5 Best Maternity Clothes to Buy

When many women think of maternity clothes and nursing apparel, “stylish” and “functional” are rarely two adjectives they often use to describe these types of clothing. Years ago, there was simply no such thing as cute maternity clothes. The good news is that the days of drab, shapeless garments designed to hide your developing pregnancy are gone, along with the highly limited selection of nursing apparel that was available to our mothers and grandmothers!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 8 in 10 mothers are now breastfeeding their newborns at birth. That means that there are more options for maternity clothes and nursing apparel than ever before. We understand that your pregnancy is as unique as you and that just because you’re expecting doesn’t mean your expectations for functional and flattering maternity clothes should waver.

The Best Maternity Clothes to Buy (If You Haven't Already!)

Here’s a list of five of the best types of maternity clothes designed to fit your active life while keeping you supported before and after giving birth:

1. A Breathable Nursing Sleep Bra for Easy Feedings

The support of a nursing sleep bra can make you more comfortable and keep those precious moments of sleep within reach. Highly functional, a nursing sleep bra can hold your nursing pads in place to save your sheets and prevent overnight leakage, especially as your milk is coming in and getting established during the weeks after your baby’s birth.

We feature a nursing sleep bra that is designed to provide the ultimate comfort through the night while you rest. In fact, its four-way stretch fabric easily accommodates changing shapes and positions while pregnant or nursing, and its unique wicking properties keep moisture away from your body. Best of all, the nursing bra's functional criss-cross design allows easy access for nighttime feedings.

You may also consider our ultra-comfortable Keep Cool Bra or our soft, stretchy T-Shirt Bra for a variety of discreet, easy-access comfort pieces to fit your changing body. And of course, you'll want to choose the best pumping bra if you're planning to eventually return to work.

2. A Versatile Tank Top for Simplified Nursing on the Go

Make sure your wardrobe includes a soft, breathable maternity tank top that can be easily layered with other shirts, sweaters, or jackets. A versatile, accessible nursing tank top can feel like a lifeline when you’re on the go or have a lot of activities penciled onto the day’s schedule. Finding one that can be worn through your pregnancy and while nursing is even better.

Find maternity tank tops and maternity camisoles that are made from a lightweight cotton fabric with a seamless, non-wire design for maximum comfort. Full drop cups and convenient “open and close” clips that provide quick, simple unhooking and reattaching allow accessibility for nursing and pumping when and where it may be necessary.

3. A Few Cute Maternity Dresses Because You Deserve It

Planning a date night or getting ready for a special occasion, such as your baby shower or a maternity photo shoot? You don’t need a reason to doll yourself up, and now there are more options than ever before to do so. Pink Blush Maternity offers a variety of stylish, trendy and versatile maternity dresses for the mom-to-be. Offering everything from flowing, fashionable midi and maxi dresses to a range of little black dresses for formal events, we love that their maternity clothes are designed to be worn even after pregnancy for easy nursing or pumping.

4. A Maternity Support Belt To Give You Extra Control

It’s no secret that your body undergoes a long list of changes during your pregnancy. Give yourself the support you need, particularly in sensitive areas like your abdomen, as your body grows with your pregnancy. There are a variety of maternity support belts available. Find one that is smooth and discreet beneath your clothes while giving you the extra control needed as your body accommodates your growing baby.

A Postpartum Support Belt will help you as your body readjusts after giving birth. Find ones that are designed with lightweight, breathable material to provide much-needed comfort and function before and after your delivery.

5. A Selection of Professional Work Wear for Before and After Your Parental Leave

Whether your workplace dress code veers more toward casual or professional, it’s important to have a professional selection of comfortable and cute maternity clothes for those long days in the office, the classroom, on Zoom, or wherever work may be! Companies like Motherhood Maternity and Seraphine offer a diverse range of maternity work clothing, from skirts and blouses to dresses, pantyhose and slacks. Both maternity clothing stores feature business-appropriate clothing in a variety of colors and styles that also provide simplified access for pumping as needed throughout your workday.

Get the Best Maternity Clothes for Every Stage of Pregnancy

Of all the maternity clothes to buy, certain items may be more or less important depending on your own experience and needs. All women are different and the team at Medela is proud to embrace body positivity through a diverse range of sizes for all growing moms-to-be at every stage of pregnancy. Learn more about our nursing sleep bra and our other maternity and nursing wear. We look forward to keeping you comfortable and functional through each stage of your pregnancy and breast milk feeding journey.