The months after a baby’s birth are not generally the time we mamas feel our most attractive. With leaking breasts, tired eyes, and what my preschooler calls “your squishiness” still hanging around, that cute, glowing pregnant woman we once were is a faint memory. Thankfully, today’s designers of nursing wear understand the transitions that accompany the postpartum period and, by utilizing cutting edge and eco-sensitive fabrics, are creating lines that are fashionable and functional.
Since outings may be scarce once baby arrives, Gabrielle Johnson, Buyer for Becoming Mothers maternity boutique in Boulder, Colorado, advises mothers to shop for nursing wear while pregnant, noting, “Many of the maternity companies such as Ripe, Japanese Weekend, and Maternal America, are extremely clever in their designs these days; creating garments that accommodate the growing belly and are functional as nursing tops. These innovative garments, termed “D&A” (during and after) flatter both the pregnant belly and the postpartum tummy while allowing nursing access.”
Editor's note: Becoming Mothers is offering Mindful Mama readers 20% off nursing bras, clothing, accessories, and Medela breastpumps. Use the code NURSING20.
As for sizing, Johnson notes, “Your pre-pregnancy size is your nursing size for standard nursing tops.” But for nursing bras and tanks, she says, “A good way to anticipate correct sizing for nursing tanks, which are sized like bras, is to base it on your pre-pregnancy bra size and add a band width and a cup size.” So, for example, if you are a 34B before pregnancy, you will be a 36C as a nursing mama.
When shopping, Johnson says, “choose styles that have nursing access that makes sense to you, and work well with the nursing bra styles you like.” If this is your first baby, consider whether you’ll want to lift up or pull down your shirt in order to nurse. Bras and tanks often unhook from the top down, though some are designed to flip up.
Here are a few of our favorite designs and companies that we took for a thorough test-drive, assessing styles, fabrics and access options:
Tanks
Nursing tanks offer the support of a bra with the coverage of a tank, perfect for summer days or beneath a cardigan. With natural anti-bacterial properties, bamboo is a sustainable and beautiful fabric option for nursing wear. Both of these are easily accessible with one hand for ‘nurse-me-now’ moments.
Bravado’s Essential Nursing Bra Tank in Bamboo offers drop cup style access in a bamboo/cotton/spandex blend that is silky on the skin. The V-neck tank is gathered at the centerline, cleverly diminishing the visibility of nursing pads, and a longer length A-line bodice is flattering to postpartum tummies.
Trimmed in lace, Medela’s Bamboo Nursing Camisole has a higher neckline for a modest feminine look.
Loungewear
Since nursing is an around-the-clock endeavor for the first few months of your baby’s life, comfortable, supportive nightgowns and PJs designed for nursing are a must.
Bella Materna offers the Cadillac—or make that, the Prius—of nursing nightgowns, the Anytime Nursing Gown. Made from Oeko-Tex certified Italian nylon/Lycra fabric that is breathable, quick-drying and toxin-free, this gown could easily do double duty at a cocktail party. Slide over cups make nighttime nursing a breeze, while a built-in bra provides comfortable support.
Japanese Weekend’s Nursing Nightgown is a more budget-friendly, and equally darling, choice. The short sleeved gown hits at knee length, and is made from a cotton-spandex blend that allows for ease of movement and a flattering fit. Like many of JW’s garments, the gown is designed as a D&A piece and, as above, it could easily be worn as a dress, allowing you to get even more bang for your buck.
Expressiva’s Empire Waist Capri Loungewear set offers total coverage in cozy 100% organic cotton. Organic cotton gets softer with each washing, which makes those midnight spit-ups a bit more forgiving.
Tops
Fashion-forward label Japanese Weekend combines thoughtful fabric choices including organic cotton, bamboo, and cotton/poly/spandex blends with creative access options resulting in clothing that is as beautiful as it is nursing-friendly. Though most of their styles are designed for D&A, some of their tops could easily be worn post-weaning.
Other favorites include the bamboo blend Hug A Boo Slit Front Top with its flattering empire waist, tunic length and midline slit providing easy but discreet access to either breast.
For the earth mama in you, the Organic D&A Nursing Top has a double-layered crossover v-neck design and elbow-length sleeves in luxurious organic cotton.
The nursing wear divas at Expressiva, offer breast-feeding mamas a multitude of choices from swimwear to dresses. Many styles are available in organic cotton or bamboo blends, including the adorable Peasant Top. Featuring cap sleeves and a gathered scoop neckline, this shirt utilizes a second layer to keep you covered while you lift from the hem to nurse, and the lightweight organic cotton is oh-so-comfy.
Although nursing wear fashion can’t remove those circles from beneath your eyes or make that ‘squishiness’ really disappear, its clear that well-designed garments do make breast-feeding at home and on the go more comfortable and convenient. And in the sometimes challenging moments that accompany the postpartum period, comfort and convenience make a big difference.
Tanya Triber is a freelance writer, licensed massage therapist and devoted mama. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, Charles, and their two darling daughters, Ella and Shiloh.
Photography courtesy of Cara Freije.