14 best breastfeeding tops, reviewed by new mums
I have to be honest - I didn't think that, after giving birth almost sixteen months ago, breastfeeding tops would still be on my shopping list.
The best breastfeeding tops, at a glance:
I always hoped I'd be able to breastfeed. I hoped my baby would latch. I hoped I'd produce enough milk. I hoped we'd both enjoy the process and more importantly, I hoped my baby would grow healthily. And while I feel infinitely blessed that those were the case for us, I never really gave much thought as to when it might come to an end, as I'd always heard friends and family members casually mentioning that their children had just ‘weaned themselves off’ once they were ready and became more interested in food.
Alas, my little boy is showing no sign of such weaning (and, truthfully, I'm in no hurry to call time on those blissful moments together). Sure, he loves food. He can't get enough of it, in fact, so much so that the only two things he's interested in using sign language for are ‘eat’ and ‘more’ - both of which he uses interchangeably to essentially mean ‘open that fridge NOW and give me more blueberries’. He does, however, also use said hands to tug at/lift/unzip my top at several intervals throughout the day in search of milk.
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So while I'm still unable to whiten my teeth, take any medication other than basic paracetamol for most ailments, wear an ordinary bra, drink alcohol or much caffeine, use skincare containing retinol or salicylic acid or spend an evening away from my son, you bet I'm spending that saved money on as many chic, breastfeeding-friendly tops as I can find.
Breastfeeding is a minefield. And while most expectant parents give it some thought (even if it's simply whether you want to try it or not), many of us initially fail to realise that it isn't always as simple as pulling your top up and sticking your baby on your boob.
At the beginning, especially, it can involve strange poses (the koala or the rugby hold, anyone?) and an awful lot of determination. Even when you've got the technique sussed it’s all a juggle, so imagine how much trickier it is once you’ve worked up the courage to actually leave the house. After all, newborns feed around the clock, so chances are you’ll need to breastfeed while out and about at some point. This is where breastfeeding tops come in.
Allowing breastfeeding to be more discreet, nursing tops tend to feature either additional flaps of fabric or detachable straps so that you can feed your baby with optimal coverage. No hastily thrown over muslins, blankets, cardigans, jumpers, jackets (you get the picture) required.
They’ll be your best friend when you are nursing up to twelve times a day - alongside your nipple cream and nipple shields, of course - so it's wise to invest in some great breastfeeding tops.
But we know you've got enough to think about, so we’ve done the legwork and found the best breastfeeding tops to shop right now.
Of course it goes without saying that fed is best, so if breastfeeding isn’t for you then that's automatically the right decision for you and your baby. No questions. No one else gets a say. Okay? Now please go and treat yourself to all the best high-neck dresses and beautiful bras immediately so that we can live vicariously through you…
Why you can trust us
Freelance Fashion Editor, Charlie Teather, and Freelance Contributor, Rebecca Cope have both become first-time mums over the last few years, and – alongside, you know, prepping for one of humankind's toughest physical feats and the subsequent life-altering reality of a tiny new human to care for 24/7 – rediscovering how to dress a body that was changing every single day posed a real challenge.
We didn't want to lose our personal style identities, but we also wanted to celebrate and not just ‘disguise’ this incredible moment in our lives. And if we were finding this balance hard to strike, after working our whole adult lives in the fashion and magazine industry, we figured others must be too. So, we made it something of a personal/professional mission to compile the ultimate maternity fashion guides. If for nothing more than for us to refer back to if/when we ever do this pregnancy thing again, because (spoiler alert) baby brain is no joke, people…
How we tested breastfeeding tops
It is of upmost importance that we provide our readers with honest, unbiased and trustworthy product reviews across every category – and breastfeeding tops are no different. Rebecca breastfed her daughter until she was 14 months old, and Charlie is still breastfeeding her 15-month-old son, so they've both tried a lot of different breastfeeding tops, and have definitely got strong opinions on what works and what doesn’t.
They've chosen options based on factors including value for money, design and durability. For the tops that they haven't yet tested themselves, another mother that they trust did, so everything comes with the Glamour editor seal of approval.
Find Glamour's picks of the best breastfeeding tops below.
Why we love it: Rugby tops are big news in fashion right now, and why shouldn't we be able to get involved just because we're breastfeeding? This one is particularly great because the accessibility is so subtle, meaning it works perfectly once you're no longer breastfeeding, too.
- Colours available: Black & White Stripe
- Accessibility: Button-Down
Why we love it: Much like nursing bras, this tank top's flap down function will become like second-nature in no time. A great layering piece on freezing cold days or the perfect throw on top in summer, it's a good staple to have in your breastfeeding tool kit whatever the season.
- Colours available: Onyx
- Accessibility: Flap
Why we love it: Wrap cardigans are a really great use of design to make breastfeeding accessible in the most subtle way. If you've got an occasion coming up with family and friends where you know you'll be breastfeeding but are conscious of exposing yourself, this super cute beige cardigan is a really easy, chic option.
