Nursing clothes help

[mcktymck]

So I've fallen into a nursing clothing spiral and need help. For STMs (and 3TMs) that nursed, did you wear special nursing clothes or did you just where what you already had in your closet? I have nursing bras and can't get it out of my head that I need to also have nursing tops, but then something else pops up telling me that they're just a waste of money and to wear what I have. I just don't want to spend money if it's not really necessary. I also purchased a Nurselet to help keep my tops up/down. Any thoughts? What are you planning on doing?

[katelou]

I really liked nursing tanks for the early days:
www.target.com/p/bravado-designs-women-s-dream-nursing-tank/-/A-50553837


I could put a cardigan over it and it looked like an actual outfit. Other than that I didn't find that I needed nursing-specific clothes.

Wrap dresses or wrap shirts are also good, so are V-neck shirts or dresses that are made of fabric that doesn't stretch out easily. I had some cheap scoop neck tanks with elastic in the necklines from Target and they were amazing. Button-down shirts are also good although I cannot be bothered with them in the summer.

I don't remember if you plan to go back to work, but I found that once I went back to work and was pumping, I just wore whatever because it didn't matter if I looked indecent in my private pumping room.

[mcktymck]

katelou your post made me feel better, I was starting to get really overwhelmed with everything that's out on the market today haha. I work from home so the only time I would really need nursing appropriate tops is for when we're out and about. I'll have to get a couple of the nursing tank tops, thank you!

[ellebelle]

I lived in nursing tanks with a cardigan or button down over top. I had two nursing bras that I barely used. I just found the tanks much more convenient and I felt like they covered me up better (belly especially!).

[mcktymck]

May 26, 2016 16:41:00 GMT -5 ellebelle said:

I lived in nursing tanks with a cardigan or button down over top. I had two nursing bras that I barely used. I just found the tanks much more convenient and I felt like they covered me up better (belly especially!).

That's the one thing that's important to me, being covered up. I plan on using a swaddling blanket as a cover as well but still, don't want to risk anything accidentally showing!

[glaze]

The only nursing clothes I've ever had are bras and a nursing gown my mom bought me.

Otherwise I second the v-necks and all that jazz. I'm the type who almost always wears a tank top under everything so either I would pull my shirt down or if I was wearing a shirt that I couldn't pull down I'd pull it up but still have the tank top down to cover my stomach. If that makes sense? I could see getting nursing ones if you wanted a little more coverage above the boob but I've never had an issue.

[glaze]

Also just wanted to add that the Udder Cover nursing covers that have the wire top part so you can see the baby and there's an air hole are awesome.

[melody330]

With ds I always wore a tank under whatever shirt I felt like wearing. I could pull the top shirt up, and still have my belly covered.

I'm more concerned about showing my stomach to people. It way worse than showing a small bit of boob at this point.

Since it will be the dead of summer here, I plan on just wearing sun dresses and pulling down my top. NIP was one of the scariest things I've ever done, and after 2 years of doing it, I'm at the IDGAF phase.

Eta: I did but one "nursing" dress, and I liked it. It was expensive and as soon as I washed it it was basically ruined. I wouldn't spend the extra money on nursing tops. Tanks? Yes. Bras? Yes. Sweaters or dresses? Nope

[mcktymck]

I'm liking the idea of wearing a tank top under my tops and just pulling one up and one down. This is why I asked you all what you do, I started researching and it became information overload! haha

[cabbagecabbage]

I bought very few nursing clothes branded as nursing clothes but I definitely needed a special wardrobe. Post partum bodies are weird and different anyway, so you'll be buying some new stuff no matter what even of you're at pre-baby weight. I liked nursing tanks a lot. I had 4 or 5 that I wore constantly. I waited about 6 weeks for my huge boons to regulate then I went and got fitted at a fancy mom boutique for 1 nice nude nursing bra that I wore whenever I had to do real stuff in the first few months.

