I realized last Friday that I didn’t do a fashion question last week. And that’s because I really didn’t have one, and neither did any of you. I thought that weekly feature might be petering out. Then I got this question in an email from fullheartandhands mama. And ironically, I received it right after I decided to re-run A Nursing Story this week. Coincidence? I think not!
So here’s her question: You mentioned you nursed your kiddos for quite a while. I’ve done the
same and hope to do that with the one in my belly as well. How about
tips for what to wear when you’re nursing, and I don’t mean nursing
wear. Know what I mean?
Oh do I ever know what you mean. I have been blessed, or is it cursed? Depends on who you ask, I s’pose. Anyway, I am rather, um, well-endowed. It made finding flattering clothing that also offered easy access for nursing very difficult. I actually did invest in a few nursing tops at one point, but I admit I felt kind of frumpy in them.
My best advice is to layer. I found that unbuttoning a shirt from the top to nurse was very immodest. By doing that, you expose your entire chest region. People tend to frown on that. I preferred to lift my top, which provided a more discrete way to nurse, except then I would find myself exposing my entire back and side.
And while displaying one’s back and side region isn’t considered as inappropriate as exposing the chest area, it’s not one that I really cared to display, especially with those extra post-pardom pounds that always managed to linger in that area. I’m sure you know what I mean. (And if you don’t, you need not answer, because I might have to smack you.) Suffice it to say, it’s a rare post-partom mom that feels that part of her body is attractive enough to display for public viewing.
So I found that a nice button-down cardigan sweater for times I wanted to look nicer and a cute zip-up hoodie for when I wanted to be comfortable were absolute necessities when I was nursing. That way, I could lift up my shirt to nurse and the hoodie or sweater covered my back and sides — full coverage without having to hide under a blanket or worse, one of those nursing shawls.
Look, how totally fab is this!? It’s from Ann Taylor Loft.
Although I would advise not wearing the hood on your head as the girl shown in the picture. That look’s not working for me. If it’s that cold out, you’re better off putting on a coat.
The summer is more difficult for layering, but look at this from Old Navy!
Very cute to throw on over a tank top for nursing coverage. Okay, alright, I admit I probably wouldn’t wear this. But it might work for someone. Especially if modesty while nursing is more important to you than the obvious contradiction of a sweatshirt with short sleeves.
Okay, Internets. What do YOU say? What are your best suggestions for dressing a nursing mom?
UPDATE: Sarah at Real Life mentioned in the comments this Belly Hugger. I’ve never seen this, but it looks like a fabulous nursing solution!
UPDATE #2: The best place I’ve found for supportive nursing bras for larger sizes was Nordstrom. With my first child, I actually went to a bra specialist who can order special sizes and she custom fit one for me. It was pricey, but well worth it.
http://www.granolababies.com/catalog.php?item=156
These belly-huggers look awesome. They came out too late for me, though
Just another reason that I love you, oh fellow well-endowed mama! The nursing tops don’t work for my, ahem, size. As a current nursing mama, I don’t like button up tops – too much to juggle trying to unbotton, hold baby, and juggle a boob too! I stick with mostly cotton/spandex tops that have stretch. If I’m in public and my back feels exposed, I just pull the diaper bag up to my side as coverage.
BTW, I gave you some linky love today!
I agree – layers, layers!!! And a blanket for when you really need to be discreet
And with all these empire waists and flow-y tops, how great of a time is this to be hiding that post-baby belly?!?
Thanks for answering my question. I’d never thought of doing the sweater/sweatshirt thing. I love the Ann Taylor one and don’t worry I’m not a big enough nerd to wear the hood, close though. I’ll check back to see what others say as well. Thanks again.
What I began doing that made a big difference was yes, wearing layers… but wear a tank top on bottom that has a very large neck hole. Then, essentially, you pull that down to allow for access for baby, and then the tank top on bottom is covering your mid section and back.
My other idea (which I used with this last baby but had never used before): a nursing cape. You just snap it on around the neck, it covers everything, and it stays on, so baby can’t pull it off. It looks like a blanket over your shoulder, and MOST people get the point (although I did have some curious Chinese occasionally try to pull it down to get a look at baby– NOT a good idea!).
Anyway, now that I live in a much more modest place, country-wise, I’m not sure that I’ll be doing much public nursing at all with this new little guy that’s due in 9 weeks… bummer.
~Jess
Layering is definitely a must, and I do plan on investing in some Belly Bands http://store.urbanbabyrunway.com/blflprbeba.html this pregnancy that will come in handy for nursing, too. But layering with a tank top with a low neck underneath and a more modest shirt on top is my “made up” nursing wear fashion. You can lift the top shirt while lowering the bottom and then nurse discreetly and hide that belly at the same time.
