Fight the Frump -Nursing with Style

A supa-fab Friend of Fussy requested a breastfeeding edition. I know a little bit about nursing. I have spent 5 of the last 10 years nursing a baby. Here is a little background info about my thoughts on the topic.

• I do not wear nursing clothing, use nursing bras or cover-ups.
• I have casually and/or accidentally bared a breast or two in most of the states up and down the eastern seaboard.
• I have learned to squeeze in the backseat of the suburban and lean over a carseat to nurse a crying baby. You are welcome, random truckers.
• I believe businesses who suggest women nurse in a dressing room or ~gasps~ a public restroom should be shamed.

Now that I got that of my chest (hee, hee) let's talk about fighting the nursing frump.

Truth One- Most nursing bras on the market are garbage.

Your breasts need support! When wearing a bra, you should not be able to tuck them in the waist band of your pants.

Buy a well-made and supportive bra. I never use 'nursing' bras. Those hooks, and panels are a nightmare. Why would you want to have your hand up your shirt in public fiddling with a bra? I just pull one side of the bra up a bit to nurse the baby.

Truth 2-  Nursing clothes are ugly.

Unless you are ready to shell out tons of money for designer tops, clothing with 'peek-a-boo' panels are horrid. Imagine a poly-cotton fabric in a color that God never designed, that is loose fitting, over-sized with extra panels of fabric?

Agh. A nightmare mixture of frump.

You will see catalogs with beautiful nursing tops. Do not be fooled. Have you ever seen a new mom look like this?

OK, I never looked that good, but that's not the point.

The point is to wear normal fashionable shirts. Do not buy cheap clothing because you think you should. When you nurse the baby there is a wonderful way to lift your shirt without exposing the dreaded accordian-style muffin-top belly.

Truth 3- You can make your own belly cover.

I have a great trick to avoid undershirts with those dreaded extra panels. Remember extra panels = extra bulk. Just say no to extra bulk!

Buy a quality camisole. Do not just buy a cheapie at Tar-chay. Buy a camisole with a bit of strech and thick fabric. I like the ones from athletic stores. They are breathable and hold all the jiggilies in place. It will need to be a bit longer than most so it can be tucked into pants. We don't want any plumber views, K?

Now put it on and carefully cut the section that covers the girls. This way you will have your belly covered when you pull up your top to feed the baby. Sure, it looks funny and your husband will laugh and make jokes, but it works!

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Now it's time for my favorite part, The Official Fussy Frump Fighters!

Remember the rules. Leave your name & topic on line one. Link your specific post's URL on line two. Use my graphic and link back to me in your post.

One of my boys had a birthday today. (Mmmmm, that meant cake!) The frump fighter who's link matches his age will get some supa-fab Fussy earrings! I will announce the winner tomorrow in the comments.

My love to all the beautiful and wonderful Frump Fighters!

Love, Fussy

 

Comments

[karla ~ looking towards heaven]

I can vouch for this idea! It saved me from many potential exposures to the, umm, elements.

One of my favorite ideas!

xo ~K

[Carolyn]

I love the new header! Very Cute!

Carolyn

[Sarah]

You are always looking sharp. Love the jelly beans.

Don't forget on the bra - "go in there and pull up those girlies" which was the exact advice I got when I went for a bra fitting to keep a little roll from hanging out the bottom. Gotta love these experts.

[Daisy]

Thanks for this fun opportunity - I really look forward to FtF Friday!!

Your son - he's four -right??? Tell me he's four!! :D

[Heather]

GREAT post, Fussy! Those fancy-schmany nursing tops don't fit plus size gals anyway, so I never did waste money on that.

As always, you give wonderful advice. BTW, when are we gonna see that belly? hee hee hee

[Brea in Texas]

I would like to point out a nursing bra exception: I love the sports bra-style nursing bras to sleep it. The girls need all the love they can get when I'm in bed!

I tried the nursing top thing with my first one ... never again! After that, I just bought 47 camies , to match under every shirt I've ever owned, and it worked wonderfully!! I nursed my youngest until almost 14 months, and I never had the belly hanging out, and very rarely flashed a boob. I also became really proficient with a light blanket (one of those receiving blankets).

It takes a little practice, but you can totally do it!!!! :)

~Brea

[Marnie]

Very good ideas. I don't have children yet. This info may be very useful in the future, I'm sure! :)

[fullheartandhands mama]

You are genius? How come I never thought to make my own nuring camisole? Genius I tell you. I posted about diaper bags, though I have feeling you might avoid those. I'd love to find a bag that holds everything I need and is in my budget. So far, that is not to be. Sigh.

