Why are all nursing clothes also maternity?!

[Fleetw00d]

Is anyone else annoyed by this?! Im finding it really hard to find breastfeeding tops and dresses that are just normal and not also maternity. I've found very few and expensive options but I would say 95% are maternity with a nursing option. I'm 8 weeks post c section so haven't lost all the baby weight but can wear most of my normal tops and dresses and don't want big billowy clothes that make my tummy look bigger than it is! Also, any one have any suggestions on good brands that offer nursing but not maternity clothes at a decent price?!

I’ve ended up wearing normal clothes without a bra for easy access. Definitely annoying that most bf clothes have space for a huge bump that I don’t have 11 months pp!

I hated my bshirts but mainly because I'm messy and so is baby and the plain block colours showed where milk had leaked of baby had snotted all over me.

I do OUOD or a pro tip is to look at nightwear because the buttons often are functional. Primark does pj tops with poppers for example.

I think it’s probably because most people are still the same size when bf. That said, I bought bf vests and got on with my normal clothes once those clothes fit again so can’t see how it could be an issue.

I think it’s because it only takes a few months before you are able to breastfeed in normal clothes and adapt what you wear accordingly. Therefore, the short period of time when getting to grips with breastfeeding is also the stage that you are carrying all the postpartum weight.

I've ebf 2 DC and currently feeding a 3rd. I just wear things with a v neck or lower neck line.

If I want to wear something else I wear a strappy top underneath and pull the top top up and the strappy top down to reduce how much flesh shows.

I don't bother with nursing bras either. As long as the bra isnt overly padded there's no need.

Thanks all for the hints and tips! That Facebook page is great have seen loads of things on there I like. Will also be doing a primark haul next week as that seems to have a lot of good reviews from you all. Think I just need to adapt my style for this summer to make sure breastfeeding is as easy as possible

I feel this - DS is 18 months and I have lost all my baby weight so I really don't want want to wear maternity tops.

Have you tried B shirts? There under tops so your tummy is covered and you can just pull any normal t-shirt up? That's what I use. So I wear it like a vest basically under a normal top.

Dresses is more difficult - I generally don't bother tbh.

Brestvests are great ( dreadful name though)

I breastfed for a long time. Layered vest tops were definitely the winner along with anything that buttoned.

I just used b shirts
Meant I could wear my normal clothes otherwise

I also looked at chic and discrete but didn’t buy in the end (because I didn’t hardly leave the house last year)

“Can I breastfeed in it” Facebook group is really brilliant. I also heard it recommended when I was struggling with the same problem. Lots of recommendations from people on dungarees, jumpsuits, button down dresses etc ..Sainsbury’s TU clothing also did a breastfeeding friendly range

The group has its own lingo like ouod (one up one down) or foo (flop one out) but summer clothes that worked for me were usually wrap dresses, or dresses that button down with real buttons , or double layer vests and t shirts were really easy too. I’m slightly less comfortable with Foo so if I had a wrap dress on I often draped a muslin square over my shoulder too

I hate FOO I find it so exposing. They should really teach OUOD in breastfeeding classes. I felt far more confident feeding once I'd mastered that.

@StevieNix

I just wore normal clothes that were a bit breast feeding friendly as I found the same problem. Either things I could easily pull down and then a clip down bra underneath, or a normal top with a primark vest top underneath so I could pull my normal top up and pull the vest down enough under my bra.

Me too. Although, one day I completely forgot and wore my favourite galaxy dress (form fitting and high neck) because we were going out for a posh lunch. Cut to me having to completely strip down to my underwear and feed the baby in the toilet!

I agree it's a pain. I lost my baby weight very quickly so just wanted normal fit clothes. I have a few clip vests from h&m and also a few vests from this website- hotmama.co.uk . But basically wearing the same few vests with cardigan etc as needed. Pretty boring but given lockdowns etc havent gone out that much so am not wanting to spend much money on clothes I won't wear for too long.

I found some nice tops from ASOS...but I agree there isn’t a whole lot out there. I just had a look and can’t see what I got ( 2 years ago tho) but I went for this sort of style... www.asos.com/mamalicious/mamalicious-maternity-t-shirt-with-nursing-feature-in-navy/prd/22282969?colourwayid=60386981&SearchQuery=nursing
I lost weight quickly and the maternity clothes weren’t suitable.