Deep Cove mom Joshana McMahon has made it her mission to normalize nursing clothes by creating a line of comfortable shirts that are fashionable and functional.
McMahon knows all too well how awkward breastfeeding attire can be. She’s a mom of two boys and currently pregnant with her third child.
Before she had her first, Carter, in 2009, McMahon had no clue what breastfeeding clothes would be like.
“Everything seemed a bit gimmicky to me,” says the fashion school graduate. “I didn’t want weird zippers or flaps. I didn’t want to look like I was wearing something for breastfeeding.”
At the same time, like many moms, McMahon struggled with breastfeeding and was feeling discouraged.
“When you are a new mom, learning a new skill like breastfeeding, it’s a hard time,” says McMahon. “You definitely don’t feel the best about yourself.”
McMahon resorted to stretching out her shirts by pulling down the neckline to breastfeed.
“Through my own challenges with breastfeeding and my desire to create better work-life balance for my family, I began to dream of solutions that would support women breastfeeding,” she says.
So McMahon used her sewing savvy to design a line of stylish breastfeeding tops and scarves called Au Fait Mama.
McMahon wanted designs that are comfortable and able to maintain their shape. She went with bamboo fabric for the softness factor. New moms have welcomed the luxurious feel of the T-shirts, tank tops, and longsleeve shirts.
“When they discover us, they live in our shirts,” says McMahon.
Mothers simply unclip their nursing bra and pull down the neckline of the loosely fitted shirts. New moms will appreciate how easy the shirts are to clean.
McMahon has also created draped cardigans, maxi dresses and ruched T-shirt dresses from flattering material. Infinity breastfeeding scarves, in neutral and stylish patterns such as nautical, perform double duty as a nursing scarf and cover.
McMahon describes her clothes as transition pieces that can be worn during pregnancy and afterwards.
“We are dedicated to providing you with breastfeeding apparel that grows with you from maternity to nursing and beyond,” she says.
McMahon says it’s been a dream for her to be able to apply her fashion knowledge – she graduated from the Helen Lefeaux School of Fashion Design – to something so personal.
After she graduated from fashion school, McMahon was drawn into the world of costuming for film and TV.
“I loved the glitz and glamour of the industry, but also saw a wonderful opportunity to be part of a larger creative process,” she says.
McMahon worked on the locally-shot TV shows The Dead Zone and The L Word, the latter of which led her to meet her husband while on set.
There were plenty of awkward moments, says McMahon, because of the sexual nature of the show. And plenty of nudity.
Part of her job was to cover the show’s stars with a robe after a nude scene.
“Those were funny years,” says McMahon with a laugh.
For more information on McMahon's fashion line visit aufaitmama.com.
