style | nursing-friendly summer travel bag

It can be difficult to plan outfits for a trip when EVERYTHING you pack has to be nursing-friendly.  You don't want to pack a ton of clothing, but you want to have enough options to look cute no matter the weather or situation.  I've put together a summertime weekend away packing guide with some ideas that are cute, versatile, and most importantly, incredibly easy to nurse in!

Here are the basic pieces you'll want to pack:
3-4 shirts (1 tank top, 1-2 t shirts, 1 long-sleeve button up)
1 nursing-friendly dress (check out my review of the dress featured below)
2 pairs of bottoms (1 pair shorts, 1 pair cropped jeans)
1 belt
1 InfinityMOM nursing scarf
1 pair of flip flops or sandals
1 large handbag


Using only these basic pieces, you have at least 5 outfit options!  You could expand your options even more just by adding a few extra t-shirts in varying colors, and then you would easily have enough outfits for a weeklong trip.



The neutral bag, tank top, and scarf go well with all the outfits, and the purse is large enough to be used as a "basics" diaper bag.  Toss in a few diapers, a package of wipes, your nursing scarf (if you're not already wearing it), your wallet, and whatever other little items you might need, and you're out the door and on your way without juggling multiple bags/purses!  Your nursing scarf plays double duty as an accessory and a nursing cover which means one less thing for you to pack.  The long sleeve button up is a great lightweight layering piece that is perfect for nursing - unbutton a few buttons or simply leave it open for easy nursing access.  White shorts are fresh and easy to care for, and if you get any stains (you know you will...), they come right out with a little help from a bleach pen.  The nursing tank shown here is from Undercover Mama, and it attaches directly to your nursing bra which I absolutely love!  We're actually doing a giveaway with Undercover Mama which you can enter here (contest ends TODAY, 7/30/13, at noon).  Not only does my Undercover Mama tank mean one less strap hanging off my shoulder, but I think it provides a much smoother look under t-shirts.  I've already written about the Target t-shirt dress here (check out the link for even more outfit ideas!).

style | target t-shirt dresses

Whether you breastfeed for 6 weeks, 6 months, or several years, you quickly realize that some clothing does NOT lend itself to discrete nursing.  I remember being thrilled when I finally fit into my go-to black shift dress for a friend's wedding until we arrived at the chapel, and my baby went from happy to hungry in about 5 seconds flat.  I realized that my side-zip dress was going to have to come off - all the way off - if I was going to have any hope of nursing.  So I made my way to the women's restroom and, dressed in only a nursing bra and slip, I uncomfortably I fed my baby while sitting on a chair next to a row of stalls.  Thankfully no one came in, and I was saved the embarrassment of explaining that I seriously failed at planning ahead.

Since then, I've learned a few things about nursing in public and how to dress myself so as to make it not only painless but enjoyable.

Our InfinityMOM scarves are a great tool to create privacy so you can nurse virtually anywhere but, without the right apparel underneath, you'll be stuck in the bathroom in your slip like I was.

I've tried just about everything when it comes to nursing-friendly apparel - the good, the bad, and the (quite literally) ugly.  In general I've had much better luck (style and cost wise) with stuff that isn't "official" nursing apparel.  I started this blog as a way to collect and share items of clothing that are stylish, functional, and economical for nursing moms.  I would love to hear about your favorite nursing-friendly article of clothing, so please submit your suggestions (we may even feature it on the blog!) by emailing infinitymomcontact@gmail.com.

One of my favorite nursing-friendly dresses is available at Target for only $19.99!

Get them here!

First off, I bought this dress with my own money, and I don't receive anything if you choose to buy this dress so you can be sure my review is honest and unbiased.

Now on to the good stuff! This is by far the softest, most comfortable t-shirt dress I have ever owned.  It is so stretchy that the neckline easily pulls down for nursing and then bounces right back.  Most t-shirt dresses are either so skin tight that I would never wear them out of the house, or they're not stretchy enough even to attempt pulling down far enough to nurse.  This dress is also shaped perfectly so that if you want to size up for a little extra room is stays proportional and cute.  It is technically a Junior's department dress so I bought one size up from what I usually wear, and it gives me just a little extra room so I don't feel like I need a pair of Spanx.

The dress is available online as well as in most Target stores, so stop by and try a few on to see what fits you best.  One caution: this is a shorter dress.  I'm 5'3'' on a good day, and it fits me as a dress.  If you're blessed with long legs, then you may prefer it as a tunic with tights or leggings.

I love it belted at the waist, but belt it a little higher (or not at all!), and you would have a perfect 1st/2nd (probably even 3rd) trimester maternity dress or tunic!  My sister-in-law, Kris, is almost 39 weeks pregnant and a little taller than me, and it still fits her great!  You would not believe how much stretch this dress has!  Can you even imagine a world where one dress would fit when you're not pregnant, pregnant, and post-pregnant/nursing?!?

I put together a few outfit ideas so you can see the versatility of this dress for warm and cold weather:

Perfect for looking put-together during the warm summer months!
Dress
InfinityMOM Nursing Scarf
Belt
Bag
Flip Flops

Add a sweater, tights, and boots, and this dress transitions perfectly to the colder months!
Dress
InfinityMOM Nursing Scarf
Belt
Sweater (no longer available)
Bag
Boots
Tights

This dress is definitely more casual, but it can easily be dressed up with a chunky necklace, a pair of heels, and a cute clutch!
Dress
Necklace
Wedges
Bag

Thanks for reading!  Tomorrow I'm posting a summer packing guide, so be sure to check back for that.  Also, be sure to add us on Facebook or Twitter so you never miss an InfinityMOM blog post, update or sale!
-Kaite