https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 20:18:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-884018 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:56:41 +0000 goldenpig 884018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, thank you so much Patience for your tips! This is so relevant for me as well since I am dealing with postpartum pooch and nursing access issues as well. BTW congrats Vani! Hope the transition back to work goes smoothly.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-882320 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:01:47 +0000 Inge 882320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh Vani, how fab to see you again! And wonderful to hear that Patience and Angie have you sorted;-)<br /><br />I hope all is going well with you and your family. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-882318 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:00:17 +0000 Vani 882318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Patience, I bookmarked and read your advice on dressing for pregnancy but at the time dressing for nursing was not something I gave any thought to so I missed this post. I have just started going back to work and pumping at work so this post is SO relevant to me right now. I would give you a great big hug in person&nbsp;if I could so please accept this virtual one instead (((HUG))). Thank you so much. I finally was able to get the nursing bra situation sorted out but the clothes situation has me feeling a bit challenged especially since my postpartum pooch is taking time to recede to normalcy (enlarged uterus due to fibroids and all that jazz). Between Angie's adorable apple tips and your post, hopefully I will figure it all out. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-170773 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:29:46 +0000 lwc 170773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I comfort nurse DS about 1-2 times a day at this point. I'm finally seeing the finish line after 4 years of breastfeeding.<br /> After wrestling with receiving blankets during the first few months of my DD's life, I discovered:</p> <p>THE HOOTER HIDER<br /> <a href="http://www.babybella.biz/hooter_hiders___bebe_au_lait" rel="nofollow">http://www.babybella.biz/hoote.....be_au_lait</a></p> <p>This is the alpha and omega of nursing accessories as far as I'm concerned. So many cool patterns and colors to suit your personal style. One of the best baby items that I purchased. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-170754 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:47:10 +0000 Christie 170754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've found that reusable nursing pads show less than disposables. Also, the bigger they are, the better. Strange but true. The larger circumference blends to the sides while smaller ones tend to sit right out in front. </p> <p>Reusable/washable nursing pads come in all fabrics --- cotton, bamboo, wool--- some have a true waterproof barrier, some do not. </p> <p>If you struggle with plugged ducts or mastitis, a breathable, natural pad is beneficial. I'm going to try wool ones this time around. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-170720 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:29:45 +0000 Queen Mum 170720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful post full of valuable insight Patience. This will be so helpful to the new moms around here.</p> <p>It's been years (12 to be exact) since I've nursed a baby but I think I logged about 60 months of nursing. One thing I distinctively remember (and forgive me if you mentioned this) was that very early on I learned that prints were my friend. Leakage was much better camouflaged on a printed blouse or dress than on a solid. I also remember detesting the fact that those stupid nursing pads showed through knit clothing... so there is another advantage of wovens. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-170718 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:21:34 +0000 Patience 170718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Angie. I think that the best nursing tops are the v-necks with a built in faux camis, just as you've chosen. I forgot to mention that Isabella Oliver has a couple of beautiful nursing tops. Of course, they're expensive, but I've got a 15% off coupon if anyone wants it. Also, the price per wear will be small. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-170660 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:13:26 +0000 Angie 170660@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Patience, I went to a pea in a pod and bought these: </p> <p><a href="http://www.apeainthepod.com/Product.asp?product_Id=628870362&#038;MasterCategory_Id=MC29" rel="nofollow">http://www.apeainthepod.com/Pr.....ry_Id=MC29</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apeainthepod.com/Product.asp?product_Id=197850362&#038;MasterCategory_Id=MC29" rel="nofollow">http://www.apeainthepod.com/Pr.....ry_Id=MC29</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.apeainthepod.com/Product.asp?product_Id=629600362&#038;MasterCategory_Id=MC29" rel="nofollow">http://www.apeainthepod.com/Pr.....ry_Id=MC29</a></p> <p>She says they are working out well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-170599 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:47:20 +0000 Patience 170599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cricket, thanks for mentioning wonderful wrap tops.