There are several reasons for breastfeeding babies. First of all, pediatricians have discovered that breast milk can bolster your baby's immune system so that they are stronger and healthier. Second, breastfeeding often helps mothers and babies bond with each other while simultaneously helping shrink the uterus to its normal size after pregnancy. And finally, breastfeeding is also more affordable than buying formula.

With all of these benefits attached to breastfeeding, why do so many mothers go straight to the bottle? The main reason is that, in spite of all its positive attributes, breastfeeding also takes a lot of time. For example, a new born will typically breastfeed eight to twelve times a day! And each feeding can take as long as 40 minutes. Even after two or three months, babies may still feed as many as six to eight times a day. Consequently, if mothers have to drop everything and go into seclusion during every breastfeeding session, it's no wonder that so many of them choose to switch to a bottle earlier than recommended.

One way to keep your freedom and still reap the benefits of breastfeeding is to invest in a cute and comfortable nursing cover. My mom and my sister both just used blankets as nursing covers for their babies, but blankets lead to a constant battle against gravity that ties up your hands or your teeth as you try to keep them in place. With their soft, adjustable neck straps, nursing covers never slip away from you even though your hands and mouth stay free.

Nursing covers also allow mothers to maintain their modesty no matter where they are. Imagine being able to nurse your baby in comfort and privacy on the plane, as you buy groceries or while you spend time with family members and friends. If maintaining eye contact is also important to you while you feed, some nursing covers also come with pliable boning in the neck seem which allows you to see your baby beneath the cover.

Although one nursing cover should be enough to fill your needs, it might be nice to have two on hand in case one of them needs a wash. After all, they will probably get a little spit-up on them every once in awhile. It is also fun to get more than one because they come in so many different colors and prints. If you want your nursing covers to have the same cozy feel as a baby blanket, look for nursing covers made out of 100% cotton.