Maxi Dress // Maxi Dress // Tank // Shirt // Bra // Sandals // Shorts // Skirt // Leggings
When I was pregnant, I always knew I would breastfeed. What I didn't realize then, however, is how difficult it is to dress for breastfeeding...and really, for postpartum in general. My body, which had slowly evolved over the last nine months, suddenly seemed so foreign to me. It was {and still is!} softer, rounder, and so unfamiliar. And the transformation happened in the blink of an eye...talk about shock! I found that dressing postpartum, with nursing in mind, was way harder than while I was pregnant...who would have guessed?! It initially left me feeling frustrated and anxious as I was learning so much all at once in the beginning.
For me, while comfort is key, I also wanted to feel "normal" again, which is hard to do, when you're forced to wear granny panties and nursing bras, not to mention adjusting to my new body! Easy access for nursing also became a key requirement. So through trial and error, I've been figuring out what works best for me:
I have found that strapless maxi dresses are key. I love both styles above...they're loose-fitting but still flattering. I have also been wearing low-cut tops and button ups so that I can nurse at a moment's notice. I recommend this Gilligan & O'Malley nursing bra too...it's feminine, yet functional. On the bottom, anything that is forgiving around the waist is a priority for me, like these shorts, skirt or leggings. And of course, Havaianas sandals are my favorite.
Dressing accordingly has allowed me to not only nurse Ethan, but also start to regain my confidence in my body postpartum. We new moms already have enough "unknowns" on our plate as is without having to worry about how to dress postpartum...so I hope this helps you find your way and focus on what really matters, your new bundle of joy!
So ladies, what is your nursing style? Any tips for this first-time mama?? I'm still learning!
xo natasha
When I was pregnant, I always knew I would breastfeed. What I didn't realize then, however, is how difficult it is to dress for breastfeeding...and really, for postpartum in general. My body, which had slowly evolved over the last nine months, suddenly seemed so foreign to me. It was {and still is!} softer, rounder, and so unfamiliar. And the transformation happened in the blink of an eye...talk about shock! I found that dressing postpartum, with nursing in mind, was way harder than while I was pregnant...who would have guessed?! It initially left me feeling frustrated and anxious as I was learning so much all at once in the beginning.
For me, while comfort is key, I also wanted to feel "normal" again, which is hard to do, when you're forced to wear granny panties and nursing bras, not to mention adjusting to my new body! Easy access for nursing also became a key requirement. So through trial and error, I've been figuring out what works best for me:
I have found that strapless maxi dresses are key. I love both styles above...they're loose-fitting but still flattering. I have also been wearing low-cut tops and button ups so that I can nurse at a moment's notice. I recommend this Gilligan & O'Malley nursing bra too...it's feminine, yet functional. On the bottom, anything that is forgiving around the waist is a priority for me, like these shorts, skirt or leggings. And of course, Havaianas sandals are my favorite.
Dressing accordingly has allowed me to not only nurse Ethan, but also start to regain my confidence in my body postpartum. We new moms already have enough "unknowns" on our plate as is without having to worry about how to dress postpartum...so I hope this helps you find your way and focus on what really matters, your new bundle of joy!
So ladies, what is your nursing style? Any tips for this first-time mama?? I'm still learning!
xo natasha
The g&m bras don't come in my size :(. I seriously LIVE in my shimera bralettes and shelf bra tanks. They are cheap that I don't care about spit up in them - inevitable, and it's so easy to whip one out. When I leave the house I just a top over, but I'm not a dress girl. Your body will be back soon enough breast feeding burns all those calories!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I never realized how difficult dressing post-partum would actually be. I pretty much lived in maxi dresses, button down tops, and comfortable clothing while I was nursing. Love your selections!!
ReplyDeleteChelsea
www.hautechildinthecity.com
This will definitely come in very handy a few years down the road when I will hopefully be thinking about having a little of my own :) It's amazing all of the things new mothers need to consider!
ReplyDeletexxx
Jenna
oh yes... i 100% agree! i went shopping yesterday for some new clothes and i found the bras you are speaking of... love them (for what they are, i guess)!
ReplyDeleteyoull have your pre-pregnancy body back in no time!
These outfits are cute! I especially love the maxi dresses. I would never have thought to wear them for nursing! I'm going to be needing all the nursing tips I can get here in 2 months!!