</p> <p>Julia, good point about nursing pads showing through thin clothing. That is a pet peeve of mine. I don't understand why nursing bras are made so thin and nursing pads are designed to stand out. Ugh!</p> <p>So Angie, what nursing tops did you get your friend?</p> <p>Wilson, I do feel put together. And I love proving that it can be done. Now that said, I admit that I'm not pristine. Over the course of the day, I acquire spots and wrinkles and my hair continues to be a work in progress (especially if I don't have time to flat iron it) but all in all I think these are less noticeable to other people, and it is kind of fun having my little secret child produced imperfections. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169693 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:54:01 +0000 yublocka 169693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post Patience! I've never nursed but found in interesting reading all the same. I'm sure this will help a lot of new and potential mums though!!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169278 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:18:49 +0000 wilson 169278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your points are truly right on target! As a nursing mom do you feel put together? I always felt sloppy and assumed other moms with infants who looked put together were not nursing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169275 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:11:48 +0000 JuliaInGermany 169275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Patience, this is great advice! I'm with you on nursing wear. I had one nursing t-shirt when I was nursing my daughter but I found that regular clothes pulled up did as well. Also I didn't wear special nursing bras as I couldn't manage them with one hand. I wore my maternity bras in the beginning and later on I bought regular bras and just pulled them down. This time around I'm giving nursing bras another go though. I just ordered a few and hope that they'll fit well and give the right support while being comfy.</p> <p>I always carry a burp cloth in my bag that I put over my tummy. It's a great cover and takes care of leakage as well. Otherwise I always end up with a wet spot on the waistband of my trousers.</p> <p>Oh, and I always make sure that my tops are not see through. I wear nursing pads and they sometimes show under tops that are too thin or a very light color. Not chic at all!</p> <p>Julia </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169187 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:00:52 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 169187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a really useful post and although I don't need it at the moment, I know where to come when I do!</p> <p>I did initially mis-interpret the topic as I still have difficulty remembering that nursing is called breastfeeding where I am from. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169182 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:34:56 +0000 agrace 169182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful summation of this topic, Patience! Indeed you are right about preference for pulling up vs. pulling down one's top. I found that I did not like pulling up for the very reason you mention - exposure of the midsection! Nursing is not easy and it is particularly challenging with a hungry, screaming baby in public and little or no place to go to nurse. So this post is going to help a lot of new (or new again) Moms who are giving nursing a whirl. </p> <p>I will add that I eventually found that a necklace was a great distraction when mine reached the age where they started wanting to pull off all the time to see what was going on behind them. Sometimes they would play with the necklace whilst nursing and it kept them doing what they were supposed to be doing long enough to finish. </p> <p>Thanks for doing all this work in writing this post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169179 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:19:03 +0000 anne 169179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great stuff Patience!!!!</p> <p>I didn't respond to Alecia's recent question about nursing attire (which was pretty long by the time I saw it) because I didn't know anything about specialised nursing clothes - but it seems like they aren't such a big deal.</p> <p>I just wanted to second wearing dresses. I have done this a lot with baby No 3. I like cross over tops and just pull them to the side. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169163 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:49:58 +0000 taylor 169163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Patience,</p> <p>Thank you for taking the time,( extra time that is so precious for new mothers) to share this informative and well thought out post. </p> <p>My daughter has a 2 month old and I am forwarding this invaluable info to her. As a mother myself I am very touched at your deep commitment to this topic and willingness to share you very experienced knowledge </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169158 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:35:50 +0000 Christie 169158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like this top for its versatility:<br /> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45428669/maternity-nursing-wrap-top-with-cross?ref=sr_gallery_24&#038;ga_search_query=nursing+tops+maternity&#038;ga_search_type=all&#038;ga_page=2&#038;includes%5B%5D=tags&#038;includes%5B%5D=title" rel="nofollow">http://www.etsy.com/listing/45.....B%5D=title</a></p> <p>And a fun necklace safe for baby to tug on:<br /> <a href="http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.smartmomjewelry.com/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169155 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:32:30 +0000 Christie 169155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*That* is the book on nursing in style. Thanks for being so complete!