Desirable breastfeeding clothes from Bella Mama

This week's three most popular breastfeeding clothing picks from Bella Mama have been:

Milk Empire Nursing Top Berry -
This is a simply gorgeous nursing top, such a simple and elegant design with scoop neck details, empire band and ruched styling in the centre. Breastfeeding is super easy, just lift up the empire band to access the openings in the underlayer. The lovely soft fabric of this top makes it a gorgeous choice for everyday wear.

Elly nursing top in Crushed Violet
Milkers nursing tops are absolutely fabulous, cosy warm and stylish and a huge hit with breastfeeding mummies in the UK. This yummy knit nursing top from Milker has a beautiful and flattering empire cut perfect for disguising any hint of a post-natal tummy. Milker use super soft organic top quality cotton to create a comfortable breastfeeding jumper for everyday. Nursing your little one is easy, with simple empire line access under a finely ribbed empire line on the front of the jumper.

Love Milk Kelly Breastfeeding Top

Love Milk's delicious Kelly nursing top with bobbin lace detail has an effortlessly feminine appeal. So easy to style with jeans for a chic yet fuss-free off-duty look or add heels and skinny trousers for dinner with your friends. The front gathering gives a looser fit around the bust and tummy, whilst the top is fitted around the hips. The raglan sleeves are narrow and 3/4 length. The top is made from a soft and stretchy eco-friendly bamboo jersey.

More Bella Mama Maia Nursing Top reviews...

"Fantastic soft top"
This top is beautiful, it is so soft and I absolutely love the colour, I got the blue top, lovely fit and flattering even with a bit of tummy. I found feeding in this top so comfy, and I am a discreet person who hates anyone looking, I don't have a flat stomach any more and this top did a fantastic job of hiding it. I agree with some posters about it being a little expensive but all nursing tops are and this is well worth the cost, it even washes very well, I ironed it inside out with a muslin cloth on top of it and it looks just like it did new, wish I could afford to buy some more, fantastic top, must have for nursing mothers.....

Jai
Member review by Jasvinder - Mother of two boys - review date 2nd August 2010

"Lovely soft top"
The first thing I noticed about this top was how lovely and soft the material is - it's so comfortable to wear and is quite stretchy, so it fits really nicely. I have a size large top which fits my 14-16 top half fine. The sleeves are really flattering and the top is a nice length. I'm not massively keen on the neckline, but that's just my personal taste - it sits well and looks fine.

I have been breastfeeding my daughter for almost 10 months now, but had never tried a proper nursing top until now! The Maia feeding top has showed me what I've been missing, and I'm kicking myself for not trying feeding tops in the early days. The top layer pulls up to let you feed your baby while the bottom layer keeps your tummy and back covered. The openings are big enough to open your bra and feed your baby easily, even for my 34J pair!

I think the Maia top is expensive, but that can be said for all nursing tops really. I think if you're not confident about feeding in public (or don't fancy getting a chilly tummy in the winter) then this top is great and I would recommend it to friends.

Member review by Emma - Mummy to my little girl, almost 10 months old - review date 26th July 2010

Bellamama Maia Breastfeeding Top

Our best-selling Maia top has been reviewed by new breastfeeding mamas on TheBabyWebsite.com - and they are as in love with the top as we are here!! The Maia breastfeeding top is available this season in classic black, Lilac and Blue  If you love any of our tops, you can leave a review/comment on the site - a new feature on our new website!

"Lovely top, easy to feed in, pretty too."
I was really excited to see my new top arrive, as I do feel quite uneasy feeding my new baby in public and even more so in front of my extended family, so to have a top that means I can feed without showing off my breasts was very important to how successful breastfeeding was for me.

Upon opening the bag the first thing I saw the lovely lilac colour, it was so feminine and pretty, just what I wanted! I tried it on right away, and it was a perfect fit, its a size small, I am an size 10-12. I love the detail on the sleeves which match the double layer for the top where you lift for feeding. Also around the neckline there is an adjustable pull cord which is fab for changing the fit of the top around the bust area, and as my breasts change size by the hour, really is a great addition to the top. The top has a double layer all around unlike most feeding tops which only have a feeding area at the front which means my back and tummy are not exposed at all.