Other than that, I lived in a nursing tank with one of the following on top: a surplice top, a wrap top, a cardigan, a zippered hoodie, a snap front men's flannel shirt (love them for nursing jammies), or a deep plunging neckline. My boobs were a 38F but milk is like nature's implants and mine were perky as can be, so I could go out in a tank just fine (not nursing, you wouldn't catch me dead in public braless) When I found a cute wrap front tee at target or wherever, I'd buy 2 or 3 colors. Nursing specific clothes are so expensive. After a bit, I could look at anything and know if I could nurse in it. Shirt dress, wrap dress, jersey tank dress, all pretty nursing friendly. As she got bigger, I moved into regular bras when we were still nursing a few times a day.

[comicSans]

+1 nursing tanks & shirt over top. Outer shirt up, boob flap down, mostly covered.

[willow]

I fully plan on BFing but reading up on all the tanks, bras, creams, pads, milk storage, etc, I get so overwhelmed and want to give up before it's even started. lol.

[littlesthobo]

With DS I also did the one shirt up, one shirt down thing and it worked great with a nursing bra. I bought my nursing bras from Target, I actually found one that was lacy and sexy and didn't look like a nursing bra at all!

Nursing tanks are great for the first few weeks when you're figuring it out. Definitely throw one in your hospital bag. I wore those the first few weeks until my milk came in and I could figure out what size my boobs were. Don't rush out to buy bras just yet. My B cups ended up as Ds!

[rungirlrun]

Yep another vote for nursing tank with regular top over it. I had a handful of nursing tops that I wore with nursing bras, but they weren't cute and I felt frumpy. I'll stick to the tanks this time around just so I have more clothing options.

And for FTM's whether you use a coverup or not, I don't care, but if you're comfortable, don't be afraid to not use one. I used one a few times but found it more difficult to nurse so I opted to not use one. Both DS and I were more comfortable and I wasn't flashing anyone. And we all read horror stories of nursing moms being yelled at to cover up, but I never once had that experience. People either didn't notice what I was doing or didn't care, and I nursed in public A LOT (DS ate every 1.5 hrs and I'm not a homebody so I nursed everywhere).

[rungirlrun]

littlesthobo, I hear ya. My small B's became DD's! I could have been a porn star.

willow, nursing was one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's so overwhelming at first. I cried so much during the first couple of weeks. But once we both got the hang of it, I loved it, and it was so easy (probably easier than bottles). So if it's important to you, hang in there.

[tikoberry99]

mcktymck I bought 2 nursing tanks from target. After this post I think I might need to get a few more!

[glaze]

littlesthobo I got all my nursing bras from target too and I love them! I had one that was from a more expensive place and I never wore it because the target ones were better.

[glaze]

May 26, 2016 18:38:25 GMT -5 rungirlrun said:

Yep another vote for nursing tank with regular top over it. I had a handful of nursing tops that I wore with nursing bras, but they weren't cute and I felt frumpy. I'll stick to the tanks this time around just so I have more clothing options.

And for FTM's whether you use a coverup or not, I don't care, but if you're comfortable, don't be afraid to not use one. I used one a few times but found it more difficult to nurse so I opted to not use one. Both DS and I were more comfortable and I wasn't flashing anyone. And we all read horror stories of nursing moms being yelled at to cover up, but I never once had that experience. People either didn't notice what I was doing or didn't care, and I nursed in public A LOT (DS ate every 1.5 hrs and I'm not a homebody so I nursed everywhere).

I've also never had a bad experience while nursing in public without a cover. Once you get the hang of it I feel like people don't even notice what you're doing. I don't know anyone IRL who has ever had an issue with it so I agree not to let the horror stories scare you!

[cabbagecabbage]

+1 for no bad nursing experiences. I got tons of smiles from older ladies and the occasional teen boy would look away as soon as he realized, like he'd been caught being bad, which was funny. Most people never noticed. After a few weeks I never covered up either but you always can.

willow, just start small. You just need a couple tanks, breast pads, cream or lanolin, and lots of water to start. Oh, and a strong support network! Like anything else, it builds. Heck, nobody knows how to formula feed intuitively either. Feeding babies is a learning process but you do it a day at a time.

[jewelsofthenile]

I wore undercover mama tanks pretty much everyday (they are tanks without the straps ans clip to the nursing bra). Besides nursing bras that was the only nursing specific clothes i had. Most of the pads, creams are not needed after a while. Nursing gets easier everyday.
I also never had a bad experience nursing in public. Most people dont know whats going on.

