thread: Where to buy affordable Breastfeeding Attire

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    Where to buy affordable Breastfeeding Attire

    I have kmart breastfeeding tops which are comfy, easy to feed in but i have only found in a singlet and only black or white. I tried another (bonds or jockey?) but didn't really like it because the whole breast section came down. The ones i have have 2 layers, and you lift the top section up and pull the bottom section down to feed- tummy is covered and top of chest is covered.

    I saw in another post Gigi mention Nuvo Maternity and Almost Mum and i had a look there. It's a little hard to work out how their top works, and if they would fit but i might get one and try.

    So, do you have any fav on line or real life shops for breastfeeding tops? Which styles do you like? Alternatively do you have a good pattern you recommend?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    1,163

    I just found a great breast feeding singlet for winter called the "peek-a-booby" (I kid you not!!!) Terrible name but the idea is good. It is a good quality cotton singlet in a tank top style with the breast shape cut away. I only need to undo my bra and lift up my top and my stomach is covered - a must for winter and post baby belly . I have found I can wear most of my normal clothes with this top.

    I think you can find them via google, otherwise I think the manufacturer is "jac and lou" from memory.

  3. #3

    Oct 2008
    2,880

    I'd be interested to see what others come up with Kate, I have exactly the tops that you are talking about but would really like some long sleeved ones. Not sure where to get them!
    There seems to be loads of pregnancy maternity clothes but not so many breast feeding friendly ones hey?
    Sue xx

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Central Coast NSW
    2,160

    I just bought a stack of cheap singlet tops ($3 each at coco latte) and wore one under my regular clothes. The straps were stretchy so I only needed to pull up my top and down my bra cup and singlet. My tummy was always covered and I didnt need to spend alot of $$$. I did buy some bf tops but preferred the singlet option. I am actually so used to wearing a singlet now I still put one on every day even tho DS isn't feeding during the day anymore.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Sydney
    7,896

    They probably don't count as 'affordable' being about $70 each, but my best gf bought me two of the Glamourmom bfing singlets from Babies Galore (or similar). They might be a little more pricey, but they lasted me for three years (and have now been put away for number two) and were so versatile (wear on their own in summer or under a shirt when it got colder) that they were worth every penny. I had some other styles that also worked (aippers up the side, for eg), but the singlets were by far the best. I would go out and buy them at that price before spending a lot less on something that needs replacing or doesn't do the job.

    They were also supportive enough for me to not have to wear a maternity bra under them (after the first couple of months). You'd have to try them on to see if that would work for you, though.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    Inner East, Melbourne
    312

    The Mothers Direct shop in Malvern has plenty of breastfeeding tops and bras to try on. I think they're having a big sale this weekend too (if i remember rightly). I've got a couple that look quite glam for the evening too that you'd never guess were bf tops.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    1,400

    Perhaps have a look in alternate Kmarts/Targets as I found the stock varied widely from store to store too. xx

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    North Northcote
    8,065

    again, not garuanteed to be affordable (but always check out for sales!!) are these ripe maternity ones that have a very simple slit across the boob part, so all you have to do is pull it across, unclip bra and pop bubba on. that way boob is not exposed to the elements and they come in both long and short-sleeved styles.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    ...not far enough away :)
    1,413

    I too like my tummy to be covered and I also need decent support, I could not wear those singlets that had the drop down part & no support. And wearing a maternity bra under one was just a PIA! So I've found it all round easier to just look at the staps or neckline of what it is I want to wear or buy. I've gotten several singlets, from places like supre, dottie etc that I dress up with a nice cardi or shirt & I just have to drop the strap....easy! I also look for tops with nice low 'v necks', I've got great cleavage now & all I do is pull to the side, unclip bra & pop the boobie out. These options are cheaper. If the clothes are a bit plain I just dress up with scarfe, accessories etc.
    I also found a black singlet and a white one in the underwear section of Target for $20, like many bf singlets, but the drop down part is actually an in built slightly padded bra. These offer great support meaning no bra needed nd you can wear under whatever and just lift the top up, to the side or straps down and nothing else gets exposed.....I love them.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth, WA
    2,315

    Good thread - I need ideas too! I get really cold and wearing a bra, singlet, jumper and jacket is a PIA for bfing!

    I am off to Trade Secret tomorrow as they had some cheap maternity wear in decent brands like Ripe a few months ago.

    KMart's Bub 2 b singlets are comfy and padded/supportive so no bra needed. I also like their ella feeding bra for night time and bought the same style but as a singlet but it's really loose on me.

  11. #11
    BellyBelly Member

    Nov 2009
    Qld
    367

    I gave up on breastfeeding clothing. They are generally extremely overpriced and either not very nice or poor quality. Now I shop in normal stores and just keep an eye out clothes that are suitable, like the neckline is elastic and undoes or pulls to the side and I just wear maternity bras underneath.

    BigW has a nice one atm for about $18, the whole neckline is elastic and it ties up in the middle, perfect access and it has longer sleeves and thicker material for winter.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    The Hawkesbury
    4,505

    When i had little ones and was BF, i bought some BF singlets from Kmart. Think they were around $19.95. I use to wear them with Bonds hoodies. Otherwise theres always ebay or pumpkin patch always have a sale section, you might get some bargins there.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    When i had little ones and was BF, i bought some BF singlets from Kmart. Think they were around $19.95. I use to wear them with Bonds hoodies.
    Sounds like my current wardrobe!

    Thanks for all the suggestions, i will be checking them out.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Oct 2008
    Victoria
    4,601

    In the early days I wore the Bonds breastfeeding singlets under everything! Once my maternity clothes got too big I would just buy a few cheap tops every couple of weeks, making sure they were loose & easy to pull up for feeding. And buy cheap I mean under $10! As long as it was easy to feed in that's all I cared about as I wasn't going to wear them for very long. I mostly bought from BigW & Kmart, but Sussans often have great bargains in their clearance rack. I was lucky in that baby doll style tops were around alot at the time lol!

  15. #15
    Moderator

    Dec 2006
    Smidgen-ville
    3,736

    Yup, unfortunately all i wear is Kmart bf singlets. One in black, one in grey and one in white. Ah, the varied and exciting shades of my breastfeeding wardrobe! Luclky my bbs aren't in need of greater support than that.

    I have a bf top from Mother's Direct, but I find bf'ing tops are rarely long enough and just wear 'normal' clothes which I pull up for feeds.

    Might have a wander online at some of these suggestions. I think we should allow ourselves some beautiful bf clothes - think of all the money we are saving on formula!!

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Logan
    2,991

    I have got some much use out of the Target brand bfing singlets. I use the soft cup ones for bed and the ones with a built in bra for day time. Wait for the 30% off sales and get a few

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Melbourne
    3,715

    Bek, I love those Target ones with the built-in bra. I have one, and would love some more, but they never have any sizes!!!

    I'm going to check out the Kmart ones, and some of the other brands listed, thanks . I want to be a cheapskate , but really, considering that I plan on Bfing DS2 for at least 2 years, maybe I should invest! I regret not doing it with DS1.