It’s always a bit of a problem to know what to wear in the early days of breastfeeding, when you’re still recovering from the birth and you’re basically a sodden mass of milky skin and sweaty bits of mismatched clothing. You’re told that your various lady bits need to be “left to air” so that stitches and chapped nipples can heal, but nobody really takes into account the fact that you’re leaking from just about every place you could possibly leak from.

So, what to wear to bed? You’re probably going to be feeding the baby more than you’re going to be sleeping, but you need to be comfy and you need to stay dry. (Waking up knackered at 3.30am to a mattress and duvet soaked in breastmilk-turned-cold is one of the most hideous experiences.) You need something that will, ideally, hold your nursing pads in place (I use the ones from Lansinoh or these washable bamboo ones) but you don’t want anything too structured that will put pressure on your breast tissue or cause you discomfort.

Here are the three things I’ve been alternating between for the last month – if you’re currently pregnant and trying to think ahead to the things you might need, then do sort out some bits and pieces to wear if you’re intending to breastfeed. If you’re anything like me then you won’t get out much for the first few weeks and your bed clothes will also be your daytime clothes, so it’s worth planning in advance…

Most-worn item, the Mamas and Papas x Blossom and Bloom Lace Nursing Top, £19 here. “Lace” is misleading – it’s just a lace trim – but the whole Blossom and Bloom range from Mamas and Papas is just gorgeous. Very luxe and heavy jersey, beautiful colours and prints… The nursing top has clip-down cups with pockets to keep your pads in place, but no restrictive underwiring or tight elastic.

Then we have the Ribbed Henley Tank from GAP, here. Not actually a nursing top, but the poppers down the front are so handy for easy access and I tend to wear it with a soft nursing bra underneath. They have it in a few different colours; I have them all. I bulk-bought a load when the latest good offer code was running, but they always have a code at GAP, you just need to check the home-page! These tops are really long – they just about cover your bottom, unless you’re very tall, which is brilliant if you’re feeling self-conscious about your hip area.

Finally, the Grey Marl Nursing Nightie from excellent maternity brand Seraphine. Just about enough structure to hold your nursing pads in place, though not if you start walking around all over the place, but the drop cups make for an easy feed without having to get your shoulders and chest cold and the jersey is so soft and lovely. This one is £35 here – there’s a matching robe which looks nice, though I’m well into my cuddly massive one I got from ASDA because it hides peanut nips if you answer the door and you can virtually get away with being naked beneath it, should the fancy take you…