April 2019 Moms
gollygeeitsamy
member
Nursing Clothing
gollygeeitsamy
member
I know we have a nursing accessories thread: https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12736845/product-spotlight-nursing-accessories#latest
I was curious if anyone had recommendations on nursing specific clothing, bras, tanks? What brands are good? What styles are helpful? What have you bought already? What would be good to add to hospital bag?
I was curious if anyone had recommendations on nursing specific clothing, bras, tanks? What brands are good? What styles are helpful? What have you bought already? What would be good to add to hospital bag?
Re: Nursing Clothing
I do like my nursing bra (which I'm already wearing), but I can't yet say how it will hold up to the actual event. I just needed a bigger bra and didn't want to buy one that I'd have to get rid of after pregnancy. So, I went stright for the nursing bra.
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bravado-designs-buttercup-convertible-maternity-nursing-bra/4658210?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home/All Results&color=dawn
Bravado Designs in general has pretty good nursing bras / tanks.
I can't recall the brand of any of my legit nursing bras, but these worked GREAT for being comfy at home and ease of boob access. https://www.amazon.com/Genie-Bra-Womens-Twin-Pack/dp/B00B3O4RBU
I am sort of interested in the like, Latched Mama things with the flaps rather than clips down. Anyone used those?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00YYR0BAE?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title
im still trying to figure out nursing bras since not many come in larger sizes. I’m waiting to see if I’ll even be able to nurse this one before really overhauling my wardrobe.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I am already wearing my nursing bra though and I highly recommend finding one that is comfortable. I bought two from Kindred Bravely and love them. I did have a few nursing tank tops to sleep in so I could just drop the clip down for the MOTN feeds. I felt frumpy that first month because of all the cluster feeding so having super loose tanks that were easy pull down were life saving.
Its super frustrating. Insurance will cover a pump so I’ll get that just in case but everything else is just one big question mark.
Although lesson learned on assuming things, I never imagined I wouldn’t be able to BF and surprise.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
As far as nursing clothes go, I have none. I pulled my shirts up to nurse, and if I wore a dress I either had one that unbuttoned in the front, or one with a v neck that could be pulled aside easily.
Funny story though...then there was the time I decided I wanted to buy a gorgeous dress for my BIL’s wedding and that I was NOT going to limit myself to nursing accessible dresses, (aka it was a dress that required nipple pasties instead of a bra) since my baby would be 6 months old and nursing on more of a schedule, so I *should* have been able to disappear into a bathroom when I needed to nurse. Well, the dress was beautiful, but baby was cutting a tooth and wanted to nurse nonstop during the wedding ceremony, which took place in a field 1/2 a mile from any buildings. So I ended up crouched in the woods at the corner of the field, pulling off my nipple pasties while trying to keep the baby from screaming bloody murder, and then ended up getting bitten by fire ants and mosquitoes the whole time. It. Was. Miserable, and I so so so regretted not having a dress (and undergarments!!) I could just quietly nurse in during the ceremony IN my seat. 😂😂😂
@MRDCle I was thinking about getting this dress from Latched Mama but I'm not sure about their other stuff https://latchedmama.com/collections/nursing-dresses/products/latched-mama-drawstring-t-shirt-dress
eta: I also nursed in a carrier sometimes, which also meant that the more layers I had on, the harder it was to get access.
Also, I'm overwhelmed by the options of nursing bras, tanks, etc. I have no clue what I'll want to use! I was looking at comfy nursing bras to sleep in, but then I thought I should probably get something for hands-free pumping and I saw one that could do that but also looks comfy to sleep in.....ugh, too many options drive me crazy.
I also generally slept in a nursing sleep tank. Easier than a nursing bra plus a shirt. Just make sure to get one that will hold your nursing pads in place. I did most of my leaking at night.
Nice to have: clip down nursing tanks with shelf "bra." These keep you covered and only expose what needs to be exposed. They can work overnight to hold nursing pads in, but if your ladies are on the bigger side like mine you will probably need a bra 24/7 anyway.
