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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand why nursing clothing comes in a maternity fit??

50 replies

Aliveinwanderland · 18/02/2017 08:15

I feel like I'm missing something obvious...

The majority of people who are breastfeeding have recently had a baby and are therefore not pregnant- so why is most of the nursing clothing I can find a maternity fit?

I'm not pregnant- I'm breastfeeding my 4 month old and want to wear a nice fitting dress that I can feed in!

OP posts:
GinGinGin · 18/02/2017 08:18

Fatface or white stuff clothing is fab - most of it is buttoned or generous fit. You don't need nursing clothes - either wear stuff that is buttoned or do the vest trick - where a vest under your top and pull the top up and vest down. Voila!

OhhBetty · 18/02/2017 08:19

Many people are still carrying pregnancy weight so maternity fit may be more comfy. And obviously a few people may be pregnant.

OhhBetty · 18/02/2017 08:20

Fwiw I never bought nursing clothes as I think they're a waste of money.

Zippidydoodah · 18/02/2017 08:21

Absolutely agree, op! It used to really bug me. I'm sure there are many, MANY more people who are breastfeeding and not pregnant, than bf and pregnant, yet all the tops etc have baggy bump shaped fronts. Mad.

BWatchWatcher · 18/02/2017 08:22

I just bought a lot of long vests from H&M. Put on vest, put on long sleeved jersey top. Baby wants to feed. Reach under long sleeved top, free breast (from normal bra hahaha). Breast is concealed under hoiked up long sleeved top, tummy is kept warm with vest. Ta-dah!

Zippidydoodah · 18/02/2017 08:22

I suppose it caters for the early days after giving birth when you still have a bump....but for the cost of a nursing top, you'd want it to last longer than that!

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 18/02/2017 08:23

I didn't have weight to lose either time so did the vest trick described above.
The only dress I successfully fed in was a wrap dress - I sort of maneuvered the neckline over my boob and unclipped my bra. However most wrap dresses didn't fit me as my boobs are far too small for them!

MyGreenSofa · 18/02/2017 08:24

I think it's meant to be because the clothes are designed for both maternity wear & nursing, so you get more wear out of them especially as they tend to be expensive. Of course not helpful if you're only buying once you're nursing!

Cel982 · 18/02/2017 08:27

It drives me mad as well, OP. I suppose so few people breastfeed for a significant length of time that the manufacturers feel they wouldn't be able to sell exclusively nursing clothes, so combine them with maternity wear. Like others here I gave up on nursing clothes and just wear cheap vests I can pull down under my ordinary tops. Wish there was more choice, though.

PinPon · 18/02/2017 08:30

I understand your frustration. Still remember how pleased I was to find nursing clothes that fitted properly. Have you tried Boob nursing wear? They do both maternity and non-maternity fit and are just perfect: www.boobdesign.com/shop/i-am-looking-for/nursing-clothes

MrsMeeseeks · 18/02/2017 08:30

Maybe because most people who breastfeed do so for a short time and they still have their post-birth shape?

I agree that there should be more choice, and also more smart/evening maternity wear.

witsender · 18/02/2017 08:33

Most people I know only bought nursing clothes in the early days before they realised they didn't need it. When you're carried away in the buying spree that is new motherhood, when you get all that stuff in advance that you don't need! At that point you still need space for excess tummy

witsender · 18/02/2017 08:34

Also I suspect it is just manufacturers trying for a bit more longevity, so effectively they are maternity clothes with nursing features.

CigarsofthePharoahs · 18/02/2017 08:35

It took six sodding months for my post c-section tum to go down. Baggy tops were comfy!
I would have loved to wear something a bit less frumpy though.

Belager · 18/02/2017 08:37

I'm still nursing at 7 months and have a lot of excess weight still.

skerrywind · 18/02/2017 08:38

Breastfeeding clothes are a waste of money.

I have breastfed for 5 years- if you make wise choices all shops stock clothes suitable for breastfeeding.

Don't waste your money.

foxessocks · 18/02/2017 08:41

Op there is a fab Facebook page called can I breastfeed in it where people post great outfits that are breastfeeding friendly. Some are proper nursing wear but most are just normal clothes from high Street shops. I've found some great wrap dresses, shirts and dungaree dresses that way, all easy to feed in.

Original poster
Aliveinwanderland · 18/02/2017 08:45

I don't usually buy nursing clothing, just have a vest too under normal tops and do one up one down.

However I'm going to a wedding soon and want a nice dress. I don't like baring all when feeding so am looking for a suitable dress that is discreet, but not a maternity fit as I am a size 8 with no stomach. I was very lucky that I didn't put on my weight during pregnancy and lost my stomach within 2 weeks of giving birth.

I've joined the Facebook group but find lots of people just post pictures of normal dresses that they wack a boob out of- not really my style.

OP posts:
skankingpiglet · 18/02/2017 08:53

This drives me nuts too. This time I've just bought some bf vest tops from H&M, which are not a maternity fit, cheap, and have worked through all seasons (teamed with non-nursing jumpers and cardis over winter).

GieryFas · 18/02/2017 08:55

Mamaway did some really nice quality breastfeeding clothes a few years ago - have you looked at them?

DuggeeHugs · 18/02/2017 08:57

I'm nursing my 18 month old and pregnant with DC2, there are a few off us about who need maternity and nursing at the same time!

SoupDragon · 18/02/2017 08:57

I went for a top and skirt when I was breastfeeding at a wedding. I think dresses will always be problematical, especially when you want something weddingy.

RedBugMug · 18/02/2017 09:01

I just got something with buttons on the top for a wedding when bf.

BaggyCheeks · 18/02/2017 09:04

I wore a top and skirt when I was breastfeeding at a wedding. I wanted to find something wrap-style, but wasn't having much luck. And I wasn't going to buy that Lindybop dress that ALWAYS gets suggested.

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/02/2017 09:19

I used a shawl when I went to a posh christening. So dressy. I then wore what I wanted. BF for 2.5 years. Never bought feeding clothes apart from some very ugly bras.