Do you know what to wear when breastfeeding? When choosing what to wear when breastfeeding, you want to make sure that your clothes –
- Are not only comfortable but also supportive enough to accommodate those heavy breasts
- Make you feel less self-conscious about the whole process.
Uncomfortable clothes or garments that do not offer enough support might make the experience even more challenging than it already is, especially in the early days when confidence is low. Also, you are still getting used to this new way of feeding your baby.
I suggest you continue reading this blog as I explore some of the best clothing choices for nursing and how they can help make your life a lot easier.
What to Wear When Breastfeeding – Clothes You Should Wear during Post-Pregnancy Period
T-shirts
T-shirts are an easy and versatile foundation for most breastfeeding outfits. You can choose a basic tank top or a shirt with buttons for more coverage when needed. Plus, you can wear t-shirts with almost any type of pants or skirt. So it’s easy to find many outfits to choose from.
Remember that you want to choose a shirt that is soft and comfortable against your skin. Also, it should have a little stretch to allow for the growth of your breasts once you start breastfeeding.
T-shirts are easy to wash and dry quickly. So you can get more wear out of each shirt and not have to do as much laundry. Besides, you can wear them with or without a nursing bra. So they are an excellent option for women looking for more coverage when breastfeeding.
Bras
If you plan on breastfeeding, you’ll need to invest in a couple of good nursing bras. These bras allow you to quickly and discreetly unclip the cup from the rest of the garment to access your breast for feeding.
You can also wear these bras when not breastfeeding your child. After all, you do not have to wear the same t-shirt for days.
These special nursing bras are made with soft and stretchy material suitable for sensitive skin. It will also allow your breasts to grow as they fill with milk. Again, you want to ensure that the cups are roomy enough to accommodate your growing breasts. Although you might not need a nursing bra right away, it’s best to get one early so that you are ready when the time comes.
Button-down shirts
Button-down shirts are another versatile and easy clothing to wear when nursing. You can make the most of this piece of clothing by choosing button-down shirts with a round neckline, giving you the most coverage when breastfeeding.
If your button-down shirt has long sleeves, you can roll them up as needed to make more skin available for feeding.
Unlike t-shirts, button-down shirts are a little more formal. So, you can wear them with a skirt or dress pants for a more professional look.
One thing to remember when choosing button-down shirts for breastfeeding is to choose a fabric that is easy to clean and won’t wrinkle easily. This way, you do not have to spend a lot of time ironing and can just throw your shirt in the laundry.
Cardigans
Cardigans are another outstanding option for breastfeeding clothing in winter, especially if you are looking for an outfit that is a little more formal than a t-shirt and button-down shirt would be.
Cardigans are great because they can be worn with various outfits, whether you are dressing up or down. Additionally, they are easy to put on and take off, which is helpful when breastfeeding.
Some cardigans even have buttonholes on each shoulder. They help you quickly move your garment out of the way while nursing your baby.
If you choose a thicker material, such as wool or cashmere, you can wear your cardigan as a breastfeeding cover without being too hot.
Nursing Shorts
Nursing shorts are a fantastic option for warm weather when you are breastfeeding. These shorts are designed to be easy to pull down and lift up to expose your breast for feeding.
Nursing shorts are usually made of stretchy material. So you do not have to worry about them being too tight. You can choose from a variety of different styles, such as a pair of shorts with an elastic waistband or a pair with an adjustable drawstring. Also, you can find shorts made of different fabrics, such as cotton or spandex.
When wearing nursing shorts, one thing to keep in mind is to ensure they are long enough to cover your bottom. You do not want your shorts ending right at your knees. Instead, they should fall just above or below them.
Maternity Straps
Some women find that their regular bras do not provide enough support after breastfeeding. In this case, maternity or breastfeeding straps can be helpful.
These straps are designed to give more support to your breasts. You can use them in conjunction with your regular nursing bra.
You can also make your own maternity or breastfeeding straps from an old t-shirt by cutting a wide strip from the middle. Then, tie the strip around your back and feed one end through to tie on your breast. It will create a homemade strap to hold your breast up and support your breastfeeding session.
