Now I don’t pretend to know much – if anything – about fashion, but having breastfed for a combined total of four years and counting I do know quite a lot about nursing clothes. Mainly that they’re to be avoided at all costs.

I’m now breastfeeding baby number three and it never fails to amaze me how unflattering so many clothes designed for nursing are – baggy and shapeless and devoid of any colour or charisma.

5 fashion tips for breastfeeding mums

I find this quite baffling because if there’s one thingΒ a new mum wants to feel it’s that they look nice. So what can you do if you’re breastfeedingΒ and don’t want to be limited to what’s on offer in the ‘new mum’ section of baby shops?

I’ve discovered that by sticking with a few classic styles it is possible to wear ‘normal’ clothes without having toΒ get half undressed in the process (fine if you’re feedingΒ at home but not so good if you’re breastfeeding in public).

Here’s what I’ve learnt.

5 fashion tips for breastfeeding mums

1. All you really need is a decent nursing vest. Or six. With a proper nursing vest on underneath you can wear pretty much anything over the top and still get to the milk bar without exposing too much flesh. And you can never have too many. I have two white ones, two grey ones and two black ones so I always have a clean one to match whatever it is I’m wearing on top.

2. Flowy tops are your friend. With the aforementioned nursing vest on underneath you can simply lift up a flowy top and bingo. Like nursing vests you can never have too many – my latest addition is this ivory printed vest top by Anthology (Β£12), which has a pleat at the front so plenty of room to lift up and feed.

Anthology ivory printed vest top

And as you can see it’s perfect for the job in hand!

3. Go for button or zip-down tops and dresses. Again, with a nursing vest on underneath all you need to do is undo the buttons or zip and you’re in. Think tunic tops like this Simply Be denim tunic top (Β£35).

Simply Be denim tunic topI’ve been wearingΒ it withΒ leggings and the tunic-style has the added bonus of hiding any lingering mum tum at the same time.

5 fashion tips for breastfeeding mums

4. Like flowy tops, dungarees are also your friend. Whether it’s full-on trouserΒ dungarees or a dungaree dress, all you need to do is unhook the front.

5. When in doubt, wear a scarf. Cleverly draped scarves hide a multitude of sins, from an exposed cleavage to side boob to the dreaded muffin top.Β So you canΒ still feed in outfits that don’tΒ look like they lend themselves to feeding, likeΒ this gorgeous Joe Browns vintage tea dress (Β£45).

Joe Browns vintage tea dress

It’s got an elasticated waistΒ soΒ plenty of ‘give’Β for me toΒ slip an arm out of the top to feed. The straps are also nice and thick soΒ hideΒ myΒ nursing bra straps and clips.

5 fashion tips for breastfeeding mums

Did you breastfeed your baby and what were your nursing must-haves? If you have any tips I’d love to hear them!

I was very kindly sent the clothes featured in this post by JD Williams for the purpose of review. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.

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Mummy Times Two
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