Yesterday, I posted my guide to Maternity Style. Today I’m back with my guide for staying cute while nursing. You may return to your pre-pregnancy size (or not), but breastfeeding rules out a lot of your old clothes. I nursed for over a year the first time and I’m about to start again with baby number two, so it was fun for me to pull this together. And just like last time, please let me know if you have any questions or tips of your own in the comments!

Tops

• You have two choices: pull your shirt down/to the side, or lift your shirt up. You may find that you’re more comfortable with one option vs. the other. If your shirt tucks in, it needs to unbutton or pull aside. If there’s no easy access from the top, it needs to be easy to pull up.
• I like to pull my shirt down or to the side, and if I feel exposed I just put a burp cloth over the bare shoulder. If you prefer to lift your shirt up, you can wear a nursing tank underneath or a belly band if you’re worried about showing your stomach.
• Other than nursing tanks (which I love), I avoid shirts that are specifically designated as nursing tops. They never look like anything I’d wear normally, and there are plenty of options in regular shirts that will work just fine.
• Cardigans and nursing tanks are BFFs.
• I never wore button down dress/oxford shirts, but if you’re a fan they are obviously very breastfeeding-friendly.
• Henleys and other knit tees with buttons that go at least partially down the front are great. They’re easy to throw on, they’re comfy, and they’re easy to care for.
• And speaking of ease of care, you’ll probably want to avoid tops that need to be dry cleaned for a while. At least until after your baby is past the spit-up stage.

Bottoms

• Easy! Wear your maternity pants and skirts until you can finally fit into normal clothing again.
• You may not fit into your pre-pregnancy pants for quite some time (and some people never do). Don’t beat yourself up about it, but don’t wear maternity bottoms forever. Eventually you may want to buy yourself some new pants in whatever size you are now. Clothes that fit and look good on you will make you feel better, instead of feeling like a schlump in your elastic pants.
• I love pencil skirts, but it was a long time before I could wear them again without looking pregnant. A-line skirts are more universally flattering.

Dresses

• Wrap dresses and shirtdresses are phenomenal for nursing. Other than that, your options are pretty limited here. Look for dresses with straps that you can slip down, and then try them on (some will work). Sometimes you can find one with a drawstring or loose peasant top, but that depends on whether they’re in style or not at the time.

Unmentionables

• My favorite nursing bra is Bravado’s Body Silk Seamless. The sizing is simple, the bra is comfortable, and it gives good support and shape.
• Bravado also makes an excellent nursing tank. Most nursing tanks just have a shelf bra, but theirs is built like a supportive bra.

Accessories

• A nursing reminder of some sort is a good idea. Sometimes you can tell/remember which side you last nursed on, but sometimes you cannot. You can switch a ring or a bracelet (like a bangle — nothing with a clasp that’s too difficult to undo) over to each side as a visual reminder. Clip a barrette onto your bra strap if you want something that won’t show.
• Once your baby can grab, you may want to skip the dangling earrings. A necklace can be a good or bad thing. Some people find that it’s helpful to have something to hold baby’s attention (as long as the necklace is sturdy enough to take it), but I find they usually just get in the way. If you like statement jewelry, bracelets may be the way to go for a while. You can wear a pin too, as long as there are no sharp edges.
• You will be watching the clock a lot at first, especially if you’re a new or nervous mother. Get yourself a pretty watch.
• You need a diaper bag, but it doesn’t have to be one that was specifically marketed as such. Any large purse or tote will work, and it’s nice if there are several pockets or compartments inside. You can even slip a little changing kit in any bag that’s roomy enough, or carry it on its own if you’re not much of a purse person. There are also plenty of stylish diaper bags out there these days too though, so don’t rule them out completely.

