OT - Nursing Tops

[tartemis]

I have been searching the internet for 2 days and I can't seem to find any nice, basic nursing tops. Anybody have any suggestions?

With my first, I nursed at home a lot and when I went out, I think I just pulled my shirt up -- but my stomach was a lot flatter then compared to how I think it will be this time. Plus, I want to be out and about more often and more frequently since this is #2 and I want to be able to spend time with #1 while I'm on maternity leave.

I thought getting actual nursing tops this time may make things easier. Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[dizneechic]

I found with my 2nd and 3rd it was easier to nurse them while in a sling and skip the whole nursing top bit. I had 1 dress and 1 top that were meant for nursing in and honestly while they were great quality, I just hated them because of the way the layers around my ****s sat. I found that wearing a tank or loose t under a button up shirt made for the easiest accessibility and the button down provided coverage from all angles when left open with the shirt under lifted from the bottom up.

I lived for my sling when nursing because I could get adjusted, latch the baby on and be hands free most of the time and no one would have a clue what was going on under there. That made chasing after my others much easier when out and about.

 

[CJ's Mommy]

I wore nursing tanks under my regular shirts. That way, I'd just hike up my regular shirt and my stomach would still be covered by the nursing tank. HTH!

 

[la79al]

I got a nursing tank from Target and really didn't like it but a lot of other people seemed to. I gave up and just pull my shirt up. I have horrible stretch marks but my childs nutrition is more important to me than peoples opinions of my stomach.

 

[iheartdisney]

I got all mine at the Motherhood Maternity store, and sold them on ebay when I was done with them. So i would check those two places.
I was also uncomfortable letting my belly stick out by my third baby, and I never really liked the button-up suggestion.
I really loved the "lift-up" designs than the pull-down. I had several like this, but short sleeved.
http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=992820362&MasterCategory_Id=MC29

 

[Sandi S]

Try Motherwear - best nursing tops I've had. They look stylish and hold up well.

I am still nursing my 2 year old in the evenings and some mornings and she's my 4th child. I actually have some super-cute tops I need to ebay...

Other than the nursing tops, my strategy was to wear a more fitted t-shirt (love Old Navy perfect fit t's) and hold the baby with a receiving blanket underneath him/her. The blanket covers any tummy exposure and the t-shirt was never an issue with the top remaining virtually unexposed. It's a lot less obvious and much cooler than trying to hold a blanket - mine wouldn't deal with that anyway. After a grand total of almost 7 years nursing, though, I can wing it almost anywhere.

 

[bekkiz]

I really liked these, they sold them in the hospital baby shop
http://www.glamourmom.com/

 

[patchchild]

Nursing tanks were my best friend. I'd lift my overshirt and the nursing tank kept my belly covered. Very little skin exposed.

Target had the most comfortable ones I found.

 

[stace1214]

I've been shopping for them lately too...have you looked at Old Navy online? They don't have a very big selection, but do have a couple nice tops and a huge variety of colored tanks.

 

[mwse4tubbies]

I love the ones from Target as well.

 

[tartemis]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions!

 

[tartemis]

I found with my 2nd and 3rd it was easier to nurse them while in a sling and skip the whole nursing top bit. I had 1 dress and 1 top that were meant for nursing in and honestly while they were great quality, I just hated them because of the way the layers around my ****s sat. I found that wearing a tank or loose t under a button up shirt made for the easiest accessibility and the button down provided coverage from all angles when left open with the shirt under lifted from the bottom up.

I lived for my sling when nursing because I could get adjusted, latch the baby on and be hands free most of the time and no one would have a clue what was going on under there. That made chasing after my others much easier when out and about.

Would you mind sharing what sling you used? I have a couple, but I never really used them last time around. I was planning on dragging them back out this time to try again, but I would like to know which one worked for you with the nursing.

 

[Anonomom]

I have used the tank & t-shirt combo, too. FWIW, you don't necessarily need a nursing tank -- I can usually get away with just pulling down the neckline of a regular tank (though I am rather less-endowed than some, so YMMV).

