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The Best Non-Nursing Tops for Nursing Moms

I have some exciting news to share: you don't have to wear a nursing top to nurse comfortably.

Okay, I know that's not actually a new or revolutionary statement. In fact, it's probably something that anyone who nursed or pumped actually knows. However, it's also something that can be easily forgotten. When you're so caught up in the day to day busy-ness of having a kid, it's much easier to just grab the nursing top and get dressed.

And that works...until it doesn't.

Maybe you can't find a nursing top that isn't work friendly. Maybe your body changed and what you were wearing doesn't fit anymore. Maybe you're just over wearing nursing tops.

Whatever it may be for you, the good news is that regular tops can work just as well for nursing and pumping. You just need to know what to look for.

In this post, I'll share what you need to look for in a regular top to make it nursing friendly and still work for real life. I'll also share suggestions of what to buy as well.

(Quick note: To make this post less wordy and easier to read, I'm going to use the term "nursing" as an overarching term for pumping and breastfeeding.)

What Makes a Top Nursing-Friendly

There are a few things to look for if you want to use a regular top as a non-nursing top:

  • It's comfortable to wear all day long
  • You can easily get to your chest without taking off your entire outfit
  • There's still decent coverage for the rest of your body when you lift or pull it to nurse
  • Easy to clean (in case of spills or leaking)

Now that you know what to look for, let's jump into the tops.

Button-Down Tops

The most obvious option is a button down top. It allows for easy access and you don't need to lift up your entire top. But you don't just have to limit yourself to that long sleeve button up that we all think of at first. Any top that buttons up will do! For example, I love this vest and this cardigan.

If you would like additional direction, I would suggest aiming for a more relaxed or oversized fit. If you need to wear it to work, aim for something between fitted and relaxed. The goal is to not feel like you're being squeezed in (which is really the goal for any top). You'll also be more comfortable if you aim for cotton during the colder months and then switch to chambray or linen for the warmer months.

Here are my recommendations (you can also look at them all in one place here):

Wrap Tops

Like a wrap dress, a wrap top is almost always a universally flattering top. Which means that it's perfect for figuring out your postpartum style AND nursing. You can adjust it as much as you need to to be comfortable and it'll allow for easy access when you're ready to nurse.

With a wrap top, I would aim for jersey material and/or a top that ties in the front or on the side. Trust me, you'll drive yourself crazy if you're always reaching behind your back to undo the ties to nurse or feel more comfortable. You also want to check if it's a true wrap top or a faux wrap top. A faux wrap top can work, but only if the top half is loose enough that you can easily move the neck to the side (this top is a good example of that).

Here are my recommendations (you can also look at them all in one place here):

Stretchy Knits

"Why stretchy knits?" You might find yourself asking. Well, even when you're not nursing, you don't want a fabric that's going to stretch out and lose it's shape. Since you're going to be pulling at the material and stretching it to nurse, you want fabric that will snap back into place. A scoopneck or v-neck would also be helpful here (if you'd rather pull the neckline instead of pulling your shirt up).

How can you make sure it's a stretchy fabric? Here are a few tips:

  • Does it easily wrinkle? Fabrics that easily wrinkle (like linen) are not stretchy.
  • If you look at the fabric content (in the inside of your shirt, look at the tag with washing instructions, it'll normally also have the fabric content) and there's spandex or lycra, it likely has some stretchy-ness to it.
  • Fitted rib knits, scuba, and jersey are a reliable pick since those tend to be stretchy.

You can also do a stretch test: pull on your top a little and see what it does. Does it stretchy and then go back into place? Stretchy knit. If you stretch it and it doesn't go back to how it was OR it barely stretches (or not at all), it's not a stretchy knit. Save it for after nursing.

I've said stretchy enough times already, so let's jump to some suggestions (you can also look at them all in one place here):

Oversized Tops

Finally, oversized tops! I think this one is pretty self explanatory: they're tops that are easy to lift, don't expose too much when lifted, and are more relaxed. This is where you would want a more boxy style or an oversized linen shirt (for that more relaxed, Diane Keaton look).

Here are some suggestions (you can also look at them all in one place here):

Remember, you don't have to sacrifice your style when you're nursing. It's possible to wear what you like, you just have to know where to look and what to look for. Or hire me to do the looking for you.

A Gift for FIT4MOM DC Clients

I'm Dana, a personal stylist working with clients in the Washington, DC area and virtually. If you're ready for a closet that actually works for your life, you can visit this page to learn more about the services I offer or reach out directly at dana@sg-style.com. FIT4MOM DC clients get their $50 security deposit waived — just mention it when you reach out.

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