Do You Know the Muffin Top, the Muffin Top, the Muffin Top?
by FireMom ~ March 1st, 2008. Filed under: Rants.Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our feed.
I’m done. I’ve been searching for a nursing tank for three months now. Three months. I’ve hit all the main brands. I’ve come up empty handed.
I recently ordered two nursing tanks from Gap.com. I normally love Gap. I do. I admit it. I can usually tame myself and go for the cheaper Old Navy versions of whatever I want, but alas, Old Navy doesn’t make a nursing tank. So, to Gap I went. I ordered a black and a white one. I layer these tanks under whatever shirt I’m wearing. Why? Well, when I nurse in public, it’s not flashing my breast that I’m worried about. It’s the Muffin Top. Gotta hide the Muffin Top!
They came yesterday. I tried the white one on. And I’m swimming in it. I ordered my normal size. And this is not right. At all. I prefer my tanks to be fitted so they actually fit as a layered look instead of making me look bulky. On top of that? The slits for nursing on the under-layer? Are so bulky that you can see them through a second shirt. That’s not classy. Sigh.
Back to the drawing board. Or, the internet, as it were.
For the record: Motherhood’s are too short. Motherwear is out of black and white in the size that I need. Target’s brand recently changed their design and it’s getting negative reviews all over the place. So, really, that leaves me with rather expensive options.
I think I’m just going to breakdown and buy one Glamourmom top to try out. In white, as it’s the most frequent color that I layer. I’m not sure if I should go with the regular length or the longer one. I prefer a longer fit in my tanks (just over the top of my jeans) but the long tank looks, well, really long. I’m a short-torso-ed girl. That looks like it might hit my knees. And of course, I don’t know what size to order. According to their size chart, I’d need to order the same size I just ordered from Gap that leaves me looking like I’ve recently wasted away. Will it be the same problem? Ugh.
A smart Mama on another board suggested a Bella Band
Will I ever make up my mind?
I’m tired of nursing top drama. I want something that fits that doesn’t cost a ridiculous amount. It’s tank top. Sure, it’s functional tank top but it’s a tank top. I know you get what you pay for but dang, I’m a thrifty kind of girl. Spending big bucks on a tank top goes against everything I stand for. I’m about to take one of my tanks, make a triangle cut and fashion some fastener and call it a day! If only I was handy or crafty or remotely talented in that area of expertise. Really? They should cover this topic in nursing books. Yes, cover thrush, mastitis, tongue ties (which weren’t covered well in any of my books) and how to dress so the whole world doesn’t know that you have a Muffin Top.
Who wants to write it with me? Maybe then I could afford all the nursing tops in the world. If only they fit!
March 1st, 2008 at 11:15 am
I got the bella band during my second pregnancy because of the fact I’m so small and maternity pants don’t really fit. It sucks, don’t buy it. It spends all day rolling down, it does NOT hold your pants on. It’s just an annoying thing to keep pulling up all day and have people ask “What is that?!”
I never found a good nursing tank either. Eventually I just bought a REALLY stretchy Motherhood Maternity tank that I could wear under shirts and just stretch the top down so she could feed. And bonus? I still wear it even though I’m not nursing.
Good luck!
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March 1st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I agree with both parts of Leah’s comment - Bella Band sucks (A good quality tube top is a better bet if you want to go the only-belly-covering route) and I just layer a normal long shelf tank top under a shirt and stretch the top down. for everyday around the house, I don’t bother to put pn a bra under the layers, but when we go out I just put a nursing bra under the tank top.
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March 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Hi, I found your blog through los’s splat your tat. I just had my son 5 1/2 months ago had many problems work out constantly and have lost 30 pounds and still have 15 more to go and muffin top. It’s so frustrating. It’s refreshing to read a womens blog who is going through the same body issues I am thanks for making me feel less alone.
Amy’s last blog post..yay for anything that makes my life a little easier
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
If you break down and get a Glamourmom I don’t think you will regret it. I had one and it was great. I went to a boutique in town to look at the small selection that they had and got to look at the regular length. They looked extremely short. I would have definitely been showing some belly, and alot of it. I went with the long and it worked great.
Good luck. Oh, and after I was done I cut out the nursing mesh, etc. and sometimes wear it under a sweater. I just fits so well I hate to be done with it.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Have you tried the target nursing tanks though? I only like the grey ones but I loved them. Lovvvvvvved. The white and black were too short for me but might not be for you (I’m 5′9) I’d try them for yourself honestly.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I found a site, I don’t know if it will be much help at all.
http://www.topmommy.com/
March 4th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Jamie; Not really digging the reviews for the new design of Target’s brand. This one, for example, doesn’t lead me to believe that I would like it at all. “Unfortunately the design for these tanks has been changed. They used to be 5 stars but not any more. There used to be individual breast holes which made for great support. They also used to be nice and long to discretely hide new mom’s tummy. Now they have one large open space for the breasts which offers no support and are shorter!. I’m VERY disappointed. Don’t bother getting the new design. You will be disappointed.” I need support and not one big open spot. The search continues.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
crazy, I haven’t bought one in a few months, since just after they changed the brand to gillian omaley (or whatever) I didn’t realize they’d changed again?! Jeez:(
Hopefully you find something soon, good nursing underthings help a lot.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:14 am
You might try Mimi maternity too. I have a black one that I like a bunch. I had purchased a motherhood one too and it was AWEFUL! Total waste of money.
You know, I was super cheap about buying nursing clothes… because it was just a year, right? Well, for something that you wear EVERY day and utilize functionally 5 to 8 times a day… just splurge and get what you know you will like, find comfortable, and feel good in. If you end up like me and nursing beyond a year (I never thought I would… and we just passed 2 years), you will still want that coverage even if you don’t have muffin top to hide anymore simply because your toddler may still want/need to NIP in places like church where you’d really just rather be as discrete as possible and having part of your midrif hanging out sort of gives you away;) I say go for it!