The Best Nursing Covers for Breastfeeding on the Go
In a nutshell:
Based on survey data from 350 parents, The Bump editor’s personal experience and extensive market research, we selected We Are Amma’s Natural Cocoon as the overall best nursing cover. This nursing cover-up is lightweight, breathable, easy to use and chic.
When baby is hungry, they’ll let you know it—regardless of whether you’re at home or out and about. And while it would be wonderful if there were clean, comfy nursing rooms on every corner, there will be times when you’ll have to find the closest spot to sit and breastfeed your ravenous little one. That’s when a nursing cover can come in handy.
Are nursing covers necessary? Absolutely not! While the specific laws differ from state to state, all moms across the country have the legal right to breastfeed in public. But while some moms are at ease with public breastfeeding from day one, others feel more comfortable having a little coverage. Plus, certain babies nurse better when they’re under a nursing cover and less distracted by all the sights and sounds around them. “I truly believe that no one should feel like they have to cover up when feeding their baby,” says Courtney Yeager, a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and founder of The Breast Girl. “However, if it helps to make you feel more comfortable, finding the right nursing cover can make the world of a difference!”
With that in mind, keep reading for a deep dive into the world of nursing covers—from the best options available for every need and budget, to how to find the best fit for you and your baby.
We get it—breastfeeding in public can leave you feeling exposed. And while you certainly have the right to bare all while you feed your child, some people prefer to cover up. With this in mind we took the following steps to find the best nursing covers on the market:
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We interviewed a certified lactation counselor and breastfeeding expert in order to understand essential features you should look for as you shop for a nursing cover.
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We surveyed 350 new and expectant moms in The Bump community for additional insight on the pros and cons of specific nursing covers.
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We asked The Bump editors—who also happen to be parents—to recommend their favorite nursing covers used during their own breastfeeding journeys.
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We leveraged our familiarity with leading brands and carefully evaluated each nursing cover for its overall function, fabric, style, quality and value for the money.
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To see how these nursing covers worked for a variety of moms, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what parents across the country looked for in a breastfeeding cover.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Overall best nursing cover
- Slips on overhead
- Plus-size available
- Breathable mesh material
- High price point
First up on our list of the best nursing covers is an editor-approved option from We Are Amma. This nursing cover ticks the box in terms of style, breathability, versatility and ease of use. The cocoon-style cover-up can be worn over any outfit and comes in a variety of neutral colors that’ll pair seamlessly with other items in your wardrobe. Natalie Gontcharova, mom of one and senior lifecycle editor for The Bump tested out the oatmeal colorway and loved how stylish it was. In fact, Gontcharova liked the look so much that she “casually wore it around even when not nursing.” High praise indeed! The fabric itself is a fine knit mesh that promotes airflow and allows baby to peek out, without passers-by being able to see in. Plus, the polyester-rayon blend is wrinkle- and stain resistant, so no need to worry about spit-up stains. Gontcharova also liked the soft mesh fabric but noted that the cover-up isn’t expansive in size, so if you plan to breastfeed your child past the age of one it may not be the best fit. With that said, this product is incredibly versatile and also functions as a car seat cover, scarf and baby blanket. As for sizing the website doesn’t list the dimensions; However it does say that the Cocoon fits up to a size 12 while the Cocoon+ fits up to size 24. Another reason this nursing cover was voted best in show? It’s incredibly easy to use. In a survey conducted in March, 77 percent of respondents agreed that “ease of use” was their number one consideration when choosing a nursing cover up. And Ashlee Neuman, mom of two and content director for The Bump can vouch for this wearable cover-up. Neuman said she found it super-simple to use thanks to the loose poncho design: “I was able to easily move my baby to adjust our position and get a proper latch, and could quick peeks at my little one throughout our nursing session to see how things were going.” Sounds good to us!
