Breastfeeding in Regular Clothes: What 124 Moms Told Us

Breastfeeding can be challenging enough without your clothes making it harder. But what actually bothers breastfeeding moms most about wearing regular clothing? Nursing Queen surveyed 124 moms and asked one simple question:

What’s the hardest part about breastfeeding in regular clothes?

The two biggest frustrations were dresses that are impossible to nurse in and having to lift a shirt and expose the stomach.

Here’s what 124 moms told us:

33% — Dresses that are impossible to nurse in

31% — Lifting my shirt / exposing my stomach

18% — Trying to stay covered while nursing

9% — Necklines that don’t give easy access

9% — Clothes bunching up or getting in the way

The Biggest Takeaway

64% of the breastfeeding moms we surveyed chose either being unable to nurse in a dress or having to lift their shirt and expose their stomach as their biggest clothing frustration.

That tells us something important: for many breastfeeding moms, the problem isn’t simply whether a piece of clothing is comfortable.

It’s access.

1. Dresses Are One of the Hardest Regular Clothing Items to Breastfeed In

The most common answer in our survey was:

“Dresses that are impossible to nurse in” — 33%.

Anyone who has tried to breastfeed in a regular dress probably understands why.

With a shirt, you can usually lift the hem or pull down the neckline. Many regular dresses don’t give you either option.

Depending on the style, nursing can mean pulling the entire dress up, pulling the neckline farther down than it was designed to go, partially undressing, or simply deciding that the dress isn’t practical while breastfeeding.

That can be especially frustrating when moms want to wear a dress for a wedding, work, church, family photos, vacation or just an ordinary day out.

One Nursing Queen customer summed up the problem simply:

“So glad I didn’t have to lift up my dress just to feed my baby.” — Shaynathrone, Nursing Queen customer

What Makes a Dress Breastfeeding-Friendly?

A breastfeeding-friendly dress should provide access to the breast without requiring the entire dress to come up or down.

Nursing dresses can accomplish this through hidden zippers, overlapping panels, concealed openings or other discreet access points.

And importantly, a nursing dress doesn’t have to look like a nursing dress.

That’s one of the reasons we design Nursing Queen dresses to look like regular women’s clothing while incorporating breastfeeding access into the garment.

2. Nearly One-Third of Moms Don’t Want to Lift Their Shirt to Breastfeed

31% of moms said lifting their shirt and exposing their stomach was the hardest part about breastfeeding in regular clothes.

This was only two percentage points behind dresses.

It’s also something we hear directly from breastfeeding moms.

“It’s nice not to have to lift your entire shirt even in a secluded area.” — Lori N., Nursing Queen customer

The classic breastfeeding workaround with a regular T-shirt is simple: pull the shirt up.

It works.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean moms like doing it.

Lifting a shirt can expose the stomach, back or side of the body. Depending on what you’re wearing, you may also end up trying to hold the shirt out of your baby’s face while getting a good latch.

At home, that might not matter.

At a restaurant, airport, playground, doctor’s office, family gathering or other public place, it can feel considerably less convenient.

This is where nursing tops with hidden breastfeeding access can make a practical difference. Instead of lifting the entire shirt, a mom can open just the section she needs to nurse.

3. Staying Covered Matters to Breastfeeding Moms, Too

Another 18% of moms said trying to stay covered while nursing was their biggest challenge with regular clothes.

And “covered” doesn’t necessarily mean using a nursing cover.

A mom may simply want to avoid exposing more of her stomach, chest or back than necessary.

One customer described that benefit this way:

“These provide great coverage too, so I don’t need to use a cover in public.” — Talia C., Nursing Queen customer

Good breastfeeding clothing can allow access to a relatively small area while the rest of the garment stays in place.

For some moms, that feels much more comfortable.

For others, privacy isn’t a major concern at all.

The important part is having clothing that gives a breastfeeding mom the option to nurse in the way that feels easiest for her.

4. Regular Necklines Don’t Always Cooperate With Breastfeeding

9% of moms said necklines that don’t provide easy access were their biggest frustration.

Some regular tops work surprisingly well for breastfeeding.

Others absolutely do not.

A crewneck shirt generally can’t be pulled down far enough to nurse. A stretchy V-neck might work initially but can become stretched out over time. Button-down shirts provide access but require opening buttons.

That’s why “breastfeeding-friendly” can mean different things depending on the garment.

A top doesn’t necessarily need a deep neckline to provide easy nursing access. Hidden zippers and concealed openings can allow a shirt to maintain the neckline and overall appearance of a regular top.

5. Clothes Bunching Around Baby Can Make Nursing More Awkward

The remaining 9% of moms selected clothes bunching up or getting in the way.

It sounds like a small annoyance until you’re trying to latch a hungry baby.

When a regular shirt is pulled upward, the extra fabric can bunch across the chest or fall toward the baby’s face.

