This article was kindly provided by Keira O’Mara Inventor of the Mamscarf
Breastfeeding in public? No problem!
I can remember being pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, it was something I knew I definitely wanted to do but it really scared me, not because I thought I might not be able to but the thought of having to do it in public.
Once I had had my little boy and had established breastfeeding, I knew that I had to go and do it. I can remember that first trip out with my friends and their babies to give me more confidence. We sat having a coffee and even with my back to the rest of the café it felt so strange unhooking my bra. I had never had issues on holiday on the beach in a bikini, so why now when I absolutely had to feed my baby?
It did get easier but I was never completely comfortable and there would always be a situation where someone would stare or look on disapprovingly and I would die on the spot. I tried everything to cover up, blankets, muslins, pashminas, you name it but nothing would withstand my wriggly baby and I would end up feeling exposed or he would get too hot. I was envious of those who were so comfortable feeding in public but that was never going to be me! The other thing that I hated about feeding when I was out and about was that the lack of cushions meant that I would get severe arm ache within 5 minutes of starting a feed.
It was on one occasion in the same café that I fed for the first time that I had a light bulb moment. I realised that if I could create something that would cover you while feeding but also provide you with additional support, a type of scarf that wouldn’t fall off would be perfect. Then I remembered that I was currently averaging about 5 hours sleep a night and had baby brain, as if I was in a position to create a new product! However, perhaps due to the excitement about my idea, that night my ever patient husband and I got to work cutting up sheets and making different shapes with them in order to see what would work best.
A few weeks and many trials down the line and I had come up with my design. Next I realised I needed a name and after lots of consideration Mamascarf was born! Fast forward almost a year and Mamascarf was launched (I have missed out the boring bits about trademarks, fabrics, suppliers etc but you can imagine a lot was involved!). I am now in the scary situation of having my own business. It’s very exciting and I can thoroughly recommend it, although there have definitely been some blood, sweat and tears along the way.
Highs have included being on This Morning, GMTV and finding out that celebrities including Melanie C and Leah Wood love their Mamascarves! Lows have been having my design illegally copied and spotting someone else trading under my name.
Happy Breastfeeding!
Keira O’Mara x