What clothing to breastfeed? The essentials to have in your wardrobe

Breastfeeding your baby is a unique and enriching experience, but it also requires a little adaptation in terms of clothing. Indeed, it is not always easy to find clothes that are comfortable, practical and elegant for breastfeeding with complete discretion and simplicity. Fortunately, today there are many brands that offer clothing specially designed for breastfeeding mothers, with ingenious and discreet opening systems, soft and breathable materials, and cuts adapted to the postpartum body shape. In this article, we present to you the three essential types of nursing clothes to have in your wardrobe: nursing bras, blouses and dresses.

Nursing bras

Source: Lily Milkala absorbent bra

The nursing bra is the first item of clothing to choose carefully when breastfeeding. It must provide good support for the chest, which changes in volume throughout the day, while being easy to open and close with one hand. It must also be comfortable and soft to avoid irritation or cracks in the nipples. Finally, it must be adapted to the size and shape of the chest, without compressing or hurting the breasts.

There are different types of nursing bras, depending on the needs and preferences of each mother:

• The underwired bra: it offers good support and a nice curve of the chest, but you must ensure that it is well adjusted and that it does not compress the milk ducts, which could cause engorgement or mastitis. It is advisable to choose a model with soft or flexible underwires, which adapt to variations in breast volume.

• The bra without underwire: it is more comfortable and more flexible than the underwire bra, but it offers less support and shape to the chest. It is ideal for small or medium busts, or for relaxing moments at home.

• The nighttime nursing bra: it is designed to be worn while sleeping, to protect the breasts from leaking milk and to keep the nursing pads in place. It is generally without underwire, without seams and without staples, to offer maximum comfort and softness.

• The sports nursing bra: it is specially designed for mothers who practice physical activity while breastfeeding. It offers reinforced support and good breathability, while allowing easy access to the breast. It often has wide, adjustable straps, a racerback or crossover back, and technical fabric that wicks away perspiration.

Some examples of brands that offer quality nursing bras:

• F'Latté : this brand offers absorbent nursing bras, which prevent milk leaks and irritation. They are designed to be comfortable and feminine, with lightweight lace and colorful patterns. They are made in Europe from top quality materials.
• Mama Hangs : this brand offers innovative nursing bras, which incorporate a baby carrying system. They are designed to be practical and ergonomic, with adjustable straps and opening clips. They are made in France from GOTS certified organic cotton.
• MiL'Kala : this brand offers evolving nursing bras, which adapt to changes in the chest during and after pregnancy. They are designed to be soft and breathable, with natural materials like bamboo or modal. They are made in France from Oeko-Tex certified fabrics.

Nursing blouses

The nursing blouse is a versatile and elegant piece of clothing that can be worn both in the office and out. It makes breastfeeding easy thanks to discreet openings, which can be located at the chest, shoulders, sides or front. There are nursing blouses in different styles, colors and patterns, to suit all desires and all seasons.

There are several advantages to wearing a nursing blouse:

• It is easy to match with pants, skirts or jeans, depending on the look you want.

• It is comfortable and light, and lets the skin breathe.

• It is scalable and can be worn during pregnancy and after breastfeeding.

• It is flattering for the figure and hides small postpartum curves.

If you are looking for a nursing blouse that is both chic and comfortable, I recommend the Charlotte model from Cotton Milk. This pretty Oeko-Tex® and GOTS® certified organic cotton gauze blouse has a V-neck and two lines of ruffles that perfectly hide the nursing openings.

Nursing dresses

The nursing dress is a feminine and practical garment, which allows you to get dressed in the blink of an eye and feel beautiful in all circumstances. It offers easy access to the breast thanks to clever openings, which can be located at the neckline, bust, waist or sleeves. It comes in different models, lengths and materials, to suit all styles and all seasons.

There are several advantages to wearing a nursing dress:

• It is comfortable and fluid, and does not tighten the stomach.

• It's easy to put on and take off, without the need to coordinate multiple pieces.

• It is elegant and highlights the mother's curves.

• It is scalable and can be worn during pregnancy and after breastfeeding.

If you are looking for nursing dresses that are both chic and comfortable, I recommend the Carmen and Constance models from Cotton Milk. These pretty dresses in Oeko-Tex® certified natural cotton have invisible zips that allow you to breastfeed discreetly, with feminine cuts that adapt to all body shapes. They come in several colors and patterns, such as burgundy with gold polka dots, duck blue, marsala pink or plain black.

Conclusion :

Breastfeeding your baby is a unique and enriching experience, but it also requires a little adaptation in terms of clothing. Indeed, it is not always easy to find clothes that are comfortable, practical and elegant for breastfeeding with complete discretion and simplicity.

In this article, we have presented to you the three essential types of nursing clothes to have in your wardrobe: nursing bras, blouses and dresses.

We hope that these tips will help you choose the clothes and accessories that suit you best, and fully experience this special time with your baby.

Don’t hesitate to let us know your opinions or questions in the comments!

Discover all our articles on breastfeeding in our newspaper ,
as well as our eco-designed nursing clothes in Europe on our store .
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