Breastfeeding clothing: practical solutions to readapt garments
One of the aspects that can make the moment of feeding more or less pleasant is definitely the clothing.
Depending on the season or the place where we are, in fact, wearing comfortable clothes and suitable linen can make the difference.
On the market there are so many accessories and clothing very useful and specific for breastfeeding, but they are often a bit expensive.
For my experience as a mother who breastfed for more than twelve months, I can say that buying some breastfeeding garments was certainly a good idea, but fortunately I was able to make do well with the clothes I already had in the closet, maybe readapting them a little.
Breastfeeding clothing do it yourself
Of the things already present in the wardrobe are useful and reusable all those garments that can be easily opened such as blouses with buttons and sweaters with zippers and those comfortable garments that are lowered without problems such as microfiber tops with straps, T-shirts with generous V-neck or soft and elasticated bras.
If you have a minimum of confidence with needle and thread, normal clothes or accessories can be transformed into practical garments and suitable for a comfortable and discreet breastfeeding almost like the real ones. Here are some examples.
With a common t-shirt
Here is a common summer t-shirt transformed into a comfortable knit for breastfeeding. It was enough to make a cut just below the breast stitch (empire style), two cuts along the side seam until you get under the sleeves and sew ribbon and snaps along the entire opening. In this way belly, shoulders and back in this way will always be covered.
With two simple tank tops
With two tank tops you can create a Nursing Top that allows you to breastfeed without revealing too much. To do this you need to cut the tank top to put underneath and sew it as indicated in the tutorial. At the time of feeding it is enough to pull one flap up and one down.
With simple buttons
With a cut to the straps and the application of automatic buttons it is possible to transform very common cotton tank tops and normal bras into practical garments to be unbuttoned at the right moment.
With hooks
Nursing bras can be created by applying interlocking hooks to common bras. In this way you will avoid buying the openable ones which are practical for breastfeeding but in my opinion they are neither comfortable nor beautiful.
Jersey with opening
If breastfeeding in summer can be very easy, doing it in winter with t-shirts and sweaters is a little less so. To avoid pulling up too much laundry and uncovering the belly, a solution could be to make a central cut or two side cuts to old shirts to keep under the wool golf. In this way the only part discovered will be the one that serves the child.
Shirt/sweatshirt
With a little wool, fleece or fleece cotton fabric you can sew a practical sweater / sweatshirt to open in the right place. The front is cut in the central part and the upper part is simply superimposed on the lower one. This model can also be done by modifying sweatshirts or sweatshirts that you already have. Tutorial→suckling sweatshirt
Knit/poncho
Here is a small but very pretty wool poncho that you can wear as if it were a sweater. Those who know how to knit or crochet can make an equal one inspired by this. The side openings allow discreet breastfeeding even in winter and to keep the baby warm. Explanations→ nursing poncho
I’ll stop here but the solutions to transform normal clothing into garments suitable for breastfeeding can also be many others.
To find them, just look closely at the items you have at home and sharpen your wits.
Don’t forget, always have a needle and thread at hand!
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.