There is a lot that goes into figuring out how to make pumping at work as a teacher go smoothly. You need to figure out a schedule that works, a private comfortable place to pump, find all the supplies, etc. It can be overwhelming. Finding pumping friendly work clothes doesn’t need to be a daunting task.
While on maternity leave your clothes focus is on comfort and ease for nursing. These goals shift when you return to work. Now you need to find professional AND pumping friendly work clothes. While it would be nice to stay in leggings and nursing tank tops. Your administration would probably frown upon that.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe to get pumping friendly work clothes
Taking a maternity leave can leave a dent in your budget. Especially if you’re having to take it unpaid. Don’t feel overwhelmed by the task of getting everything prepared to pump at work. Use these tips to help you find what you need when it comes to pumping friendly outfits.
Need help getting prepared for pumping at work? Read these Tips for Breastfeeding and Pumping as a Teacher. Also, download the Scheduling Pumping and Breastfeeding as a Teacher Planning Guide.
Shop Your Own Closet for Pumping Friendly Work Clothes
To comfortably pump at work you need clothes that give you easy access to allow you to hook up to your breast pump. However, non-nursing clothes can still work so you don’t need a whole new wardrobe. One way to make non-nursing outfits work is to invest in some quality nursing camis. These are essential!
Nursing camis or tanks allow you to keep your stomach covered if you need to lift your shirt to pump or nurse. They also add an extra layer of protection from leaks and support for your breasts. Nursing tanks are often cut to also fit a growing pregnant belly, so they are long and cover well. They have the added benefit of smoothing things out. (If you are pregnant and looking to buy new tank tops. Make sure they’re nursing friendly so you can continue to use them after you have your baby.)
I highly recommend H&M nursing tank tops. The fabric is super soft and has a nice thickness to keep the top modest even if you’re wearing it alone. Kohl’s also has some good nursing tank tops. Some of the Kohl’s tank tops were too long after pregnancy, so check the length. Amazon has a huge selection of nursing tanks and camis. (Check out this one or this one).
Another way to make your pre-baby wardrobe nursing friendly is to have leggings or shorts for under your dresses. This way if you need to pull the dress up or take it off to pump you won’t be almost naked. This will help you stay comfortable while pumping at school. (Especially since there is always the chance someone could ignore your sign and walk in on you!) Another piece that helps with this is a cardigan to cover you as you pump.
Non-nursing Styles that are Pumping Friendly Work Clothes
There are certain styles of clothing that are more suited for pumping. Loose-fitting easy to lift up tops such as tunics are perfect with a nursing cami underneath.
Another style that lends itself to being pumping friendly are wrap or foe wrap tops and dresses. These allow you to untie or pull down your top to pump without lifting the whole piece of clothing up. As these are not made for nursing this can stretch the fabric and make it loose. This style is also very forgiving when it comes to mommy tummies.
Button up tops or dresses are also pumping friendly. They look put together and don’t scream nursing top. It may take a little longer to button and unbutton, so don’t plan to wear this style if you have a tight schedule for pumping at work.
Nursing Specific Clothes
It is beneficial to have a few nursing-specific pieces in your wardrobe. It isn’t always ideal to have too many layers of clothes, especially if it is hot out. Easier access in nursing-specific clothing also means less time spent setting up pumping.
You will need a few quality nursing bras. Before having my baby I purchased a few wire-free nursing bras and a few wired nursing bras. I ended up rarely wearing my wired nursing bras except for special occasions. They weren’t as comfortable and the wire made pumping slightly more difficult.
Don’t buy too many bras before you give birth; 1-2 bras will get you through until you can figure out what you like. Your size could change as well.
My favorite nursing bra is this Playtex wire-free nursing bra with lace. It gives you shape and coverage with soft foam. Its fabric is breathable, so you don’t get over hot. It also has a clasp like a regular bra which makes it easier to put on if you have larger breasts. This bra also holds up over frequent washes and LOTS of wear.
When shopping for nursing bras I had good luck at Motherhood Maternity and Kohls. Kohls also has the Playtex bra. If you have a good salesperson at Motherhood Maternity they can be a huge help in the shopping process.
So you can be hands-free and actually get stuff done while pumping it is best to have a hands-free pump bra. These are a lifesaver! There is also a product called Freemies that many moms are raving about. You can just slip this in your bra and stay completely covered. (These are on my list for next time around!)
Not all nursing clothing is pumping friendly for at work. A lot of nursing tops are low cut or very loose at the top. A good nursing tank helps keep you covered. But you’ll want to check tops to make sure you’re not going to have any accidental exposure issues at school.
I had the best luck with tops that have a v-neck tank style underneath the top layer. (Like this). My favorite are these from H&M. These worked best when using a hands-free pump bra. Other styles got in the way of the pump bra and pump parts.
It can take some searching to find nursing-specific clothes. Larger stores like Kohls, Old Navy, and H&M usually have a small maternity section in-store. But often have a larger selection online. There are also maternity/nursing specific online stores such as Latched Mama. There are even subscription services like Le Tote that you could use.
Amazon also has a great selection and if you’re an Amazon Prime Member you can get free two-day shipping. Amazon also has a service called Prime Wardrobe where you can try clothes on for free before you buy them.
As you start searching it will amaze you all the great pieces you can find. There are clothes for all different styles and budgets. It’s important to remember that this is a phase in your journey, so budget accordingly. Also, make sure you can easily return online purchases in case they don’t work. Finding what fits after you give birth can be a guessing game.
Remember before you go out and buy a whole new wardrobe to shop your own closet and see what pieces will work. Then be strategic with what you buy. You don’t have to stick to nursing-specific clothes. Some non-nursing pieces work just as well. Don’t forget to stock up on some nursing camis or tanks!
What are your favorite pieces of nursing wear you’ve found? Do you have a favorite brand of nursing or maternity clothes that I missed? Please share to help our fellow moms out!
Need help scheduling pumping at work? You can get a planning guide and more by signing up for my free resource library. It includes Teacher Mom resources as well as general teaching resources.