Didn't work for me: I really hated dedicated nursing clothing with "flaps." It is particularly windy where I live and I lived in constant fear that the flaps would fly up and leave my bra exposed. I prefer the control of clips and knowing my clothing is in the right place.
My go to nursing uniform while on maternity leave: clip down nursing bra (fall away cups), stretchy tank top that I could just pull down, and cardigan.
My go to pumping uniform after I went back to work: clip down nursing bra (more structured with underwires/foam cups), hands free pumping bra (that I would only wear while pumping), camisole that I was able to pull down (kept my torso covered), loose fitting dress/work shirt that I could pull up/take off, and blazer/cardigan.
To the ladies asking about Latched Mama, no idea if this will be helpful or not, so take it or leave it!
I have three tops from that brand. I just got them second hand, so I haven't actually used them yet. All of them are the low-cut criss-cross with a flap over it style. My sister has a nursing dress that's the same style but from a different brand, and she really likes it.
The tops seem pretty high quality. Despite being second-hand from a thrift store, they're in great condition, no pilling (of course, who knows how many times they were actually used before being donated), and none of that thin, see-through crap that's common in knit tops.
I will say the sizing seems to run large. I wear a small in the brand. I have tops in all sorts of sizes, including small, because of the craziness that is women's clothes sizing, but I do tend to wear more mediums and even larges than smalls. My bust size corresponds to a medium on their sizing chart, and I do frequently tend to wear a size smaller than what sizing charts indicate.
Good clip down nursing bras were a must for me though. I have Bravado silk bra and Cake mousse. I may get the Bravado silk cami this time around, too.
I liked the Bravado brand for both bras and nursing tanks. I plan to get more but haven't decided when to buy. They were comfortable and held up pretty well. This time I'm contemplating on buying something in not just the nude color. Having a fun nursing bra might be nice.
That raises a good point though. I should clarify that I used my higher quality nursing tanks when I was going somewhere or if I had company over. But I had some cheap ones I didn’t love, but that basically did the trick, when I was just staying home alone with DD. Because she spit up constantly too, so I needed some tanks and tees that I could wash constantly and not care that they were getting worn out. I think I just got several plain ones from target.
nursing tops: good quality pea in the pod or motherhood are my favorite (personally I don’t wear a bra when I do a nursing tank it’s just to many clips). I wear under a shear kimono style cardigan or at home and for very casual days when it’s 115 degrees here in the summer with shorts.
also love the split side nursing tees I pair with a nursing bralette and high waisted yoga pants or nursing pants (to cover tummy).
https://www.motherhood.com/jessica-simpson-pull-over-side-slit-nursing-top/006-96886-006-001.html?cgid=nursing-tops&dwvar_006-96886-006-001_color=006-96886-01#start=1
https://www.motherhood.com/racerback-nursing-sleep-bra/006-91364-46.html?cgid=nursing-bras&dwvar_006-91364-46_color=006-91364-46#start=1
Latched mama and nursing dresses:
I don’t have any latched mama nursing tops but own and love 4 of their dresses (2 tank and 2 tee shirt style). I think the florals and pattered fabrics wear and look better over time they also hide milk leaks better than solids!!! I put small spandex shorts under because I’m chasing a toddler and sitting on the ground but they are a conservative enough length for me 5’4” and approx 140lbs postpartum/nursing I wear a medium.
https://latchedmama.com/collections/nursing-dresses/products/latched-mama-drawstring-t-shirt-dress
https://latchedmama.com/collections/nursing-dresses/products/latched-mama-drawstring-tank-dress-2-0
i have this cold shoulder dress too it’s very flattering! Would take a shawl or cardigan if you are modest as it’s a bit low cut but so pretty!
https://www.motherhood.com/pull-down-cold-shoulder-nursing-dress/007-93318-000-001.html?dwvar_007-93318-000-001_color=007-93318-01#q=nursing%2Bdress&lang=default&start=1
otherwise v-neck and scoop neck tops that have some stretch, button downs ( I love Henley style shirts and tanks with snap buttons personally).
My climate is way too hot for layers or covers!!!!