When purchasing a nursing cover for breastfeeding your new baby, it is important to keep a few things in mind to ensure maximum convenience while breastfeeding and to get the biggest bang for your shopping dollars. Decide why you want a nursing cover. Is it to help you feel more comfortable in public while breastfeeding or do you want to keep baby less distracted while feeding?

Most nursing covers are designed to provide discreet coverage for nursing mothers so that they can breastfeed their baby without exposure to others. Nursing covers are quite convenient and often high on expectant mom’s lists of things they would like to receive at the baby shower. This is a great idea for first time moms since it most certainly will be used at the hospital post delivery, when everything is still new and new nursing mothers are still uncomfortable with the process of breastfeeding. The constant stream of well wishers may make a new mom, already unsure of her breastfeeding skills, even more hesitant to feed her new baby naturally.

Nursing covers are also a great baby shower gift for seasoned nursing moms who may use them while expressing milk by pump at the office, or spending time outside of the home - at church, a restaurant, the mall or the local park.

Here are the Top 5 Tips for choosing the right breastfeeding cover:

•Are you nursing a new born, or do you plan to nurse for an extended period of time? Generally nursing covers are geared for the first year of nursing and extended nursing may require you to move up to a more generous nursing wrap. There are also plus sized options available these days that will fit the bill for curvy moms, those expecting twins, and those who plan longer term breastfeeding.

•How does your baby nurse? Does your child nurse from both breasts in one sitting, or do they generally feed on one side at a time? A lightweight, comfortable option should be chosen in either case, but it is extremely important if your baby has extended feeding sessions since the baby may become overheated and uncomfortable if the nursing wrap is not breathable and soft.

•Nursing covers and wraps come in a variety of styles, fabrics and colors / prints - so you can buy a few and then mix and match with your outfits. If you wish to buy only one, consider the most predominant color in your wardrobe, and then select a print or solid that is complimentary to most of your outfits.

•Do you want a full coverage nursing wrap that will cover your front, back and sides? Or is a nursing cover that only provides front coverage perfect for your needs? Chic styles are available in partial coverage shawl and apron styles that cover the front and sometimes sides, as well as full coverage poncho styles that give you 360 degrees of coverage – front, back, and sides.

•Have patience with learning the best positions and methods for feeding your baby with your new nursing cover and know that you are offering your baby the best nutrition possible.