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I totally needed this post! I'm trying to plan what I will wear...you always look so cute!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing! I will need this in 2 months!! so glad you are sharing this new mommy process
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I loved strapless dresses or spaghetti strap tanks. Anything that provided easy access. Once the baby is a little older and you aren't breastfeeding as much you'll find that you can wear just about anything.
ReplyDeleteLove this post - great tips! This is something I am a little nervous about as well! UHG - didn't think it would be more difficult to dress after pregnancy, I'm so over trying to find things to wear! Thanks for the tips, hope you and baby are feeling great!
ReplyDeletexo,
Brooke
You picked out some very cute clothes. My son is 9 months old and I still feel like it is difficult to know how to dress for nursing purposes. I still have not worn anything strapless. What do you wear under those cute strapless dresses? I have not found a strapless bra that works especially when my size changes every few hours. Such a personal question that I never would have asked a year ago:).
ReplyDeleteUgh I hear ya girl. So annoying. I wore a lot of henley shirts, so that I could just unbutton them, as well as tanks with loose sleeves, so I could do a one shoulder thing. But honestly I was so excited when I could wear whatever I wanted again!
ReplyDeleteIt was so hard for me to find clothing to wear for nursing last winter. I mean you have a baby and expect your body to immediately go back to normal. Which just doesn't happen but who wants to go buy more clothes that will only last for a few months. I wore a lot of loose fitting sweaters and tops with camisoles underneath. This was great because I was able to lift the sweater up to feed but was still remain somewhat covered and warm by the camisole. Nine months in now I basically wear whatever I want to... except dresses with straps because they just aren't functional.
ReplyDeleteLove those dresses! You always look so cute :))
ReplyDeleteThis is going to help me so much in oh, about 9 weeks! Thanks for the tips, girl! Keep em coming!
ReplyDelete@Kelly- I love the Bandini bra over at Target for a strapless option. Here's the link: http://www.target.com/p/beyond-bare-by-barely-there-bandini-bra-assorted-colors/-/A-14085528#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink
ReplyDeletePerfect timing for this post! My little one should be here by the end of the week and I can't wait to wear somewhat normal clothes again. Looks like I"ll be heading to target to pick up some things this week!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the bandini bra the best? The support isn't great, but for a strapless dress they are really the only thing that works! I do a lot of button down shirts, and luckily this season there has been a nice selection of them. Dressing for nursing is WAY harder than dressing maternity. You have found some cute options!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that dressing post partum is way harder! Especially if you are nursing! I am the queen of maxi dresses, button downs, and low cut tank tops!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I didn't even think about how hard it would be to find things that work well for nursing. Now that I'm back at work it's especially hard because I have to dress nice but I also need to be able to pump without taking my entire shirt off haha! It's definitely a challenege!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. You know I have been stressing about this, so your tips really help! I love the maxi dress idea, especially since I stocked up on so many at the beginning of my pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post because not a lot of people realize how hard it is to get dressed afterwards. I also wore a lot of maxis and buttons. With Cullen, the worst was when I had to go back to work and find pump-suitable clothes (and the time to do it while during the school day, yuck!) I was definitely glad when he phased that morning bottle out and started soilds! Baby Ethan is so so sweet. I have been loving all your updates, especially all the sweet intagram pictures! If you ever need a guest post about mommy-ing crazy boys, let me know ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know about the Bandini. I'm definitely going to check it out! This post just makes me want to shop because I am so sick what I have that is nurse-worthy right now:).
ReplyDeletesuch great advice!! you don't really think about clothes post partum! i know you look adorable still ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this!! It's been a dilemma I wanted to solve before I got to this point :)
ReplyDeleteoverall life is more stressful isn't it? this time around being my second time (and last) I am a lot more relaxed in a lot of ways, dressing is one of them. I tend to wear what I want, but if I am going to wear a short dress that isn't breastfeeding-friendly, then I wear tight shorts (I found some at Anthropologie) under the dress. I decided on baby no. 2 that I don't need to lose myself more than I have to or the way I dress. With baby no. 1, by week 6 I was thinner than before I got pregnant, and with this baby it's been harder to lose the weight. It can be depressing to not be or feel like yourself, but eventually it all becomes natural and you'll start feeling like yourself again.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking into this now too...and I need to find stuff that works!
ReplyDeleteWell i wanted to bra. I love bali bras because even though it is considered a minimizer it make me feel comfortably secure while still keeping my figure. Washes up great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing nice information with us.Excellent information provide for us.That's very useful for all thanks for the stuff.
ReplyDeletematernity nursing bras
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