More and more mums are choosing to breastfeed and luckily there are a fantastic range of breastfeeding bras, tops and covers that make it easy to breastfeed discreetly without having to expose your breasts, or bellies, in public.
The first essential is a good nursing bra. These are designed to help you quickly and easily make your breast available to your baby, while offering you support and comfort. Nursing bras have drop-down cups that unclip so you can feed your baby easily. Some provide greater support for larger breasts, while others are designed to wear in bed to support the breasts while you sleep and help with night time feeds.
Emma Jane supa-lite embroidered nursing bra, £36.00
You’ll probably notice that your breasts increase by a couple of cup sizes, maybe more when your milk comes in, so it’s really important that you’re measured properly before buying a nursing bra. The recommended time to be measured is at 36 weeks. Some high-street stores, such as Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, offer a measuring service. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) also offer a free measuring service, either at your home or the home of the person carrying out the fitting. As well as choosing a bra that fits well, make sure the inside of the cups are comfortable as you may find your nipples become more sensitive during breastfeeding. Look out for bras with enough fastenings that will allow you to extend and tighten the bra as necessary.
Isabella Oliver maternity Olivia nursing top, £65.00
That’s one layer of clothing covered but how do you get to your bra without flashing more flesh than necessary? That’s where breastfeeding tops and dresses come in. These are designed to allow you access to your breast without having to lift your top up. Some breastfeeding vests have detachable straps; other tops have drop-down cups for just the right amount of exposure. Wrap tops, whilst not specifically designed for breastfeeding, also make it easy for you to make your breast available without exposing the rest of your body.
Bebe au lait nursing cover papillon, £26.00
If you feel you’ve stretched the purse strings far enough buying maternity clothes you don’t necessarily need to invest in specialist breastfeeding wear (although a nursing bra is recommended). If you’re concerned about privacy but want to wear your normal wardrobe, there are a range of pretty breastfeeding covers available that will allow you to feed your baby discreetly in public. They’ll pop easily into your changing bag and are fastened lightly around the neck, covering the front of your body and allowing you to feed your baby in privacy.
And there you have it, discreet breastfeeding at its best! Now you can feel confident about breastfeeding your baby in public without worrying about unwanted attention.
Visit Live Love Maternity for a great range of stylish maternity and nursing clothes from 15 top maternity retailers.
