Why We Created Fish Feeder (and How It Helps Mums Like You)
Rhegan LawryEvery brand has a story. Ours started with a mum who loved fishing and the beach but was sick of dealing with clothes that didn’t work when she had a baby on her hip.
When Rhegan had her first two boys, she was keen to introduce them to the lifestyle of fishing, camping, and living life outdoors the way she was lucky to, early. But every time she packed up for a day by the water, the same problem came up: breastfeeding in fishing gear was awkward, uncomfortable, and way more effort than it should have been.
Women’s fishing shirts were fine for sun safety, but none of them were made with breastfeeding in mind. She’d find herself yanking fabric this way and that, lifting and exposing more than she wanted to, wearing layers or hiding under towels while trying to keep a baby happily fed and a toddler entertained. She was hot, uncomfortable, and frustrated. Instead of enjoying the moment, she was constantly battling her clothes.
By the time her third pregnancy came around she had moved to the beach, meaning the problem became a daily occurrence and she’d had enough. She thought, “I can’t keep doing this. Surely I’m not the only mum out here struggling with this. There has to be a better way.”
And that’s when the idea for Fish Feeder was born.
The Everyday Struggle
If you’re a mum who loves the outdoors, you’ll know the juggle. You’ve got a baby in one arm, snacks for the big kids in the other, sunscreen to slap on, and maybe a fishing rod somewhere in the mix for them (or you if you're lucky enough). Then it’s time to feed, and your shirt suddenly becomes the biggest problem of the day.
Rhegan remembers camping trips with her first two boys where she’d try to make it work. She’d sit awkwardly on the beach, boat or at the camp chair, lifting her shirt up and feeding exposed.
She had other "breastfeeding friendly" apparel and tried wearing that underneath her regular fishing shirts or simply instead of her fishing shirt but then found the attire was not appropriate for the outdoor activity. She found she was overheating with the layers and that the regular clothing nursing tops did not offer sun-protection or quick drying material, the zip was bulky and obvious and forced her to expose both breasts when she only needed one. Where there were no zips, the flaps of the material were fiddly and catching on things. It was unflattering, impractical, and honestly, more hassle than help.
That was the tipping point.
The Turning Point
When Rhegan was a new mum to her third, think 7 days post-partum with baby in their beach backyard, she was quickly reminded of the overheating in layers, lack of modesty and putting up with clothes that didn’t work, that she had experienced with her first two babies. She thought back to all those moments with her older boys, where she would be lifting up her fishing shirt and rushing to feed before the sunburn kicked in, fumbling with shirts that didn’t sit right, hiding under a towel in the heat, and made up her mind.
If no one else was going to create a shirt that actually worked for active, outdoorsy breastfeeding mums, then she would.
She didn’t just want a shirt that “did the job.” She wanted one that looked good, felt comfortable, protected her from the sun, and made feeding as simple as it should be. Something she’d happily wear fishing, camping, walking down the street, or chasing kids around the backyard. Something with value for money, that she could wear for years to come, post-nursing journey and not just for the relatively short (in the grand scheme of things) year/s of breastfeeding.
The Design Process
Coming up with the idea was one thing. Making it real was another.
Rhegan started researching, sketching, and asking questions. What kind of fabric would feel light and breathable on a hot day but still protect skin from the sun and hold up to the wear and tear of family life? Where could a zip sit so it was discreet, comfortable, and didn’t pucker in weird spots? How could the shirt still look flattering, instead of screaming “breastfeeding top”? How could the zip be hidden, so mums could get value for money and feel fashionable continuing to wear the shirt post-nursing journey?
She tested prototypes in real-time with her own third baby. She wore them everyday down the beach or park, fishing, camping, walking the pram and around the house. She fed sitting down, standing up, and chasing after her other kids. Every adjustment came from real life:
- Moving zips so they could be undone with one hand and so they sat flatter.
- Changing fabrics until they felt cool and comfortable.
- Tweaking the cut so it worked when bending, squatting, or wrangling a toddler.
By the time the first collection was ready, these weren’t just designs on paper. They were shirts that had been tested through the chaos of everyday life with three kids under the age of 5 years.
What Fish Feeder Stands For
Fish Feeder isn’t just about shirts or fishing. It’s about mums being able to get outside, do what they love, and feed their babies without stress.
Here’s what we care about:
- Practicality. Clothes that keep up with you. If you can’t be outdoors in it, fish in it, chase kids in it, and throw it in the wash without drama, it’s not going in our range.
- Sun safety. The Aussie sun doesn’t muck around. All our fabrics have been tried, because mums deserve proper protection.
- Family first. Fishing and camping are about making memories. Our gear makes it possible for mums to not only go but also join, not just sit on the sidelines.
- Fun. Because if it’s not comfortable and fun to wear, what’s the point?
How Fish Feeder Helps Mums
Every design detail comes back to one goal: making life easier.
- Hidden zips that let you feed discreetly without exposing everything and allow you to continue wearing the shirts even when you are no longer breastfeeding.
- Breathable fabrics that keep you cool, even when the sun’s beating down, and dry quickly.
- Sun protection so you can stop worrying about sunburn.
- Flattering fits that look good on the water, at school pick-up, or running errands.
It’s not about choosing between comfort, sun safety, and style. It’s about having all three in one shirt.
Why Mums Love It
We hear from mums all the time who finally feel seen. They don’t have to choose between feeling comfortable, looking good, staying sun safe, and feeding their babies.
The feedback we get most often:
- “This is the first shirt I’ve worn that makes me feel comfortable feeding outside.”
- “I love that the zips are hidden. It just looks like a normal fishing shirt.”
- “Finally, something I can wear all day without feeling hot, frumpy, or exposed.”
That’s what Fish Feeder is all about.
Behind the Brand
What makes this story special is that it started with one mum’s frustration. But the more Rhegan shared her idea, the more other mums nodded along.
“I thought I was the only one,” they’d say.
“I’ve been struggling with the same thing and can't believe all this time I had just accepted the problem, that you have found a solution to.”
“Where was this when my babies were little?”
Fish Feeder grew out of those conversations. It’s not just about one mum anymore. It’s about every mum who wants to enjoy the outdoors without compromise.
FAQs
Who designs your gear?
A mum who lives outdoors and literally at the beach. We know what works because we’ve lived it.
Are the clothes only for breastfeeding mums?
Nope. The zips make feeding easier, but they also make the shirts more versatile. Plenty of women wear them just because they’re comfortable, sun safe and have amazing designs.
What makes them different from other fishing shirts?
They’re designed with mums in mind. The cuts are flattering, the zips are discreet, the fabrics are breathable and the designs are beautiful.
Where can I wear them?
Anywhere. Fishing, camping, the school run, beach, park, pushing the pram, weekend sports, or even just hanging out at home.
Do they really last?
Yes. They’re made for real life, sticky fingers, sunscreen stains, endless washing cycles.
Final Thoughts
Fish Feeder started with a simple idea: mums shouldn’t have to choose between feeding their babies, protecting themselves from the sun, and enjoying time outdoors.
Rhegan turned her own frustration into a solution that helps mums all over Australia feel comfortable, practical, and confident.
If you’ve ever wrestled with your shirt while trying to feed, or felt like you had to miss out because nothing worked for you, Fish Feeder was made for you.