- Colours available: Beige, Cream
- Accessibility: Fold open
Why we love it: The zip opening on this top not only works brilliantly, but is also super subtle when closed. The pink accents on the pocket and across the collar are super cute and make it feel less functional, mose fashion.
- Colours available: Green stripe, Navy stripe
- Accessibility: Zip Pocket
Why we love it: Charlie has lived in shirts during postpartum, as it's such an easy way to make yourself accessible to your feeding baby without scrimping on style. This soft pastel pink one is officially next on the must-buy list, as it's perfectly oversized and a steer away from the more typical pastel blues.
- Colours available: Pink, Burgundy Stripe
- Accessibility: Button-Down
Why we love it: We love a smart purchase, and when something works just as well during pregnancy as it does afterwards it's a bit of a no-brainer. Not only is this long-sleeve super comfortable and supportive when you have a bump, the lift-flap feature is a great use of layering fabrics to make breastfeeding super fuss-free.
- Colours available: Black
- Accessibility: Split & lift
Why we love it: Let's face it, there are days (many, many days) postpartum when just the thought of putting on clothes seems like mission impossible. So having super comfortable, functional loungewear that makes breastfeeding easy is a must! This hoodie is just the thing.
- Colours available: Grey, Black
- Accessibility: Zip flap
Why we love it: The accessibility doesn't really need explaining when it comes to breastfeeding and cardigans, but they're an often-overlooked option for nursing mums. Paired with nothing but a good nursing bra and jeans, this is such an effortless, chic look that makes breastfeeding totally fuss-free.
- Colours available: Navy, Cappuccino
- Accessibility: Button-Down
Why we love it: Shirts work so well for breastfeeding as you can really tailor how much of yourself you're comfortable/your baby needs exposing. This yellow striped shirt is such a gorgeous tone, and will work hard in your wardrobe long after the baby moves onto solid food.
- Colours available: Yellow stripe, White Stripe
- Accessibility: Button down
Why we love it: Another day, another breastfeeding-friendly shirt. Otherwise known as: a shirt. That's exactly the beauty of them! There's no sell-by date on these, and they carry you through postpartum and well, well beyond. This buttermilk shade is still such a trending colour, and goes with just about everything.
- Colours available: Buttermilk, Orange
- Accessibility: Button down
Why we love it: A perennial favourite, Jojo Maman Bebe’s famous Breton stripe nursing top is popular for a reason. Designed to be slightly oversized for when comfort is key in the fourth trimester, it’s very discreet when feeding – you might not even realise there’s a baby under there.
- Colours available: Navy and white stripe or berry and navy stripe
- Accessibility: Double layer and feeding slits
Why we love it: It's well and truly knitwear season, but that's not always easy when you're breastfeeding. Good zip down sweaters - crucially with a zip that goes deep enough for accessibility - aren't easy to find, but this one ticks every box.
- Colours available: Navy stripe
- Accessibility: Zip-down
Why we love it: Cosy, high-neck options aren't always top of the shopping list when it comes to breastfeeding, if for nothing more than the apparent impracticality. Alas, when you find one with a split side that lifts for subtle accessibility, you'd be a fool to pass it up.
- Colours available: Cream, Pink
- Accessibility: Split lift
Why we love it: If you’re looking for a really affordable, practical nursing top, then Smallshow’s short sleeve nursing top is great. Available in a variety of colours and stripes, it’s ideal for just pulling on when you don’t want to have to think too much. We’ve got it in multiple colours.
- Colours available: Black, green, grey, navy, stripes
- Accessibility: Double layer
Save when you shop for the best breastfeeding tops with these Amazon discount codes.
Your breastfeeding top FAQs, answered:
What to look for in a breastfeeding top?
First things first, comfort! After all, breastfeeding tops are supposed to make your life easier, not harder. So think about the fabrics when choosing. That said, don’t go for anything too flashy, as you’re definitely going to get spilt milk on them! It’s worth considering spillages when thinking about colours, too, as you don’t want something which will show up any dampness too easily – prints are really good in this respect. Finally, don’t go for anything that requires a university degree to undo or do up again – the last thing you want is to be stuck trying to get your top undone in a café while you’ve got a screaming baby desperate for a feed.
How many nursing tops do I need?
Typically, it’s best to have at least three nursing tops, so you’ve always got one to wear, one in the wash, and a spare one. However, when you’ve got a newborn, it’s really difficult to keep on top of the laundry, and realistically, you’re going to end up with sick and milk on you fairly often. With that in mind, we’d say make your life easier and invest in as many as you can.
More maternity content
After more maternity content? Head this way for the best body pillows and in this direction for the best maternity jeans. We've also got nursing bras, maternity dresses, maternity loungewear and baby changing bags for your perusal.