Dimensions: N/A | Material: 65% polyester/35% rayon | Care instructions: Machine wash in a laundry bag
Our editors say:
“I was impressed by how lightweight, breathable and versatile this cover was! The knit fabric kept both of us cool and comfy.” - Ashlee N., mom of two and content director for The Bump
"This nursing cover is pricey, but SO worth it! I loved how breathable it was for baby, and the fact that baby can see out but no one can see in. (So smart!)” - Natalie G., mom of one and senior lifecycle editor for The Bump
Best multi-use nursing cover
- Stretchy material
- Multiple uses
- Lots of prints and patterns
- It can be hard to see baby
Seasoned parents will agree that multi-use items are a busy parent’s best friend! And that's precisely why this nursing cover by Copper Pearl is a popular choice. It’s a five-in-one option that can be used as a nursing cover, infant car seat cover, shopping cart seat cover, high chair cover and infinity scarf. Talk about bang for your buck! The poncho-style design keeps you covered while still providing easy access to your little one, in case you need to adjust your latch or reposition. Thanks to the cocoon-like shape one survey respondent told us that “it provides full coverage that the baby can't pull off of you.” This is an essential feature if you’d like to nurse discreetly. Copper Pearl’s nursing cover is made of a super-soft, stretchy rayon blend. Another survey respondent was a big fan of the fabric and said “I love how soft and easily it stretches to fit around me and baby.” It comes in a variety of trendy prints, so there’s truly something to suit every style aesthetic. One survey respondent remarked that she liked the neutral design while others were a fan of the jazzier prints.
Dimensions: 27.5" (L) x 26.5" (W) | Material: Polyester | Care instructions: Machine wash, dry flat
Our community says:
“The multi-use factor gives me the ability to have the cover over the car seat as protection and then quickly take it off to use it to feed, taking up no space in my diaper bag.” - Sarah*, mom of a 2-month-old and The Bump survey respondent
“The fabric is breathable, so you didn't have to worry about the baby.” - Karen*, mom of three including a 6-month-old and The Bump survey respondent
“I like that it is multifunctional (I use it more often for a car seat cover).” - Grace, mom of two including a 2-month-old and The Bump survey respondent
Best apron-style nursing cover
- Structured neckline
- Breathable cotton material
- Rolls up for easy storage
- Apron-style isn’t to everyone’s taste
Like to keep an eye on baby while they nurse? You’re not alone. Over 61 percent of survey respondents told us that visibility was an important factor when choosing a nursing cover—and with good reason. It’s important to check and see that baby is latched properly. Plus, making eye contact promotes a healthy bond between parent and child. So how do you stay covered up while still being able to see your little one? An apron-style nursing cover, of course! This pick by Boppy slips on overhead and has an adjustable strap for the perfect fit. The structured neckline ensures that baby gets plenty of air, and allows you and your little one to maintain eye contact during feedings. It’s also made from cotton for added breathability. A nice extra feature: The whole cover folds up into a portable mini-pouch for easy storage when you’re on the go.
Dimensions: 35.2" (L) x 26.75" (W) | Material: Cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash
Our community says:
“The neck allows /[you] to visualize baby. Also has a self-containing pouch to roll it up and store in a bag or purse. /[It] also has an adjustable strap and ability to keep track of which side you last nursed on.” - Rachel*, mom of three including a 4-month-old
Best easy to use nursing cover
- Breathable
- Doesn’t slip off
- Antimicrobial
- Colors fade after being washed
This multi-use cover is incredibly easy to use thanks to the one-piece design. Stretchy and lightweight, the nursing cover can be shrugged on overhead for a discreet breastfeeding session. The fabric is a rayon-spandex blend infused with silver-ion technology that is antimicrobial and inhibits germ growth. We also like the wide opening that allows you to keep an eye on baby as they feed. But that’s not all, this wonder product also functions as a car seat, high chair and shopping cart cover. It has a nifty snap fastener at the top that can be used in car seat cover mode, so baby is shielded from bright light and the elements. And, when it's not in use, you can wear it around your neck as an infinity scarf. Genius!
