Now I don’t pretend to know much – if anything – about fashion, but having breastfed for a combined total of four years and counting I do know quite a lot about nursing clothes. Mainly that they’re to be avoided at all costs.

I’m now breastfeeding baby number three and it never fails to amaze me how unflattering so many clothes designed for nursing are – baggy and shapeless and devoid of any colour or charisma.

I find this quite baffling because if there’s one thing a new mum wants to feel it’s that they look nice. So what can you do if you’re breastfeeding and don’t want to be limited to what’s on offer in the ‘new mum’ section of baby shops?

I’ve discovered that by sticking with a few classic styles it is possible to wear ‘normal’ clothes without having to get half undressed in the process (fine if you’re feeding at home but not so good if you’re breastfeeding in public).

Here’s what I’ve learnt.

5 fashion tips for breastfeeding mums

1. All you really need is a decent nursing vest. Or six. With a proper nursing vest on underneath you can wear pretty much anything over the top and still get to the milk bar without exposing too much flesh. And you can never have too many. I have two white ones, two grey ones and two black ones so I always have a clean one to match whatever it is I’m wearing on top.

2. Flowy tops are your friend. With the aforementioned nursing vest on underneath you can simply lift up a flowy top and bingo. Like nursing vests you can never have too many – my latest addition is this ivory printed vest top by Anthology (£12), which has a pleat at the front so plenty of room to lift up and feed.

And as you can see it’s perfect for the job in hand!

What I’ve learnt in the first week of breastfeeding is over on the blog today – I wish I could make time stand still #baby #newbaby #newborn #instababy #mum #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #newmum #coolmumclub #capturingtheday #capturingchildhood #cherisheverymoment #our_everyday_moments #documentyourdays #smile #snaphappybritmums @britmums #MedelaMum #MedelaMums @medela_uk

A post shared by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on Mar 1, 2017 at 1:51am PST

3. Go for button or zip-down tops and dresses. Again, with a nursing vest on underneath all you need to do is undo the buttons or zip and you’re in. Think tunic tops like this Simply Be denim tunic top (£35).

I’ve been wearing it with leggings and the tunic-style has the added bonus of hiding any lingering mum tum at the same time.

4. Like flowy tops, dungarees are also your friend. Whether it’s full-on trouser dungarees or a dungaree dress, all you need to do is unhook the front.

5. When in doubt, wear a scarf. Cleverly draped scarves hide a multitude of sins, from an exposed cleavage to side boob to the dreaded muffin top. So you can still feed in outfits that don’t look like they lend themselves to feeding, like this gorgeous Joe Browns vintage tea dress (£45).

It’s got an elasticated waist so plenty of ‘give’ for me to slip an arm out of the top to feed. The straps are also nice and thick so hide my nursing bra straps and clips.

Did you breastfeed your baby and what were your nursing must-haves? If you have any tips I’d love to hear them!

I was very kindly sent the clothes featured in this post by JD Williams for the purpose of review. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.

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