So for the first use I fed in front of my family which includes my 3 boys aged 13, 9 & 6 years and it was easy to gain access to my bra and breasts, and to latch baby on, my boys came to give the baby a cuddle and didn't even notice I was feeding! Fantastic.

So I decided it was time to venture out to town, my top looked smart, feminine and was so soft to wear and I looked great!! I was happy and confident :) I managed to feed my baby in town without a feeding cover and it was easy discrete and I am totally pleased with the top. I would recommend to every breastfeeding mum. The top is soft for you and baby, easy to wash and wear, smart and practical and great value for money. The only thing I noticed after wearing it a few times is that a few stitches have come loose on the hem, I think the machine has missed a few hooks or something, but I am sure that is a one off.

Member review by Abi - Mum to 3 boys aged 13, 9 & 6 and a baby girl aged 8 weeks. - review date 10th July 2010 

"super soft!!!!"
The first thing i noticed when i received the Maia feeding top was the softness of the product and had to try it on straightaway. I selected a medium size, as with breastfeeding size goes up and down and this top was flattering, not too tight and i loved the fact that it was stretchy too.
Furthermore the colour of my top is black so it goes well with a skirt,trousers, jeans etc. Also the little ties at the top allows you to control the neckline which in my case i hate showing cleavage and a great bonus feature.
Basically you lift the top layer to find the opening which is great and its not fiddly or fussy, no buttons and zips to worry about and get feeding baby straightaway.
At 29.99 the top is a bit expensive, it would be great if you got savings of buying two. However, the fact that the delivery on bellamama is free in uk , makes it a little more inclined to buy.
I would definitely buy another one in a different colour as the fit was very good, and no worries about returning it. I love the top as it is fashionable and convenient , and would definitely not irritate baby skin and feeding time. thanks

Member review by sumaiya - mumandbaby - review date 7th July 2010  

More new Bella Mama Breastfeeding Tops...

The photographs of our new Bella Mama Breastfeeding tops arrived with me today. I had to wait a little longer than usual for the shots as I wasn't happy with the way the cowl neck top was originally taken... (ever the perfectionist - hahahaha!) The top is gorgeous, and a really flattering style and I just didn't feel that the original picture did it justice. Anyway, several retakes later and I am happy with the result... so our new Demeter cowl necks in Damson are ready to order online! The colour is fabulous, and just great for this time of year. Plum shades are so versatile and are perfect for teaming with jeans, combats, joggers and casual trousers! It's just the right blend of dark enough to flatter the figure and the right shade to enhance that new mum glow. The cowl neck is brilliantly flattering, and the nursing access is really well hidden, you honestly cannot tell this is a nursing top. Just pull aside the cowl neckline to access the breastfeeding openings, whilst keeping your back, tummy and sides well hidden and cosy... This fabulous breastfeeding top is also available in our very lovely Ruby colour.

Our second new addition is our popular crossover breastfeeding top style, now available in a fabulous teal shade. This nursing top is simplicity itself, the crossover nursing panel just pulls to the side for ultra-simple nursing style. Keeping you covered, and able to feed your little one where and when you choose.  Bella Mama's crossover breastfeeding tops are an immensely versatile style, which can be dressed up or down with the addition of chunky necklaces, scarves, belts or cuffs... to be as casual or as dressy as you please.  The teal colour is gorgeous, and complements so many different colourings... it really is one of those colours which looks great on everyone!! This style is selling really well at Bella Mama, and is currently available in the lovely Autumnal shades of Raspberry, Teal and Espresso.

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.

More New Tops!

Our brand new Juno tops have also arrived this week. These tops are lovely, made from beautiful modal fabric they are super soft and comfy to wear. Modal is made from fibres from beech trees, feels like silk and doesn't fade, pill, or shrink the same way as cotton tends to. The vee neck styling of the Juno tops with the ruched band detail draws the eye to the narrowest part of your body for a slimming effect, ensuring this top is a new mum's best friend!