Dressing Post-Maternity: Breastfeeding Friendly Style

Our bodies change as we navigate our way through life - we swell, we grow, we bloom, we nourish our children, and we evolve. Motherhood gives us no choice but to adapt, but we still want to look and feel like ourselves, and at Joanie, we understand that dressing like ourselves is really important, too.

“As a mother of three wild boys, I celebrate a tiny piece of me each day when I choose what to wear. If I’m going to be a human dairy covered in spit up and dirt all day, I may as well wear something pretty, right? For the past 6 years, anytime I invest in clothing, I have my radar on for nursing friendly options that I can wear pregnant, nursing, and anywhere in between - and Joanie has that department on lock.”

Danielle Hansen, The Hansen Tribe

We make easy-wear, easy-care clothes that, more often than not, can go straight in the washer. We understand that things can get messy - at any point in the day, we could be covered in all manner of liquids or solids, and we need clothes that respond quickly.

‘One and done’ outfits are our thing; a Wonder Woman twirl, and we’re back in the game, no fiddly fasteners or a second pair of hands required. We understand that more outfit changes than Mariah Carey are a regular occurrence, but with a little resilience, we got this.

As a breastfeeding Mum, I feel like I lose my identity and reach for an easy oversized jumper and jeans for easy feeding. With my second baby, I really wanted to feel a little more stylish and less restricted in my wardrobe. The Ethel Corduroy jumpsuit gives such a lovely fit and allows for easy feeding with the large buttons that are easy to undo for my little one's feeding times!

@boots_twdownham

We add a little stretch where we can - whether that's into the fabric for a little more breathing room or a sneaky elasticated waist seam concealed under a sash belt around the back that only we know about!

We understand that the devil is in the detail. We add extra inside ‘jigger’ buttons at the pressure points of our garments - having an extra helping at lunchtime? We'll let our inner waist take the strain! A full milky bust? Our extra modesty buttons or wrap fronts can handle it!

We design clothes with mums in mind. We get that at a split second’s notice, you’ll have to sprint, duck, dive, dodge, or dance - whatever comes your way, your clothes should help you, not hinder the fun. We make our hemlines a little longer so you can bend over and wipe a nose, buckle in a car seat, or break up a scrap without showing your knickers.

We design our clothes to require as little ironing as possible, so you can enjoy whatever downtime you get!

Breastfeeding Friendly Style

We asked our mum mates and parent employees for their help and advice in writing our guide to getting dressed post-maternity. They’ve shared with us what they have learned so far, their top tips for breastfeeding friendly style, and recommend Joanie pieces that fit the bill.

These young motherhood days are not serene, and the moments of calm are few and fleeting. It is messy, loud and full of energy. I go to bed each night, tired to the bone and craving silence, replaying both the sweetness and the crazy of the day in my head. And I’m ever thankful that in those quick moments that I happen to catch a glimpse in the mirror, I can see ME - a mother - dark eye circles, messy hair, and a pretty dress (even if it is caked in flour and spit up) - looking more myself than I ever thought possible because this is exactly who I’m meant to be.

Danielle Hansen, The Hansen Tribe

Think Practical

Breastfeeding friendly style doesn’t have to mean black leggings and oversized sweatshirts. You can still wear almost all of the things you used to - you might just need to get a little more creative!

Invest in some good nursing bras, then look for clothing you will still be happy to wear when boob accessibility is not your top priority – simply, breastfeeding ‘friendly’ clothes. This approach makes you feel more confident and more like yourself.

Use the things you already have - use the things you bought for pregnancy while your body changes, and remember to swap stuff with old friends and new-found mum mates. We do this with kids' clothes like it's second nature, let’s do this for us grown-ups, too.

Since having  my daughter, my clothing choices have had to become slightly more practical, but it was important for me to retain a sense of my usual style

Laura, Joanie Freelancer

Shop Your Own Wardrobe

This is simply about how to dress and breastfeed using NORMAL CLOTHES.

Not clothes with holes. No clothes with contraptions.

Don’t get bogged down in the world of nursing-specific clothing. The extraneous clips, flaps, holes, layers and voluminous ponchos – these really weren’t for me. I had bought some nursing tops when pregnant and dutifully packed them in my hospital bag having perceived them as essential.  I soon found them to be fussy and fiddly (hello clips, flaps and holes!) and they’ve since been retired.

