Best Nursing Clothing

Most of us just want to get back into our pre-baby wardrobe as soon as possible after birth, but most tops and dresses, let alone bras, aren’t super-functional for breastfeeding. So we turned to Amanda Cole, owner of the NYC-based breastfeeding specialty store Yummy Mummy, who’s also a lactation educator and mom of two, for some advice on buying a nursing-friendly wardrobe. 

When and What to Buy

Cole suggests that when an expectant mom starts to outgrow her regular bras, she consider buying a nursing bra instead of a regular one in a larger size. Although she may ultimately continue to grow past that size, once her breasts settle down after the first few weeks of nursing, it may come in handy. For moms who are in the their final weeks of pregnancy, Cole advises buying a couple of soft-cup daytime nursing bras and one sleep bra in styles that have a lot of give, to allow for comfort when milk is coming in and the breasts are engorged. Those bras should carry a new mom through the first month, at which time she might want to get fitted for a new bra if she doesn’t have one that works, since her breasts will have settled into a more regular size for the duration of breastfeeding.

According to Cole, moms should look for comfortable and supportive bras in a soft, breathable fabric, since nursing can make some women run warm. If you rocked gorgeous lingerie pre-baby, there’s no reason why you can’t do the same post-baby, since there are a variety of sexy nursing styles these days.

Read on for our top picks for nursing apparel.

Plus:
Overcoming Common Breastfeeding Challenges
36 Tips for Breastfeeding Success