Fashion & Style Essentials for Nursing Moms

 

After I had Lilly, I had THE HARDEST time getting dressed… for quite a while. Not only was my body a totally different shape and size, but I was also battling a painful c-section scar. Not to mention the fact that I was having to pop my boob out every 2-3 hours (honestly, even more than that considering I was also pumping in addition to nursing). So, having easy access to pop a boob out was creating quite the additional wardrobe challenge.

Now that Lilly is five months old (and she is still exclusively breastfed), I feel like I’ve really got the hang of this whole nursing thing and I also feel like I’ve got the hang of getting myself dressed every day. I ALSO feel like I’ve got the hang of knowing what is a realistic outfit choice to make nursing Lilly easy and accessible – especially if I know I’m going to be out running errands or I’m out and about and I’m not just at home.

When I first started out, I couldn’t find very many blog posts or resources (READ: noneya) for a nursing mom who also wants to look good (and stylish!) while also making sure her sweet baby has easy access to the milk. If ya know what I’m sayin’.

I’m going to be mentioning the accessibility of boobs a lot in this post… so if you’re a dude, you should probably click away. Just being real.

Anyway. So, I thought I’d compile a list of some of the styles I’ve been wearing on repeat that are also EXTREMELY easy for nursing! This list is in no particular order…

Fashion & Style Essentials for the Nursing / Breastfeeding Mom

I will get this out of the way to start… wearing dresses? Yeah, that pretty much NEVER happens anymore. Dresses are just impossible to wear AND be able to nurse in. Unless the dress is button down front dress, count me out. I have worn a dress on two “fancy” occasions, but Lilly has not been with me.

Underneath EVERY single outfit, I am wearing one of these nursing tanks from Target. They are my absolute FAVORITE – I wear one every. single. day. and it’s by far the best nursing tank. So comfortable. Super sturdy. Just all around awesome. I don’t even wear a nursing bra underneath of the tank. Only mistake I made is not buying more of them.

Now, enough rambling, let’s get to it.

1. Loose fitting tanks or tunics with detailing and a blazer or cardigan worn over top!

Here are three outfits I’ve worn (and have BEEN wearing) a lot. We’re really focusing on the “top” portion, obviously. Each outfit features a tunic / tank that has some detailing (you know, to keep it interesting), but most importantly, they’re loose fitting so they are easy to just lift right up… underneath I’m just wearing a plain nursing tank.

The key is that the top has to be loose enough to easily lift up over your boobs. Unfortunately that eliminates a lot of my more “structured” blouses because they’re just too difficult lift up, if you know what I mean.

2. Button-up shirts for the win!

The best thing about a button up shirt? It’s easy to, quite literally, unbutton when you need to nurse. Again, I’m wearing my standard nursing tank underneath. So, when I’m in public or somewhere where I need to nurse, I just unbutton the shirt, pull down the nursing tank, and boom. We are good to go.

Just more button up shirts…

Accessories like a pretty necklace or scarf are key. Yes, I remove the scarf and/or necklace before I nurse. I also am careful as to what kind of necklace I wear these days now that Lilly is grabbing EVERYTHING.

3. The nursing tank that is also a shirt.

I have two of these Liz Lange for Target nursing tanks that also are shirts. I have one in black and one in blue because that’s the only colors they come in. If they came in more colors, I would BUY THEM ALL. While they also work for maternity, they really work SO well for nursing.

I wear them ALL the time! They are such a great layering piece. Perfect to wear under any cardigan, blazer, jacket, or sweater.

When I need to nurse? Just move the fabric to the sides and BOOM, baby is ready to eat.

4. Loose fitting layering tees. V-necks are a plus!

I know this seems kind of redundant because #1 was loose fitting tanks and tunics, but I felt that loose fitting layering tees needed a category of their own. Both of these tees that I’m wearing below are just the basic layering cotton tees from J.Crew Factory (on sale!). I love them! They are SO soft and comfortable but they are also SUPER stretchy so it makes pulling them up when I need to nurse really easy. The gray one is a deep v-neck tee and so I can actually just pull that one DOWN… I don’t even need to pull it up. Even easier!

They also come in a TON of colors so they really make getting dressed and adding a different cardigan or scarf a cinch.

So yeah, nothing TOO mind blowing, but hopefully this was at least a little helpful for those moms out there who are struggling with (or who will one day struggle with) “what to wear” when you spend half of the day with your boob(s) out feeding a baby or pumping.

What do you think? Are you a nursing mom? What are your “go-to” fashion choices? I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts!