I’ve always been irritated by that fact that maternity clothes are soooo expensive! I’ve never been able to justify spending money on a wardrobe that will only last a few months (very few for mommies like me who hold their pregnancies inside until well into the 2nd half!). Yet there is an abundance of specialty maternity shops as well as maternity sections in every department and baby store.
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Sure, my maternity clothes have gotten their use after three pregnancies with a total of 29+ months of being pregnant so far (and another 6 to go on this pregnancy, though I’m not even close to needing my maternity clothes yet!).
But way exceeding that, is the fact that this body has been nursing my children for a combined total of 67 months (plus hopefully at least another 2 for Doodle and at least 12 for the new babe, probably closer to 24) which is a heck of a lot more than I will ever spend pregnant!
You would think that with the fact that women are only pregnant a maximum of 9 months (at least part of which they can continue wearing regular clothes) and the suggestion to breastfeed for at least the first year that there would be an overabundance of companies jumping on the nursing clothes bandwagon, yet nursing clothes are nearly impossible to find, usually tucked away in the back corner of maternity stores. They’re also usually expensive, ugly, uncomfortable and sometimes even had to nurse in!
Here are my money (and life!) saving nursing clothes items for breastfeeding moms:
Nursing Tanks
(every color you can get your hands on!)
(every color you can get your hands on!)
I don’t think I’ve worn a real bra for 2 days in a row since sugarplum was born! I literally live in my nursing tanks because they are awesome for so many reasons! 1–They’re super comfy. 2–They offer modesty up top, cover the tummy and back (if you choose to lift your shirt up to nurse, which I don’t), and are usually a little longer to cover and post-baby bulge and/or pants that don’t quite button all the way just yet. 3–They aren’t as stiff as a nursing bra and so are much more user friendly.
Wrap Dress
A comfy wrap dress in a soft jersey is perfect for making a new mom feel like she’s putting some effort into herself without any effort at all! I wear my wrap dresses everywhere I want to look “put together” including coffee or dinner with friends, meeting with professionals (lawyers, accountants, realtors, etc.) and date night. But they’re also awesome for just throwing over your nursing tank when you’re running late or don’t have the time (or energy!) to find a top and bottom that match!
Deep V-neck Polos
or Henleys
.
or 
.
Anything with buttons down the front that is stretchy is awesome in my book! I much prefer to access my breasts from the top than by lifting my shirts from the bottom and a deep V with buttons is my go-to because I can button it up with a nursing bra or layer it over a nursing tank and leave it open (my preference because nothing says “hey! I’m about to take out boob!” Like unbottoning your shirt…). (NOTE: it is sometimes neccessary to go up a size depending on the shirt if you like super tight clothes like me in order to allow full access to the boobage).
Cross Front Dress
A super cute cross front dress is a mommy’s best friend when it comes to needing to dress up! Like wrap desses and deep v-neck tops, cross front dresses allow quick and easy access to the boob should the need arise (say during a wedding, funeral or other event where a crying baby could be a big nuisance), plus I’ve never known a mommy who lifts her entire dress to feed! Depending on the event, the dress and your personal preferences, cross front dresses can be worn layered with a tank, a regular nursing or strapless bra or even sans bra if you feel secure enough (I’ve done all of the above!). I prefer cross front dresses with either a tie at the waist or elastic across the back since I usually go up a size since to account for the less stretchy fabric but I still like to keep my figure!
Cardigan Sweaters
So there you go, my 5 nursing clothes essentials to get you through your breastfeeding years without breaking the bank after spending all your money on maternity clothes!
These were my staples as well!
I feel like I don’t wear anything else, just tons of colors and styles of these 5 things (plus jeans, skirts and shorts of course!)
Some of my nursing tanks are so sad and tired looking! :)
I’ve replaced many over the years after wearing them to where they’re falling apart (and even some see-through ones but thankfully I always layer!)