A mum-of-three who felt uncomfortable breastfeeding in public has launched a new clothing line aimed at new mothers.
Keely Coburn, of The Coppice, in Littleport, has set up Mama’s Little Secret, which offers a range of stylish and practical tops for breastfeeding mothers.
The 36-year-old said: “I had the idea when I was breastfeeding my first child and it was quite daunting at first, particularly in public.
“I found it quite hard to find things to wear that I felt comfortable in.
“I ended up cutting up a few tops and wearing them together – which is how I felt most comfortable.”
During her first pregnancy in 2011, Keely did some research and could not find anything similar for sale.
She decided to use her experience from working for clothing brand Superdry to create her own clothing line.
After speaking to her former colleagues, she bought herself a sewing machine and created a few samples of her idea.
The garment is made up of an underlayer with a low scoop neck, so mother’s can wear their usual nursing bra, and a floaty outer layer which covers the baby when it is feeding.
There are two styles so far which she has decided to name after her daughters – a vest top called ‘the Moli’ after her 2-year-old and a scoop neck called ‘the Connie’ after one of the 1-year-old twins.
Keely is currently looking for a third style, which will be named after her other twin daughter Kitty.
She said: “I have been doing this and bringing up three babies – so I call this project my fourth baby.”
The designs have been popular, according to Keely, whose was delighted when one of her tops was featured in a Hello magazine blog earlier this month.
She said: “Just because you are breastfeeding, it doesn’t mean you want to feel out of fashion. You should be proud.
“I want to empower mums as there is such a stigma attached to breastfeeding.
“I hope something like this can give them that little extra confidence. If you are relaxed then it is a better feed for the baby anyway.”
For more information visit mamaslittlesecret.co.uk.