(otherwise known as the woes of a breastfeeding mom)
At seven a half months pregnant I felt sure that we had everything needed to bring home our Little Mister even if he came the next day (so of course he waited until nearly a week after his due date to make his appearance.) We had over 1000 diapers, clothing to keep him covered until six months of age, breastfeeding supplies and my oh-so expensive but so worth it Medela Pump.
Staring at my diminished closet trying to find something that didn't make me feel like Violet Beauregard, it hit me... What was I going to wear to feed him?!?
A nursing bra makes it on the hospital packing lists of every Mommy Blogger but clothing that works to feed your little one without feeling like a shapeless being or spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe so that the baby to boob time ratio is as small as possible is a major challenge.
A test became necessary when looking at clothes. Before buying them I would check to see if the neckline was able to move down or to the side. Button downs were also an option (but honestly, who wants to deal with undoing buttons while holding a hungry, squirmy and possibly very loud newborn). The first few weeks of breastfeeding I remember feeling like I needed a third and possibly fourth arm to make it work so the easier the better when i came to clothes.
Even though my favorite thrift store does have a dressing room, since I looked like I was hiding a pumpkin under my shirt most of what I purchased was bought based on sight alone. Some maternity clothes support the dual function of being breastfeeding friendly and since you won't (most likely) leave the hospital looking exactly the same as you did nine months ago they can be worth the investment. I found a couple tops with ruching along the sides that had a scoop neck line to be great for a couple of months post-baby.
I was fortunate to lose the weight I had gained in my pregnancy very quickly since my LO was using up so many calories feeding. After I had lost all my baby weight I felt the the maternity tops were no longer flattering but the style of shirt did work well for breastfeeding.
The best tops and dresses I found met at least one of the following criteria:
Soft Stretchy material, A Lycra or Polyester Blend were the most forgiving, Cotton will work but is more likely to lose its shape in a short amount of time.
Faux Wrap, An actual wrap may become very revealing and are usually too tight in the chest to work well.
Deep V or Scoop Neckline, As long as the material "bounces" back this style can be utilized
Tank tops with built in bras, These only worked for me lounging around the house since i didn't feel like offered enough support to wear for long stretches. Some also use these instead of nursing tank tops to layer under T-shirts.
Cowl Neckline VERY easy to nurse in this style! I wore this style once a week or more.
Avoid: Heavy materials such as Wool, Satin, stiff tight fitting clothing, most rompers or jumpsuits, high necklines
What are/were your favorite clothes for nursing?
Staring at my diminished closet trying to find something that didn't make me feel like Violet Beauregard, it hit me... What was I going to wear to feed him?!?
A nursing bra makes it on the hospital packing lists of every Mommy Blogger but clothing that works to feed your little one without feeling like a shapeless being or spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a new wardrobe so that the baby to boob time ratio is as small as possible is a major challenge.
A test became necessary when looking at clothes. Before buying them I would check to see if the neckline was able to move down or to the side. Button downs were also an option (but honestly, who wants to deal with undoing buttons while holding a hungry, squirmy and possibly very loud newborn). The first few weeks of breastfeeding I remember feeling like I needed a third and possibly fourth arm to make it work so the easier the better when i came to clothes.
Even though my favorite thrift store does have a dressing room, since I looked like I was hiding a pumpkin under my shirt most of what I purchased was bought based on sight alone. Some maternity clothes support the dual function of being breastfeeding friendly and since you won't (most likely) leave the hospital looking exactly the same as you did nine months ago they can be worth the investment. I found a couple tops with ruching along the sides that had a scoop neck line to be great for a couple of months post-baby.
I was fortunate to lose the weight I had gained in my pregnancy very quickly since my LO was using up so many calories feeding. After I had lost all my baby weight I felt the the maternity tops were no longer flattering but the style of shirt did work well for breastfeeding.
The best tops and dresses I found met at least one of the following criteria:
Soft Stretchy material, A Lycra or Polyester Blend were the most forgiving, Cotton will work but is more likely to lose its shape in a short amount of time.
Faux Wrap, An actual wrap may become very revealing and are usually too tight in the chest to work well.
Deep V or Scoop Neckline, As long as the material "bounces" back this style can be utilized
Tank tops with built in bras, These only worked for me lounging around the house since i didn't feel like offered enough support to wear for long stretches. Some also use these instead of nursing tank tops to layer under T-shirts.
Cowl Neckline VERY easy to nurse in this style! I wore this style once a week or more.
Avoid: Heavy materials such as Wool, Satin, stiff tight fitting clothing, most rompers or jumpsuits, high necklines
What are/were your favorite clothes for nursing?
Ok no judging! I pretty much went my entire pregnancy (and his infant stage) without make-up. All of these tops worked for both pregnancy and nursing and all are still in my wardrobe.
Floral print cowl shirt, the Limited owned before I was pregnant
Blue racerback dress from Banana Republic $10 and cream sweater Forever 21 thrift find
Olive A-Symetrical top and skirt from Angel's Attic $2 Old Navy Shirt $3 Limited Skirt
Cousins and new little cousins Shirt from Angel's Attic $2 Old Navy
Striped Skater Dress H&M from Angel's Attic
Floral print cowl shirt, the Limited owned before I was pregnant
Blue racerback dress from Banana Republic $10 and cream sweater Forever 21 thrift find
Olive A-Symetrical top and skirt from Angel's Attic $2 Old Navy Shirt $3 Limited Skirt
Cousins and new little cousins Shirt from Angel's Attic $2 Old Navy
Striped Skater Dress H&M from Angel's Attic