Breastfeeding Attire

HaleyMonstah · November 2014

I plan on breast feeding and I'm more so curious on what's easier to wear when doing so. I've bought some nursing bras, but what about a shirt? Any recommendations on nursing tanks that work well and are easy? Are nursing tanks and bras necessary?

Thanks

bhjones1980 · November 2014

I can NOT sing the praises of Bravado nursing tanks enough, I LIVED in them the whole 16 months I BFed DS.

In the summer they were supportive enough to wear out of the house alone and in the winter are a great under layer so you dont have to feel as exposed when nursing.

michelle142 · November 2014

I lived in nursing tanks during maternity leave and while at home after that. I liked the Target ones (Gilligan.. something or other brand).

I wore those mostly with zip-up hoodies at home. When I went out, I would just toss a nicer shirt over the top of the tank - lift that shirt up, pop the flap down on the tank and nurse away.

ETA: I should add that I'm not well-endowed up top. Barely a B-cup even when nursing. So a tank was all the support I needed. When I went back to work, I added a nursing bra underneath the tank.

ordinary1 · November 2014

I just wore a normal bra. I had a hard time finding a good nursing bra that I liked and didn't cost a ton. For clothes, I wore a tank top under all shirts. Pull the shirt up, tank top down, nurse.

Smyers2girls · November 2014

CrazyCornball said:
I think nursing bras are the most important thing. There are lots of decent nursing camis that are nice, too. You just need to able to get your boob out quickly and baby needs access to it. I didn't have a ton of nursing shirts, but I wore my nursing bras 24/7 for almost a year. I also didn't mind lifting up my shirt, because the baby lays across your stomach anyway, so there isn't much to see.

Same. Nursing bras are awesome. I've breast fed all my kids and never spent money on nursing shirts. If I ever wanted some extra coverage, I'd wear a regular cami under my shirt. Not hard to pull the strap down off your shoulder and just pull up your regular shirt.

ColleenS629 · November 2014

I got a bunch of nursing shirts off of diapers.com and Milk Nursingwear. They were super helpful with a nursing bra. At home, I did nursing tanks with zip up sweatshirts over them.

Beth.1212 · November 2014

Nursing bras are a must, IMO. I like the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra, myself.

Different people like different clothes. I like the shirts that are elastic at the neck so they can be pulled down under the breast. I cover them with a zipper or button up sweater, sweatshirt, or fleece. If I'm in public, I just use a nursing cover.

Other women like the tops where they slip their breast through a slot between sewn together layers. I never got the hang of those myself!

I have a couple of these, which are great for wearing under "regular" non-nursing clothes. There'll be times that you just want to dress like a normal woman, not like a nursing mom!

Oem617 · November 2014

I lived in nursing tanks. But it was summer time. Like others said if I wanted to wear a normal shirt, I would just wear it over the tank. When I went back to work and had to pump, I got a couple nursing bras. I would wear any shirt and just lift it up to pump.

@CrazyCornball I wore a dress for Christmas and wanted to nurse my son. I went into another room in the house and was so nervous about family walking in. Dresses are not for nursing. LOL

HaleyMonstah · November 2014

Target is like 99% sold out online..argh!

Where would one buy the Bravado ones? I'm only seeing the nursing bras, not the tanks..

WanderingA · November 2014

I stocked up on nursing bras at Motherhood Maternity. I can't remember the brand but they were buy 3 get 1 free and I still wear them. I have nursing tank tops and those were essential for my summer baby when that would be all I wore as a shirt. Realistically, as long as your tank top is stretchy enough to be able to pull down over your boobs it will be fine. I always wore two layers and would pull the top one up and bottom one down.

michelle142 · November 2014

HaleyMonstah said:

Target is like 99% sold out online..argh!

Where would one buy the Bravado ones? I'm only seeing the nursing bras, not the tanks..

Target always seems to be sold out of those online. Going to your store is probably your best bet.

SaraL1175 · November 2014

CrazyCornball said:
I remember wearing a dress when I went back to work and I was really paranoid that someone was going to walk in my office and get a great view of my whole naked self while pumping. I didn't wear dresses again until I was done BF.

Ditto

Mahmah3 · November 2014

I feel like I had it figured out by my third baby.

. My nursing uniform consisted of stretchy neck shirts and a scarf or cardigan. The Loft had a couple of styles that worked and cowl necks work well. I would just pull my breast out of the top of my regular bra (I couldn't find nursing bras as comfy and fit as well as my regular) and out the top of the shirt, then cover with a scarf or cardigan. Plus, I could nurse while wearing baby in the Ergo. I didn't like to fuss with all the unsnapping and pulling up and down of things.

topolina1215 · November 2014

I bought about 5 nursing tanks in basic colors and then wore a cardigan over them or sweater. Made nursing in public so much easier. When I went back to work, I would usually just wear a nursing bra under a normal work shirt or do the tank and a sweater over it.

MrsTucker2011 · November 2014

Nursing tanks are awesome for layering. I lived in them! Target had some that were pretty inexpensive. Their bras weren't so nice though.

Mahmah3 · November 2014

I have a tank with slits on the side for this purpose and you can see lines under a fitted shirt. Many of my regular tanks have enough stretch to just pull down.

lizzybean · November 2014

I see the Bravado tanks on Amazon! With Prime shipping!