Laura, Joanie Freelancer

Pull Up/Pull Down Method

Breastfeeding friendly styles don't have to be frumpy. Your favourite T-shirt can still be utilised by wearing a stretchy camisole or vest underneath. This is known as the pull up/pull down method - the T-shirt is pulled up while the vest is pulled down, so it limits skin exposure (especially around the tummy area!).

Dungarees are a really popular choice for breastfeeding, whether by dropping a strap or pulling to the side. A quick strap-down manoeuvre makes dungarees ideal for breastfeeding. Overalls or jumpsuits work, too - especially those with a bit of stretch - layered over a cami. Layers are great for not exposing too much of yourself: top off with a fun cardi, and you can use this for a plethora of jobs - modesty ‘shield’, a pillow, or just for plain old comfort and warmth!

I wore brightly coloured and fun slogan tees that my baby would enjoy looking at in a size up and found that it’s really easy to nurse in them with a quick lift up. Some mums like to layer over a vest for discretion, but personally, I like to pair them with high-waisted bottoms or dungarees.

Robyn, Mum to Ernie

Shop Joanie Jumpsuits & Dungarees!

Before I became pregnant, I heard a lot of women say they struggled to dress themselves once they had their children due to lack of time, exhaustion, and limited choices available on the high street. As someone who always enjoyed fashion, I was determined not to let this go, and keep my sense of style alive. My number one rule has always been that I only wear outfits I would pick regardless of whether I was breastfeeding or not… I need to feel confident, happy and like ‘me.'

Sophie, Breastfeeding Peer Supporter for the NHS and ABM (Associate of Breastfeeding Mothers)

Shop Joanie Cardigans!

Button It

A shirt dress or button-front blouse offers easy access and feels a bit more put together than a casual T-shirt and dungarees. Button-down access is perfect for the breastfeeding mum, either with or without a cami underneath as before. Remember, shirt styles will only really work if you’re wearing a nursing bra (because of the sleeves), so keep this in mind. Easy peasy to breastfeed in - just unbutton as appropriate, and latch on. These styles also help you keep your own personal style, as colour and prints show a little more of your personality.

I absolutely love the print on this dress - both quirky and gorgeous autumnal shades. A great dress to have fun accessorising with! I love this shape and style of dress with the button front that is ideal for breastfeeding in a lush dress you maybe wouldn't think suitable. I also love the belted waist to add a bit of shaping and I am partial to a neat collar. This is such a flattering length on both the arms and legs, great for chasing children!

Emma (@canibreastfeedinituk)'s feedback on the Andi Book Print Shirt Dress

Shop Joanie Shirt Dresses!

That's A Wrap!

A cliché, but wrap dresses and wrap front garments really ARE great if you’re in between sizes post-pregnancy, as they can be tightened or loosened up or down a size with ease. We love how versatile the wrap is - wear with sandals and a cardi during the day or jazz up with heels and bright lipstick at night.

This dress is a real hero piece for me: fabulous print, delicate sheer fabric, and a really flattering fit. I still look and feel like me, but I’ve still got quick and discreet accessibility to pump if I need. I took away the woven/sturdier cami it came with and replaced it with a jersey vest dress of my own.

Customer Feedback on the Celia Birtwell X Joanie Golden Slumbers Wrap Dress

Shop Joanie Wrap Dresses!

V Good

V-neck styles are great for feeding: the lower the neckline, the better! A wrap or cross-over feature is also great for access to the good stuff. Just unclip or remove your strap, and re-position the neckline so your boob is out and ready. It’s trial and error with a V-neck style, so have a practice at home first, but if you’re out and about with your little one at an event, a muslin cloth can come in handy because you’ll be a bit more exposed than the previous styles we’ve mentioned.

Velvet just oozes party time and makes you feel all warm and festive. This fabric hangs so well, and I especially love the black - that's my signature colour. The deep V-front is perfect for nursing, and a jumpsuit is a great option when there may be lots of chasing little ones required.

Charlie, mum to Orla, feedback on the Bellatrix Black Velvet Jumpsuit

Finally, embrace your new role - you’re doing great, Mums. Shop our edit of Breastfeeding Friendly Styles here!