The Best Nursing Dresses (that are cute & functional)

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Before I had kids, I was fully planning to be a formula mom. Breastfeeding weirded me out. And then somehow, I became the person who is OBSESSED with breastfeeding. And that’s ironic considering it was NOT easy with either of my boys (there were big challenges each time), but I breastfed my first son for 2 years, and I’m 15 months in with my second (who has refused a bottle since he was 12 weeks old once we got his tongue-tie released and he also fell in love with breastfeeding ;).

So, all that to say, I’ve got a lot of experience with nursing, and I also happen to have a career as a fashion influencer, so my dresses must be breastfeeding-friendly and cute.

Alright, let’s jump in. I know it can be hard to find cute nursing clothes, so I hope you find something below that fits your needs and style– every single thing I wear these days is breastfeeding friendly. And while we’re on the topic, I shared the rest of my postpartum essentials in this post.

The Best Nursing Dresses

Here’s a secret– aside from nursing tanks and bras, I never buy nursing-specific clothing. Breastfeeding-specific clothes are almost always unflattering (way too boxy), and the nursing panels aren’t particularly convenient — or they just add more bulk. Some nursing dresses have a built-in double layer over your breasts to help with leaks and modesty – i.e., bulk! – so, I just make sure my nursing bras provide enough coverage. Instead, I look for button-front dresses, smocking (stretch is key!), or straps that can untie.

In the newborn days, when I’m nursing constantly, I go for dresses that are extremely easy for breastfeeding – ideally just smocking, so I can pull it down. But now that my son is older and I’m breastfeeding every few hours, I don’t mind a few buttons. And honestly, sometimes I’ll wear a dress that isn’t easily accessible for breastfeeding, but if it’s short, I can pull it up. I only do this if I’m not going to be out and about, but it works fine when I’m at home. And since I always wear shorts under dresses, I’m not totally exposed.

I shared a handful of easy-to-recreate “cool mom” outfits here, but today I’m diving specifically into my most-worn nursing-friendly dresses!

1. Hill House Ellie Nap Dress

My very favorite dress for postpartum life in general is the Ellie Nap Dress by Hill House Home. Not only does it work seamlessly while nursing since you can pull the straps and bodice smocking down, but it’s comfortable and flattering in all the right places (read my detailed review of the Nap Dress here). Like I said, being able to wear clothes that aren’t specific to breastfeeding makes me feel more human, so I now own multiple styles from Hill House. The smocking is very sturdy with great compression, but it’s not restrictive at all. I wore this around the house, to church, on errands, and everywhere else in those early postpartum days. And the best part is that I can still wear it today!

I wear this dress with sandals, white sneakers, or go barefoot around my house (here are a few tips for wearing sneakers with dresses). The sizing is forgiving, but if you’re between sizes, opt for the smaller one. While they make this dress in a ton of colors and patterns, skip the solid colors and go with something a little busier so milk spots aren’t as noticeable.

The pattern I’m wearing below is no longer available, but the Navy Calico Trellis colorway is similar. I also like this affordable alternative from Quince – just size up one!

2. Charlie Sleeveless Dress

Next on my must-haves list is the navy sleeveless Charlie dress from Tuckernuck. I wore this at least once a week last summer when Charles was a newborn. It’s both casual and polished, making it a great option for anywhere you might go. I dressed it up with heeled sandals for church, wore it with flat sandals for errands, and threw on white sneakers when I wanted to dress it down more casually. The front placket has functional buttons, so while it doesn’t look like a shirt dress, it actually is (which makes it ideal for nursing in public). Since I was sweating all the time in the early postpartum months (thanks to hormones, I guess!), the sleeveless fit was fantastic. I own this dress in navy and the newer flax color.

Wear a comfortable nursing bra underneath and then throw on a pair of biker shorts (these biker shorts from Amazon are my favorites) so you’re not worried about bending over, sitting down, or chasing your other child. I especially appreciate the relaxed fit since I didn’t want to wear anything too fitted in those first few months. I wear a size XS in this dress for reference.

3. Amazon Pink Denim Romper

This isn’t a dress, but since it’s one piece that works as a full outfit, I still count it. I wore this pink denim jumpsuit a ton last summer. It is super roomy and comfortable, zips all the way down for easy nursing and restroom use, and it has pockets. There are two buttons on the sides that allow you to adjust the fit slightly, but you can also leave the romper extra comfortable and roomy. I have a small. This is obviously a casual option, and the price is fantastic for a “trendy” item.

