Do you need nursing clothes to breastfeed?

Moms, we get this question a lot: Do you really need nursing clothes when you're breastfeeding? The short answer is no, you don't! You can unzip, unbutton, or pull aside a regular top/dress. However, some moms prefer more coverage and either choose to wear nursing clothes, a nursing cover, or opt for the "two-shirt method." 

When I first started nursing I used the "two-shirt method". You wear a regular shirt and a nursing tank  or cami underneath. Simply pull-up the regular shirt and pull down the tank. Your stomach, back, sides, and breasts stay covered. This method works well for more coverage but can get HOT in the summer (we live in Florida -- so it's REALLY hot). It's also pretty difficult to lift-up the bottom of a shirt when you're baby-wearing (the baby is essentially lying on top of your shirt). Also, when you pull-up the shirt, all the fabric bunches on top of the breast making it difficult to nurse (especially with heavier fabrics like sweatshirts). You could also use a cover if you like (but again that wasn't an option for me because of the intense heat). 

Mom nursing her baby in a black shirt with hidden zipper access. 

So, after a few months I gave in and bought my first "nursing" shirt. What a game-changer! Wow -- breastfeeding at the store, in a restaurant or on a plane was so much easier! Another big win for me -- I was not as hot! No more layers in the humidity (and no one could even tell I was nursing).

Now I was hooked, and wanted nothing but nursing tops. But I couldn't find a lot of options for super cute, loose fitting, cotton (non-clingy) nursing clothes that looked great wash after wash. Long story short, that's how I got the idea for Nursing Queen (you can read more about that here). I wanted to make sure moms had designs that are cute and functional (we make our styles with a variety of nursing access methods, including lift-up flaps, pull-aside openings, or hidden zippers).

Mom wearing a dress with hidden zipper access for pumping breastmilk. 

Many pumping moms also love the designs for easy pumping on the go. You can zip or unzip the shirt as much (or as little) as you need to express milk. 



So while you don't need nursing clothes, I look at them as an investment. It made my life easier, and I felt so much better about getting out of the house!