Best Nursing Covers
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You’ve probably spent most of your time researching big-ticket baby gear items like a stroller, crib or car seat. But if you’re planning on breastfeeding, you might also want to look into nursing covers (also sometimes called breastfeeding covers). Here’s why some moms love them and how to find the right one for you.
Why you might want a nursing cover
Nursing covers aren’t a must for breastfeeding moms, and whether or not you use one is a totally personal choice. But if you opt to breastfeed in public, a cover can offer a sense of privacy and make you feel more comfortable, especially in the early days when you and baby are still figuring the whole nursing thing out.
A nursing cover can also shield your little one from the sun or wind if you’re breastfeeding outside. Down the road, when baby becomes more aware of her surroundings, these covers might help her nurse with fewer distractions.
What to look for in a nursing cover
Unlike a crib or car seat, there aren’t any official guidelines or recommendations for nursing covers. There are plenty of solid breastfeeding covers out there, and picking the right option is really about finding one you feel comfortable wearing.
Ideally, your cover should be easy to use and adjust (no fumbling with a hungry, fussy baby, please!) and give you the coverage you want to nurse with confidence. The fabric should feel soft, touchable and breathable to ensure that your baby stays comfortable.
Also important: It should be machine-washable, because hand-washing spit up stains just isn’t something you need right now.
Types of nursing covers
Nursing covers come in a few different styles, and all have their benefits.
- Apron-style nursing covers slip over your neck and drape over your chest and stomach — imagine an apron without a waist tie.
- Wearable nursing covers are shawls, scarves or ponchos that you can wear throughout the day and convert into a cover when it’s time to nurse.
- Convertible nursing covers are usually wide fabric loops that can be used as a nursing cover, but also multitask as a car seat cover, high chair cover, shopping cart cover or blanket.
No matter what you’re looking for, there’s an option out there for you. Whether you’re in the market for an apron-style, wearable or convertible cover, here are the best nursing covers of the bunch.
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Best Adjustable Nursing Cover
NuRoo Nursing Scarf
- Snap closures help cover stay in place
- Snaps don’t always lend themselves to wearing the product as a scarf
Snap closures along the width of the scarf make it easy to adjust as a nursing cover or as an accessory. Available in multiple color and pattern choices, a versatile infinity scarf doubles as a shrug, open tunic or bandit.
Dimensions: 9.61 x 7.2 x 1.18 inches
Best Sun-Protective Nursing Cover
Bamboobies Chic Nursing Shawl
- Super comfortable and fast-drying
- Functionality reigns over style
Baby’s sensitive skin is especially vulnerable to the sun. Bamboobies’ nursing shawl provides natural UPF 50+ sun protection in brighter months, with an open side for easy nursing access. Use it as a sun shield for baby on car trips and strolls.
Dimensions: 1.5 x 9.5 x 7.4 inches
Best Nursing Cover for Cold Weather
Hicoco Winter Fleece Lined Nursing Cover
- Warm fabric; multiple uses for the product
- Designs are more baby-focused
This soft, double-fabric cover serves up an extra layer of warmth when it’s chilly. In fact, the infinity-style loop is so cozy that you just might want to keep it on as a shawl when your little one isn’t nursing. But if you do decide to take it off, definitely keep it nearby. The quilt-like breastfeeding cover doubles as a car seat, stroller
Dimensions: 9.29 x 7.48 x 1.1 inches
Best Summer Nursing Cover
Bebe Au Lait Muslin Nursing Cover
- Super lightweight and breathable
- Not as versatile as other options
Summertime nursing calls for lightweight, breathable muslin cotton. This breastfeeding wrap comes in different prints and colors, will always keep you and baby cool and has an open neckline and adjustable neck strap.
Dimensions: 30 x 0.1 x 36 inches
Best Affordable Nursing Cover
KeaBabies Car Seat Canopy
- Affordable; multiple uses
- Some parents note it’s more functional as a car seat cover than nursing cover
Nothing goes with everything like stripes! Stretchy, soft spandex offers 360-degree coverage and comes with a matching storage bag that serves as a diaper bag organizer. In addition to an affordable nursing cover, use it as an infinity scarf, car seat canopy or shopping cart cover.
Dimensions: 6.9 x 1.1 x 6.1 inches
Most Playful Nursing Cover
Milk Snob Multifunctional Cover
- Versatile; fun designs
- Designs don’t always lend themselves to adult style
Durable and machine-washable Milk Snob’s top-rated breastfeeding cover can be used as a shield for all of baby’s various seats: shopping cart, high chair or swing. Plus: It comes in several fun patterns based on Star Wars and the Mandalorian!
Dimensions: 24 x 26 x 0.25 inches
Best Swaddle Nursing Cover
Aden + Anais Essentials Swaddle Blanket
- Super soft; oversized; versatile
- No snaps or closures
Looking for a multipurpose nursing cover, but not sure you’ll actually wear a scarf? This luxe oversized blanket is made with 100 percent cotton muslin (that gets softer and softer the more you wash it) and comes in pretty pastel designs that work for Mom or baby. As a result, you can use it as a nursing cover, a secure swaddle or stroller sunshade.
Dimensions: 9.49 x 1.38 x 13.19 inches
Most Mom-Friendly Nursing Cover
Aden + Anais Snuggle Knit Multi-Use Cover
- Versatile; comfortable
- No snaps
From sweet baby brand Aden + Anais, this cotton cover is super soft — and it’ll work for every “covering” you need (over yourself, a carseat, a swing, a cart or even a high chair). The fabric is stretchy and comfortable and the product comes in three simple but stylish options (heather gray and striped, for example).
Dimensions: 26 inches x 27 inches x 0.2 inches
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