A mom can end up simultaneously trying to hold her baby, position the breast, establish a latch, keep her shirt out of the way and sometimes keep herself covered.

That’s a lot to manage during one feeding.

Breastfeeding access built directly into clothing eliminates at least one of those things to think about.

So, Are Nursing Clothes Actually Necessary?

No. You don’t have to buy special clothes to breastfeed.

Plenty of moms successfully breastfeed in regular shirts, tanks, button-downs, stretchy dresses and other everyday clothing.

But our survey helps explain why many moms still choose clothing specifically designed for breastfeeding.

According to a 2026 Nursing Queen survey of 124 breastfeeding moms, 82% identified an access-related problem — difficult dresses, lifting shirts, restrictive necklines or bunching fabric — as their biggest frustration with breastfeeding in regular clothes.

The remaining 18% said trying to stay covered was their primary concern.

In other words, all five answers came back to the same basic issue:

Regular clothes aren’t designed around breastfeeding.

Nursing clothes are.

That doesn’t make nursing clothing essential. It makes it a convenience — and when you’re feeding a baby multiple times every day, small conveniences can add up.

What Should You Look for in Breastfeeding-Friendly Clothes?

If you’re building a postpartum or breastfeeding wardrobe, you don’t necessarily need to replace everything you own.

Instead, think about the situations where nursing in regular clothes is most frustrating.

Easy breast access

You should be able to reach the breast quickly without substantially undressing or rearranging your clothing.

One-handed openings

Ideally, nursing access should be manageable while you’re holding your baby.

Coverage where you want it

A good nursing top can allow you to feed while keeping your stomach and back covered.

Clothes you would wear anyway

The best breastfeeding clothes should still feel like your normal wardrobe. Nursing functionality doesn’t mean clothing has to look like maternity or nursing wear.

Postpartum-friendly fits

Soft fabrics, forgiving waistlines and comfortable silhouettes can be especially useful during the months after birth.

Access for pumping, too

If you’ll be pumping away from home or at work, consider whether your clothing also provides easy access for a breast pump.

Why We Asked Breastfeeding Moms This Question

Nursing Queen was created around a simple idea: breastfeeding clothes can look like regular clothes.

So we regularly ask moms what is actually making breastfeeding easier — or harder — in everyday life.

This survey reinforces something we’ve heard from breastfeeding moms for years.

The frustration isn’t that moms don’t know how to lift a shirt.

It’s that they shouldn’t always have to.

A hidden zipper or discreet nursing opening may seem like a small design feature, but when you’re breastfeeding multiple times a day, it can change how easy it is to get dressed, leave the house and feed your baby wherever you happen to be.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding Clothes

What are the best clothes to wear while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding-friendly clothing provides quick access to the breast without requiring you to remove or dramatically rearrange the garment. Nursing tops, nursing dresses, button-down shirts, stretchy tanks and wrap-style clothing can all work well depending on your preferences.

Can you breastfeed in regular clothes?

Yes. You can breastfeed in regular clothing by lifting a shirt, lowering a neckline, unbuttoning a top or choosing stretchy garments. However, in Nursing Queen’s 2026 survey of 124 moms, breastfeeding mothers reported frustrations including difficult dresses, exposing their stomachs, restrictive necklines, clothing bunching up and trying to stay covered.

Why are dresses difficult to breastfeed in?

Many standard dresses don’t provide direct access to the breast. Unlike a separate shirt, a dress often can’t simply be lifted without exposing much of the body. In our survey, 33% of moms said dresses that are impossible to nurse in were their biggest problem with breastfeeding in regular clothes.

How can I breastfeed without lifting my shirt?

Nursing tops with hidden zippers, overlapping panels or concealed openings allow access to the breast without lifting the entire shirt. Button-down, wrap-style and other breastfeeding-friendly tops can also provide easier access.

Do nursing clothes help you stay covered while breastfeeding?

They can. Nursing clothing can be designed to expose only the area needed for feeding, which may help keep the stomach, back and other areas covered. In our survey, 18% of moms said trying to stay covered was the hardest part of nursing in regular clothes.

Are nursing clothes worth buying?

That depends on how frequently you’ll use them and what bothers you about breastfeeding in regular clothing. Nursing clothes aren’t required for breastfeeding, but moms who dislike lifting shirts, stretching necklines or avoiding dresses may find dedicated nursing clothing much more convenient.

About This Survey

Nursing Queen surveyed 124 moms in 2026 and asked: “What’s the hardest part about breastfeeding in regular clothes?”

Respondents selected from five answers. The results were:

33% — Dresses that are impossible to nurse in

31% — Lifting my shirt / exposing my stomach

18% — Trying to stay covered while nursing

9% — Necklines that don’t give easy access

9% — Clothes bunching up or getting in the way

Percentages are based on the poll results and may be rounded.