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The best nursing clothes and accessories

By Jen Barton Packer on 15/3/2019

Maternity and nursing fashion is booming at the moment: fewer mums are dropping out of work when they have babies (and are continuing to work closer to their due dates) and more mums are staying on in their jobs post-children.
Translation? Post-natal women are in search of stylish clothes for office, after-hours, parties – they just want to be able to breastfeed in them as well.
As attitudes towards breastfeeding continue to normalise, it's not just the maternity-wear retailers stepping up their game when it comes to stylish nursing clothes – non-maternity brands are also accommodating breastfeeding women with dedicated sections of clothes they can wear, feed baby, and still look great in. Here are some of our favourite nursing clothing brands and accessories.

Best nursing selection: Séraphine

Séraphine is still the go-to shop for all things stylish maternity and beyond. No matter your style – or breastfeeding-top preference (foldover, layered, zip down, draped, button-front) – they'll have it across their range of timeless tops, dresses, jumpers, peasant blouses and more. We're partial to these crisp, pinstriped summer dresses.

Best nursing lingerie: Hotmilk Collective

Just because a woman is nursing, doesn't mean she wants to feel like a cow. Or wear really boring, uninspiring pants and bras. That's why we love Hot Milk – the brand is all about making women feel fabulous and look stunning – leaks or not. Their newest range, Projectme, is even bolder: bright colours, stylish detailing, rose-gold hardware... this isn't lingerie you want to hide away in. Yes, purchasing multiple bras from here totally counts as post-natal self-care.

Best cool-girl nursing clothes: Hatch Collection

Hatch Collection's classic-cool clothes are so fabulous, 20% of the shoppers there aren't even pregnant or breastfeeding. For nursing, look out for wide-leg jumpsuits, boyfriend blouses, floaty dresses and nightwear.

Best nursing basics: JoJo Maman Bébé

For comfy, breastfeeding-friendly variations on the Breton stripe, look no further than JoJo Maman Bébé. You can, and will, live in these dresses (£39), which can be worn for work, for the park, and for dinner, all the while allowing you to discreetly breastfed (just pull up the flap).

Best nursing tops: Bshirt

Nursing doesn't require a whole new wardrobe, which is why Bshirt makes perfect sense: they do one thing, and they do it well, and that's create comfy breastfeeding tops in an array of colours and styles: sleeveless, short and long-sleeved, in lift the flap or crossover silhouettes.

Best side-panel nursing clothes: Lily & Ribbon

Lily & Ribbon is the new-kid-on-the-block online destination for hip maternity and breastfeeding-wear. We're partial to their nursing collection because many of the pieces have discreet zips or side panels for easy breastfeeding access – but they look just like what you want to wear when you're out and about, like this star jumper (£45), which teams effortlessly with denim. Also check out the site's award-winning, ultra-absorbent breast pads.

Best new breast pump: Elvie Pump

Elvie's breast pump is what they call a game-changer: silent, portable and wearable, it slips under a nursing bra, allowing a woman to pump discreetly absolutely anywhere. Did we mention it's hands-free and wireless? Opt for a single (£249) or a double (£449).

The non-nursing brand with a breastfeeding section: Closet London

You know times are changing when non-maternity retailers start curating their online shop to accommodate breastfeeding women. And it makes total sense – why should nursing women need to wear their maternity dresses six months after giving birth? Closet London has a dedicated section of dresses and jumpsuits (wrap styles and button-downs) which a nursing woman can wear out on the town.

Best baby wrap for nursing: Artipoppe

Babywearing and breastfeeding go hand in hand: if you're carrying your baby, you can nurse them on the move. Dutch brand Artipoppe will kit you out with a gorgeous baby wrap, sling or carrier, made from the most decadent fabrics (cashmere, velvet, mulberry silk, seaweed and more). Choose the wrap in your favourite print and it'll double as a nursing cover when you're not feeding baby. If babywearing means draping our little one in leopard print cotton-cashmere for the first few years, then we think we finally understand the allure of attachment parenting.

Nursing-friendly partywear from a non-maternity brand: SilkFred

Have a wedding or party to go to while breastfeeding? SilkFred's got a fab collection of maxi and mini wrap dresses as well as some nursing-specific tops and dresses for breastfeeding mums to try. Or, make like Mother Pukka and wear colourful Monki looks the entire time you're nursing.

The best nursing clothes and accessories

Best nursing selection: Séraphine

Best nursing lingerie: Hotmilk Collective

Best cool-girl nursing clothes: Hatch Collection

Best nursing basics: JoJo Maman Bébé

Best nursing tops: Bshirt

Best side-panel nursing clothes: Lily & Ribbon

Best new breast pump: Elvie Pump

The non-nursing brand with a breastfeeding section: Closet London

Best baby wrap for nursing: Artipoppe

Nursing-friendly partywear from a non-maternity brand: SilkFred

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