</p> <p>I second the sentiment on nursing camis worn over a bra ... too many clips and straps to deal with. </p> <p>I have several wrap tops and a wrap dress for this next time around, which combined with my camis with self-made slits, will be easy to pull to the side. I like top coverage and belly coverage. I think this will be my best combination for attempting to nurse with baby in a sling, which I've never been able to do.</p> <p>Layering has always been my best solution for nursing. I'm not sure how I'd handle that if I was nursing a newborn in summer. I probably would get a few nursing tops just so I could avoid layers, but still have coverage. I have nursed my older babies and toddlers in the summer, but its so fast and less frequent at that age that I didn't wear anything different than I normally do ... just a bra and a normal top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169153 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:22:46 +0000 Patience 169153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Angie. It's well past my bedtime and I'm afraid I've got a ton of typos.<br /> I forgot to add-- </p> <p>--If you are planning to nurse long term, evolve your methods. An older baby will nurse less often and allow more leeway on what you wear. Also your body will change a lot probably so some things that didn't work at the beginning will work later on.<br /> -- When you go on a date or out without baby, pull out the no nursing access garments and enjoy them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169150 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:17:43 +0000 Angie 169150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh. My. Goodness. </p> <p>What a KILLER post. THANK YOU!!! You are a gem, Patience. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/thoughts-on-dressing-to-nurse#post-169149 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:15:15 +0000 Patience 169149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>'m afraid I have organized this poorly but here's my brain dumb on nursing and clothing. Please add your thoughts. </p> <p>As always, start with what you like and then take these tips into account to accommodate nursing. As with maternity wear there's no need to put fashion on hold. You will have to experiment with what works for you.</p> <p>Nursing wear - Clothing designed with nursing access. My short answer is-- don't bother. It's true that I haven't given much thought to nursing wear since my first child 6 years ago and things may have improved since then (actually, I have found nursing dresses this time-- see below) but my experience is that they're just not flattering. Basically, nursing wear centers around t-shirts and aren't we all trying to escape t-shirts? I suspect that any advances in flattering nursing wear have been made in the fitted t-shirt arena and if I'm going to wear a fitted t-shirt, it's just as easy (and cheaper probably) to pull it up than to fumble with the ins and outs of nursing access.</p> <p>To pull up or to pull down - Most women find they have a preference when nursing whether to pull their clothing aside from the top or to pull it up from the bottom. There is no right or wrong-- it's just personal preference. My personal preference stems from a lazy perspective, as in I want to do whatever is easiest. After a combined nursing time of 54 months among three children and counting, the plain truth is that when you have a hungry child *any* clothing gets in the way. For my first two children, I was a puller up and now I'm a puller down although it does depend on what I'm wearing and where I am so here are the pros and cons as I see them.</p> <p>Pull down pros:</p> <p>o convenient to pull aside</p> <p>o works well with tucking or belting</p> <p>Pull down cons:</p> <p>o If you leak, you leak down. This gives you a good chance of leaking onto your clothing and breastmilk does not just dry like water.</p> <p>o Exposure of your chest</p> <p>o If pulling down involves buttons, they take time and two hands to undo and redo</p> <p>Pull up pros:</p> <p>o Pulled up top provides chest coverage</p> <p>o Easy to pull top down over breasts</p> <p>o Easier to avoid leaking onto your clothes</p> <p>Pull up cons:</p> <p>o Not as easy to get all the fabric up and then the bra down.</p> <p>o Reveal mid section</p> <p>o Takes a little effort to re-situate ensemble especially if top was tucked or you're wearing a belt</p> <p>The cons in both cases can be solved as you'll see below.</p> <p>Nursing bras: Nursing bras really require their own post.</p> <p>Layering garments: Your best friend postpartum is really the layering garment. Layering garments will smooth your postpartum belly and provide coverage for nursing. There are several choices.</p> <p>o Nursing camisole - I can only recommend the nursing tank for home lounge wear use. While convenient they do not provide support or look good under clothing on their own. Personally I don't see the point of wearing them with a nursing bra as this just means two sets of clips to get tangled, undo and redo and the other options will work just as well.