Summer Nursing Clothes

Guest Post by Michelle from The Joy Chaser.

This time last year I was hosting the BritMums Get Fit Facebook group and busting a gut every day doing army-style workouts to get in shape. Fast forward twelve months and…well…yeah,  not so much.

While our seven-month old Little Man is loving his solids and tucking into three mushy meals a day now, I’ve only just recently stopped breastfeeding him and for me that means the baby weight is still conspicuous by it’s presence; particularly in the tummy region.

To be fair if I suck it all in and hold my breath it doesn’t look too bad. I even managed to squash myself into a pair of pre-preggy jeans last weekend. But I can’t hold that position 24/7 and when it goes it’s like some grotesque magic trick – now you don’t see it, whhhhoa now you DO. (Cue the ‘pregnant again already?’ raised eyebrows.)

Here are some of the clothes I planned for a recent holiday away to cover up and flatter my rotundity while still enabling me to wop my boobs out for the baby with relative ease (little did I know that wouldn’t be happening, but that’s another story). I’ve discovered that for the 40-something second-time-around-Mummy there’s not a lot of choice of the not-a-tent variety but there are a few stylish options for nursing mums.

£25

Maxi dresses are fab. You can dress them up or down and this one scrunches up into the tinniest space in your suitcase. I love the paisley design and the wide straps. Easy to breastfeed in without looking too mumsy. I might even wear it to BritMums Live this Saturday *excited face*.

GAP maxi skirt

£24.95

I bought a similar one of these last year and I wear it all the time. This one is part of their maternity collection but it’s just a fold down band so no one will know the difference. It’s comfy on hot days and hits the nautical theme bang on. While we were in Spain I paired it with silver Birkenstocks, a white or navy t-shirt and my trusty Fat Face denim jacket.

Mothercare Nursing vest

£15

I often wear a long nursing vest under a normal top – it covered up my tummy when Little Man was feeding and I like the layered effect it gives. These ones from Mothercare are great value and wear well and also I’m coveting one from Glamour Mum which is a bit too pricey at £37 but looks fab and comes in a good colour range.

GAP twill mini skirt

£22.99

Ok this is a wish list item but I had to include it because the colour is amazing – not sure my legs are ready for it yet though!

John Lewis zip up terry towelling robe

£35

Swimwear is a BIG problem. I’m a bit too small for my maternity two-piece but way too lumpy and bumpy for my old swimsuit. Don’t even mention ‘bikini’ to me *breaks into a sweat*. Luckily I made sure I covered up in this towelling robe I found at John Lewis for £35. Not that glamorous perhaps but it was perfect for the beach and by the pool and the drawstring means I could adjust the waist to fit.

Summer shoes

My two holiday shoes of choice were these silver Birkenstocks (£39.99) and my trusty Converse sneakers (£25).

I discovered Birkenstocks when I was pregnant and I LOVE them. Uber comfortable and just the right side of nerdy I feel. I’ll pair these with most outfits as silver is a safe colour to match with practically everything. The Converse All Stars are my go-to shoes for everything from the school run to holidays in Europe where the weather isn’t always going to be sun, sun, sun. Uber comfy and and great for dressing down a maxi skirt or dress.

So that’s my capsule summer collection. Not a whole wardrobe by any means but it’s a start. Do you have any suggestions for post-baby holiday clothes to flatter a Mummy tummy?