A slightly odd question, but what are the best sort of tops to wear when bf?

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It's my first and I'm planning on giving bf a whirl but have been contemplating my post birth wardrobe and I'm not really sure what the best sort of tops to buy that would be a. comfortable, b. fashionable, c. allow for easy access without flashing either too much boob or post baby belly. I figure vests/tank tops are good, esp in the summer, but don't want anything too clingy over what will no doubt be a fairly wobbly belly. Don't want to spend a fortune obviously but just a few staples to see me through the summer months would be helpful. I'm reasonably big in the breast dept (D/DD) and suspect I'll be getting bigger. Any advice?

slightly bigger than normal vest under slightly looser than normal top

push looser top up and pull vest top down, latch on - bingo - easy BFing with no flesh on show.

Also tops that button down the middle (with vest underneath) can be very handy.

agree with babbity - but I would say don't buy too much before the birth because you don't really know what shape your body/boobs will end up.

For the summer wrap dresses with a vest underneath are also nice.

Anything with a cardie/scarf works well.

Also you can do the opposite to what babbity suggests - ie pull the vest up and the top down. I quite like wearing low cut tops over skinny polo-neck-type long-sleeved t-shirts, for a layered look.

Agree with what babbity and TYV said - two layers, one to pull up aan one to pull down, is the way forward.

A pretty floaty top you can push up. I do not have a vest as baby covers the rest. But I am quite petite.

This is the most discreet way to bf in public. I have always been a bit uncomfortable with people pulling tops down or aside so that the whole top of the boob is visible. I shouldn't but I do cringe.

I agree with the two tops option, a thin vest (M&S do ggo ones)under a looser top, no flashing by mistake. Good luck

I almost lived in my H+M nursing vests and loose maternity tops. My nursing bras weren't that easy to feed with and nursing tops were fiddly too.

I have also found a bump band (that I didn't use while pregnant) really useful for covering up flesh here. I think New Look do them.

I would second the H & M nursing vests - have lived in mine for the past 6 months. Wear with a shirt or cardigan over the top. I think they're about £20 for a two pack - one black/one white.

Agree with katiepotatie- M&S vests are great for wearing under normal tops. They are about £7 for a pack of two in the underwear dept. The straps are made of elastic and very stretchy so easy to pull down. I buy them a couple of sizes too big as you don't want anything that is going to dig in as you pull it down.

New Look have plain vests for £3 each at the moment. I'm another one who went for vest under another top (and will do this time too), although after a while you get pretty good at doing it whatever you're wearing!

Great suggestions ladies, thanks very much. I have quite a few vests now, so picking up a few baggier tops to go over the top would set me up I think (but when o' when are H & M going to provide an online shopping service?!?). And I think I have some wrap around dresses gathering dust in the back of my wardrobe. Cheers xx

Another vote for vest under top - also cardigans are great for bf.

I also do the layering thing. One lower cut top under a higher one - I am very self conscious and hate to show any flesh, breasts or stomach area. This works for me. I can "arrange" my breast into the right position before picking up DD and the just lift the top layer and feed her without showing anything.

If you are big in the breast dept, I recommend Anita Jacquard nursing bras. I've worn nothing else for nearly 7 months. Buy after breastfeeding has started though.

I second the pulling up tops (rather than pulling down, which I do at home) and anything drapey, ruchey (like the floppy gathered v tshirts that are in Top Shop right now) are good and kind of ploof down and sit around the nipple for discreet feeding.

I used to use a cover for feeding (I live in Singapore and culturally they are ultra conservative and funny about nudity) but then ditched that and now whap em out everywhere, but tend to pull up tops rather than pull down. I think they just let crazy Ang Moh (white) woman get on with it. Plus I have that look that says 'don't even try it'.

Too hot for two layers here. Singapore's just going to have to see my muffin top.

Oh, slings, well, wraps actually, are great as well if you're out and about and have forgotten to wear the right top. Sometimes I've squooshed my daughter down and moved her to my left or right hip so her mouth is level with my nipple and fed her on the go -- and no one can see what you're doing.

Oh, note that some women will not get on with underwired maternity bras. I did and ordered several sizes and sent back the ones that didn't fit. So it's crucial to get the right size.

But I couldn't wear any other bra and every non-wired one left me feelign really uncomfortable

what a brilliant question - never occurred to me, have just gone about flashing the world

doris, I thought underwired maternity bras were bad news anyway? - thought you weren't supposed to use them as risk of mastitis or other inflammation?

Mothercare do some nice nursing tops (with an 'unerlayer' attached to the front of the top so you can lift it without 'flashing'. Must admit at first I was more concerned about the actual bf (tecnique etc) than the clothes - but best to think about it now I suppose 6 months down the line I will now wear my usual outfits (except dresses) - I prefer to pull tops up rather than down, but if I need to pull one down - I cover the exposed top of the breast with a muslin cloth. I also wear m amd s nursing bras (no underwire!)

phdlife Sure, a badly fitting underwired nursing bra can have pressure points and lead to blocked ducts. So getting a good fit, especially round the sides to the arm pits is important.

I've been exclusively bfeeding for 6-1/2 months with no problems at all wearing this bra.

I plan to breastfeed for a good while longer and it's important to me to feel comfortable, supported and for me to look ok under clothes -- I'm a 32F now and non underwired bras (I tried a good range) felt uncomfortable and created mono-tit. Feeling good about myself, and normal in clothes is part of feeling able to continue with breastfeeding in the long term. Like having a few glasses of wine or something.

The wire doesn't dig in, just supports the bigger bust, the clip is easy, the bras have kept their shape in 7 months of washing.

I honestly can't see what the fuss is about if you get a decent fit. Now breastfeeding is well established I also wear normal underwired bras (like a wonderbra even) and I find whopping the tip over the top keeps the nipple at a good angle and height for feeding out and about.

Oh, for the larger chested, those Mothercare vest tops are rubbish. Awful. Emma Jane ones just about cope with my massive tits. I recommend them, although they look a bit weird.

About 3 months in you'll probably just be wearing normal clothes. And ahem some maternity clothes

Vests here too!
Tesco value vests underneath and normal top over the top. Doesn't need to be baggy.
Then if you put a cardi over that there is hardly anything on show at all.

I wear the Anita underwired bras too (am also an F cup) and you have just put brilliantly why they are so good. Every other (non wired) nursing bar I tried gave hideous shape and no support and made me feel 'different'. In these, I looka nd feel 'normal' so continued bfing (ds is now 11 mo) is not the big deal it might feel if I was stuck in somehting that made me feel frunpy and uncomfortable.

OOoo nursing bra rather. A nursing bar is a rather interesting idea

Loads of perfect for bf tops around - longer & looser suits me for bf. I'm wearing a boden tunic top & bf as I type here

theyoungvisiter, can't believe I never thought of that - pull the vest top up!! Could never do the pulling top up and keep vest top over my flabby belly (which I def don't want exposed) so have been whipping them out the top of my (normal) v neck tops... and showing rather a lot of flesh, ooops. I do try and cover a bit with a cardigan etc but would much rather my tits on show than my belly . Not sure i can be arsed to try and cover up now, after 9mths anyway.

A nursing bar! The mind boggles at the kind of man that would hang around