The Best Nursing Covers with Privacy, Function and Comfort in Mind

Pros:

• Affordable
• Lightweight + breathable
• Unique design keeps baby visible

Cons:

• No back coverage
• Not multi-use

This nursing cover does exactly what any nursing or pumping parent needs it to do, which is why it’s our best overall pick. It’s thoughtfully designed to provide comfortable privacy while also allowing them to see what they’re doing underneath. The simple apron-like shape makes it easy to throw on and remove. The unique hoop design keeps its shape across the front to the top open, angling it away from your body so you can simply peek down and keep an eye on things.

It’s also super breathable. Ask any parent who’s used a nursing cover and you might hear how stuffy it was or that they ended up being more of a hassle than helpful (it’s me, I’m parents). Konssy’s cover is made of the same 100% cotton muslin material as some of your baby’s swaddles, which makes it ideal for a few different reasons. First, the material is naturally lightweight and breathable, so it’ll prevent you and your baby from overheating no matter what time of year it is. Second (and as an added bonus), it’s also absorbent—which can come in handy for accidental milk leaks or spit-ups following a feed.

There are a few things parents found lacking. Some wished it was a little bigger so it provided more coverage (especially when you’re trying to wrangle a wiggly baby for a feed). And though you can easily see baby, you may need to readjust the hoop to keep it open. And besides doubling as a burp cloth, it’s primarily a one-job product. You can’t use it as a car seat cover (like the Copper Pearl pick down below) if that’s something that’s important to you.

Real Parent Reviews

“As a first-time mom, I was super nervous and ashamed with public breastfeeding. This cover provides privacy while nursing my baby. The lightweight and breathable fabric makes it easy to use in any setting. I appreciate the adjustable straps and versatile design, which allow me to nurse discreetly and comfortably. This cover has made breastfeeding in public a stress-free and enjoyable experience for me and my baby. I highly recommend this product to any breastfeeding mother looking for a practical and stylish solution.” — Daniela

“I bought this for my third baby and it is by far the best nursing cover I have ever used. It is lightweight, and comfortable, and the hoop allows you to easily see baby. It fits right in my diaper bag and has washed and dried easily as well. I have bought this for 2 other friends so far! Can’t recommend enough.” — B

“I did not have a nursing cover for my first baby and would just use a muslin blanket and got this with my second baby and WOW I wish I had this sooner!! It is so convenient, great quality, the most simple yet invaluable item. I highly recommend it. I will throw this over myself while walking around the neighborhood if baby suddenly wants to feed, wear it at the park while watching my toddler play, [and] throw it over myself at restaurants when eating out. I personally am not afraid to nurse without a cover in public but I know it makes other people uncomfortable so I cover myself anyway and this is a game changer. My infant is able to breathe perfectly, he has an extra layer for warmth when covered, I seriously cannot rave enough about this. Add it to your registry, it’s seriously amazing!” — Zoryana

Pros:

• Structured neckline lets you see baby
• SlideLine ring helps you track feeds
• Open-back design keeps you cool

Cons:

• Some parents say it runs small

Our second pick is similar to our best overall with one cool exception—a built-in feature to help you remember which side you fed or pumped last. Boppy, known for their soft yet supportive nursing pillows, designed this nursing cover to make life for lactating parents easier. You may have heard of the hair tie trick—switching between wrists to keep track of which side you fed baby on last—and this cover features that same idea in the form of a little plastic piece that slides from side to side along the front. Apron styles also allow for a bit more airflow than infinity wrap options. We also love that it folds up compactly into itself, taking up less space in your diaper bag.

The reason this didn’t make it into our best overall spot is the size. It’s not as full coverage as some parents would expect. Parents with larger chests (and particularly squirmy babies) noted they had trouble getting it to cover themselves and their baby, causing a little peek-a-boo window on either side. They also wish it came in more colors in addition to the two gray options.

Real Parent Reviews

“Personally, I’m not a big nursing cover user in general but love that this one has its own carrying pouch. I can easily toss it in the diaper bag or my pump bag if I’m going to be somewhere where I might need some more privacy.” — A.

“Lightweight, provides good visibility to see [my] baby. To get maximum coverage you might have to angle it to the side that you’re breastfeeding on. Used it at a restaurant last night and it helped me to get the job done. I did have to hold the right side (I breastfed on the left) so that my baby didn’t expose me with his excited hand movements. If you’re larger in body, you might want one that’s shaped differently for maximum coverage.” — Liz

“It’s really a great nursing cover and the ability to see my baby while nursing has really made the whole operation much easier. I like that she has some air circulation too. I took off a star because I wish that the cover wrapped at least across my whole front and around my shoulders. It will only effectively cover half of my front/one shoulder. For reference, I’m 5’5 and 125 pounds. It would be nice to never worry about wardrobe malfunctions.” — Teresa

Pros:

• Buttery-soft material
• Versatile
• Large size

Cons:

• A lot of fabric to navigate
• Pricey

Want a nursing cover you can also wear? And use as a car seat, high chair, or stroller cover? The Shawl, recently launched by Solly Baby, (the maker of one of our favorite baby wraps) might be for you.