[Valarie in AL]

So I don't nurse any more, but I wish I had thought of that when I did. Sending all my nursing friends over to read this.

[Michelle@Life with Three]

What a great idea -- I can't stand it when my stomach is on display for the entire world to see while I'm feeding my daughter!

[Alli ~Mrs. Fussypants]

Carolyn- Thanks!;)

Sarah- go in there and pull those girlies up. HAhahaha!

Daisy- I do have a 4 yr old, but he's not the birthday boy. Next time. ;)

Heather- I know, I promised belly shots. I'll do it this weekend. Swear.

Brea- Great minds think alike!

Marnie- You keep storing the info, Darlin. You'll have all the tips!

Full <3 & Hands Mama- I actually stole the idea from Dr. Sears I think. Diaper bags? I just carry a big huge purse.;)

Thanks Valarie. love to ya.

Michelle- I am a big believer in keeping all the jiggilies in.

Love every single one of ya!

[Beck]

This post should be awarded some sort of public service prize. Figuring out a nursing wardrobe that was both flattering and mdoest was beyond my baby-strained brains.

[Mindi]

Great advice! Very few things are as ugly as those "nursing tops". I think the only people who buy them are first-time moms. Once you get used to nursing you realize how impractible they are!

[Melody]

I really wish I had "known" you when I was nursing!

This is a great idea.

I suppose It's too much to hope your son turned 11?? LOL!

Thanks!

[Mindi]

"impractible"?

That was supposed to be "impractical"

Someone needs another cup of coffee!

[Ashley]

Omg...I had to link to this from my first impressions blog (http://firstimpressionsbaby.blogspot.com). Ingenious advice! Very good :)

[themommykelly]

rolling here as always. Great tips.

[Cindy Swanson]

My nursing days are long over, but it looks like you have some great advice here, Fussy!

More to the point...won't you be glad when you can do your "Lost" updates again? I'm suffering withdrawals...both from the show and from your updates! April 24th, get here SOON!

[Cassie]

I did not care for the nursing tops at all either. Although, I do have to disagree when it comes to the nursing bra. Being a DD and using only underwire bras, it was very uncomfortable to just pull one out of a regular bra. I did buy an expensive nursing bra and LOVED it!! I also had to wear nursing pads every day until my children were weaned. In fact, in the beginning I had to wear 2 on each side or I would end up with that oh so embarrassing wet shirt.

[Sadie]

Great tips that I will never again have to use!! *lol* Where were you 3 years ago?!?!

[Baby Mamma (aka Tamra)]

GRET IDEA! I do the very same thing - make my own nursing camisoles! Except I cut slits further to the sides, then pull over when nursing.
I tried not using a nursing bra and just pulling aside, but I tend to get mastitis so easy. Then its Hello, cabbage leaves. Sigh.

[Darla]

Ummmm yeah I'm done nursing so I'll leave y'all to talk amongst yourselves. ;)

[Lalena]

Way past needing those but with you all the way sista! Great ideas!

[Rachael]

Thank you for this post! I have only one child (a 6 month old daughter) and I have been wondering how I will be able to afford more cheap nursing clothes (which aren't cheap in price even at Target!) for more kiddos. Now I know how to fight the frump and still nurse my babies--yay;)

[Carrie]

I'm past my nursing days but I agree 100% -- There is nothing more frumptabulous than nursing tops, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to be discreet in normal clothing!

And oh, how I love thee that we both know how to lean over carseats to "feed" on roadtrips - I felt so incredibly dumb doing that but it had to be done (4 years ago). Thank god for tinted windows! :)

[fullheartandhands mama]

Okay, I'll say it again, I love this idea. I still think it is genius. However, I must admit that I really like Target's nursing camisoles. Sadly, my chest isn't that big even when I'm nursing, so I probably can't give the best advice, but they work for me and retail for under 20 dollars.

Fussy, I'd love some purse ideas that for someone who has 3 kiddos 3 and under. Ones that don't break my bank or my back.

[jungleswife]

Good advice! Love your pink and green blog colors, too.

[Lisa]

I have been nursing for pretty much ten years and I did the camisole thing too (great minds think alike?).
I also wear really nice cardigans and bought small cheap mens t-shirts to snip, snip.
Since I am on my fourth, I'm to the 'I don't care' point and just lift up the shirt lol.

