Oh, breastfeeding in public. My mother scolded me for breastfeeding without a cover in my parent baby class and insisted on shielding me curtain-style with a receiving blanket. If you can’t breastfeed comfortably there, then where can you breastfeed?
In those early days with a newborn that made a huge fuss about latching, I did not want to fiddle with a starchy, shower curtain type of setup. After I got through those first 2 months in a hazy blur, I started to look for clothing that could serve its purpose years down the road. Around the house I lived in a sports bra and a fluffy robe for months, so I tried to make it a point to invest in good cardigans so I could look a little more presentable for my husband. I’ve tried to round up warm cover ups at different price points, and at least then when you’re out shopping you can translate some of the style suggestions to what you see on the rack. Sometimes when an item is marketed specifically for nursing (or anything baby-related for that matter), it makes the price skyrocket, so here’s to thinking outside the box, from infinity scarves, to ponchos, to kimonos and everything in between.
Bobeau Asymmetrical Fleece Wrap Cardigan $40
The North Face Hideaway Sweater Wrap $85
Glamour Empire Women’s Long Sleeve Knitted Wrapped Cardigan Poncho Coat $27
Glamour Empire 277 Ladies Warm Coat Long Wrap Cardigan $26
I actually own the first one in two different colors because I love it so much! It’s available in over 20 different colors – I could easily buy more. It’s super stylish and comes in regular, petite, and plus sizes. It’s so easy to tuck the baby underneath to nurse. The “277” cardigan seems to have great reviews on Amazon, and it’s at a great price point, even with the extra shipping.
1. idea2wear Drape Long Wrap Top, Etsy $55
2. G2 Chic Women’s Long Sleeve Open Cardigan with High Low Wrap Hem $17
These cardigans are extra long and I love how you can easily drape the side over your shoulder to cover the baby.
Tangerine Nursing Infinity Scarf, Etsy $24 // Green Emerald Infinity Scarf, Etsy $25
I tote an infinity scarf in my diaper bag – it sure beats the traditional nursing cover ups.
iveta67 neon cowl, Etsy $45
iveta67 cowl in light grey, Etsy $45
1. Brinley Co Women’s Colorblocked Long Sleeve Wrap Sweater $20
2. Japanese Weekend Women’s Sweater Wrap Maternity Tunic $35
1. VICTROLAdesigns Pink and black cropped sweater, Etsy $48
2. PeekoApparel Multi Draped Long Sleeved Wrap Sweater Hooded Cowl, Etsy $45
3. dressign shrug bolero, Etsy $66.02
I realize the last thing any woman wants to do post-partum is bear her midriff, but these would look great over a tank top.
1. busyspinningthread Nursing Poncho, Etsy $38
2. Bizzy Babee Nursing Cover $43
1. Bobeau One Button Fleece Cardigan (Plus) $45
2. Charter Club Plus Size Long-Sleeve Open-Front Cardigan $37
3. Evans Jersey Cardigan (Plus Size) $55
4. Kische Open Front Cardigan (Plus Size) $49
5. Old Navy Women’s Plus Open-Front Jersey Cardi $22-$29
6. Old Navy Maternity Fleece Tie-Belt Cardi $28
1. PattyBoutik Sexy Convertible Long Sleeve Casual Wrap Knit Top $32.99
2. TADSON 6 way wrapping cardigan, Etsy $59
3. Uniq wrap front sweater $48
1. Mossimo
2. Active Products Women’s Basic Comfortable Soft Easy Wear Cardigan Shawl Top $10-$20
3. PattyBoutik Comfy Drape Collar Long Sleeve Asym Hem Cardigan $29.99
This is probably my least favorite style, because there isn’t enough fabric to cover me up as well when I’m nursing. The plus is that it’s still easy access, and there’s no zippers to worry about against my baby’s face (actually, her eyeballs!) compared to other cardis I already owned. That being said, I used the search string “open front cardigan” to find almost all of these other styles.
Modu shawl,poncho,wrap, Etsy $39
This Etsy shop, meydalle, has a great youtube video on all the different ways you can wear it. In fact, I don’t think the photos quite do it justice, it looks very elegant in the video.