</p> <p>o Bella band or something similar- covers your belly if you pull your top up. Covers regular pants that you can't quite button up yet.</p> <p>o Camisole - some people like to put slits in the right place to allow for access. I just pull the neckline down. I haven't had any problems with my camisoles losing shape by doing this, and I find the camisole easy to pull right back up for coverage while I re-situate the rest of my ensemble. If you pull up the camisole from the bottom, you lose the advantage of belly coverage and you're just giving yourself more clothing to fumble with. Be sure to have camisole that are not loose.</p> <p>o Second base half camisoles - Brilliant nursing solution that makes pulling up and putting back a camisole that much easier because you don't have to worry about all that extra fabric. Of course, if you are pulling up this means you might want to wear a bella band which makes me think this is more of a solution for chest coverage for the pull down preference.</p> <p>Knits vs. wovens</p> <p>As much as I love wovens, knits are are really the way to go for nursing and comfort. They're just easier to stretch this way and that as necessary.</p> <p>Tops</p> <p>Knits - If you pull down, look for deep v's and scoop necks. You should have the goods to pull these off if you're nursing. All other necklines will have to be pulled up.</p> <p>Wovens - You can still wear wovens but you'll probably be limited to</p> <p>o button downs - Wear a cami and keep more of the top buttons unbuttoned so that you have fewer to undo and redo to nurse</p> <p>o zip front - wear a cami so you can be covered while you're managing the zipper.</p> <p>o volume - Voluminous woven tops will allow you to pull up easily and without fear of ripping a seam. Wovens don't stretch a lot and the waist of the top will have to be large enough to pull up over your chest. Hey, if' it's voluminous enough, you may even be able to fit baby underneath the top all together. I also like surrendering the waistline because I'm still waiting for mine to come back.</p> <p>Jackets - While jackets in principle sound like a good way to polish your postpartum look they may not be very practical at first and you may want to stick to cardigans because:</p> <p>- not so comfortable. Unless they're knit, jackets just weren't very comfortable for me. There are milk ducts all the way under your arms which were sensitive for me and the arm holes just felt too constricting.</p> <p>- they're hot. Postpartum, there are a lot of hormones going on plus I live in a warm climate.</p> <p>- In theory jackets can just be pushed to the side, but they are still additional bulk to be dealt with accessing your body.</p> <p>Dresses - For my first two babies, I gave up dresses all together in favor of skirts. You just can't "pull up" a dress. But this time around as I've embraced pulling down, I've rediscovered dresses and picked up several.</p> <p>o Stick to knits with deep v's, scoop, deep cowl necks or any other style that is large enough to pull down</p> <p>o For wovens you will need front button or zip access like the tops. Wovens are really hard to do except for shirt dresses usually.</p> <p>o There are some knit nursing dresses that I've come across that look good and allow for nursing access. Brands: Annee Matthew, Mothers En Vogue, Miravos. The nursing access simply allows for chest coverage. These dresses could also work just by pulling down.</p> <p>Shoes - Be comfortable and have fun, whatever that means for you. You don't need to give up style here as Angie has told us time and time again.</p> <p>Accessories</p> <p>o Necklaces - A lot of people say to stay away from necklaces with babies. A newborn won't be grabbing anything very effectively and I say there's no reason you can't start disciplining your child not to grab your jewelry. I do advise sticking with short chunky necklaces. If it sits closer to your neck, a baby will have a harder time getting it into his mouth and it won't be in the way for nuring.</p> <p>o Scarves - you may or may not want to deal with your baby pulling on your neck. It probably depends on how much of a scarf person you are. But having one handy can be a great cover up.</p> <p>o bags - Have fun with bags whether you get a dedicated nursing bag or a roomy handbag. I just use my handbags as I generally carry only diapers, wipes and a burp cloth. I use a cloth diaper case that makes it easy to transfer between bags. I do have couple of diaper bags which I use when travelling.</p> <p>o If you wear specs, you can't give them up and a watch usually doesn't get in the way.</p> <p>Extra tips:</p> <p>- If you pull down, use a burp cloth or baby blank as you would use a top that you were pulling up. that is, have the burp cloth at the ready on your chest, in your hand to cover yourself or catch drips as necessary.</p> <p>- Baby wipes do wonders on spit up and such if you get to them fairly immediately or maybe even not so immediately. It's like magic as far as my experience goes.</p> <p>- If you are caught in a bind leaking with nothing to absorb it except your clothing, pull up your top and leak near the hem so that the wet spot will end up at your waist instead of on your chest</p> <p>- Either use a nursing cover or practice in front of the mirror for nursing in public.</p> <p>- The most important thing of all-- give yourself a break. Nursing is *not* easy and neither is dressing to nurse. Give yourself plenty of time to practice and enjoy nursing your baby.Thout </p>