Backward Dresses & Snap-Up Shirts: How to Build a Nursing Wardrobe (Without a Total Closet Overhaul)

They tell you about the sleepless nights and the diapers, but no one prepares you for the ‘closet crisis’ that hits three weeks into breastfeeding. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror tugging at your clothes, trying to figure out if you can actually nurse in this outfit. Suddenly, you realize 75% of your wardrobe doesn’t work. So how do you build a nursing wardrobe on a budget?

I’ve been nursing for over three years straight now. (At one point, I was tandem nursing my two girls!) Through hot summers, church on Sabbath, and farm life, I’ve learned that dressing for breastfeeding doesn’t require a whole new ‘nursing’ wardrobe—it just requires a few principles, and occasionally, wearing your clothes backward.

The “Layered Base” Strategy

This is my daily “uniform,” and it’s the most modest way to nurse in public or on the go.

My go-to “Farm-Ready” Nursing Outfit:

• The Base: A stretchy cotton nursing tank.
  (Regular tanks don’t always work for every body shape, but a dedicated nursing tank is a game-changer.)
• The Top: A Western snap-up shirt—un-tucked for a casual look or tucked for a more put-together appearance.

The Secret: The nursing tank acts as a modesty shield. When you lift or unbutton your top layer, your midsection remains completely covered.

Pro-Tip: Look for cotton or cotton blends. They are breathable for farm work and hold up well in the wash.

“One-Handed” Hardware

When you’re holding a crying hungry infant, you don’t have time for a wrestling match with your clothes. Here’s how common tops stack up:

• T-shirts: Functional, but you have to lift the whole shirt or tuck the baby underneath.
• Button-up shirts: Classic, but tiny buttons can be fiddly when you’re tired.
• Snap shirts: My favorite because they are so easy to snap and unsnap one-handed! Keep the bottom two snaps done up, and just “pop” the top three. It’s faster than any zipper!

Unlike standard t-shirts, snap-up or button-down shirts can be tucked into belted pants or a skirt while still providing easy access.

Nursing Bra Myth

The Bra Myth: You need a whole new wardrobe of designated nursing bras. This is false because you can nurse in almost any bra. Just position the breast for feeding by slipping it out above the cup, or underneath the bottom band. Try both and see which feels most natural for that specific bra. Go with whatever is easiest—every bra behaves a little differently!

Avoid Clogged Ducts & Mastitis

• Clogged Ducts: For some women, pulling a tight underwire bra under the breast can lead to clogged ducts.
• Safety First: If a bra is too tight to pull aside easily, it’s better to unhook it. Repetitive pressure on milk ducts can lead to mastitis. Avoid wires whenever possible!

The “Backwards Dress” Hack

My husband actually suggested this first: If you have a dress with a deep V-neck or a closure in the back, try wearing it backward.

• How it works: Many dresses have a high neck in the front and a lower “V”, buttons, or a zipper in the back. When you flip it around, that “V” becomes the perfect access point for your nursing tank. Always try the dress on to see if it might work, some of my dresses surprised me.
• What to look for: This works best with shift dresses or flowy sundresses.
• The “Pucker” Test: Check the mirror to ensure there aren’t “bust darts” (little stitched triangles meant to shape the chest) pointing the wrong way on your back!

Shopping with “Nursing Eyes”

I love wearing dresses to church or on hot summer days, but they are notoriously difficult for nursing. Instead of buying expensive “nursing-specific” brands, look for these three winners in regular stores:

1. “Live” Fasteners: Look for buttons, snaps, or zippers in the front. Beware of “decorative” buttons that don’t actually open—they are a nursing mom’s biggest heartbreak!
2. The Deep V-Neck: Perfect when paired with a nursing tank.
3. Stretchy Wraps: Wrap dresses can be folded away and tucked back into place easily.

One Skirt Fits Most

Most skirts are great options. My favorites are wrap-around skirts because they adjust to your body throughout the entire pregnancy and breastfeeding cycle. The exception is the end of pregnancy, when you have a “watermelon” where your waist used to be. Tying it above the belly is awkward and below the belly doesn’t stay, so I take a break from wearing them until after delivery.

The Only Nursing Items You Really Need

If you are going to spend money, spend it here:

• A Quality Nursing Cover: Look for 100% cotton (breathable!) with a “hoop” neck so you and the baby can see each other. An optional back tie is great for windy days or restless babies.
  • In the winter I recommend a poncho-style shawl for a nursing cover, they’re stylish and warm for you and baby. Look for knitted or woven material that way there is enough light and good airflow for baby.
• Nursing tank tops: They go under everything and make any deep cut top/dress instantly modest with nursing access
• 2-3 Quality Nursing Bras: While you can use regular bras, I must admit my good nursing bras are the first ones I reach for out of the clean laundry.
• Post-Partum “Giant” Bras: Have one or two oversized, super-comfy bras for those first few days when your milk comes in. You can thank me later, because these truly are lifesavers!

How to shop if you’re pregnant

Your size will shift through pregnancy, nursing, postpartum and losing the baby weight. Avoid stocking up in any one size. Instead invest in 2-3 high-quality nursing bras as you “size-up” during pregnancy; you’ll likely cycle back through those same sizes as your body changes after baby arrives.

How to shop if you’re postpartum

If you’ve already delivered, buy just a couple items in your current size. Many women drop significant water weight in the first month. (I dropped 20 pounds in the month after delivery with my first baby!) So wait for things to settle before buying a full wardrobe.

“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”

Isaiah 49:15