Breastfeeding Resources

So, you’re getting ready to go back to work. You’ve arranged child care. You’ve become familiar with the breast pump. But if you’re like me, you waited til the last week to think about clothes, keeping your fingers crossed that you’d have lost enough weight to get into at least a few pieces of work clothing. Alas.

I had existed on the few pieces of maternity clothes that didn’t look huge on my post-pregnancy body and were the right season. And that turned out to be t-shirts, shorts, and the one pair of capris I bought in my first official outing after Aaron was born. Not the look I wanted to carry forward to work. But nothing of my former wardrobe fit. Shirts were stretched across the bust and pants gaped at the waist. And who wants to spend a lot of money on clothes you hope not to be wearing after 6-9 months?

The least I could get by with, I figured, was one top and one bottom for every work day. They needed to make breast pump access easy, and layerable so I could still wear them as the season changed. I ended up with two skirts, since they’re way easier to fit than pants, one pair of pants, and one dress. A few maternity skirts and tops I had would also work.

When you’re looking to buy some transitional work clothes, here’s my advice for what to get:

- looser sweaters or tops that go on over your head can be quickly lifted for pumping. Find fabric that is patterned or obviously textured so any bulkiness from your bra or bra pads is obscured.

- button-down shirts offer easy access for pumping. Make sure they’re generous in the bust so they aren’t gaping between buttons. I worry sometimes I’ll forget to do a button when I finish pumping, so regular tops may have a slight advantage.

- wrap-around tops or dresses are also good

- any bottom will do, but consider how easily the material will stain. I regularly drip a few drops of breast milk on my skirt or pants. So far it hasn’t left a mark, but you’d hate to have to walk around all day with spots on your lap.

- since hopefully these are temporary clothes for the several months til you’re back to your pre-pregnancy size (still keeping my fingers crossed!) buy pieces that easily layer under your old cardigans, open button-down shirts, or blazers and fabrics that extend over a single season.

I don’t find nursing clothes important for working. In the closed room I’m pumping in, I’m fine showing a little more skin. Plus, I haven’t found any that are reasonably priced and at all attractive.