[Ingrid]

I must say I do like a good nursing bra. A good underwire 'D' doesn't slide up over a swollen, sore, milky boob very well!!!! It's true though, a good supportive one that doesn't make me look my grandmother is difficult to find!

[Heather]

I'm with Cassie and Ingrid on needing a nursing bra.

Ladies, I'm an H cup, so there is no way on God's green earth that you will EVER.EVER.EVER see me without a bra. There is one company that makes nursing bras in that cup size (and their prices reflect that!).

So I guess that's my FtF contribution for the day - if you are more than an A cup, wear a bra! Doesn't matter what kind. If the girls jiggle, give them a hug and keep them from saggin'! Sort of off topic, but still relevant since I didn't get around to posting my own FtF today.

[mah-meeee]

I totally agree!

I have not own a nursing top that looks good. The ones that look good online never fits me the way I wanted them to.

[Christine]

Where where you when I was nursing?

But, um...don't the headlights show?

My post is up...it's about hitting frumpy rock bottom. NOT that my bottom is rock hard...

[EMama]

I was nodding along with the first points, then the bra thing caught me off guard because I'm humongous, then my mouth dropped with the brilliance of the cami. Wow, Fussy, you did it again!

[Beckie Tetrault]

GREAT post!! I only wore nursing tank tops, and nursing bras, the rest of my wardrobe is all regular tops :) I am a frumpy dresser, but that does't stop me from nursing in public, LOL!!

[AlphaDogMa]

Where were you six years ago when I needed this advice!? No matter: I was in no laughing mood then. But I appreciate your wisdom in the here and now.

I came here by way of Greeblemonkey -- loved your comments on her homeschooling post.

[Reluctant Housewife]

Fussy, you're a genuis! That camisole idea is pure gold. If I have another baby (ahhh!) I'm going to follow ALL the advise here. You're great. My only complaint is that you didn't share this with me 6 years ago - where were you then?

[Amie]

Great advice, Fussy. Just say no to nursing tops. Never worked well.
My boys are now 19 & 20, so it's been awhile but those were the best times! I nursed each over a year.
I'm with the busty camp, no way could I have gotten my "equipment" out to nurse in my regular DD cup supportive bra. If I could have, it would not have been supportive enough. I got some great supportive nursing one's at Sears, but like I said that was 20 some years ago.

[That Girl]

Been there...have the droop to prove it. Funny post!

[Alison]

Thanks Fussy! I will keep these in mind while trolling around for summer clothes. Sure am glad longer shirts are in stores now! Just one question: do you wear the bra AND camisole and shirt? I think I would die of dehydration due to excess sweating if I did that here in Sacramento summertime.

[Alison]

Just have to share: these nursing camis are much more generously sized than the ones at Target and around the same price. I wear a size small here and a size large in the Tar-chay version. http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?ViewSource=browse&Product_Id=72322005&category_Name=Basics&Category_Id=2005&MasterCategory_Id=997

[Jenni]

I have to agree on the camis. I just wear a regular one under my shirt and pull it down to nurse. But I find that this way, I only have to use my top shirt to cover instead of a blanket. My kids hate being covered by a blanket and layering shirts seems to work much better!

I hear you on the 5 years nursing thing!

[The (Almost) Amazing Mommarino]

"Snip for the nip" - LOVE it!!!

What a great idea!!!

[Kendra @ Handprints on the Wall]

This post cracked me up. How funny! I'm still nursing, so I'm totally right there with ya! I'm glad I stumbled onto your blog. It's really cute.

[Kelly]

Though I have successfully used nursing bras without having a "drooping" problem, lol, I think this go around I am going to have to just get some really pretty regular ones that aren't underwire and just undo the back when I want to nurse.

I never understood buying nursing clothes. I've gotten along fine without them and haven't had to shell out any extra bucks. I love your camisole idea, though; that one I'll just have to do!

[rachel]

Th new header is darling.
I never wore nursing bras (ugh) or tops (ugh times 5)
I too, have nursed leaning over a car seat in the back of the expedition. Most of the drivers in Dallas or on the way to Dallas last March 30th saw my breasts or a part of them as I nursed the unhappy Monkey.
Great frump fighting as always honey!

[Mom2fur]

Haven't had a baby to nurse for 18 years, but this post cracks me up! I love that cami idea--wish I'd known that one years ago!

[180/360]

I have used a camisole with both of my pregnancies and subsequent years of nursing. I'm so glad to hear someone else say they use this approach. I've tried to convert others, but they wouldn't try it. I also loved how it held my stomach in as well! I just whopped mine out over the top though. It worked great!