Having the best clothes for nursing can make or break a breastfeeding relationship.
Imagine being in a crowded restaurant, your hungry baby getting louder by the minute, people are staring, and you are frantically struggling to arrange your shirt in a way that lets you feed him while not overexposing yourself.
You would feel frustrated, right? Now imagine that this happened every time you left the house.
Finding the best nursing tops can mean the difference in feeling like you're stuck at home and having the freedom to go out. Motherhood can be a hard transition, but finding a good nursing top can make the adjustment just a little bit easier. A good nursing top will give you the confidence to feed your baby anywhere, anytime.
Before you go shopping
What to look for in a nursing top:
- When looking for the best nursing tops, it's important to find one that you feel comfortable wearing.
- Motherhood often brings changes in our lives and bodies that can be hard to adjust to. Finding a top that fits your style and makes you feel beautiful can make all the difference. It helps to find one that doesn't look like an obvious nursing shirt. The subtler the shirt is, the more normal you will feel.
- The best breastfeeding shirts will have discreet layered cut outs that will allow you to easily nurse without having to lift your shirt.
- With extra breastfeeding-induced hormones coursing through their bodies, many women experience hit flashes while nursing. If you're one of those women, you'll want a nursing top that's breathable and will keep you cool.
- As a busy new mother, you will want clothes that don't require high maintenance laundering. You have enough on your ever-growing to-do list without adding hand-washing or ironing to it.
- Some nursing tops will have double necklines that separate to allow you to nurse, while others will have layered cut outs for breast access. Both styles are great options and the type you choose will largely depend on your preference.
Below we’ve reviewed some of the best breastfeeding shirts to help you find the ones that are perfect for you.
But before we begin, check out the table below to see the best features of some of your best options.
Quick comparison: Best breastfeeding shirts
Breastfeeding shirts | Features we love | Rating | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
HelloMiz Maternity Asymmetrical Overlay Nursing Top 
| - Made in the USA - Perfect for during and | ||
Happy Mama Nursing Hoodie 
| - Comfortable and practical | ||
LaClef Doubled Layered Breastfeeding Top 
| - Perfect shirt for pregnancy | ||
Bearsland Breastfeeding and Nursing Tank Top and Cami Shirt 
| - Simple design with | ||
Free to Live Pullover Nursing Top 
| - Perfect for during |
Keep reading for our full report on the very best nursing tops.
HelloMiz Maternity Asymmetrical Overlay Nursing Top
This fashionable nursing top has overlapping layers that can be effortlessly moved aside to allow for easy nursing access. It's perfect for moms who prefer to nurse discreetly without having to lift their entire shirt to feed their baby.
With the flowing design, the shirt covers both mom and baby, so no extra nursing cover is needed.
The loose fit is both flattering and comfortable for the ever-changing postpartum body. You will be both comfortable and confident to nurse your baby anywhere in this shirt.
The soft and breathable modal fabric is naturally wrinkle-free because HelloMiz knows that as a new mom, you've got about zero time to iron!
Pros
- Easy nursing access
- Breathable
- Wrinkle free
- Flattering design
Cons
- See through fabric
Our favorite feature
The overlapping design of this nursing top makes accessing your breast to nurse effortless. Since you don’t have to lift the shirt completely out of the way, it's great for women who prefer to nurse discreetly.
Happy Mama Nursing Hoodie
What we love about this sporty hoodie is that it can be worn during pregnancy, postpartum, and anytime in between! It was made specifically to meet your changing prenatal and postnatal needs. It's designed to accommodate a growing baby bump during pregnancy, and thanks to the layered cut-out, it's perfect for postpartum breastfeeding as well!
The athletic design of this stretchy knit jersey hoodie is made to compliment your bump and new curves. Underneath the nursing flap, the cut-out is lined with elastic to hold it securely in place so that your stomach is not exposed while nursing.
Pros
- Prenatal and Ppstnatal friendly
- Layered nursing cut-out
- Elastic lined cut-out
Cons
- Runs small, so order a size up
Out favorite feature
We love that this nursing hoodie can be worn during pregnancy too. It's designed with enough lateral room to fit a growing bump, while the layered cut out allows for easy breastfeeding access.
LaClef Doubled Layered Breastfeeding Top
This layered nursing top has a double neckline that's perfect for modest breastfeeding moms. To nurse, you pull the bottom neckline down and pull the top flap up to access your breast. This allows it cover the top of your breast as well as your stomach.
The elastic ruching on the sides of the shirt is designed to stretch with you during pregnancy and be form-fitting during postpartum.
With the layered necklines, this top is also perfect for pumping and can be arranged so that only the pump flange is visible.
Pros
- Double neckline
- Stretchy
Cons
- Clingy material
- Must be line dried
Our favorite feature
Thanks to the layered necklines, this discreet shirt doesn’t look like an obvious nursing top. With the cutout being beneath the shirt, it looks like a layered shirt and cami instead of maternity wear.
Bearsland Breastfeeding and Nursing Tank Top and Cami Shirt
This attractive breastfeeding top can easily be dressed up or down. It can be paired with yoga pants and tennis shoes for a more casual look, or you can pair it with a chunky necklace, skinny jeans and heels. The striped print hides the nursing flap to make this top a little subtler than most nursing shirts. It will allow you to feed your baby with ease and feel fashionable while you do it.
The crossed neckline under the nursing flap provides extra coverage for breastfeeding in public. To breastfeed, simply lift the nursing flap up and move either side of the crossed fabric aside for nursing access.
Pros
- Fashionable
- Doesn't look like a nursing top
- Extra coverage
- Soft yet durable fabric
Cons
- Not long enough for tall people
Our favorite feature
We love the versatility of this breastfeeding top. You can wear it somewhere nice on date nights (with your tiny third wheel, of course) or pair it with sweats for running errands. Just throwing on a necklace and letting your hair down can turn this shirt from park attire to hot date ready!
Free to Live Pullover Nursing Top
While formfitting tops may be uncomfortable, the flowing design of this nursing top gives you the freedom to adjust to your changing postpartum body. While it should be worn over a nursing tank, it can be paired with jeans for a casual look or with slacks for a more professional attire.
Thanks to the free-flowing fabric, breastfeeding in this top couldn’t be easier. Just push the shirt aside and lower your nursing tank for breastfeeding or pumping. With the extra material, this top can easily cover both you and your baby, so no extra cover is required.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Comfortable
- Easy nursing access
Cons
- Must be worn with tank top
- Size runs big
Our favorite feature
The elegant design of this nursing top can be made more casual with jeans or dressed up with slacks. It’s perfect to wear to playdates yet can also accompany professional work attire.
With motherhood comes a lot of changes to your lifestyle and your body, especially when you're breastfeeding.
And when you're breastfeeding, you need to have the right equipment. That means the right milk storage bags, the best bottle warmer for breast milk, and the right clothes!
Having a good breastfeeding top that you don’t have to struggle to nurse in can make the transition a whole lot easier. When looking for a nursing top, it's important to find one that you feel comfortable and confident in, while you adjust to your changing postpartum body.
The best nursing tops will have discreet layered cut-outs or double necklines that open to allow you to access your breasts easily. The subtler the nursing flap is, the more normal you will feel when wearing it.
Motherhood rules a lot of things; your fashion doesn’t have to be one of them.
A good nursing top can give you the freedom to leave the house and know that you won’t be stuck in an awkward situation while trying to feed your baby. You’ll be spending a lot of time breastfeeding your baby during that first year postpartum, but finding the right nursing top will give you the confidence to breastfeed with ease.
For recommendations from real moms about their favorite breastfeeding products (nursing covers, pumps, etc.), don't miss our epic round-up where 30 mamas shared their favorite products for new moms!
Featured image: Jacob Botter
