Getting Equipped for Breastfeeding
What to Wear While Breastfeeding
When you're breastfeeding, getting dressed can suddenly feel a little more complicated than it used to. You need clothes that give you easy access to your breast, while still being comfortable and making you feel like yourself.
The good news? You don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe. With a few practical criteria in mind, you can adapt the clothes you already own, choose breastfeeding-friendly styles, or even sew your own breastfeeding clothes.
Whatever option you choose, three things are worth keeping in mind: practicality, comfort and style.
Practical Breastfeeding Clothes...
The first thing to look for in breastfeeding clothes is, of course, easy access to the breast.
The opening should be easy to reach and wide enough to allow you to breastfeed comfortably, without having to wrestle with your clothes while Baby is waiting impatiently for their meal!
Simple openings are generally much easier to use than complicated draped designs that have to be pulled aside or tend to spring back into place.
When choosing or sewing a breastfeeding garment, think about the moments when you'll actually be using it: you should be able to open it easily, ideally with one hand, while holding your baby with the other.
...Comfortable and Well-Made...
During the first months, your clothes are likely to be subjected to their fair share of spills, milk leaks and baby-related accidents!
You'll probably wash your favourite breastfeeding clothes frequently, so comfortable fabrics and well-made garments are worth prioritizing.
If you're sewing your own clothes, you can choose exactly the fabric that suits you best: soft and comfortable against your skin, easy to wash, and durable enough to withstand everyday life with a baby.
...and Flattering to You!
Your body goes through a lot during pregnancy and after birth, and it can take time to settle into its new shape. There's no reason to wait until your body has changed again before wearing clothes that make you feel good.
Instead, choose cuts and fabrics that feel comfortable on your body right now. Fluid or slightly flared shapes can be particularly comfortable during the postpartum period, while still allowing you to feel feminine and well dressed.
If you're sewing your own breastfeeding clothes, you also have complete freedom when it comes to fabrics, colours and patterns. You can create garments that actually reflect your style, rather than settling for whatever happens to be available in the shops.
Sew Your Own Breastfeeding Clothes
If you enjoy sewing, making your own breastfeeding clothes is a particularly practical way to build a wardrobe that suits both your needs and your personality.
And you don't need to be an expert seamstress to enjoy the advantages of sewing your own clothes:
- Quality: you choose the fabric and control the finishing, so you can make clothes that are comfortable and built to last;
- Originality: choose the colours, prints and fabrics you love and create clothes that really look like you;
- Flexibility: one pattern can be sewn in completely different fabrics and adapted to create many different looks;
- Cost-effective: once you've bought a pattern, you can use it again and again, giving you plenty of possibilities for a much more varied wardrobe.
And if you're not an experienced seamstress, don't let that put you off! A well-designed sewing pattern can make sewing a breastfeeding garment much more accessible, even if you're still building your confidence.
T-shirts, tops, sweatshirts, dresses... discover our collection of breastfeeding clothing patterns and create a wardrobe that works for you throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Glamformum - Practical Breastfeeding Guide