1. Milchshake Pregnancy and breastfeeding hoodie $70
2. Milchshake Karry Pregnacy & Breastfeeding sweatshirt $77
3. Milchshake Adria Pregnacy & Breastfeeding blouse $56
4. Milchshake Scarlett basic maternity and nursing shirt $56
Milchshake is an Etsy brand based out of Germany, and boy are their pieces unique. I love their innovative use of zippers and peek a boo areas. Yes these pieces are nursing specific, but I would still wear any of these long after I finished nursing. Number 4, Scarlett, features ruched sides around the belly which work great for the post-partum belly – I wish the ruched look hadn’t gone out of style from a few years ago because it’s so flattering!
What favorite nursing cover ups do you have?
pomegranate / 3643 posts
I just do a tank top under a shirt. Pull one up one down! If I was wearing a v neck I’d drape a blanket over my chest but not baby.
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
I love the variety here and that you have not recommended any of those awful “covers” which never worked for us either. Even outside the scope of using these to cover up, I love so many of these purely for the love of the fashion.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I currently wear shirts that have either a stretchy v-neck or have a cowl neckline. I have one shirt that has the bat wings and have nursed by moving the sleeves up and nursing out the arm hole. haha!
I always have a nursing cover with me and use it while nursing. If I forget my nursing cover, I’ll take off my jacket and drape it over DS.
guest
For the most part, I’ve just stopped caring if people see the top of my boob …except if we’re with my father-in-law or teenage boys. If we visit friends or family, I ask where they’d like me to nurse. Most people tell me to stay where I am (dinner table or wherever). I figure this is just a stage of life where boobs are utilitarian rather than sexy.
grapefruit / 4049 posts
The Bobeau sweater looks great… Would you say it would be too hot for summer though, since it’s fleece? I’m having a spring baby, but can def use something like that come fall! The link doesn’t work for that either… Did you get it at Nordstrom?
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
@SAHM0811 – yes i got it from Nordy’s online – free shipping! I got a few different colors and kept two and returned the rest I didn’t like – free return shipping! I would say yes it would be pretty hot for summer.
blogger / nectarine / 2608 posts
I’m shameless, so no covers here. You can also use a woven wrap as a nursing cover if you are so inclined; either while you are using the wrap to support your nursling for food on the go, or while you have it off and just hold baby. When Lorelei was very small I used to nurse her hands free in the wrap while we were playing at the playground, or grocery shopping, or any time we weren’t at home.
grapefruit / 4213 posts
Why is there someone else’s hand opening the shirt to expose the boob in picture #4 of the nursing specific shirts section?! haha oh dear…
I EP but use the Udder Cover. I also have a nursing cardigan from Motherhood Maternity but it’s a pain to have to put my arms through the sleeves to use it.
guest
This is just in time. I was googling earlier today, trying to find things just like these (and not having much success, since I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for). I hate the starchy things, and feel like they just draw attention. My little one is just getting old enough that I’m wanting to venture out, and I need a plan (that includes me feeling comfortable, and not sitting in a bathroom stall)!
hostess / cantaloupe / 6486 posts
@Mrs. Twine: I’m pretty shameless too…I wear a lot of v-necks so the top of my boob can be visible often but seriously there are some women who walk around bearing much more skin…I’m just trying to feed my kid!
I am more modest around my brother & dad (though men I’m not related to don’t phase me, weird, right?) & my husband doesn’t like that I frequently don’t use a cover, even in a line parking space in the car, so I try to be mindful but sometimes it’s just easier without one!
pea / 16 posts
I have a couple of nursing-specific shirts from Milk Nursingwear on Amazon for about $40. But what works best for me is a couple of ponchos (open front unlike the one pictured in this post) that I bought at Forever21 years ago. I just looked and they have a ton of stuff that would work paired with a nursing tank or tee well into summer for $20-25!
kiwi / 548 posts
I bought the first one from Nordstrom and had no luck with it. Maybe it’s the color I bought, but I got milk on it and it stained it and it’s dry clean only. I tried to wash it and it didn’t come out:(
pomelo / 5678 posts
I never thought I wouldn’t care if someone saw my breast. I nurse in public now all of the time! I wear a zip front sweater or cardigan or hoodie. Lots of interesting options!
nectarine / 2192 posts
This is great. Thanks.
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
@sparkler you should return it, even if you don’t have your receipt they can trace your purchase through your credit card. They always have excellent return policies. Dry clean only? Maybe ive never looked. I bought some other sweaters that were modal that said dry clean only and they were fIne in the wash in cold. I would try washing it first in cold, and if the stain doesn’t come out, return it
pomegranate / 3658 posts
I’m not nursing but this is great just as a menu of pretty drapey cardigans!