Sources

from the style board above

1. Women’s Roll-Up Button-Front Top
2. Finesun Henley
3. ban.do Heart Clip/Brooch
4. Double Bow Ring
5. Studio Diaper Tote
6. Everyday Jersey Dress
7. Women’s Shirt Dress
8. Sumi-e Scape Top
9. Striped Ruffle Shirt
10. Maternity Emerald Wash Modern Slim Jeans (wear your maternity jeans postpartum until you can fit into regular clothes again)
11. Leading Lady Nursing Chemise
12. The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
13. The Essential Nursing Tank
14. Multifunction Rose Gold Tone White Dial Watch

Maternity wear can throw even the cutest gals for a loop. It is possible to maintain your sense of style through pregnancy though, and below are my tips. Tomorrow I’ll post the companion guide: Nursing Style. Let me know if you have any questions or tips of your own in the comments!
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© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Maternity Fashion Guide | 70 comments

A few people have asked for some maternity and nursing fashion help, so I’m going to put together a little guide and I should have it ready next week. Oh, and here’s a nice side view for you. I love the stripes peeking out!

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Huge | 110 comments

Looks like Eleanor’s going to get a little brother!

My sweet, colorful, lovely little studio is going to move into the scary basement. I’ll miss you, studio!

I’ll be honest. I’m pretty sensitive to my surroundings, so working in our unfinished basement is going to be a bit depressing. Plus I scare easily and I think my assistant Erika might too, and I can see us both being weirded out by spending time down there. It IS a little spooky, but we don’t have any other options.

Eventually Brandon and I would like to put up drywall and make the lower level feel like the rest of our home, but we don’t have the budget right now. We’ll clean it up and arrange things as best we can, but I fear it will still be icky.

*Update*
I mentioned the basement walls in a couple of the comments below, but here is a photo. Unpaintable, bizarre crackled tiles. No ceiling either, and wires everywhere. Here’s a link to view the photo in a larger size.

My studio will become Eleanor’s new room though, and that will make me happy. It’s going to be adorable! And the room (12×12) feels so much bigger than her current space (7×14 with sloped ceilings), so that will be nice for her. The nursery will stay a nursery since it works really well as such. I do plan to make at least a few changes though, regardless of gender. I want the new baby to have a look of his/her own.

Now all of this puts greater urgency on #9 of my 30 Before Thirty list: Clean out the basement. All of this shuffling of space hinges on getting it ready, and I am SO not looking forward to that task.

Also, I think our matching mother/daughter dresses are funny. ;)

This pregnancy has been less worrisome than the first, but I have been exhausted (and nauseous). I’m looking forward to getting a little energy back and feeling better as I head into the second trimester.

I’m due February 12 and Eleanor won’t turn two until April 29, so we’ll have two under two for a while. Sounds… challenging! But it also sounds fun.

© 2010, published by Making it Lovely as Another Baby | 413 comments

Thank you all for your sweet comments and support throughout the pregnancy! Today is Brandon’s birthday and we’ve just arrived home from the hospital after a slightly extended stay. There were a few complications throughout the inducing process and delivery, but I’m doing well and Eleanor is happy and healthy.

She has blue eyes, brown hair, and she’s just beautiful. We’re so in love with her.

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as Eleanor Ann Balch | 695 comments

So for now… fashion! Glorious frivolity!

I’m eager to wear normal clothes again, though I’m sure it will take me a while to get back to my pre-pregnancy size. Plus I know babies do lovely things like spit-up, so I’m trying to be practical and choose easy wash and wear clothing. A comfy stretchy skirt and a ruffled henley should fit the bill. And how awesome would Moop’s Fraulein Tote be as a diaper bag? I think it would work exceedingly well.

I saw the red t-strap shoes in the Urban Outfitters catalog about a month ago and I’ve been pining for them ever since. They’re pretty much perfect— the low heel looks like a good height to add some style but still be a very walking-friendly shoe. A kicky striped bangle would pick up the red nicely, and gold hoop earrings would be a nice touch too.

OK, that was fun. Didn’t really take my mind off things since I’m basing my wardrobe choices around my upcoming new lifestyle as a mom (!), but it was fun nonetheless. Now I’m off to worry about tomorrow…

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as Style: May ’09 | 145 comments

She’ll get here when she gets here, so we’re just waiting patiently…

© 2009, published by Making it Lovely as One Week Past Due | 153 comments

But Brandon made breakfast for me this morning! Eggs, sausage, and French toast = YUM.