Fashion Tips for Breastfeeding Moms
On top of breastfeeding being a huge challenge, so was finding clothes to accommodate it! If your baby is struggling with latching try using an infant pacifier. The Ingy Bingy Band, a pacifier wristband, is a great accessory to get to help encourage this sucking without pressure.
After you have a baby everything changes. One of those things is your body. I remember feeling uncomfortable and awkward in all my clothes. Maternity clothes didn’t fit, but my pre-pregnancy clothes didn’t either.
I felt like I needed to buy a whole new wardrobe postpartum! As I went to shop for a new wardrobe (which I hadn’t budgeted for) I realized I had some restrictions due to breastfeeding. On top of breastfeeding being a huge challenge, so was finding clothes to accommodate it!
Side Note on Breastfeeding: If your baby is struggling with latching try using an infant pacifier. A newborn pacifier can help your baby practice the sucking motion without the pressure or stress of trying to feed.
The Ingy Bingy Band is a great accessory to get to help encourage this sucking without pressure. It is a pacifier wristband that velcros around baby’s wrist. It’s safer than a pacifier clip because there are no small loose parts that can become choking hazards. The best part is that by around 4 months they can find the pacifier all on their own using the wristband! Until then, the Ingy Bingy Band will help save your sanity so that you’re not constantly looking for the pacifier when it falls out!
Must have Breastfeeding Clothing Items
- Nursing Bra: The early days of breastfeeding are tough! You will want several nursing bras to make nursing quicker and easier!
- Pumping Bra: If you are a working mom or plan to exclusively pump you will want a pumping bra. This will allow you to be hands free and still work, read, or scroll mindlessly while pumping that liquid gold for your baby!
- Nursing Tank Tops: These are perfect for layering, but I loved them for the early newborn stage around the house. No fumbling with extra clothing items, just unclip, feed, and clip it back in when you’re done!
- Button Up Tops: Button up tops are great for all seasons, but especially for those winter babies. They make breastfeeding easy and accessible quickly! Items like flannels are also great loose fitting tops to wear it your nipples need a little break from the rub of a bra!
How to Save Money on Clothing for Breastfeeding
- You don’t need it all!: Don’t fall into the trap that you need to breastfeed in only items labled “nursing.” These clothing items will make nursing much easier, but they are more expensive. You can always wear regular t-shirts, blouses/etc. and just lift them up to nurse. They aren’t as discrete, but it cuts down the cost.
- Thrift: Check the maternity section at your local thrift stores or search Facebook Marketplace before you buy new!
- Borrow: If you have a close friend who is in between babies ask if you can borrow a couple items! Forwarning that breastfeeding is messy and it might not be the ideal option, but if you are on a super tight budget, it never hurts to ask!
Best Places to Shop for Nursing Friendly Clothing
$=cheapest
$$= moderately priced
$$$= very expensive
- Target ($)
- Old Navy ($)
- H&M ($)
- PinkBlush Maternity ($$)
- Motherhood Maternity ($$)
- Latched Mama ($$)
- Hatch Collection ($$$)
- A Pea in a Pod ($$$)
- Loyal Hanna ($$$)