.. With all of the babies I nurse long-term, I allowed myself one four ounce bottle a day, but I nursed the rest of the time. I found that it took some of the pressure off to leave myself that option, without making a big difference in my milk supply (I averaged about 35-40% of what they needed, just from nursing on demand with the Lact-Aid). When we traveled, I usually gave him the bottle while he was in his car seat. My sixth child absolutely refused to have anything to do with a bottle or pacifier after she had nursed once. My others preferred the breast, but would usually take a bottle, if they were hungry. It is important to have had at least a few days to get used to getting the baby latched on, before you try to nurse in public. I didn't use any kind of cover up. I got where I could get the tube in position and the baby latched on, just by feel, so I didn't have to be able to see the unit. Wearing two-piece clothing, either skirts or pants with a fairly loose top that I could lift up from the waist really helped, both with avoiding exposing my breast and with access to the Lact-Aid, while concealing it. I tried a few of the dresses with the slits over the breasts, but it was harder to get the Lact-Aid positioned with those. There are different ways to wear the Lact-Aid. At home, I used the neck cord. I always kept it adjusted to the right length and attached to a unit in the fridge. It only took a second to pop it over my head, unwind the tube and flip it under the edge of my nursing bra. To start with, I used it in public, too, but I would try to find a corner or go into a restroom to put it on. If that wasn't possible, I just went ahead and put it on in front of people, but I preferred not to have others see the Lact-Aid. I wasn't ashamed of it, but wondered what the heck people would think it was! Later, I got a lace pocket with clips on it, for holding the Lact-Aid. I just kept a unit ready to go in my diaper bag, all ready in the pocket. When I needed it, I could take it out of the diaper bag, mostly covered in my hand, pop it up under my shirt and clip it on, in about two seconds. Then, there was nothing for anyone to see. I just raised my shirt enough for the baby to latch on and then arranged it around the baby's face. I didn't switch sides if we were in public and, unless there was quite a bit left in the Lact-Aid, I left it on. There were very few times that I felt like people even noticed that I was nursing. I think they usually just thought I was holding a sleeping baby. Some of the best advice I ever heard about nursing in public was to practice nursing in front of a mirror, so you could be sure that nothing was showing that you didn't want passersby to be able to see. When I first tried it, I found that some of the outer side of my breast wasn't covered completely, so it was a good thing I did that! Practicing with a doll in a pack or sling is a great idea! Another thing you can do is practice filling the Lact-aid with water, experimenting with ways of wearing it, and trying to position it on your breast, with a breast pump. It isn't exactly the same, of course, but is similar enough to be helpful. To start with, it is common to feel all thumbs, handling the Lact-Aid, but you get used to it quickly. Nursing a newborn on demand usually provides you with at least 8 opportunities a day to practice it! Basically, I have learned that pretty much any challenge can be conquered!