Steph
I felt the most important nursing wear was GOOD nursing bras and nursing camis. The camis are great for layering and if you are smaller on top, you could wear them alone in the hot months.
I was able to find some nursing wear at Motherhood that did not look like nursing wear. However, mostly I did wear cardigans or in the summer just used a blanket to cover up. The baby really does cover up most of the parts you need to.
So practice at home and then when you are more confident, you will find a way.
I layer – tank top underneath and whatever else on top – it has helped – I’m not overly well endowed but those post-partum pounds won’t leave and I carried all my weight below the waist before I got pregnant so you can imagine how it is now! Come summer I plan on tank top underneath with a lightweight button-up shirt on top, probably unbuttoned most of the time but it helps me feel more discrete. Also the good nursing bra is a must.
I received a Milkchic nursing cover-up the other day that I have been using and it is great! I blogged about it yesterday… at http://crazydogslife.blogspot.com/ it would have been really nice to have at the hospital when I was just figuring out how all this worked!
I second the advice to get good nursing bras. There’s nothing worse than trying to wrestle the girl out of an opening that’s too small!
I found a great nursing bra at Nordstrom. The nice thing is, they have professional fitters too!
Thanks for all of the tips! I have some Bella Bands from earlier in my pregnancy that I’ll have to pull out.
Where can I find good nursing bras? I’m not really happy with the ones that I picked up at Tarjay…
Great advice.
Thanks to having latching issues and other troubles nursing, I never felt comfortable trying to nurse in public with either of my boys. If we have friends over now I will nurse with layers and can hide myself very well (assuming 8 month old does not flash my parts).
Due to being “gifted” in the chest department I never even looked at nursing tops. With my oldest I never found nursing bras, but this time I found some that are ok, but not the best. I so wish they would make more for people that are larger on top before baby to have to be supportive to the girls.
I swear by these nursing bras, and some specialty stores carry them (Nordstrom does online, but not in their stores):
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/category.asp?ID=1&area=US
There are some good nursing wear stores online that are much better quality compared to Motherhood (whose shirts have ALWAYS been to short for me)…
http://www.motherwear.com
http://www.expressiva.com
And, for layering underneath, I have a really good tank top from http://www.glamourmom.com; I wish I’d bought it a size bigger since I’m extra endowed after this baby, but I still love how long it is for belly coverage.
Great fashion question! Thanks!
That Belly Hugger is such a great idea!
I would also suggest…
1) Layers! I love camisoles and nursing tanks…and have lots of different colors of both.
2) I haven’t tried them, but Blissfulbabes (www.blissfulbabes.com) has some stylish nursingwear options.
3) Bebe au Lait (http://www.bebeaulait.com/) covers are fantastic.
I have a knitted shawl that my mom bought me, it’s very cozy but good for nursing (it’s a regular shawl, not specifically “nursing”) because it just covers everything, but since it’s a loose weave, my baby can still breathe while he’s nursing.
I usually have tshirts (layered) and a hoodie as well but truly I mostly feed him before I go anywhere. Though if he’s hungry when we’re out, I will feed him.
Also for the bra, I got a nursing sports bra at Target and it’s great. I will admit though, I’m not exceptionally endowed, even while nursing, which is probably why it works so well.
there has to be some way that you can wear the hoodie backwards and somehow use it as a sling for the baby. or else i need more sleep/more caffeine. not sure!
I liked the idea of the belly hugger,haven’t gotten one yet though.
I have used those self bra tanks,and just lay the burp/spit cloth over the shoulder &pull down over top of exposed breast to make it less out there.
I also really like the empire nursing tops,they keep you covered with easy nursing openings.These also look good on larger chests,I especially liked the nursing dress with this style openings.
I also use layers,nursing tanks,with light weight button down work well.
Haven’t tried nursing covers,don’t like being to covered up as I get very warm.I do however cover whichever baby I’m nursing with a blanket,that can hang down to cover my exposed side if I don’t have anything else to cover with.Did I mention I have twins,that’s why I said whichever baby,sorry about that! I really like your blog,thanks for info.
Donna E
I know I’m behind…girl, 27 posts since I last visited? Which one of us is crazy–me or you?!…anyway, I’m with everyone else–layers and tank tops! It’s just the easiest. I still wear tanks under all my clothes now and it’s been months since I nursed. They get so cheap at the end of the season at Target and Old Navy, I just can’t pass it up!