The Nursing Wardrobe: A Guide to Staying Stylish as a Nursing Mom
When thinking ahead to nursing, there was a whirlwind of expectations in front of me. I looked forward to the sweet mother and child bonding in the wee hours of the morning, the pregnancy weight (hopefully) falling off as the baby consumed my calories, and looking a little sexier in a bathing suit. I knew there would be some woes too- managing against leaks, discomfort when I was overdue on a feed, and chapping/bleeding/bruising.
I anticipated all of this. I welcomed it.
There was only one thing I was truly, utterly, not emotionally prepared for: the effect nursing would take on my wardrobe.
I “knew” nursing would be a dressing consideration, sure. But a deciding factor in everything I was wearing at every point of the day? No, I hadn’t totally wrapped my head around that. My body was also completely different. I had gone from a negative A cup to a busty C overnight, and what I presumed would be sexy also made my clothes fit differently- or not at all. Day after day I helplessly rummaged through my packed closest with nothing to wear, for real.
But hey, I’m a fashion girl, and I’ve never been one to shy away from a fashion challenge. Besides, I’d always low key dreamed about a tasteful boob job post kids, big nursing boobs would be the perfect practice in dressing them!
So now that I’ve found an excuse to go shopping that I can explain to my husband amidst the staggering hospital delivery bills, what am I looking for from my clothing to make my new nursing mom life a little easier?
Styles to Stock Up On
Even if you have the best cover in the world, you’re going to want to avoid undressing entirely to nurse. And more important than your modesty, if that baby is hollering to Kingdom Come, you’re going to want to get them latched to you QUICKLY. Look for dress and top styles with these necklines and details for stylish easy nursing!
Button fronts: Button down tops, dresses, and cardigans practically give the baby a door to knock when they want to nurse. A simple white button down looks clean and polished, despite the raced shower with a fussy baby in a bouncer. A button down dress reads effortless Parisian chic, despite the fact that there was nothing effortless about getting out of bed on 3 hours of sleep.
Off the Shoulder & Strapless: Feminine and flirty, these are the perfect nursing tops because they are typically kept up with elastic, which comfortably slips up and down. Expect to deal with a little adjusting if you are going to need to carry the baby, an older sibling, a diaper bag, or most likely- all of them at once.
Wraps: Wrap styles are a flattering easy access look that allow you to show off your new assets! New boobs feel weird but just go with it- no one minds, especially not your man. Knit fabric is preferable to woven, offering stretch for nursing access without having to undo the wrap too much- if at all. If you do have to completely untie the wrap, be mindful that little ones are squirmy- a few well placed kicks could give your company a PG13 viewing.
Tie Straps: Ta-da.. with the pull of a knot you have a boob! Magic! Just make sure you have someone nearby that can either help you tie it back up or hold the baby for a minute while you do. Tie shoulders offer a sweet feminine detail, lovely for those timeless new mother and baby pictures. Halters are a flattering cut on a new mom’s body, sensually framing curves. Tip: Hedge your bets and throw in a double knot. Busy baby fingers could give you the Janet Jackson moment you never knew you wanted.
Smocking: This trend is everywhere at the moment and aren’t we lucky- its not only cute but ideal for nursing! Whether a full on smock top or simply a back detail, the smocking technique offers amazing stretch and bounce back abilities to clothing. It is also perfect for changing bodies! The smocking feature makes items less size specific, therefore transitioning well through pregnancy, nursing, and beyond.
Camisoles: Dainty cami straps that slip down easily off the shoulder are great for nursing. Look for stretch fabrics, adjustable straps, or relaxed fits to ensure you won’t have any obstacles. There are also designated nursing camis that have plastic snaps at the straps, and top the list for nursing simplicity. If you are looking for a cami to wear under a cardigan or jacket, reach for one of these bad boys in a basic color. I’d hesitate to wear it as a primary top- while the hardware is functional, it’s not so fashionable.
Styles to Think Twice About
If an item doesn’t meet any of the favorable qualities above, but does feature the less favorable qualities listed below, you might want to hold off on wearing the piece for nursing days!
Woven Shirts: Woven shirts don’t allow as much stretch to pull up or down comfortably, nor do they form to your body and stay put the way a knit top does. Even if it’s mama’s night off from nursing, still proceed with caution. Just because you’re overdue for a break and deserving of many cosmos and a babysitter, no one is giving the memo to your boobs. That growing chest bursting out of your top with nowhere to go may look alluring, but it’s not going to feel that way.
