The Best Nursing Covers for Breastfeeding on the Go
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.
Whether you’re looking for a stylish piece of outerwear that doubles as a breastfeeding cover, or a soft and simple nursing blanket, we’ll introduce you to some of the best nursing covers you can buy now.
Overall Best Nursing Cover
- Multipurpose product
- Lots of patterns and prints
- 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 the Copper Pearl breastfeeding cover is our choice for the best nursing cover on the market. 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. The poncho-style design gives you full coverage while still providing easy access to your little one, in case you need to adjust your latch or reposition. Copper Pearl’s nursing cover is made of a super-soft, stretchy rayon blend and comes in a variety of trendy prints.
Dimensions: 27.5" (L) x 26.5" (W) | Material: Polyester | Care instructions: Machine wash, dry flat
Best nursing blanket
- Can be used for just about anything
- Super-soft and breathable fabric
- A little hard to position for privacy
These super-soft and oversized muslin blankets from aden + anais are beloved by parents, and they certainly don’t disappoint if you’re looking to stash a nursing blanket into your diaper bag. Arriving in a pack of four, aden + anais blankets can be found in a ton of fun colors and patterns, and are perfect for just about any parenting task, from swaddling to nursing to diapers changes to providing a clean spot for baby to practice some tummy time. And with generous dimensions (44" by 44"), they’re large enough to drape over your shoulder for a touch of privacy while nursing.
Dimensions: 44" x 44" | Materials: Cotton muslin | Care Instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low
Best nursing shawl
- Super-soft, sustainable material
- Looks like a regular shawl
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Some taller moms wish it was longer
This option from Bamboobies is a standout option for a nursing cover, thanks to the fact that few people will ever guess its real purpose. This simple, chic cover looks like a normal shawl you’d find in any closet, and it has a flattering drape that’s perfect for all shapes and sizes. Still, you can rest assured that it provides plenty of coverage for a nursing baby. Made of a soft, sustainable bamboo blend, it even offers UPF 50+ protection for when you’re nursing in the sun.
Dimensions: N/A | Materials: 95% viscose/5% spandex | Care Instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
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.
Dimensions: 28" (L) x 35" (W) | Materials: 100% polyester | Care Instructions: Machine wash
Best nursing apron
- Optimal breathability and air flow
- Adjustable neck strap
- Easy to see baby
- Not very versatile
Bebe au Lait’s apron is made of lightweight, breathable muslin to keep baby (and mom) cool, making this one of the best nursing covers out there. The flexible neckline ensures that baby gets plenty of air, and allows you and your little one to maintain eye contact during feedings. (After all, breastfeeding is a great bonding experience!) A nice extra feature: The whole cover folds up into a portable mini-pouch for easy storage when you’re on the go.
Dimensions: 36" (L) x 30" (W) | Materials: Cotton muslin | Care Instructions: Machine wash
Best nursing poncho
- Beautiful, fashion-forward design
- Multiple uses
- Expensive option
Looking for a bit of luxury in your day? Check out this cashmere beauty by bee+roo. Voted the top nursing cover in the 2022 Best of Pregnancy awards, this poncho is incredibly soft and stylish. Made from 100 percent Mongolian cashmere, the natural fabric is touchably soft and breathable. The classic weight can be used all year round, but it also comes in a lighter knit for spring and summer. While it’s a relatively expensive item, this nursing poncho can be used as a nursing cover-up, baby blanket, car seat cover or simply as a fashionable accessory.
Dimensions: N/A | Materials: Mongolian cashmere | Care Instructions: N/A
Best car seat nursing cover
- Multipurpose product
- Beautiful color options
- Slightly higher price point
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) | Materials: Micro-jersey | Care Instructions: Machine wash, dry flat
Best muslin nursing cover
- Stylish option
- Soft, breathable fabric
- Limited designs and patterns
No need to stash this nursing cover in your diaper bag—you’ll definitely want to wear this one out! Bebe au Lait’s infinity scarf is lightweight, breathable and proof that breastfeeding cover-ups can look totally chic. It can be worn wrapped around your neck or draped over your body while you nurse. It’s made of soft cotton muslin fabric, and the roomy construction promotes airflow and allows for eye contact between Mom and baby.
Dimensions: 26" x 35" | Materials: Muslin cotton | Care Instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
Best knit nursing cover
- Stylish 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 organic nursing cover
- Also functions as a swaddle and baby blanket
- Can be worn as an infinity scarf
- Machine washable and dryer safe
- Only comes in one color
Your nursing cover is likely to come into contact with baby’s brand-new skin quite often, so you may prefer an organic fabric. If so, The Milk and Honey Company's infinity scarf is the right choice for you. It's handcrafted from 30 percent organic cotton and 70 percent stretchy organic bamboo fibers. This organic nursing cover is only available in an attractive, match-with-anything medium gray.
Dimensions: 32" x 32" | Materials: 70% viscose from organic bamboo/30% cotton | Care Instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
To help you find the best nursing covers on the market today, The Bump editors did extensive research to identify best-selling products that hit the mark in terms of function, quality and style. We combed through user reviews (only evaluating products with at least a four-star rating), leveraged our familiarity with leading brands and relied on our own experience as breastfeeding mamas, carefully evaluating each nursing cover for its overall function, fabric and style, quality and value for the money. All this, to ensure that you find a quality nursing cover that provides the best bang for your buck.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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.
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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