When will I get back to my style if I breastfeed?

[Duv]

Hi I'm currently pregnant with my first and planning to breastfeed until I go back to work (so probably about 9-12 months). I know it may seem silly but I've been starting to get a little down about how long it will be before I can wear clothes that make me feel like me. I've been trying to be mindful when my maternity friendly clothes of items that will transition to nursing well, but really I'm missing my old style and dresses. As I've got bigger I've been packing away my beautiful fitted dresses and I keep thinking, this would be impossible to breastfeed in (think high neck dresses, no buttons down the front) so realistically how long will it before I can wear something like this. Pregnancy +1 years breastfeeding basically means nearly 2 years omitting a lot of stuff that I love wearing. If I have second child then will I basically just eradicate this from my style altogether...

Am I right in thinking I basically won't be wearing this sort of thing until I'm done and dusted with breastfeeding or is it more feasible as baby gets older because they breastfeed less frequently? How frequently do 6-12month olds nurse/how frequently do you pump at that stage?

See images for an idea of the sort of styles I'm assuming will be impractical

You can buy some additional similar?
Ie I have a few like that pink one in style, boden, that have a few buttons also at front. I bought them when Ds was born 3 years ago. Fed him until 18 months. Now just wear the dresses still as they aren’t special nursing ones.

Ds fed all day until about 12 months, 12-18 months just first and last thing so only at home, usually when I was still in pjs.

I said I'm planning to, obviously I don't know what will happen, but I don't think there's anything wrong with having a plan and intention.

I'm not sure it's helpful to comment that someone's concern is ridiculous. It's certainly not a deciding factor in my decision to breastfeed (which I've already decided I want to do unless I can't or it becomes impossibly painful or something medical comes up), but clothing is a significant part of many people's identity and can make you feel like yourself. It might not be for you but I don't think it's helpful to tell someone else they shouldn't care about it. I decide what concerns me!

I would ignore the comment above, people are entitled to worry about whatever they want, and obviously being a first time mum you will have lots of questions to try and prepare yourself. I didn't consider my personal style until after my first was a few months old and I was feeling really down about myself and it was worse when I couldn't find suitable clothing so you are brilliant for doing this research beforehand.

There are some lovely nursing dresses out there, the green and pink dresses are styles and fits that I have seen with hidden zips for nursing. My youngest is now 5 months and is feeding on a predictable ISH schedule so I know I have X amount of hours that I could wear an impractical outfit before I would need to worry about it. I know not all babies become predictable feeders but that's just my experience with my three babies.

Good luck and again well done for thinking about your own wellbeing in all of this - too often mothers get 'lost' but you are human too and will still have needs.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question but I'd think the answer is until you stop breastfeeding or when/if you start giving bottles alongside breastfeeding. As they get older and start eating solids they don't need as regular feeds but this seems child dependent too. I stopped at 7 months but just going from my friends who never gave bottles and are breastfeeding 1-2 year olds their little ones still like to breastfeed on demand when out and about and will be pulling at their mothers tops when they want a feed.

I never bought any kind of special nursing clothes or bras, just wore my regular old clothes and worked around them but I guess I wouldn't wear many high necked dresses. I've seen loads of maternity dresses similar to the examples you've posted though so I don't think you need to discount this style while pregnant. eBay is great for maternity dresses if you want good quality but you don't want to spend a fortune on a temporary wardrobe.

Hi ☺️

Realise this is an older thread and you might not be looking for any more input! But your post reminded of my own thoughts during pregnancy. Thought I might have a tip or two to add, now that my little one is actually here and I am rocking Mum-core in the ways I found worked for me!

Pregnancy and parenthood is SO full of change. I was uneasy about the prospect of losing 'me' and the things that I know make me feel grounded and fill my cup, especially while I found my feet as a new parent. I echo the poster who noted how well you have done to be thinking about your own needs and wellbeing at this point in your journey as a parent! Big yes. 💗

Personally, when it came to clothes, I hated the idea of buying clothes that I don't really like, that don't help me feel good or that I won't get much lifetime wear out of. So for me most maternity and nursing clothes just weren't a good fit.
Instead (something I can now say I found really helpful) was making a capsule wardrobe from BF friendly tops/dresses I already owned - a plunging neckline with stretch, a wrap design, a barmaid design (loose fabric around the bust I could pull down), fastening down the front, or any top that can pull up or down with enough elasticity. Left out things that made me feel blegh regardless of whether they were practical! A small wardrobe of easy-grab outfit options was so helpful in those first weeks as a busy new parent but I think having clothes I can still "see" myself in was really positive for my wellbeing too.

For me, many dresses and jumpsuits are still too restrictive for BF but my first thought was dress-like two-piece outfits/co-ords. Similar looks but where the top can be pulled up? The examples you gave of your dresses are absolutely beautiful anyway so I completely understand why you would be missing them and hope you can find something that works for you and feels good to boot ☺️

Motherhood is full of so many 'shoulds' too which is incredibly frustrating - you've really got to explore what works for you, and you'll absolutely find your own way. Sending good vibes! 💗