Breastfeeding tops - is there anything vaguely nice/fashionable out there?

[FlowerBee]

Hi There,

Have 3 week old and I'm BF, but I don't really want to look like a sack of potatoes for another 9 months!

Didn't forsee the wardrobe requirements of getting norks out when i was preggers, so currently only have a couple of baggy t-shirts (vest top pulled down underneath) and a couple of H&M BF tops. And no chance of venturing out to "try things on".

Is there anything vaguely fashionable/trendy or at least slightly more exciting out there? I miss looking nice. More importantly can i get it online?

Any help most appreciated..

I quite like Mamaway stuff...

I've never owned a breastfeeding top. Strappy tops and cardigans / shirts over the top, that's the way forward.

i have 7 wk old and just where a vest top and normal top over it,

normal smocky type tops or loose and flowy ones rather than special BF tops...get yourself over to the style and beauty thread
they know what's in the shops and where to buy online and like a challenge!

basics are you need to be able to lift it up (to pull your vest down) without ruining the shape of the top
so this idea

or this type of thing

works well. Of course I have no idea about your taste etc, but I hope this shows what I mean. Cheap vests with stretchy spaghetti straps work perfectly.

once you've built up some confidence, you can try the up and over method-made easy with an elle macpherson bra as it is "peephole" style (you can just about see it if you look really closely on this pictire) and covers the top of your breast. By that point you will be able to spot a BF friendly top and even a dress at 10 paces!

Thanks have looked at mamaway and tho limited stock there are some nice things.

Think i'll start looking for the flowy top look tho, quite like that white asos one logrrl, thanks!

this site is always nice, as is this

Frugi have some breastfeeding tops in the sale - I am very tempted...

really lovely and stylish nursingwear brand.

I've never had specialist tops for DS1 or DS2, I just buy lots of dresses/tops/jumpers with deep V necks or crossover necklines, then can pull V down to feed. In public I use a scarf around my neck to reduce the amount of decolletage on show!

Are you advertising yourself Charlotte? You seem to be bumping threads to do it.

I don't really rate special BF clothes tbh. Those tops with flaps and layers look a bit, well, flappy and things with clips on are just a PITA.

Strappy vests to pull down, definitely. In summer I just hoick clothes down/up and wear a vest underneath.

I wear normal wrap tops/dresses too.

I dont care about modesty in the slightest and will feed anywhere, but I hate being cold so for winter BFing I have bought two stretch tops (one black, one jade) from Primark and cut slits in them at boob level, iyswim? So I can wear a V-neck top/dress over them and pull it down to feed but don't actually expose any flesh. You can buy tops with premade holes for boob access but they are £££.

There are maybe one or two nice bf tops out there but on the whole: dowdy. I like tops/dresses/shirts with buttons, and then vest top underneath if I didn't want too much decolletage on show! Wrap dresses good too. Jumper dresses: crap. You will soon get to know, like logrrl says!

White Stuff - does good long tops, some actually have some shape (!) and they all lift up nicely to allow you to feed.

I hated the ones made for breastfeeding especially the hilarious H and M ones with a kind of peep-hole for your nipple to come out of. Looked like something from ann summers and as for the idea it was discreet ..... what were they thinking??!!

Hi

I have worn "bump bands" which I wore while pregnant whilst feeding. They cover you up to just under your bra (and keep you toasty as an added plus) so you can just lift your top. When I started out (10 months ago) I thought I needed BF clothes too but now I just wear whatever, the only exception being dresses. I have always found it easier to lift up my clothes than unfasten down , cos when baby comes off, you havent got as many options for coverage. I also used a bebe au lait nursing shield which I feel was invaluable and allowed me to feel confident about feeding anywhere!:)

I look out for stuff with a low, stretchy or buttoned top and try it on to see if bf is possible in it. If it is, and it's nice, I get it. I have lots of tops, and dresses too, I don't even really think about it any more.

I don't have any proper breastfeeding tops and am a pull-downer rather than a pull-upper.

I also recommend nursing bras with an A-frame like the La Mere by Elle MacPherson because they make me feel less exposed when feeding in public.

I got breastfeeding vests from Figleaves - I think they're Emma Jane ones. Absolutely brill. Tend to flatten your boobs a bit, but worth it as much more comfortable feeding in public when your tummy is covered, and definitely warmer!

might I suggest getting a bebe au lait (can't link as I'm on my mobile). they are brilliant and.means you can wear what you like without flashing but still get lo latched which I found impossible under a scarf.

Mothercare nursing vests are good, especially the tummy control ones. They adapt most outfits for me. Mama feels good do funky t shirts, but they aren't that cheap so I wear nursing vests or bump bands under my pre pregnancy t shirts.

No need for special clothes IMO. Just cover up the exposed bits with a muslin or scarf.

I'm bfing my second child and have never owned a bring top. It's a waste of money! Just make sure your tops are loose enough to pull up or down, and carry a shawl around if you want extra coverage!

Congrats on the birth of you baby!

Oh and it's only been 3 weeks, give it a couple of months and both you and the baby will be experts at bfing. You'll be hoisting your clothes about and whipping your boobs out without a second thought! Hope it all goes well for you and that you thoroughly enjoy being a mum!

Where can you get cheap stretchy vest tops from? I've been looking but can't for the life of me find any.

Partly depends on your size I guess. I shot up from a AA to a D, so just went out and bought a handful of stretchy v necked jumpers from New Look, but I assume it's a bit more challenging if you're a size H.

Hermya - Primark have them atm for £1.50 in black, white and dark grey. They are nice and long too for tucking into tights/trousers in winter [granny emoticon]