Patent 8469769 was granted and assigned to Destination Maternity on June, 2013 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A nursing garment and method manufacture thereof includes, detachable portions of nursing clips to connect a built-in bra to shoulder straps, wherein the built-in bra is detachable from either one of the shoulder straps in preparation for nursing and is without openings for nursing. In further embodiments: the shoulder straps include sling supports behind the built-in bra; a garment bottom portion either unlined or lined with a stretchable lining; a knitted bottom portion joined at a junction with a knitted outer bodice and its knitted inner panel; and another embodiment includes, first clasps and second clasps of hermaphroditic mating construction, wherein the second clasps on the shoulder straps connect with either of the first clasps on the outer bodice, or alternatively, connect with each other.