I am investing in a couple of those time around, thanks for the tips ladies.

Looks like they will be more comfortable and appropriate with a zip up sweater (good tip @ColleenS629) when we have all the family staying with us.

HaleyMonstah · November 2014

lizzybean said:

I see the Bravado tanks on Amazon! With Prime shipping!

I am investing in a couple of those time around, thanks for the tips ladies.
Looks like they will be more comfortable and appropriate with a zip up sweater (good tip @ColleenS629) when we have all the family staying with us.

Prime is amazing! Ordering mine now!

smg2302 · November 2014

Can I hijack this for just a second? Would you all mind sharing how busty you are? Typical camisole style tanks never fit me because the girls are too large. Do you find the nursing tanks to cover up larger busts?

lizzybean · November 2014

@smg2302 I haven't bought my Bravado tank yet, but they are advertised as specific bust sizes, not just S,M and L. So that may help the large chest issue?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RV9Q64/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A910SOE1FKRQR

rosieo52 · November 2014

@smg2302 I was wondering the same thing. I've already invested in nursing bras, but am very curious of the nursing tanks. I wear a cami every day under my shirt, so I'm thinking a nursing tank might be a good investment.

psychobutthead · November 2014

Ok ladies so what are some good nursing bras?

I went to motherhood maternity and they hardly had any 40DD bra's in. Also all the sports bra nursing bras that say they fit a size 40DD guess what don't at all.

So other than what MHM offers what brand should I seek out and find?

wintersong139 · November 2014

psychobutthead said:

Ok ladies so what are some good nursing bras?

I went to motherhood maternity and they hardly had any 40DD bra's in. Also all the sports bra nursing bras that say they fit a size 40DD guess what don't at all.

So other than what MHM offers what brand should I seek out and find?

Are you sure you are 40DD? I'm not trying to be condescending, I swear. Victoria's Secret told me I was a 40C, and I just thought that's how bras fit. Then I found out I was a 36DD. (This is all prepregnancy.) You'd think band and cup measurements would be standard, but I don't think they are. I wear different sizes in VS and other brands.

PSA: Motherhood has a bra size calculator that you can plug numbers into to find out your size for their nursing bras. I found out I am now a 38E...which I would NOT have known without doing the measurements myself.

misshart00 · November 2014

This is coming from a 30F while not breast feeding. I can't get normal bra. If you are well endowed, I highly recommend looking for a store that specializes in bras for women that have had mastectomies. They have really good, supportive bras and they helped me find a really good, supportive nursing bra.

I wore that, a normal cami, then a tshirt or something when I breastfed. Shirt up, cami down like PP.

psychobutthead · November 2014

wintersong139 said:

psychobutthead said:

Ok ladies so what are some good nursing bras?

I went to motherhood maternity and they hardly had any 40DD bra's in. Also all the sports bra nursing bras that say they fit a size 40DD guess what don't at all.

So other than what MHM offers what brand should I seek out and find?

Are you sure you are 40DD? I'm not trying to be condescending, I swear. Victoria's Secret told me I was a 40C, and I just thought that's how bras fit. Then I found out I was a 36DD. (This is all prepregnancy.) You'd think band and cup measurements would be standard, but I don't think they are. I wear different sizes in VS and other brands.

PSA: Motherhood has a bra size calculator that you can plug numbers into to find out your size for their nursing bras. I found out I am now a 38E...which I would NOT have known without doing the measurements myself.

Before pregnancy I was measured and I was a 38D. I tried on different band sizes and tried on the D cups and DD. D cups don't fit me they where so tiny it was pathetic. I guess I'll have to find a specialty place.

ordinary1 · November 2014

I was something F and couldn't find nursing bras that fit so I bought normal bras on sale from Lane Bryant. Nursing ruined them, but they worked for the 13 months I nursed.

kismetjess · November 2014

CrazyCornball said:
I remember wearing a dress when I went back to work and I was really paranoid that someone was going to walk in my office and get a great view of my whole naked self while pumping. I didn't wear dresses again until I was done BF.

Been there.

tee18 · November 2014

Target is carrying a lot more nursing gear in store (at least at mine) including a target version bravado bra (like assets is to spanx if that makes sense...).

I lived in nursing tanks. I went bra-less a lot in the beginning because just a nursing tank was so much easier. But, I'm small chested, so it was enough support. As time went on, I got more comfortable with nursing bra and nursing tank, and it was more supportive as things got ...floppier...

I like the bravado tank as well, but I found mine at the thrift store. Score! (I actually have gotten 4 nursing tanks at the thrift store - if you shop at one, check to see if they have a maternity section)

I never bought a nursing specific top. The only reason I would buy nursing clothes is if you will be needing to wear a dress for an occasion.

Beth.1212 · November 2014

krendel1990 said:

Would it be totally weird if I just cut holes in my maternity tanks, Regina George style? Then I could wear a nursing bra, tank, and then a shirt on top and not have to pull down both a nursing tank and bra. Plus I wouldn't have to buy nursing tanks!

@krendel1990 Try the Undercover Mama tanks.

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