As a breastfeeding new mom, or someone in that fourth trimester, it’s amazing just how many hours a day you spend with your baby attached to your boobs! So having practical clothes which allow you to easily breastfeed anytime, anywhere is essential. We asked mum-of-two and creator of the award-winning Milky Tee breastfeeding top that has loads of star reviews from happy customers, Lauren Hampshire, for her top tips on finding the best breastfeeding tops for you to complement your regular clothes:
We asked mum-of-two and creator of the award-winning Milky Tee breastfeeding tops, Lauren Hampshire, for her top tips on finding the best breastfeeding tops for you to complement your regular clothes.
Ease of use
When you are a nursing mom, they will certainly let you know and often in a rather loud, vocal way! Babies tend not to get a little bit annoyed when it comes to milk time – and that annoyance can rise mightily fast too! So the sooner you can feed them the better.
That means that you don’t want to be faffing around with putting on a cover or having to take off layers or undo buttons. You want to find a top which has quick and easy boob access, whether with a flap, a clip you can easily undo or zips you can quickly pull down. Maternity clothing company Seraphine have a range easy-access nursing tops or if you’re on a budget H&M also have a good selection
Comfort
When choosing breastfeeding clothing you want to make sure it’s comfortable. You may still be swollen from the birth, have a c-section scar, or have painful boobs, so you want to wear tops which don’t cling too much or cut into you. Go for looser more breathable fabrics such as cotton and look for OEKO-TEX or GOTS certification to ensure the fabric is free from any harmful or irritable substances (which is important as they will be close to baby’s sensitive skin).
If feeding in the colder weather you can either use layers and pull up one top and the other down, or you can buy breastfeeding sweatshirts with either horizontal or vertical zips, meaning you don’t have to take off any layers. This Chaos Coordinator breastfeeding sweatshirt has easy access zips on each side and has a brushed fleece interior so you can stay warm and cosy while feeding.
Stylish
Just because you are breastfeeding doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. That’s the best part of shopping around for breastfeeding tops that suite you. Luckily over the last few years breastfeeding fashion has come on in leaps and bounds, with a range of different styles to suit all tastes.
There is an excellent choice of options now, whereas previously many breast-feeding tops were also maternity tops. This meant that they were baggy and didn’t fit well when you no longer have a bump, but now there are ranges of clothes made specifically for breastfeeding, and you can even get occasion dresses made for nursing mamas. Tilbea has a great range of stylish dresses which are made for both pregnant and breastfeeding mamas.
Easily washable
With leakages, spillages and baby spit-ups, it’s likely that your breastfeeding tops will end up covered in quite a few stains so choose good quality tops which are machine washable and ideally suitable for tumble drying. The b-shirt has an easy access flap and is made from 95% cotton, 5% elastane and can be machine washed and tumble dried. This makes it a practical and convenient option for breastfeeding moms.
Breastfeeding can be messy, but that’s just part of the journey. As a new mom, you may find yourself dealing with leakages, spillages and baby spit-ups on a regular basis. And with all the time and energy devoted to caring for your little one, the last thing you want to worry about is ruining your clothes.
That’s where choosing the right breastfeeding tops becomes essential. Not only do they need to be comfortable for both you and your baby, but they also need to be practical and easy to clean. After all, who has time to hand wash delicate garments when there are diapers to change and feedings to be had?
Long-lasting
The length of time you breastfeed may be long or short, but when investing in a breastfeeding top you want to make sure it can be worn even after you finish nursing. Look for tops which are designed to look like normal clothes, either with hidden layers, flaps or hidden zips. These will not only look like normal clothes when you are feeding but it means you can wear them for years after, without anyone knowing they are a breastfeeding top. The Milky Tee breastfeeding top was designed to look like a normal T-shirt but has hidden zips on each side for feeding. The zips are specially sewn to look like side seams so you wouldn’t know it is a feeding T-shirt and can wear it long after you finish feeding.
And to finish…
So those are my top tips for how to choose practical and stylish breastfeeding tops; don’t forget to use that all important nursing bra too as well. You can see the full range of Milky Tee nursing clothing at www.themilkyteecompany.com to help you through your breastfeeding journey.
These tee shirts are great for mums everywhere, to go with your everyday shirts for the cooler months. You need maternity wear that is made from soft material, so that you are feeling comfortable, and ready for anything. Something that gives you a little helping hand; so that you feel you have the perfect fit for you and your baby.
When your little one wants their breast milk, you don’t want to be faffing about with too much soft fabric, which makes the hidden zipper from the Milky Tee turn you into a bit of a nursing queen, potentially 😂.
We know that breastfeeding clothes are a personal choice though, which is why we have given you a few different options. One thing for all of those amazing undercover mama ladies out there to note, is that detachable straps can help these Tees to be even more discreet. Ease of access is everything when you are going about your daily activities with your baby. You don’t want tight clothing, so speedy access is a must. And let’s be real, sometimes breastfeeding can be messy, so having multiple nursing tops on hand is always a good idea.
Our ideas for your nursing clothes includes a variety of different tops for ultimate comfort and convenience. These are perfect for wearing around the house or when you’re running quick errands. We also have loose and flowy shirts that allow easy access to your breasts while keeping you comfortable and stylish. For those who prefer more typical clothing, other ideas are designed to provide support and coverage while allowing discreet nursing through hidden openings.
Don’t be afraid to get what works for YOU
Not only do our suggestions for the best breastfeeding tips make feeding easier and more convenient, they also provide added features such as flattering designs and soft fabrics that accommodate postpartum bodies. From hidden zippers to detachable straps, our options cater to different preferences and styles.
If you’re planning on attending a special event or simply want to dress up your breastfeeding wardrobe, these ideas give you a little more choice into what you might wear. Don’t be afraid to shop around for something that works for you and your baby. It is incredibly important to feel comfortable with your choices when you are breastfeeding.
We really hope you like these easy nursing ideas – here is some more content on KiddyCharts around babies and feeding for you to take a look at:
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For more ideas on breastfeeding on the site, we have more thoughts for you. Do check out some of th recipes on site which are relevant to weaning, including our simple guide to weaning, alongside our tips to help weaning go more easily.
We have some lovely recipes for baby, including these muffins, and some fabulous fat bombs too. it can be difficult to know what to feed your baby, getting that balance between exploring new tastes and textures, and sticking with what they like.
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Helen
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!