Nursing Chic

Remember this: you have a great body. How can I say this with confidence? You produced a baby. And even if someone else grew that baby in their body, you’re now making the milk to feed that baby (yes, adoptive moms can nurse). If that’s not a great body, I don’t know what is.

Accentuate the positive. If you’re self-conscious about your middle, wear dresses that show your legs. Take care of your hair (when you can)

About your hair, don’t make the huge error I did and cut it all off when the baby’s a month old. Thinking that shorter meant easier was wrong, plain wrong. Shorter means no ponytails or chignons (easy to do with dirty hair), washing and styling daily so I didn’t look like a boy and traipsing to the salon once a month so I didn’t have awkward growing-out hair. Colour it instead.
 

Get a uniform. Sweats and sneakers sound ok, but they just don’t make you feel good. Try a twinset and jeans. Or nursing dress and platform sneaks.

Use a sling, use if often, and get it in a non-goofy colour. As I said elsewhere, my pink and red hearts grew old, especially when people thought it was some sort of wrap. Get a colour you’d actually wear (for me, that now means black or navy). The sling will hide your breasts the times you absolutely have to expose it.
 

In the early, still-spitting-up months, don’t wear solids. And don’t wear black. Spit-up practically glows on black. Save it for when baby keeps down most of what goes in.

Groom yourself. Even if it’s only a swipe of lipstick and a pair of sunglasses. Your best accessory is, of course, Little Lord Fauntleroy, and if he’s under 9 months or so, people won’t really be looking at you anyway. But before you know it, they’ll be speaking to your face again, so be prepared. A bit of colour on your smiling lips will dazzle anyone (even your husband may think you have on full warpaint).

Wear clothes that ease over your body rather than those that try to camoflage it. Then you’ll look like a sloppy box instead of a woman-shaped person. T-shirts are great nursing tops, but shapeless ones won’t do you any favours. Make sure there’s enough lycra in the cotton to snap back after you’re done nursing.

The other thing to watch out for is tops that cling in unattractive places. Men like butts, so don’t hide yours with an extra layer that’ll bubble up. Tops that end at your hipbones are also easier to lift for access.

Make sure you subscribe to at least one magazine for childless women. Glamour was my favourite, until they changed editors and somehow morphed into Cosmo, yech! But there's still some decent ones out there. 
 

Adapt your regular clothes. Overalls are adorable with a fitted t-shirt, and access is simple. If it’s cold, or you don’t like showing your belly, or you’ll be in church, cut holes in a t-shirt or thermal underwear or a camisole and wear it under your top.

Get some nursing dresses. At first I agonized about spending on a specialty item like that, and they were so ugly I couldn’t imagine wearing them if I wasn’t nursing, so I didn’t buy any until Cameron was 9 months old. I sure could have used them that first long, hot summer. Also, if you nurse for one year, you’ll save from $1,500 to $2,500 on formula, bottles, and doctor visits, so why not treat yourself?
The most important secret for being a hot mama while nursing is this. Enjoy your baby. Enjoy this time. Be proud of yourself for what you’re doing — nourishing a human being. That’ll put a little glow into your cheeks!

Want to be able to nurse in public? Or just spend time in your living room with all those relatives crowded around? Check out Rules of The Road for tips on nursing discreetly.