Honestly, though, I find that even when I just have a regular bra on, I don't show too much skin when I'm nursing. I hold the baby across my abdomen and she covers almost everything. All that shows is a tiny patch of skin on my side, and even that can be covered with my arm or by nursing near a wall.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I buy men's small "wife beater" T-shirts and then cut a vertial slit in them over the nipple zone. When I need to nurse, I can lift up my regular tops and keep everything covered.

I picked up a three pack at Wal Mart for five dollars. So, for less than two dollars per tank, I have nursing ease and modesty. If you want you can do a zigzag stitch around the opening, but frankly, I find that they don't ravel much even if you leave the opening raw.

Nursing tanks are great, but I just wasn't going to pay the going rate on-line for what amounts to a T with a slit in it.

Hope that helps.

 

[dizneechic]

Would you mind sharing what sling you used? I have a couple, but I never really used them last time around. I was planning on dragging them back out this time to try again, but I would like to know which one worked for you with the nursing.

I used a kangaroo korner adjustable fleece pouch.
http://www.kangarookorner.com/c-9-adjustable-fleece-pouch.aspx
I too tried a bunch of carriers and they were awful for my back, and it never helped that my babies were big (never know that now though, LOL!). With the pouch I could lower the inside "rail" and it supported my breast and the tightness of the pouch held the baby against it to nurse while I was hands free. When the baby was done I would just re adjust them in there with their head sticking out facing forward and continue with what ever I was doing. I managed to use it until mine were about 6-7 months old (28ish lbs) and would hip carry them then.

They aren't cheap but resale is fantastic. I spent 55 on mine (6+ years ago) and used it for 2 of mine. I sold it on ebay for 48 about 3 years ago.

 

[bumbershoot]

I found that nursing tops (especially when used with nursing bras) showed so much more skin than when I just got soft cup bras and did the tank-under-the-shirt routine.

And I could never nurse while DS was in the sling. Wait, I did it twice. First time at home, without a top on, LOL. Second time he was 1+ and on my front in the Moby, facing me, we were on a long walk and he nursed to fall asleep. For anyone walking along they wouldn't have seen anyone, but there were a few tall trucks that passed by, and I'm sure their drivers got quite an eyeful!

Other than that, despite quite a bit of opportunity to make it work, I just couldn't ever do it...

 

[GoinToDisney]

I liked the tanks from target because they are also a bra or I just lifted my shirt and used a cover-up and hoped for the best.

 

[DisneyFanDC]

I LOVE love love Bravado nursing tanks. Depending on how busty you are, they seem a little more supportive than the Target ones. Not cheap, but I ended up wearing one every single day, and as an added bonus, they seemed to hold my tummy in a bit, too. Gap and Old Navy Maternity have pretty good nursing tops that are actually really cute, too (the Gap ones are a little more substantial and better quality). Happy nursing!

 

[goofy4wdw2]

I bought a pack of inexpensive ribbed tank tops from Costco and cut slits to allow for nursing. I worse my usual shirts over top, pulled that up when ready to nurse, and the tank stayed put and covered everything. I just had to expose enough for the little one to latch on. I did notice that the tank rolled a little where I cut it, so I found it worked best to put the slot off to the side slightly so it wasn't noticeable under my shirt.

 

[FLAgirl73]

With my first son I was paranoid about nursing in public, mainly because I was so new with it. With my second son I had no choice. Instead of investing in a bunch of nursing tops, I bought a hotsling baby sling and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. It was awesome - my son loved riding in it and when it was time to nurse it was so simple to just slip it on and open it up (it's basically just a tube of fabric) and I would have my tummy as well as my son's upper body completely hidden from view. I nursed him everywhere - even sitting right next to an older gentleman on an airplane, and all the man said was "Boy, he sure is sleeping well." I strongly recommend getting one of these!