This past weekend I had the luxury of photographing several beautiful women and their babies for a Breastfeeding project I am working on. The days before the sessions I found myself scrambling around town collecting garments for the mom’s to wear that were “nursing friendly”. I am not sure if most of you guys know this or not, but there is clearly a shortage of nursing wear out there, and the clothing that is made for nursing usually have us flashing back to moo moo-esque clothing that our mothers wore. They are plain, frumpy, less than flattering and resembling an era that literally sends shivers down our spines. I know there are a few good companies out there that supply somewhat stylish nursing wear like Milk, but personally most of them still don’t do it for me personally.
So, I threw on my creative thinking cap, wrestled up all the memories of breastfeeding my 3 precious children and sought out current clothing from some of my favorite stores that would be “nursing friendly”. The looks for my shoot consisted of clothing from Target (of course), Old Navy, Anthropologie and Charlotte Russe. Here are a couple of teaser images from the shoot.
For those that are not avid Milk Maids and really have no clue what to even look for here are a few items to consider when shopping for breastfeeding friendly clothing.
Henleys (they button down far enough to open up when needed)
Tanks (lower cut ones are best)
Button Up shirts
Cardigans
Criss Cross Knit Tops/Dresses (for going over)
Blousey Trapeze shaped tops (for going under)
Try to look for cotton or other easily cleaned materials. You will experience leaks, drools, and of course lovely baby spit ups.
J Crew is one of my personal favorite stores. Their clothing is stylish, practical, and extremely well made. Many can wear it, it is so easy to pull together and withholds washing for a long time. Simple style at its best. I collected a few breastfeeding friendly looks to start getting the ideas flowing.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! You always amaze me and these are no exception!! So beautiful :)
Gorgeous!! I loved my Glamourmom Nursing Tanks – http://www.glamourmom.com/ They made all of my regular clothes nursing friendly. Just lift your shirt and you still have tummy coverage!
The images. are. gorgeous.
Now that I’ve said that :) I hated, hated anything that was made for nursing with my two. Instead I always layered a tight spag strap tank under EVERYTHING (with both my summer and winter babies). I would lift up the shirt on top and take the strap down from the tank – literally covering everything above and below. Having the lovely post-baby tummy I felt much more secure this way.
Love these ideas and will definitely reference this if we have another… :)
These photos are beautiful. I miss nursing my babies. They are 6 now. Tank tops were wonderful for using to nurse. I loved my baby wrap too I could hold the baby in the wrap and it had an extra piece of material I could drape over me and I could nurse anywhere.
awesome pics!! very classy and elegant!!! great work!! i wish i had someone to take some maternity and nursing photos of me when i was nursing my kids!
These are G O R G E O U S, Marta!!! Not that im suprised by that, you are FAB. But W o W!!
They came out amazing Marta!!!
I love these images! I am also very happy about the fact that such a well-known (and amazing) photographer such as yourself is helping to spread the word that breastfeeding is a completely normal and natural thing, not to mention beautiful! Thanks Marta! :) :) :)
Such beautiful photos. I’m currently nursing a five month old, and I couldn’t help but laugh at what you said about nursing wear…it’s so true! You do have to get creative. As some others have said, nursing tanks and layers are great. Using a criss cross top is something I’ll have to try!
Beautiful photos! I felt the same toward “nursing” tops and wore a modified version of my normal wardrobe, almost always with a nursing tank underneath. Ahhh, I miss those intimate moments with my babies.
agreed – gorgeous images!! so intimate and beautiful.
i have found criss-cross tops to be my best friend while nursing, as well as long, deep-scoop tanks. and thank goodness for layering! what gorgeous clothing, marta. thank you for giving such creative ideas to fill the void of beautiful nursingwear. it’s sooo hard to find clothing that is both practical and stylish at the same time!
ps… that third image down – holy smokes. wonderful job!
Beautiful pictures! I do the same as Angie, I always wear a cami under my top and pull my top up and the strap of the cami down. Tummy covered below and breast covered above. I feel like I’ve perfected this move and can get my 7 month old on before anyone sees a thing. I bought specialty nursing wear with my first, but I’ve been doing this method for the next two and it’s so much more flexible.
Wow … first time I ever saw — or heard of — breastfeeding pics! But, I am currently nursing my fourth babe, loving it, and just loved the message these pics send. It is such a priveledge to nurse. Thanks for that.
M you nailed these every last one….I think they are my absolute favorites that you have ever taken! This blog is right on time as I\\\’m expecting and plan on nursing as long as I can. I tried with my first and things didn\\\’t go well, skipped it totally with my 2nd…3rd time is a charm right. Congrats hun on such an AWESOME session….I\\\’m head over heels!
Thanks previous \\"Milk Maids\\" for the wonderful advice!
The photos are absolutely amazing, beautiful, and breathtaking! I long to have some of my own of myself and my nursling. Excellent work, and beautiful clothing choices!
Amazing as always. I nursed both my girls for a year. Brings back wonderful memories. =) Wish I had these amazing pictures of those moments!
These are such beautiful pictures and make me a little sad that my baby (who just turned 2) weaned a week ago :) But it does make me happy that this is the first year in 5 1/2 that I can wear what I want without worrying about a pregnant stomach or access to the “goods”.
Jill