[mcktymck]

I'm a very modest person so I just plan on covering up because of that. I didn't buy a nursing cover though, just plan on having and Aden & Anais muslin blanket in the diaper bag and will use that as a cover among other things. Who knows though, maybe I'll get sick of it and say screw it, and start nursing uncovered once I get the hang of it haha

[reesarice]

I usually just wore a regular, stretchy tank under everything. I liked forever 21 best. But I didn't think of doing a nursing tank without a bra. I might have to try that!! Also agree with the finding clothes that are non nursing because that stuff is mad expensive!!!

[madamewaffles]

I am just starting out with 2 nursing bras and a nursing nightgown and going from there. I plan on being home for the first few weeks to get a hang of a baby eating from my bazongas anyway, so I have a feeling I'll mostly be wearing just the bras and stretchy pants at home anyway.

[willow]

I am living at my parents house and until my brothers go back to college, there will be 5 of us in the house for the baby's first month. I hate that I won't feel comfortable unless I'm in my room by myself without significant coverup on, because for some reason boob exposure to my brothers and dad would feel more embarrassing than a stranger. Bah.

[melody330]

May 27, 2016 12:17:13 GMT -5 willow said:

I am living at my parents house and until my brothers go back to college, there will be 5 of us in the house for the baby's first month. I hate that I won't feel comfortable unless I'm in my room by myself without significant coverup on, because for some reason boob exposure to my brothers and dad would feel more embarrassing than a stranger. Bah.

I felt this way in the beginning as well. It was easier for me to practice in front of strangers than family. For the first month or so my father would get up and walk away when I nursed, but that got old quick and he is in the don't give a fuck phase. Do what makes you comfortable, others will adjust.

Those first few weeks are hard because you basically need to have six arms and a boob totally exposed to get baby to have a good latch. It gets easier, I promise!

[willow]

May 27, 2016 12:35:38 GMT -5 melody330 said:

May 27, 2016 12:17:13 GMT -5 willow said:

I am living at my parents house and until my brothers go back to college, there will be 5 of us in the house for the baby's first month. I hate that I won't feel comfortable unless I'm in my room by myself without significant coverup on, because for some reason boob exposure to my brothers and dad would feel more embarrassing than a stranger. Bah.

I felt this way in the beginning as well. It was easier for me to practice in front of strangers than family. For the first month or so my father would get up and walk away when I nursed, but that got old quick and he is in the don't give a fuck phase. Do what makes you comfortable, others will adjust.

Those first few weeks are hard because you basically need to have six arms and a boob totally exposed to get baby to have a good latch. It gets easier, I promise!

I know my brothers probably would never get comfortable with it --
They are college aged boys after all lol -- and I don't think I would either. My dad probably wouldn't care. It's more my own comfort level. I'm just bummed that my own modesty will make it so that I will need to cover up everywhere but my own bedroom.

[melody330]

May 27, 2016 12:55:23 GMT -5 willow said:

May 27, 2016 12:35:38 GMT -5 melody330 said:

I felt this way in the beginning as well. It was easier for me to practice in front of strangers than family. For the first month or so my father would get up and walk away when I nursed, but that got old quick and he is in the don't give a fuck phase. Do what makes you comfortable, others will adjust.

Those first few weeks are hard because you basically need to have six arms and a boob totally exposed to get baby to have a good latch. It gets easier, I promise!

I know my brothers probably would never get comfortable with it --
They are college aged boys after all lol -- and I don't think I would either. My dad probably wouldn't care. It's more my own comfort level. I'm just bummed that my own modesty will make it so that I will need to cover up everywhere but my own bedroom.

There is no wrong way to nurse! However you are comfortable is the right way.

Tbh I was very very scared of NIP and needed to be covered up when I first started. It changed for me, and I was kind of shocked. It might not be that way for you and that's fine. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about how you feed your LO! Sometimes I felt like I was doing everything wrong. There is no wrong way to feed your baby, and it's hard to remember that sometimes.