Feb17
READ THE POST
The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.
Before I had kids, I was fully planning to be a formula mom. Breastfeeding weirded me out. And then somehow, I became the person who is OBSESSED with breastfeeding. And that’s ironic considering it was NOT easy with either of my boys (there were big challenges each time). Both of my boys nursed until they were two years old, so I definitely have some experience with nursing dresses. I’m 41 and work full-time so I want dresses that are practical for the office or mom life and will work well beyond the nursing stage of life.
Alright, let’s jump in. I know it can be hard to find cute nursing clothes, so I hope you find something below that fits your needs and style. To be honest, every single thing I wear these days is breastfeeding friendly. And while we’re on the topic, I shared the rest of my postpartum essentials in this post.
The Best Nursing Dresses
Here’s a secret: aside from nursing tanks and bras, I never buy nursing-specific clothing. Breastfeeding-specific clothes are almost always unflattering (way too boxy), and the nursing panels aren’t particularly convenient, or they just add more bulk. Some nursing dresses have a built-in double layer over your breasts to help with leaks and modesty (i.e., bulk!), so I just make sure my nursing bras provide enough coverage. Instead, I look for button-front dresses, smocking (stretch is key!), or straps that can untie.
In the newborn days, when I’m nursing constantly, I go for dresses that are extremely easy for breastfeeding – ideally just smocking, so I can pull it down (I have other great outfit ideas for newborn photos in this post). But now that my son is older, I don’t mind a few buttons. And honestly, sometimes I’ll wear a dress that isn’t easily accessible for breastfeeding, but if it’s short, I can pull it up. I only do this if I’m not going to be out and about, but it works fine when I’m at home. And since I always wear shorts under my dresses, I’m not totally exposed.
I shared a handful of easy-to-recreate “cool mom” outfits here, but today I’m diving specifically into my most-worn nursing-friendly dresses! If none of these options suit your fancy, I have a few more dresses that I wear for everyday mom life rounded up here.
1. Hill House Ellie Nap Dress
My very favorite dress for postpartum life in general is the Ellie Nap Dress by Hill House Home. Not only does it work seamlessly while nursing since you can pull the straps and bodice smocking down, but it’s comfortable and flattering in all the right places (read my detailed review of the Nap Dress here). Like I said, being able to wear clothes that aren’t specific to breastfeeding makes me feel more human, so I now own multiple styles from Hill House. The smocking is very sturdy with great compression, but it’s not restrictive at all. I wore this around the house, to church, on errands, and everywhere else in those early postpartum days (even home from the hospital). And the best part is that I can still wear it today!
I wear this dress with sandals, white sneakers, or go barefoot around my house (here are a few tips for wearing sneakers with dresses). The sizing is forgiving, but if you’re between sizes, opt for the smaller one. While they make this dress in a ton of colors and patterns, skip the solid colors and go with something a little busier so milk spots aren’t as noticeable.
The pattern I’m wearing below is no longer available, but the Navy Tonal Seersucker is a new favorite I’d love to get my hands on. I also like this affordable alternative from Quince – just size up one!
If you tend to run cold, you can always throw a jacket on with your dress (this post gives you the best jackets to wear with any dress!).
2. Charlie Sleeveless Dress
Next on my must-haves list is the navy sleeveless Charlie dress from Tuckernuck. I wore this at least once a week last summer when Charles was a newborn. It’s both casual and polished, making it a great option for anywhere you might go. I dressed it up with heeled sandals for church, wore it with flat sandals for errands, and threw on white sneakers when I wanted to dress it down more casually. The front placket has functional buttons, so while it doesn’t look like a shirt dress, it actually is (which makes it ideal for nursing in public). Since I was sweating all the time in the early postpartum months (thanks to hormones, I guess!), the sleeveless fit was fantastic. I own this dress in navy and a flax color.
Wear a comfortable nursing bra underneath, and then throw on a pair of biker shorts (these biker shorts from Amazon are my favorites) so you’re not worried about bending over, sitting down, or chasing your other child. I especially appreciate the relaxed fit since I didn’t want to wear anything too fitted in those first few months. I wear a size XS in this dress, for reference.
3. Chino Rhoda Mini Dress
I recently got the Navy Chino Mini Dress, and my first thought was how cute it is that you almost forget it’s breastfeeding-friendly. The button front is what makes it work for nursing. You just unbutton from the top, no awkward pulling or stretching out the neckline, and button it right back up when you’re done.
I like that it doesn’t look like a nursing dress. It just looks like a cute dress. The chino fabric has enough structure to hold up through a long day, and navy goes with everything. Sneakers in the daytime, sandals for dinner. I ordered this in an XS and it fits perfectly, but I may have gone with a small if I were fresh into breastfeeding.
4. Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress
This Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress is another nursing-friendly winner that I still wear today. It’s a thin, lightweight material that easily unbuttons for nursing. The fit is relaxed and fun, which pairs perfectly with flat or heeled sandals (and white sneakers, of course). I hang it to dry after washing, so keep that in mind when purchasing, since it’s not quite as “easy” as other dresses. I wear Amazon biker shorts underneath this dress since it does blow up a bit on windy days. While it requires one extra step for laundering, the dress itself is very easy to dress up or down with shoes and accessories. I wore this weekly with Charles last summer. Size down if you’re on the fence – this is an XS.
5. Frank and Eileen Rory Maxi Shirtdress
I didn’t own the Rory Maxi Shirtdress when I was newly postpartum, but now that I have it, I’ve been recommending it to all of my pregnant friends. The relaxed fit works well with nursing bras, and the material is lightweight but not sheer. The most surprising part is that it’s flattering on my petite frame.
While Frank and Eileen pieces are pricey, the quality is worth every penny (and since the brand is actually founded by moms, they made sure everything is easily washable and functional to wear around kids). If you love this look but need something more affordable, this Everlane Midi Shirtdress looks very similar.
6. Chloe Dress or Harper Dress
There will be a few times throughout your breastfeeding journey where you need to dress up a bit (maybe for a graduation ceremony, a wedding, a friend’s baby shower, etc.), and the Chloe Dress from Tuckernuck or this Harper dress from Abbey Glass will be your best friend. Both are similar in shape and style, and are two of the most timeless dresses I own. Every time I wear them, I feel like Jackie O. The front plackets have buttons that are functional for breastfeeding, but you’d never know by the look of them. (Note that Amazon has a similar look for less.)
I style these most often with heeled sandals or nude pumps.
I hope this roundup helps you find a few dresses to wear while you’re breastfeeding. There are SO many cute options that make nursing easier, you just have to know what to look for.
Shop the Post
Leave a Comment