Breastfeeding-Friendly Fashion

You’ve mastered the art of maternity clothing and know exactly how to stylishly dress to be comfortable and complement your baby bump at the same time. Then, you give birth and an even bigger challenge presents itself: How exactly do you dress to make breastfeeding easy while still feeling confident about how you look?

Many new moms find themselves struggling to find clothes that make them look and feel good, but also allow easy access to breastfeed or pump. Luckily, nursing clothes have come a long way. It’s no longer hard to find pieces you love to wear that are fully functional. Whether you want to invest in designer styles, want to stock up on affordable basics, or a little of each, you may be surprised by the options available to you.

Splurge

There’s no shortage of great designers selling stylish breastfeeding tops and dresses. These are some of our favorites:

• Au Lait – These gorgeous tops and dresses are made for breastfeeding, but don’t be surprised if your non-nursing friends start asking you where you got that amazing dress.

• Loyal Hana – These on-trend pieces, which run the gamut from basic tees and sweatshirts to jumpsuits and tunics are designed with an barely-visible side zip that makes it easy to discreetly nurse.

• Boob – A favorite of many nursing moms, this Swedish company carries comfy, cute, and functional tops and dresses that make breastfeeding a breeze.

• Seraphine – With a huge variety of tops, dresses, wraps and more, Seraphine’s fashionable nursing clothes can help make it easier to feel like your fabulous self again.

• Leche Libre – Hand-made in Chicago, these dresses integrate materials like organic hemp and feature either bold hardware or discreet zippered panels.

• Mitera – Each of these beautiful, splurge-worthy dresses has a hidden zipper on the chest to allow for easy nursing and pumping.

Save

Breastfeeding fashion doesn’t have to be pricey. Get stylish and affordable finds at these retailers:

• Motherhood Maternity – A go-to for maternity clothes, you can also find great nursing basics like cozy sleepwear you’ll want to wear all day.

• Latched Mama – Started by a breastfeeding mom who was frustrated with the lack of clothing options, these affordable and comfy basics are all tested to make sure they’re easy to wear, easy to move in and of course, easy to feed in.

• H&M – With built in layers and trendy designs and patterns, H&M’s MAMA line is perfect for the budget-friendly nursing fashionista.

• ASOS – Drop-down panels, concealed openings and soft stretch cups make these perfectly on-trend tops and dresses convenient for nursing and pumping.

• Pink Blush – These drapey tops and wraps look great with leggings, and the large selection of nursing dresses will keep you looking and feeling great, while making feeding baby a cinch. Lots of great plus-sized options, too!

Regular Styles that Work for Nursing

You don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe for breastfeeding. With a little layering and creativity, pieces you already own can help ease the sometimes awkward transition from maternity to regular clothes.

• Layers, layers, layers – Layers are a breastfeeding mom’s best friend. Wearing a cami underneath your normal tops allow you stay mostly covered when you’re breastfeeding in public or around friends.

• Cardigans – Throwing a cardigan on over your cami or breastfeeding top is an easy way to pull a look together, while allowing easy access for nursing. You can even use your cardigan as a nursing cover.

• Wrap tops and dresses – Not only are wrap dresses incredibly flattering on all body types, they’re perfect for making pumping a snap at work or during dressier occasions.

• Button down shirts – Tops that button make access easy and are a more structured option, especially if you need to go back to work.

• Scarves – The bigger the better! Oversized scarves can do double duty as a stylish accessory and a nursing cover.

Other Tips

• Complete your nursing-friendly closet with bras and undershirts that are made for pumping and breastfeeding!

• Nursing pads – As a breastfeeding mom, your breasts may leak milk. And when you’re looking and feeling good, the last thing you want is a wet shirt! Nursing pads help absorb the milk to prevent leaks from showing.

• Nursing covers – There is no shame in the beautiful act of providing life-supporting breast milk to your child. But for those looking for full coverage in certain situations, these covers keep baby (and mom!) shielded from view, stay put better than receiving blankets, and come in cute and funky colors to fit your personality.

• Slip-on shoes – It can seem like you never have enough hands as a new mom. Having cute and comfy shoes you can easily slip on hands-free gives you one less thing to worry about when you’re packing up baby, diaper bags, strollers, and more.

• Accessories – As a new mom, you may sometimes feel like your personal style has to take a backseat to more functional fashion. But accessorizing with little things you love can make you feel instantly more put-together. Try throwing on a fun pair of sunglasses or your favorite earrings. These little touches can go a long way.