The journey of pregnancy and postpartum is physically demanding, and historically, women’s clothing did them absolutely no favors.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, societal norms dictated that pregnant women stay out of the public eye—a period referred to as "confinement." If they did go out, they were expected to wear heavy, restrictive corsets adapted with extra laces to accommodate their growing bellies. Nursing a baby in these multi-layered, heavily buttoned Victorian garments was an incredibly frustrating and cumbersome process.

The Lucille Ball Effect Maternity and nursing wear didn't become an actual fashion category until the 1950s. A pivotal moment in the US occurred when Lucille Ball famously wrote her real-life pregnancy into the hit show I Love Lucy. Millions of women saw stylish, comfortable maternity wear on television, sparking a demand for clothing that celebrated, rather than hid, motherhood.

Modern Nursing Essentials Today, mothers demand functionality without sacrificing personal style. In the Feeding & Nursing section of littlebean co., we focus on the fourth trimester and beyond:

• The Modern Nursing Bra: Gone are the stiff, underwire contraptions. We curate buttery-soft, wire-free nursing bras with one-handed clip-down cups for effortless access.

• Multi-Functional Covers: We offer breathable, stretchy covers that can be used as a nursing shield, a car seat canopy, or a shopping cart cover.

• Pump-Friendly Designs: With the rise of modern breast pumps, we stock hands-free pumping bras that allow mothers to multitask efficiently.