Breastfeeding Moms- What to Wear!

So it's that dreadful time postpartum when you are still carrying around that baby weight (unless you are one of the few who gained only 25 pounds...NOT me, haha!!!)  On top of dressing to hide belly, thighs, butt and muffin top, you also have to make sure your gigantic boobs can get out easily for baby! 

Me: chubby and happy with my babies!

Unfortunately, a lot of maternity clothes are supposed to double as nursing tops- but who wants to wear their maternity clothes again?!?!?!  And we all know, the maternity and/or nursing tops are just ugly...the only cute ones are over $100 an item, which most of us can't afford.
So what is a girl to do?  You might expect me to say "sew your own".  But really, with a 2 year old and a new baby, I have spent maybe one hour total in my sewing room in the last 3 weeks.  So that is just not gonna happen!
I do, however, have time to scour the internet for cute stuff since I am sitting on the couch breastfeeding most of the day.  So here are some hints about where to find clothes that are both flattering postpartum and give you boobie access, plus some direct links so the work is done for you. Phew!

Tip #1- Check out stores that sell, um, how do I put this..."sexy" clothes?  "Clubbin'" clothes?  You know what I'm saying!  They tend to have very low necklines.  For our purposes, they are not for sexiness but for access.  But my husband does enjoy the view!  If you tend to dress more modest, these tops are still great to throw a nursing cami under. (Nursing camis are great for many purposes- have a several to wear under things and to sleep in!)  If you aren't worried about modesty, just think- if everyone is staring at your magnificently huge boobs, they won't be looking at your magnificently huge butt!  Just sayin'...
Some stores to check out- Victoria's Secret, Bebe, Arden B
Clothing examples:

Victoria's Secret, $59.50  Note the zip down top and fat hiding ruffles!

Arden B, $26.90  Note the draped neckline, fitted sleeve, and loose body.

Bebe, $98.00  Note the criss- crossed neckline and draping over belly, score!!!

Tip #2- Avoid the following things: Wide or poofy sleeves (your boobs are big right now, this will add even more bulk to your top half), horizontal stripes, REALLY spandexy fabrics (some stretch is good, but too much will show every lump and bump and cling in all the wrong places!), Shapeless garments (unless you wear with a belt. 

Tip #3- Look for the following features (some examples below) that are postpartum/nursing friendly:  ruching (hides lumps and bumps), cowl necks (easy for nursing), criss cross necks (again, easy for nursing), v necks (more flattering to a larger bust), fitted sleeves and shoulders (to slim your upper half), nipped in waist or belt (to slim the waist), hip/butt skimming (to cover it a bit!).

Ann Taylor, $48.00.  Example of ruching at waist and criss cross neck!

Trouve brand, from Nordstrom, $58.  Great deep cowl neck!

Tip #4- Body shapers are your friend AND your enemy.  Be careful when choosing...if you are hourglass shaped like me,  the tank top ones tend to backfire by rolling up to my waist and giving me a big fat belly bulging below it!  BUT- if I simply wear an old size small workout tank under my clothes, it really works well!  So choose carefully!  Also, a note about belly shapers (corset things) marketed for postpartum women...I tried this and while I think it helped, it also squeezed my intestines and gave me horrible gas.  It also made me look horrible because it took my hourglass shape and made it a sausage shape.  Full disclosure:)

Tip #5- CUT OUT THE TAGS!!!  When not pregnant/losing pregnancy weight, I am a size 6 in jeans.  Well, I am currently wearing a double digit size that I am horrified by.  So just cut out the tags if it is traumatizing to you!  I go to Kohl's and get the cheapo but still cute jeans ($30 or so) and then I buy a pair in each smaller size down so that as I lose weight I always have a pair of non-maternity jeans that fit well.  This will make you look good!  Be sure to get them in the ladies section, not juniors...unless you love that low-rise-with-a-muffin-top look.  I like the Vera Wang brand for this purpose.

Simply Vera skinny ankle jeans, $35 (on sale)  Cheap enough to buy in all sizes as you shrink!

Tip #6- Bathing Suits.  Ahhhhhhh!  This is something I am really concerned about.  So concerned, in fact, that I plan to just wear a series of cute cover-ups until I lose at least 20 pounds.  Especially since there are so many teeny tiny teenagers that prance around in their teeny tiny bikinis in my neighborhood.  Barf.

Victoria's Secret The Caftan Dress, $69.50

I hope this helped by giving you some clothing ideas and letting you know that you are not alone!!!  I have a LOT of weight to lose, and I know it will come off.  Yours will too!  The important thing is that I know I gave my baby all the nutrients she needed in the womb (and then some, haha!) and I have enough fat on my body to put towards milk-making to help her grow.  I always say that when pregnant, my body is on loan to the baby so I need to embrace the changes.  No big deal to be a little chubby for a while when I have a beautiful, healthy, sweet baby to show for it!


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