Billowy tops: Jersey or woven, these can be a pill to nurse in. You lose both hands trying to hold up the fabric with one and cradle the baby with the other. No free hands for a glass of wine? I guess there are always straws… but still. And if you have an older child, a hand free is not only a nicety but a necessity. The spawn of a tornado isn’t going to catch itself.
Zippers: Unless the zipper is a fashion statement in itself, designers don’t add zippers for the fun of it. They are complicated to install and add expense to the manufacturing cost. A zipper is present because it has to be. Which for you means, without undoing it, you’re not going to have easy access to what’s underneath. If the zip is a front zip we might actually be in business, just be careful with jagged metal teeth that could be rough on the baby.
Dresses: This “woe” is weighted with exceptions. If you can easily slip the dress neckline down or slip over, you’re golden. But if the top is snug and secure, better to steer clear. There is no graceful way to pull up your dress to nurse (I really have tried). And unzipping from the back, as noted, is awkward, exposing, and requires a buddy.
Bra Un-Friendly: The days where you could rock out bra-less might be gone for a bit, mama. Larger boobs can be uncomfortable with no support. If this isn’t a concern for you, leaking milk spots might be. There are pasties out there specifically designed for nursing mothers- and they are great- but can be a hassle to take on and off if you are actively nursing that day. Open backs and deep plunges that don’t cater to bras are better off on hiatus for now.
Nursing Friendly Fabrics
Fitted jersey knits: At the risk of being a broken record, I’ll say it again- knit over woven makes your life easier. You have more flexibility with the give that knits offer. And, when it is a more fitted style, it can stay up on its own without you having to lose a hand to hold up fabric.
Stretchy Fabrics: Wovens and knits alike can be infused with stretch fibers, creating an elasticity amazingly helpful for nursing. A nominal percent of lycra, elastane, or spandex is all you need to give fabric significant added access ease.
Easy Maintenance: We all know that with toddlers you get sticky fingers. But don’t kid yourself, itty bitty babies are stain gladiators too. Two words: Spit Up. All the time. Everywhere. On every thing. You are going to want durable fabrics that can handle wash after wash, but you’re also going to want to account for spot cleaning. You are not always going to be in a position to change your outfit, so having clothes you can blot on the spot is important too.
First, foremost, and always- machine washable!! Post kids you have no place in your life to wear anything dry clean only around your children (unless you have extensive assets and pay no mind to extensive dry cleaning bills- in which case disregard and lucky you!).
Okay we’re going to nerd out here for a second… Know your fabrics. Yes, you can just read whether or not it say machine washable on the label. But, not all machine washables are created equal, so if you feel like delving in a little further, here are some helpful high level considerations.
Cotton: Yes! Key word: Durable. This superstar fiber can live through an abundance of wash cycles. It also is not an expensive fabric on the whole, so less pressure if a blowout does go irreversibly awry.
Nylon & Poly: Yes! There’s that key word again- Durable! Both hold up well to washing with great bounce back properties. They also have moisture resistant traits, a plus when baby flails their arm into the mimosa you were trying to sneak a sip of.
Rayon: Maybe... Rayon does not wash as well as the fabrics above. It often requires special care washing and can stretch, shrink, and fade if you do machine wash. So why maybe? Rayon is an innovative fiber that mimics higher end fabric at a fraction of the price. It is airy and soft on the body, a comfort during early motherhood. So while it may not have the longevity of some other fabrics, it offers a luxurious hand you’re not getting without a price tag otherwise.
Acrylic & Wool: Meh. Even if the clothing item is machine wash, these fibers do not fare well after multiple lathers. They can pill badly and develop a rough hand, making your piece look worn and cheap- even when they aren’t.
Linen: Meh. While often machine washable, you’re going to resemble a wrinkle factory juggling that baby. No one wants to look like they just rolled out of bed, even if you did. Linen is also not quick to dry, so any blotting will result in a water spot for a bit.
Silk & Cashmere: Meh. Expensive fabrics that require dry cleaning- just seeing $$$ right now. Save these croonworthy fabrics for when you have a babysitter handy.