Even a beginning sewer can sew nursing clothes for herself or as a baby shower gift. While special nursing clothes are certainly not necessary (and can be very pricey!), these patterns provide a frugal option for nursing mothers. In addition to the free instructions for breastfeeding projects available here on Breastfeeding 1-2-3, I have compiled a list of sources for sewing patterns for breastfeeding clothes.
Nursing Clothes Pattern Retailers
Blessed Designs – click on “Nursing Patterns” in the sidebar and you can find patterns for nursing lingerie (nursing sleep bra, nightgown, camisole and tummy cover), a hoodie sweatshirt and jacket, and …read more

For this month’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, we are sharing tips for saving money while breastfeeding (see more entries at the end of this post). My tip is not strictly for breastfeeding, although I did share a reader’s tip yesterday on a frugal choice for a nursing bra, and I have previously written about Five Money-Saving Alternatives to Traditional Nursing Clothing, and I have several tutorials on how to make your own Hooter Hider-Type Nursing Cover, Knitted Nursing Tank Top, Pullover Crew Neck Baby Bib, Baby Bib with Neck Ties, Ring Sling, Nursing Necklace, Nursing Pads, Baby Booties, Cloth Diapers, Nursing …read more

When I asked readers to submit blog posts for tomorrow’s Carnival of Breastfeeding on tips for saving money while breastfeeding, Maureen took the time to share a tip for me to post here at Breastfeeding 1-2-3. Maureen raved about the JCPenney Fancy Me Sleep/Leisure Bra:
After several bouts with mastitis aggravated (I believe) by the ubiquitous underwire nursing bra, I sought out a less binding, and less expensive option – one that I could throw in the wash without fear of the “hand-wash” only label. I found the JC Penney Fancy Me Sleep/Leisure Bra to be perfect. Comfortable, easy to …read more

As the Beatles lyrics go, “The best things in life are free” — like breastfeeding! But breastfeeding accessories can be pricey, so for February’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, I want to know your tips for saving money while breastfeeding.
Submit your money-saving tips! Email me your submission by February 9, 2009, for consideration for the carnival on February 16, 2009. As a reminder, here are the guidelines that will increase the chances a post will be selected for inclusion in the carnival:
– A well-written, grammatically correct post
– Thoughtful commentary directly on point for the carnival subject
– Overall quality of the rest …read more

Last week I listed five tips for nursing in public. One of those suggestions was to come up with a combination of clothing that makes you feel most comfortable breastfeeding in public.
5 Alternatives to Regular Nursing Clothing
While it’s great if you can afford nursing clothing (see Where to Find Nursing Clothes) and can find styles that you like, there are other options.
1. Layer a button-down blouse over a tank top. When you lift up (or pull down) the tank top to nurse, the sides of the open blouse will offer coverage.
2. Layer a regular shirt over a loose-necked tank …read more

We’re talking about going green today at the Science and Health Theme Day, hosted this round by Kendra at Diabetes Notes. Breastfeeding is clearly the right environmental choice–the only things breastfeeding requires are mom and baby. While there are lots of breastfeeding accessories available should you decide you want them, a breastfeeding family does not need all the bottles, nipples, bottle brushes and f*rmula cans that end up in the landfills some day (not to mention the environmental costs of f*rmula manufacturing and transportation)! Lucky for us, the green choice in this case is also the frugal choice–an example of …read more