Solly took that same well-loved buttery material and made it into this super versatile nursing cover. This cover is lightweight, super soft and easy to use. Simply throw it on and you’re ready to feed your baby or pump no matter where you are. It’s also generously sized—which has its benefits and challenges. While it’ll provide a ton of coverage for privacy, it’s a lot of fabric to work around. What makes it different from the Copper Pearl pick on this list is that it’s not fitted—allowing a bit more freedom of movement and airflow. It comes in Solly’s iconic colors and prints and you can even match or coordinate with your wrap carrier.

It’s definitely on the pricier side of nursing covers and is quite a bit of fabric to manage on top of organizing your baby and your boobs. And wearing a shawl isn’t everyone’s style.

Real Parent Reviews

“The fabric is an amazing buttery-soft material, made well, and works great! It covers me and baby up well, but is also light and breathable!” — Sarah G.

“I’m so glad I purchased this nursing cover. I was previously using a cover made of muslin material but it trapped so much heat when I fed baby outside. We have a Solly wrap and love the material so I thought I’d give this a go. Best decision! I received it right before we took our first vacation with the baby so I got a chance to put it to the test. It was thin and breathable enough to not trap a ton of heat. The slit on the side allowed me to use my arms to grab things or hold a fan under the cover without it lifting up. It’s easy to fold or roll small enough to fit in any bag. Best of all, baby loves the material. She would hold it while she fed and snuggled. Would buy another if I could!” — Marcia

Pros:

• Multi-tasker
• Folds up small
• Super stretchy

Cons:

• Hard to see baby
• Gets hot

Copper Pearl’s multi-use cover definitely lives up to its name, which is why it’s our top pick for the most versatile. The super soft, stretchy rayon blend keeps this cover fitted snugly around you and your baby while nursing. It also works perfectly for pulling over your car seat to shield your baby from sun, wind and curious strangers (and their germs), and can protect your baby from restaurant high chairs and shopping cart seats. It also folds up small to fit in your baby’s bag when you’re out and about.

The infinity shape of these kinds of nursing covers isn’t for everyone. A few parents shared that the snug shape makes it hard to breastfeed in because you can’t see what you’re doing. Some also found it a bit hot and uncomfortable, for both themselves and their baby. And while the material is super stretchy and soft, some parents note that it gets holes easily (especially when used as a car seat cover and placed on rough surfaces). And speaking of using it as a car seat cover, it’s important to make sure your baby isn’t too hot inside. Be sure you always remove it from baby’s car seat before getting in the car.

Real Parent Reviews

“Love this thing. It’s rayon so feels very soft. Have used it mostly as a nursing cover-up. But once when I took my baby to the ER he spit up a giant amount right down my bra - so this was a nice scarf to wear to go bra-less after I took it off. We have also used it as a temporary outfit for him at the doctor’s office when they make him take his clothes off [and] it’s cold. [Also] catches spit up in a pinch. Sometimes I wish it had armholes, but would definitely buy again.” — Esther K.

“This is the second cover I bought from Copper Pearl. They’re so versatile; I use ours for a shopping cart cover, nursing cover, blanket in the stroller, and car seat cover. They’re so soft and the galaxy print has such beautiful colors.” — Kerri C.

“These car seat covers are so soft, just like everything else from Copper Pearl! I’m obsessed with all of their products. I use this to keep my baby covered when we go to places [and] I don’t want people touching her. I love that it has an opening where you can peek in on your little one, and they’re so stylish and adorable.” — Whitney W.

Pros:

• Stretchy and breathable
• Antimicrobial technology inhibits germs

Cons:

• Only available in one color

This multipurpose cover from Munchkin is made from soft a fabric that’s infused with silver-ion technology to prevent germ growth on the fabric’s surface. (Not to get too “sciency” but silver is known to have antimicrobial properties; it basically inhibits germs’ ability to replicate, which is why you might also see it used in certain bedding and exercise clothing).

As someone who became a parent in 2020, I was so intrigued by this germ-busting nursing cover. While you can’t completely avoid germs as a new parent, you definitely don’t want them hanging out on your nursing cover (which usually don’t get washed as often as our clothes). It has the same shape as Copper Pearl’s Multi-Use cover and a similar soft, stretchy fabric.

Keep in mind that it’s not impenetrable, and not all germs are bad germs. However, it does provide a level of peace of mind that many parents appreciate. Some say it’s not as breathable as they’d like, especially when using it on a warmer day. The infinity shape allows for limited visibility and movement while feeding or pumping. And the color options are also super limited—it only comes in this gray pattern.

Real Parent Reviews

“We use this for my son who is 3 months old when we have to take him out of the house with us. Right now we use it to cover his car seat when we snap it into the stroller base to shield him from the germs of the outside world as he’s still building an immune system. It works quite well! Easy to clean, easy to take on and off, and easy to peek in and check on him. We look forward to using it in all the other configurations soon! I would recommend this to everyone!” — Samap

“I love how stretchy it is. I primarily use it as a stretchy scarf that covers my baby when she’s in her harness. It definitely provides a protective layer over her clothes when it’s cold or rainy. If it’s really cold, this allows her to get body heat from me when I’m carrying her. It’s very easy to wash and dry and has easily become a part of my baby wearing and nursing wardrobe. I should’ve purchased three.” — A.