Dimensions: 9" (H) x 8" (W) x 1.5 (D) | Material: 95% rayon/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash
Our community says:
“I like that it is one piece so you can maneuver without it coming open or slipping off.” - Lindy, mom of a 4-month-old
Best nursing scarf
- Low price point
- Can be worn on one shoulder or two
- Only available in two colors
A nursing scarf makes a great choice for parents who don’t want yet another thing to stash in the diaper bag. Instead, you can simply wear it around your neck for a fashion statement that’s super-useful too. If you’re on the hunt for true value, the LK Baby Infinity Nursing Scarf is one of the best nursing cover options for those on a tight budget. This soft jersey knit infinity nursing scarf can easily be thrown over any outfit and positioned over one or both shoulders for full coverage when nursing. It’s lightweight, breathable and comes in heather gray and navy blue. Simple yet effective, we love it.
Dimensions: 28" (L) x 35" (W) | Materials: Polyester | Care Instructions: Machine wash
Our community says:
“It is soft, breathable, pretty easy to get on and helps keep baby focused.” - Emily*, mom of two including a 4-month-old
Best car seat nursing cover
- Multiple uses
- Stretchy fabric
- Beautiful color options
- Lacks visibility
A nursing cover that doubles as a car seat cover offers a great way to not only nurse discreetly, but also to shield baby from all the germs that can circulate in crowded places. Milk Snob’s premium car seat nursing cover makes a great choice, with beautiful colors offered in a stretchy rayon material that easily stretches over just about any car seat brand, shopping cart or even some baby swings. And of course, when it’s time for a public nursing sesh, the Milk Snob cover provides a private environment for baby.
Dimensions: 8.3" (L) x 8.1" (W) x 0.7" (H) | Materials: Rayon | Care Instructions: Machine wash, dry flat
Our community says:
“I like the way that it stretches and the ease in using it while feeding. Also the breathability.” - Jessica, mom of two including a 5-month-old
Best nursing cover for winter
- Cable-knit design
- Can be worn multiple ways
- Cozy wool fabric
- Pricey
- Wool can get a bit warm
We're big fans of Seraphine here at The Bump—in fact, they won a 2023 Best of The Bump award for best maternity clothes brand. So it probably shouldn't come as a surprise that we love their nursing clothes too! If you want something a bit more luxurious than the standard stretchy nursing cover, this gorgeous cable-knit nursing cover may be just what you're looking for. It can be worn as a cape, a scarf or a poncho, or even used as a swaddling blanket. Style, comfort and versatility in one package? We're sold!
Dimensions: N/A | Materials: 30% wool/30% viscose/30% nylon/10% acrylic | Care Instructions: Machine wash, dry flat
Best affordable nursing cover
- Large size
- Versatile
- Made from organic cotton muslin
- It can be inconvenient if you haven’t looped fabric to secure the cover before baby is on your lap
The Itzy Ritzy nursing cover may not be the cheapest option on our list, but it offers serious value for money. Made from breathable cotton muslin, this nursing cover will keep you warm in winter and comfortably cool in summer. To secure it, simply guide one end of the fabric through the soft corner loop and adjust to your liking for secure feedings on the go. It’s large and flowy, so if you practice extended breastfeeding you can still nurse discreetly. The best part? It’s multi-functional. Use it as a burp cloth, tummy time blanket and cover for strollers or changing tables. All that for $15? Bargain!
Dimensions: 47" (L) x 47" (W) x 0.25" (H) | Materials: Cotton muslin | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold
Our community says:
“I like the multi-functionality of this cover. It’s also easy to use and stays secure during feedings.” - Heather, mom of a 2-month-old
Best nursing cover for visibility
- Affordable
- Breathable fabric
- Neckline insert for added visibility
- Parents wish it came with a travel pouch for easy storage
This nursing cover was designed with visibility in mind. The nursing poncho has a neckline insert that slides into place and creates a gap, so that you have a hands-free view of your little one. Plus, it’s longer at either side so you’ll stay covered even while moving your arms or readjusting baby’s position. Aside from this innovative feature, the wrap doubles as a car seat and high chair cover, so it’s versatile to boot. We also like the silky-soft fabric that’s made using sustainably sourced raw wood fibers. It’s super breathable and lightweight, but still provides full coverage to protect your privacy. Available in four pretty prints.
