Best Nursing Covers (2021)

If you’re looking for a nursing cover so that you feel more comfortable nursing or pumping in public, it can be a little overwhelming. There are several different types of breastfeeding covers, each of which has their own advantages, disadvantages, and learning curve. Here’s what to think about when choosing the best nursing cover for you!

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The 3 Types of Nursing Covers

Apron-Style

Apron-style covers are the most common kind of nursing cover. They consist of a large rectangle of fabric that covers your chest, and they have a strap on the back of your neck holding them in place, like an apron.

Both nursing and pumping can be done easily with an apron-style cover.

Most apron-style nursing covers use a wire to create a firm neckline that holds the fabric out enough so that you can see your baby or your pump parts, which really helps with latching on or getting your pumping stuff hooked up.

These covers are easy to quickly put on whenever you need to nurse or pump, but they can also be easy for your baby to pull off.

Infinity Scarf

If you like to wear scarves, infinity scarf nursing covers can be both a fashion accessory and functional. These scarves are long circular pieces of fabric that can be wrapped around your head twice as an infinity scarf or once around your shoulder as a nursing cover.

These provide great coverage when nursing, especially because they cover your back in addition to your front. However, depending on how you drape the material, it can be a bit more challenging to see your baby.

Poncho

Nursing cover ponchos are the best option if your primary concern is modesty, because they provide coverage around your entire body.

Other covers can slip off to the side while you’re nursing or pumping, but that won’t happen with a poncho. It’s also much harder for your baby to pull these off of you if she doesn’t like covers.

Ponchos do not have rigid neckline with a wire, so depending on how it’s draped, it can be slightly more difficult to see your baby or your pumping gear.

Top 5 Nursing Covers

Below are 5 of the best nursing covers:

Here are some more details on each of these.

1. Bebe Au Lait Muslin Nursing Cover (Best Nursing Cover for Summer)

This Bebe Au Lait Muslin breastfeeding cover is a traditional apron-style cover with a rigid neckline on top that allows you to look down on your baby, while still covering your chest from other people.

This cover is great because of the muslin fabric that it’s made from – it’s lightweight and breathable, and perfect for summer.

Pros:

• Has a wire at the top that allows you to see your baby or position your pump parts
• Lightweight and breathable
• Can be used for either nursing or pumping

Cons:

• If your baby moves around a lot while nursing, it can require some vigilance to keep yourself covered

2. Itzy Ritzy Infinity Breastfeeding Scarf (Best Breastfeeding Cover Scarf)

The Itzy Ritzy Infinity Scarf is a different type of multi-use breastfeeding cover; this one can be used as both a scarf for yourself and a nursing cover for you and your baby.

The coverage with this cover depends on how you drape it, but it can cover the entire side that you’re nursing on as well as your back. An exposed back can sometimes be an issue with traditional apron-style nursing covers when you lift up your shirt, depending on the type of shirt you’re wearing.

Pros:

• Lightweight and breathable
• Versatile
• Can wear it as a scarf instead of having to pack it in your bag

Cons:

• Isn’t really designed for the kind of coverage you need while pumping because it is intended to cover one side at a time. However, you could probably manage it in a pinch by single pumping.

3. WeeSprout Nursing Cover (Best Full Coverage Nursing Cover)

This 360 degree nursing poncho is a great option if your biggest concern is modesty, as you’re covered up all the way around, including your back, and your baby won’t be able to push the cover off to the side.

Pros:

• Easy to use while pumping
• Provides the best full-body coverage
• Can also use as a shopping cart cover or car seat cover
• Includes optional neckline insert to allow you to see your baby or pump parts

Cons:

• Not ideal for very warm weather

4. Yoofoss Nursing Cover

The Yoofoss cotton cover is basic in its design but is functional, cute, and comfortable.

Pros:

• Wire in the neckline allows you to see baby or pump parts
• Lightweight and breathable
• Comes in several cute patterns

Cons:

• Can be difficult to keep covered if your baby is distracted/moving

5. Bebe Au Lait Multi-Use Cover (Best Multi-Use Cover)

Multi-use nursing covers are becoming more and more popular. This Bebe Au Lait cover has five possible uses: a poncho-style nursing cover, a carrier cover, a car seat cover, a scarf, and a shopping cart cover.

How can a nursing cover be all three things?

The cover is a large piece of circular fabric with a hole on top. If it’s a nursing cover, your head goes in the hole and you wear it like a poncho, if you’re using it like a car seat cover, the cover goes over the entire car seat with the handle in the hole, and if you’re using it as a shopping cart cover, the fabric is placed all around the seat with your baby’s feet going through the hole.

(Note: As a car seat cover, it works well to protect against wind and sun; less so for rain and snow because it’s not waterproof.)

Pros:

• Works for pumping, though it can be a bit challenging to see your pump parts when you’re hooking yourself up, so if you can put them together as much as possible beforehand, that will help
• Lightweight cover that can be used easily and comfortably in all weather
• Works well if modesty is a priority; provides full coverage
• Difficult for baby to throw off

Cons:

• Does not have a rigid neckline, which might make it hard to see your baby depending on how the poncho fits you and how your baby is positioned

How to Choose the Best Nursing Cover for You

There is a lot of variety in the nursing covers on the market, and no one cover is perfect for every mom and every baby. Below are the things you should consider when deciding which cover to get.

Season/Temperature

If you’re having a baby in the spring and plan on spending the summer at the pool with your children, the best nursing cover for summer is a really lightweight cover like the Bebe Au Lait Muslin cover instead of a scarf or poncho. I

f you plan to nurse or pump mostly indoors, this isn’t as much of a consideration.

Pumping vs Nursing

If you’re planning on using the nursing cover to pump in public, you’ll want to choose either an apron style cover or a poncho rather than a scarf.

Importance of Modesty

If you are really nervous about exposing anything normally covered by your shirt when you’re nursing or pumping, a poncho might be the best bet for you.

With a poncho cover, it’s less likely that your baby will kick or pull the cover out of the way, and your back is completely covered.

How Your Baby Responds to Covers

If you are using the cover to nurse your baby (as opposed to pumping with it), think about whether your baby minds being covered while she eats.

If she does, a poncho or scarf might be a better choice over an apron cover.

Versatility

You probably already have plenty of stuff to carry, so it’s great being able to throw one thing in your purse or diaper bag that has multiple uses. If this appeals to you, consider a scarf or a multi-use cover.

Hopefully these nursing cover reviews help you decide on the best breastfeeding cover for you – one that works for both your needs and (if you’re nursing) your baby’s personality!