The first months of breast feeding can be filled with challenges, irritations, and frustrations. If you’ve decided to breast feed your baby, you need to know that you’re doing something incredibly important and beneficial for your child. Please stick with it, and do not give up. Often women give up right before it gets easy. I was determined to breast feed no matter what, and was delighted to discover that it got easier after about 3 months. Every month I nursed my baby, the easier it got… so we just kept going!
One thing that I struggled with at first was finding the right under garments. I purchased handfuls of nursing bras and tops to find the right one. I personally couldn’t stand the nursing bras that have a flap that you pull down. They just get covered in milk (who wants to put a wet bra back on after nursing?!) and they’re not easy to hide under your clothes if you live anywhere besides the North Pole. They have wide straps and are usually full cup coverage so they peek out from your shirts. It’s already pretty obvious to everyone that you just had a baby. You’re not feeling like yourself, and dealing with the flush of hormones too. No one wants to feel bad about their image or uncomfortable on top of that. So here’s how I overcame this issue…
You know those nice little padded cups inside your bras? Take them out… and put them in a comfy, wire-free sports bra or “sleep” bra. I found very lightweight, wire-free bras at department stores in the pajama/lingerie departments. They are usually in the sleepwear. You can also find a super comfy bra on Amazon under the brand name Coobie. I bought bras that are completely convertible, so the straps can be removed, worn normally, or crossed/connected to make it racer-back. Then I cut slits at the top of the inside of the bra cups, and inserted the nice pads from my favorite normal bra. Some wire-free bras like Coobie have pre-cut and finished holes in the cups, so you don’t have to cut a hole in your clothes. However, a small hole on the inside isn’t going to show and unlikely to tear. Also, some of these “sleep” bras already have pads in them that you can use or replace with better ones. I found the best pads inside my nicer athletic tops. They are thicker and hold up better in the wash. I also wash and dry all of my bras, contrary to laundering guidelines. I just don’t care. Who has time to hang up clothes and wait over night for them to dry? Not me. I barely have time to wash them in the first place!
Here’s another trick. Cami-tanks that have a shelf bra can hold the pads inside the shelf bra without sewing them in. If you wear a lot of tanks, try putting the pads directly inside the cami so you do not need a bra underneath. The least layers you have to wear, the easier it is to breastfeed– especially if you’re in public. It’s difficult to pull up your clothes and bunch them all up over your chest if you’re trying to be discrete in public. Pulling them down just causes them to get wet from milk drips.
I found that camis can still be a little cumbersome, but they come in handy when you have a sheer top.
Ok, in case the numerous free samples of milk pads you received while pregnant weren’t a clue, you’re going to need some disposable milk pads too. Medela makes a comfortable disposable breast feeding pad that you insert inside your bra. It will soak up the excess milk from unnecessary let down or little leaks during the day. This keeps your bras fresh and dry. After about 6 months, I was able to just wear one (on the second side that my baby nursed from, so only during let-down). After 1 year we were still breast feeding (yay), and I was able to go without any paper pads. You’ll want to experiment with these to find the best product and timing for when you will need them.
Finally, GIVE UP TIGHT CLOTHING. You’re probably not going to feel like wearing tight tops at first anyway, but if you’re a fashionista you will learn really fast that being a mommy comes first now. If anyone actually cares about what you’re wearing, they are not your friend. Just stating the obvious again! There will be time later to get back to looking your best, and you’ll look back on this time like a little blip in history. Just remember that what you’re doing for your baby is most important right now! Next year, you won’t remember the massive milk leaks, sore nipples, and drama over finding a place to nurse in public, but your child will be healthier, stronger, and better adjusted in life.
And, you can still look great with a few hacks–
Want to wear a dress? Find one with cami-straps and an empire waist. Easily pull it off your shoulder to nurse (just fold a burp rag onto your the top so it doesn’t get wet). Avoid zippered backs and tight dresses while you’re nursing or you’ll end up with your husband standing in front of your car window while you undress to nurse your baby in the car because you forgot to wear a nurse-friendly outfit (happens to the best of us).
Hot summer day? Wear an athletic top with padded shelf bra. Wear it as a tank top– no one will ever know you’re wearing an exercise top, or they will think you just came from yoga. Lululemon and Gap Athleta have beautiful tops in a variety of styles that are padded and even provide support. For my thriftier mamas, try Marshalls or TJ Maxx athletic section. I found many cute tops there complete with support and padding.
What other things have worked for you? Please share them with us!
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
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