Dimensions: 27" (L) x 54" (W) | Materials: Cotton muslin | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold
Our community says:
“It's attractive without screaming baby, so from a distance it might just look like I'm wearing a lumpy cape.” - Janel, mom of a 5-month-old
Best nursing shawl
- Breathable
- Fairtrade fabric
- Available in stylish earth-tones
- No latch or fasteners to keep it closed
No need to stash this nursing cover in your diaper bag—you’ll definitely want to wear this one out! It’s made from GOTS certified organic cotton muslin fabric and is dyed with safe inks that won’t transfer or irritate baby’s skin. It’s pre-washed to prevent shrinkage and actually gets softer with each wash cycle. Plus, the roomy construction promotes airflow and allows for eye contact between Mom and baby.
Dimensions: 50" (L) x 50" (W) | Materials: Cotton muslin | Care Instructions: Machine wash
Our community says:
“I love my Indi nursing cover because it is super cute, matches my outfits, is easy to use, and keeps me warm. It can also be used as a blanket, a shawl, burp rag or anything you need for you or your baby!” - Jocelyn, mom of three including a 1-month-old
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
If you’re in the market for a nursing cover, keep in mind that there are a few types. These are the different styles available, so you can pick the best nursing cover that suits your needs:
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Nursing shawl. This option looks just like a “normal” shawl, in that it’s a large piece of fabric that can be draped across the shoulders and used for warmth as well as discreet nursing. Strategically placed buttons let you fully cover baby within the folds of the fabric.
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Nursing poncho. These are made from a single piece of fabric that slips over your head and covers the front, sides and back, providing slip-free coverage for nursing.
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Nursing scarf. This style can be worn around the neck when you’re not nursing, and then draped across your shoulders and over baby’s head when it’s time to feed.
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Nursing apron. These nursing covers aren’t designed to be worn as regular clothing pieces, since they look like aprons that tie around your neck and drape over baby. The benefit of nursing aprons? The slightly structured neckline allows for ventilation and an easy view of your nursing babe, which “can be helpful to allow for a direct line of sight as mom and baby learn to get latching down,” Yeager says.
As with most products in the world of pregnancy and postpartum, having the right nursing cover can be a game-changer—but finding the right one might be a process. Here are some factors to consider while shopping to help you make the best choice for you and your little one.
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Fabric. The fabric of a nursing cover is one of the most important elements to consider. You want something that is both lightweight and breathable. “It is important to find a nursing cover that allows the baby to breathe comfortably,” Yeager emphasizes. “Fabrics and styles that don’t allow for adequate airflow should be avoided. If mom and baby are both comfortable, feeding tends to go much better.”
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Function. When choosing the best nursing cover to bring along, consider your needs—and baby’s too. Will you be using the cover just for nursing, or are you looking for a more multipurpose item? Many nursing covers now double as car seat covers, wearable fashion statements or even grocery cart covers.
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Ease of use. Be sure to give a nursing cover a test run to see how easy it is to put on and use (which will be critical when you’re facing the demands of a hungry baby). “You want to find a nursing cover that is practical and comfortable to use,” Yeager says. “Otherwise, it will likely just sit at the bottom of your diaper bag.”
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Access to baby. Being able to easily access your breastfeeding babe is also essential for a good breastfeeding cover. You want to be able to “check in on baby without feeling like you have to manage a lot of extra fabric—or pull the cover over your own head to see,” Yeager says.
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Comfort and style. Yeagers stresses that one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a nursing cover is how it makes you feel while wearing it. The best nursing covers “allow you to feel confident feeding your baby when and where you need to,” she adds.
About the writer:
Martina Garvey is an editor at The Bump, where she writes and edits e-commerce content for pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Over an eight-year career in educational publishing and digital media, Martina has developed a keen eye for detail and robust reporting skills. As a staff member on The Bump for over three years, she leverages an in-depth knowledge of must-have baby gear and postpartum essentials alongside a passion for the latest trends to create informative content parents can trust.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, More from The Bump:
Courtney Yeager, RRA, ARDMS, CN-BI, CLEC, is a board-certified Registered Radiologist Assistant, Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and proud mom to three boys. Based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, she is also the founder of The Breast Girl, a resource for women to help navigate breast health, from breastfeeding to breast imaging.
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