Nursing wardrobe staples you need

Nursing wardrobe staples can be hard! One of the hardest parts of postpartum for me was finding cute yet functional outfits to wear for easy nursing/pumping access. After my first daughter was born I had ordered so many nursing tops and most of them seemed to disappoint me in the fashion department. While they were functional for nursing I was pretty unimpressed with the way they looked and how they made me feel. After being pregnant for 9 months I was so eager to get dressed in “normal” clothing and many of the nursing clothes I bought seemed to fall short and did not make me feel comfortable/confident in my new postpartum body.


After going through postpartum 3 times now, I have found the nursing wardrobe staples that I love to keep in my closet and have narrowed down the items that are the most useful for postpartum/nursing but are clothing that make me feel comfortable and confident. See below for a list of my favorite clothing items I like to have in my closet to rotate through and can be used during maternity, postpartum and beyond- not just for nursing!

Nursing tanks

I like to keep a few nursing tanks to rotate through in my closet- at least one black, one white and one cream/nude. These are perfect layering pieces and a nursing wardrobe staple I love. Nursing tanks can help you create so many cute outfits that make it easily accessible to nurse! I wear them under sweaters, sweatshirts, cardigans and button down shirts. They are also great to wear newly postpartum overnight to keep you cool (hello nightsweats!) and easy access for middle of the night feeds. 

STORQ

STORQ soft touch nursing tank

 

H&M 3-pack Nursing Tank Tops

H&M MAMA 3-pack nursing tank tops

 

GAP Layering Cami

GAP Maternity Nursing Layering Cami

 

AMAZON Maternity Nursing cami 3-pack

HOFISH Women’s Breast Feeding Tops, Maternity Nursing Cami with Build in Shelf Bra 3-pack

 

Nursing bras

Similar to nursing tanks, I like to keep at least 3 in my rotation. Black, nude and a couple of nursing sports bras for the days I exercise or want to be extra comfortable. I also like to have a couple that are wireless and at least one with a wire that’s a little bit nicer than your average nursing bra. I also have a few that I wear for sleeping at night- they are great for during your pregnancy as well when your body is growing/changing! 

Maternity GapFit Sports Bra

Maternity GapFit Low Impact Nursing Sports Bra

 

AMAZON Maternity & Nursing Sports Bra

Kindred Bravely Sublime Support Low Impact Nursing & Maternity Sports Bra

 

Ingrid & Isabel Nursing Bra

Ingrid & Isabel Active Seamless Nursing Bra

 

Target Nursing Bra

Target Auden Wirefree Nursing Bra

 

Nordstrom Underwire Maternity/Nursing Bra

Nordstrom Feathers Underwire Contour Maternity/Nursing Bra

 

The Larken X

The Larken bras are great for overnight and pumping. Use code bumblebaby10 at checkout. A Bumblebaby nursing wardrobe staple!

 

High waisted leggings + biker shorts

These will be your best friend for postpartum and nursing! They are SUPER high waisted so they are great to wear postpartum and also for nursing to keep you covered. They are also very soft and can be easily dressed up or down! I even wore them through most of my pregnancy, the waistband is wide so it doesn’t dig into your growing bump. 

Lululemon Align Super Hi Rise

Lululemon Align Pant Super Hi Rise Pant

 

Lululmeon Align HR Mini Flare

Lululemon Align HR Mini Flared Pant

 

Lululemon Align Short 

Lululemon Align High-Rise Short 

 

Cardigans

A simple cardigan can be paired with leggings OR jeans and can make your outfit feel so much more put together. A button down cardigan allows you to stay covered up but still have easy access for nursing. I love to layer mine over a nursing tank for a quick, simple, yet cute outfit. Another option is to layer an open front cardigan over a button down shirt- a classic yet functional outfit for nursing/pumping! 

 

J.CREW Cardigan Sweater

J.CREW ribbed V-neck cardigan sweater

 

J.CREW Collarless Sweater-Blazer

J.CREW Juliette Collarless Sweater-Blazer

 

H&M Cardigan with Tie Belt

H&M Fine-knit Cardigan with Tie Belt

 

H&M Rib-knit cardigan

H&M Rib-knit cardigan

 

Barefoot Dreams Cardigan

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Long Cardigan

 

 

Button down shirts + dresses

These are another great staple to keep in your closet to throw on over jeans or leggings. There are so many different ways to wear them- untucked, tucked in, unbuttoned and open, tied in a front knot. Just another way to make you feel/look more put together with minimal effort! For the summertime having at least one button down dress is a must for your nursing wardrobe!

 

J.CREW Button Down Shirt

J.CREW Button Down Classic Fit Double Gauze Shirt

 

Madewell Pure White

Madewell Central Shirt in Pure White

 

GAP Denim Big Shirt

GAP Chambray Denim Big Shirt with Washwell

 

GAP Organic Big Shirt

GAP 100% Organic Cotton Big Shirt

 

GAP Tiered Mini Dress

GAP Puff Tiered Mini Dress

 

GAP Mini Shirtdress

GAP Tiered Mini Shirtdress

 

My favorite t-shirt

 

OF an Origin Everywhere Tee

This is not your average nursing t-shirt! I have actually had friends order it who aren’t even postpartum/nursing because it is super cute and comfy to wear. The side slit allows easy access for nursing or pumping and can be tied on the side for a more pulled together look. The shirt is also designed to be worn either forward for a v-neck look or backwards for a crew-neck look. This shirt is so versatile and is one that I am always reaching for!

 

Lululemon long sleeve Shirt

This long sleeve tshirt is my go to when it’s cooler outside. It has an oversized fit so it’s easy to keep you covered with nursing or pumping. It will last you far beyond your postpartum/nursing days! 

 

The postpartum/nursing/pumping period can be challenging in one way or another for everyone so do yourself a favor and invest in clothing pieces that will make you feel comfortable and confident! I promise you won’t regret it.  Shop our nursing wardrobe staples on LTK.

nursing wardrobe

 

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