Maternity + Nursing Shopping Tips

Whether you are a mama-to-be or are soaking up all the new born snuggles, the last thing you want to think about during this sweet time in your life is your clothing!  Finding modest maternity clothing that is still cute and functional can be challenging; the temptation to completely give up and just live in sweats is real. So much modern maternity clothing is form-fitting and low cut which makes the search even more frustrating! We here at MSE want to make the search less stressful and enhance the joy that welcoming a little life brings! Below are some tips to consider when looking for clothing that will serve you well in maternity and beyond!

1. STRETCH

Always the number one thing to look for when searching for maternity clothing is plenty of stretch! Fabrics with 5%-7% Spandex are extremely comfortable and practical for a growing belly as well as postpartum. Maternity and nursing pieces should fit, flatter, and grow with your maternity curves! The Amelia top pictured below features dainty florals, puff sleeves, and feminine ruching as well as soft stretch. Perfect for running to the grocery store, a girls day, or whatever else the day holds!

2. LOOSE FIT OR EMPIRE WAIST

If you would rather purchase clothing that isn't maternity specific to ensure that you will get plenty of wear, this tip is for you! When shopping the racks or browsing online, look for pieces cut in a swing style for easy transitioning from pregnancy to mom life. Empire waists are also your friend for easy versatility! The Samantha dress below, is the perfect example of this! Cut in a breezy swing style with flutter sleeves and modest crew neckline, this works so well as baby grows and for the nursing mom! BONUS: the Samantha has zippers on either side which make it nursing friendly!

Another awesome option in the loose-fitting department is the Allison swing dress! This is a closet staple for every woman, no matter the age or stage. Constructed of bamboo and modal, this extremely comfortable piece is lined so no slip is needed! The Allison easily can be dressed up for Sunday morning or down for a stroll through the park so versatility is guaranteed!

3. BUTTONS OR SNAPS

Thankfully button-up style clothing seems to be everywhere these days which is amazing for all the mamas out there! This style is great for the woman that is looking to keep modesty in mind as this style tends to be much more covering than wrap-style maternity clothing, which often requires a camisole to be worn underneath it. The Hayes top is a great button-up style that is extremely practical for postpartum women! Constructed of soft stretchy knit fabric and tailored in a loose fit, the Hayes top will be keeping you comfortable in any season of life!

Strong and confident women make great mamas! Here at MSE we want you to walk through the stage you are in empowered to be everything that you were designed to be. Pregnancy and postpartum life is just one part of that!