Suppose you choose to purchase a maternity or breastfeeding strap. Then, you can use it in conjunction with your regular nursing bra. Make sure to choose a strap that is long enough to go under your arms to hold your breasts up.
Jogging pants
I assume you are looking for a super-comfy piece of clothing when breastfeeding. Then, a pair of joggers might be the perfect option. These pants are loose, stretchy, and easy to pull down or pull up whenever you need to get your baby to nurse.
Joggers are great because you can wear them with any top. You can choose a t-shirt, nursing top, button-down shirt, or cardigan.
They come in many different fabrics. So you can find a pair made from the fabric you like best.
Although you might feel silly wearing a pair of joggers outside, they are a great outfit for snuggling at home with your baby.
Shorts
You might not think of shorts as ideal clothing for breastfeeding. But it’s actually possible to wear shorts while nursing.
While you should try to find a pair of shorts with an elastic waistband that is loose enough to pull down easily, you do not have to wear maternity shorts.
You can simply choose a pair of shorts that are a little looser than what you usually wear.
Shorts are a good option for warmer weather when you are breastfeeding outside. You can wear shorts with a t-shirt, nursing top, or button-down shirt and be ready for any occasion.
One thing to keep in mind when wearing shorts while breastfeeding is to ensure they are long enough to cover your bottom. You do not want anyone to get an eye full of your nursing.
Wraps and kimonos
If you are looking for a breastfeeding outfit that is a little more stylish, then you’ll want to choose a wrap or kimono.
These garments are usually made of a light and flowing fabric, so they are perfect for warmer weather when you are breastfeeding. Hence, they are easy to pull down or push up to access your breast for feeding.
You can choose wraps or kimonos in various styles and fabrics. So there is a perfect garment for every mother.
You should remind when wearing wraps or kimonos while breastfeeding that they are one-shouldered garments. You might have to pull the garment up slightly to have enough coverage when breastfeeding on one side.
Dressing gown or robe
If you are not in the mood to wear a full outfit when breastfeeding, you can wear a dressing gown or robe.
Dressing gowns are usually one-piece garment that is easy to pull up or push down to make more skin available for breastfeeding.
They can be made of various fabrics. So, you can choose the one that you like best.
You can find dressing gowns in many different styles and colors. They are also machine washable. So, you do not have to spend much time hand-washing your garment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequent queries about wearing clothes during breastfeeding:
- Q. What to wear when breastfeeding at night?
- A nightgown or other comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the breasts is ideal for nighttime breastfeeding.
- Q. What to wear when breastfeeding in public?
- Some tips on what to wear when breastfeeding in public include choosing comfortable and breathable clothing that provides easy access to the breast, wearing a nursing cover if you feel more comfortable, and avoiding loose clothing that could potentially expose more skin than desired.
- Q. What to wear when breastfeeding in summer?
- Typically, it is recommended to wear loose-fitting clothing that can easily be pulled up or down for nursing. You might also consider a nursing cover or scarf for additional modesty.
- Q. What to wear when breastfeeding in winter?
- A nursing mother can wear a regular winter outfit but may need to adjust it slightly to allow easy breast access. A nursing tank top or camisole worn under a sweater or shirt is a good option. Nursing mothers should also avoid wearing tight clothing that could inhibit milk flow.
Conclusion
As a nursing mother, choosing comfortable, breathable, supportive clothing with easy access to the breast is essential.
T-shirts, button-down shirts, cardigans, nursing shorts, and joggers are all great options for nursing mothers.
In warmer weather, loose-fitting clothing is ideal, and in cooler weather, a nursing tank top or camisole worn under a sweater or shirt is a good option.
In addition, it is important to choose fabrics that are easy to clean and won’t wrinkle easily.
Nursing mothers should also avoid wearing tight clothing that could inhibit milk flow.
In this conclusion of what to wear when breastfeeding, I thank all mothers who happily spend time in a stressful job. Thanks for coming to this blog.
Happy Breastfeeding!
Born in Texas, Jennifer loves to spend time with her kids. Often, she shares her thoughts from the experience of being a mother. She focuses on surprising the Momoutfit readers with incredible information. Her vision is being a better mother, a visionary person.