4. Collared Sleeveless Amazon Shirt Dress

This sleeveless Amazon Shirt dress is another option that I wore into the ground last year with my newborn. It has such a fun drop skirt design, pockets, and buttons all the way down for easy nursing. I have a size small, and it comes in a ton of colors. The best part is that it’s under $40. Since the material is a polyester-linen blend, it feels pretty casual, so I wore flat sandals, loafers, or white sneakers with it most often.

5. Amazon Denim Shirt Dress

I got this denim shirt dress from Amazon while I was pregnant and wore it throughout the spring with my newborn. The front buttons are functional for easy breastfeeding access, and while the material is denim, it’s exceptionally lightweight and great for spring. The length is great (not too short but still a mini dress), and 3/4 length sleeves with little ruffles add a feminine touch. This dress looks great with loafers, sneakers, and casual sandals.

If you want something a bit more elevated, this Sailor Puff Sleeve Denim Minidress from FRAME is also adorable and higher quality.

6. Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress

This Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress is another nursing-friendly winner that I still wear today. It’s a thin, lightweight material that easily unbuttons for nursing. The fit is relaxed and fun, which pairs perfectly with flat or heeled sandals (and white sneakers, of course). I hang it to dry after washing, so keep that in mind when purchasing, since it’s not quite as “easy” as other dresses. I wear Amazon biker shorts underneath this dress since it does blow up a bit on windy days. While it requires one extra step for laundering, the dress itself is very easy to dress up or down with shoes and accessories. I wore this weekly with Charles last summer. Size down if you’re on the fence – this is an XS.

7. Frank and Eileen Rory Maxi Shirtdress

I didn’t own the Rory Maxi Shirtdress when I was newly postpartum, but now that I have it, I’ve been recommending it to all of my pregnant friends. The relaxed fit works well with nursing bras, and the material is lightweight but not sheer. The most surprising part is that it’s flattering on my petite frame. I shared how I style this by popping the collar and scrunching the sleeves in this try-on video.

While Frank and Eileen pieces are pricey, the quality is worth every penny (and since the brand is actually founded by moms, they made sure everything is easily washable and functional to wear around kids). If you love this look but need something more affordable, this Lou & Grey Triple Cloth Maxi Pocket Shirtdress from LOFT looks very similar.

8. Embroidered Floral Green Gingham Mini Delaney Dress

This Embroidered Floral Green Gingham Mini Delaney Dress from Tuckernuck is a great elevated everyday mini dress for breastfeeding. The front buttons down for easy access, but the material isn’t stretchy, so it feels more like “real clothes” if you’ve been wearing stretchy loungewear since having your little one. I love the puff sleeves for a feminine flair, and the collar keeps things polished, which I always appreciate. This dress looks great with flat sandals, heels, or white sneakers. I wear it most often dressed down for everyday errands, but you can also dress it up with fun accessories and shoes for a date night or for church.

9. Livro Day Dress

I discovered Livro dresses last summer, and they have some fantastic breastfeeding-friendly dress options again this spring. The Day Dress buttons all the way down and has a feminine scoop neckline that’s fun to accessorize with necklaces. The fit is relaxed and great for those early postpartum months, and the puff sleeves are a cute touch. I love the colorways they have this year – especially the Floral Block and Boardwalk Stripes. This is another dress that definitely requires biker shorts underneath since it’s so flowy.

10. Chloe Dress or Harper Dress

There will be a few times throughout your breastfeeding journey where you need to dress up a bit (maybe for a graduation ceremony, a wedding, a friend’s baby shower, etc.), and the Chloe Dress from Tuckernuck or this Harper dress from Abbey Glass will be your best friend. Both are similar in shape and style, and are two of the most timeless dresses I own. Every time I wear them, I feel like Jackie O. The front plackets have buttons that are functional for breastfeeding, but you’d never know by the look of them. Use code TERILYN15 on the Harper Dress.

I style these most often with heeled sandals or nude pumps.

I hope this roundup helps you find a few dresses to wear while you’re breastfeeding. There are SO many cute options that make nursing easier, you just have to know what to look for.

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