Clothing Secrets You’ll love for Breastfeeding and Beyond
Finding breastfeeding clothes that make nursing accessible (literally), look fantastic AND last after breastfeeding can be tricky. Practical nursing tops are easy to buy, but one that feels and looks great too? The struggle is real and it’s what breastfeeding mums yearn to overcome.
As Ubere Mama’s founder and designer, I’m here to help. Having spent 25 years working in fashion, I know that fabric, shape, fit and colour are the key factors in making a garment pleasing to wear and be seen in. I understand first-hand how feeling good in what you wear makes a huge difference to your confidence, especially as a breastfeeding mum. It’s so important your nursing clothes are right for you. If you love your comfy nursing hoodie, why stop wearing it after breastfeeding?
I breastfed for three years and made all of my breastfeeding clothes. I know how hard it is to feel good after a baby … your hormones are raging and you lack confidence as a new mum. However once I got to grips with breastfeeding, I felt brilliant. It was amazing to go out, breastfeed and prove what a great mum I was. But I didn’t have the clothes to support me and so I designed my essentials range with discreet zippers. The clothes are so comfy and easy to wear that I still enjoy wearing them 12 years later! If you love your comfy nursing hoodies, why stop wearing them after breastfeeding?
Here are my great tips for finding breastfeeding clothes you’ll love so much that you’ll want to wear them after nursing:
1. Comfort is King
I can’t stress enough how important it is to feel comfy in your breastfeeding clothes. Whether you are interested in nursing hoodies, t-shirts or vests …fabrics with a good stretch are versatile, catering for changing sizes. Scratchy fabrics are to be avoided as these are uncomfortable – for you and your baby. Cotton and viscose blends are breathable fabrics soft and cool on the skin. There are sustainable options too. Look out for organic, recycled and preloved options. If your favourite breastfeeding top is kind to you and the environment, enjoy it after nursing too. You’ll be helping your purse and the planet.
2. Discreet Access
There are so many options to consider! Tops offer accessibility in a variety of ways:
· Buttons/Poppers/Clips – when they work well, they’re great. Try before you buy … fiddly buttons, tough poppers and awkward clips are a nightmare.
· Layers – stylish front panels can be flattering and offer a built-in nursing cover.
· Zips – it’s where they are that makes all the difference. Our breastfeeding tops, hoodies and vests come with side zips, fantastic for discretion. They’re also great for keeping you warm while you’re nursing … something that we don't always think about until we feel the chill. No lifting up is involved - just zip down to the amount of opening you want.
Easy access suits nursing clothes best. It’s the degree of discretion in the design that dictates if you’ll love that top beyond breastfeeding. That’s why I’m a huge fan of side zips. No one knows they’re there … perfect during and after breastfeeding!
3. Clothes that change with you
If your breastfeeding clothes adjust as your body changes, you’ll feel comfier and more confident, loving those clothes for longer.
After you have had your baby, you want clothes that fit. My Ubere Mama breastfeeding clothes are designed for the postnatal body in mind, the cut giving extra room for your changing boobs. The elastane fibre content allows garments to respond to mums’ shapes. By the way, did you know that breastfeeding reduces your postnatal baby bump much faster than non-breastfeeding?)
4. Style it out
Great-looking breastfeeding clothes are important! Wearing a style that complements you, helps you feel good and look great, during breastfeeding and beyond. (I recommend bright colours and patterns for nursing tops.) Colour is fun and Ubere Mama co-ordinates all its styles so that they can be layered/ worn together. Choose the look you love and you’ll want to wear those clothes again and again.
5. Partnering Tops and Bottoms
Wearing a fabulous ‘bottom half’ with your breastfeeding top completes an outfit you'll love. The Ubere Mama tops Suzie, Francesca, Leilani, Florence and Mia all look great with jeans and trousers. You can dress the tops us or make a great casual statement. The Mia is great with skirts under blouses, cardigans or hoodies. When you move on from nursing your baby, those tops can continue to partner in different layered ways giving them life after breastfeeding.
6. Loungewear
Breastfeeding clothes are perfect for loungewear - a huge fashion trend! Loungewear has grown in popularity since lockdown with dressing comfily at home becoming important. My Peter Rabbit TM loungewear range is so versatile, suited for the nursery story time as well as breastfeeding. My iconic Beatrix Potter prints feature on clothes for nursing mums and newborns, including Peter Rabbit TM and Mrs TIGI Winkle. Of course drawstring loungewear trousers and vests for sleeping can be worn long after your nursing journey has ended.
Would you like to save time and money by wearing your breastfeeding clothes for longer?
The first step? Choosing breastfeeding tops, vests and hoodies that are comfortable, convenient to use and easily co-ordinated with your wardrobe means you will love to wear them. Clothes that promote breastfeeding success while looking and feeling great are the inspiration at the heart of our range. We hope you love our nursing clothes as much as we do – and want to wear them beyond breastfeeding.