Mamascarf

Considering it is completely natural, nutritionally best for your baby and an all-round good thing to do, breastfeeding in public can attract an awful lot of unwanted attention.  Only recently, a breast-feeding mother was asked to be more discreet whilst she fed her newborn in a library, where the only other person present was a pregnant woman.

I remember well that awful scuffle of trying to unbutton a shirt, unhitch an awkward maternity bra and attempt not to expose myself unnecessarily to all and sundry, whilst my baby screamed the walls down in desperate hunger.  There’s no telling a hungry newborn to just hold on until you get home.  And when you have more than one child to care for, the juggling act becomes even more taxing since feeding time could easily coincide with the school run, playgroup or, god forbid, a visit to the local library.

Enter the Mamascarf (£17.99) – a shawl that turns into a baby hammock to offer both support and modesty to feeding mums.  More than a scarf but not quite a sling, it was designed by new mum Keira O’Mara after she was subjected to disapproving stares, whilst feeding her baby at a coffee shop.

Although mothers have a legal right to feed their babies in public, this clever camouflage should make the act less of a spectacle.  The Mamascarf also allows you to maintain eye contact with your baby whilst they feed, which has to be an improvement on covering the poor things up with a muslin or blanket, as though they were persona non grata.

No wonder it’s won both awards and celebrity acclaim.  Melanie C says this of it, “I was very self conscious about needing to breastfeed in public places but Mamascarf is simple, stylish and the perfect solution”.  I couldn’t have put it better myself.  Someone give that girl a blog.