re: BFing in public.

everyone else pretty much covered the basics but I just wanted to add: it gets easier! I was so awkward the first couple times I had to nurse in public but you and baby both figure everything out super quick and its completely a non-issue after that  

Quoting My boys=My life~4weeks:" What is it?? Never heard about it before. I have to use it for the first couple months cause I have flat/inverted nipples."

i googled, and it's like a pump to bring your nipples out.

& the thing is, the shield brings my nipple out a lot.. so sometimes we will start with it, then i'll take it off and try to get him on. and he just licks my boob or won't latch well. we have fed twice w/o a shield, both random times and he won't do it again.

Quoting JiLLiAN.:" i googled, and it's like a pump to bring your nipples out. & the thing is, the shield brings my ... [snip!] ... on. and he just licks my boob or won't latch well. we have fed twice w/o a shield, both random times and he won't do it again."

Just like my boys :-P
Once their jaws/suction was more powerful we got rid of the shield.. Longest I used it was 3 months, with my second I used it for 2 months.

Quoting My boys=My life~4weeks:" Just like my boys :-P Once their jaws/suction was more powerful we got rid of the shield.. Longest I used it was 3 months, with my second I used it for 2 months."

Well that makes me happy that we may not need it forever  

I never had to use the shield, but I invested in some nursing shirts and they work great when we are out and about. I hated the thought of covering my babies...it just seemed stuffy under there and I want them to be comfortable when they eat. The nursing shirts - I prefer the front only style, but there are several different styles and you may find one that works for you better. Here is the site I got mine from...they have some awesome deals most of the time. Good luck - you will get the hang of it.

http://www.motherwear.com

I just use a muslin blanket (aden & anais brand) and tie a little knot with two of the corners behind my neck and use that as my cover.
My daughter doesnt like my actual nursing cover but this is sooo lightweight, it's much more baby friendly.
I had to use a nipple shield for a few weeks at first and there's no real trick to making that easy in public. you just deal until, hopefully soon, you won't need it any more