Choosing Breastfeeding Clothing - Nursing Openings

I am often asked what exactly IS a Nursing top, and how does it differ from a Maternity top? The answer is nursing tops offer you quick and easy access to the breast for nursing your little one, whilst keeping your chest, tummy, back and sides covered.  Many designs work well both during pregnancy and afterwards for nursing, giving you even better value for money.

Many new mamas feel a little self-conscious nursing in public, and this is where well designed  nursing tops can really help. With a little practice you will be able to simply and easily pull aside the nursing opening and latch your little one on, without anyone being any the wiser.

There are different styles of nursing access  available at Bella Mama, and everyone has their own favourite style.  All of the tops have a concealed nursing underlayer which has slits or cut-out openings for easy access to the breast.  Some styles are brilliant for nursing in a sling, others provide maximum coverage whilst you are feeding.  All are skilfully designed and the nursing openings wonderfully disguised so you really cannot tell they are nursing tops at all!

Pull Aside
This type of breastfeeding opening is accessed simply by pulling aside fabric at the top of the garment.  These styles are simple to use and the nursing access can be gained single-handedly. These necklines of these styles vary and include crossover, vee necks or cowl necks. For example Bella Mama's Juno Breastfeeding Top

Empire Line

This style of top has nursing openings which are accessed by pulling up the top at the empire line, just under the bust. The styling of the clothing means that the empire band sits just under your bust, and is styled to look like a regular top. Our best-selling Bella Mama Venus breastfeeding top features this type of nursing opening.

Oversized Armhole
This style of nursing access is really clever  –  the overlayer of the garment is pulled aside to access the nursing layer underneath at the front.  The very popular Dote Noir nursing dresses feature this unique type of nursing access.

Pull Down
Nursing openings are in an underlayer which is accessed by pulling down the uppermost layer on the clothing – the Dote Slate breastfeeding top is a fabulous example where the funky styling of the top ensures that the breastfeeding function is disguised brilliantly.

Crossover

Two overlapping bands conceal the breastfeeding openings beneath. This style is fabulous for breastfeeding twins, as both sides can be accessed easily simultaneously.  An example of this style is Annee Matthew’s Criss Cross breastfeeding top.


Double layer

This style of top has two layers which sit on top of one another. Pulling the uppermost layer upwards will give access to the nursing openings, whilst keeping your back, tummy and sides covered by the bottom nursing underlayer. The Bella Mama Maia breastfeeding top has two layers all the way around the top, whilst the Annee Matthew Kelly breastfeeding top has the double layer only at the front of the top. The double layer helps to keep you cosy in the colder months, by giving you an extra layer of fabric!

Modesty panel
Nursing tops with a modesty layer don’t have slits for nursing access, but a panel of fabric which sits flat against the chest and can be lifted at either side to give access to the breast. This gives a very smooth line to the breastfeeding top as there is no “cut out” area underneath.  Mayreau’s best-selling and immensely popular Mia maternity and breastfeeding tops feature this type of breastfeeding access.

Double Layer Nursing Panel
Two layers of overlapping panels cover the breasts and one layer pulls down, whilst the other layer pulls up for nursing access. Peek-a-boo tops have this innovative style of nursing opening.

I hope that helps to explain a little more about the different types of nursing openings available, and as ever, I am here to help answering any questions you have about the different tops which we stock at www.BellaMama.co.uk and give advice about the best styles for you.