Nursing Bras

If you plan to breastfeed your newborn, you will want to invest in several comfortable and supportive nursing bras. A good nursing bra will not only provide needed support for your enlarged, milk-filled breasts and your back, it will also provide easy access, either through a pull aside design or a flap design that will allow you to adjust your bra one handed while you hold your baby with the other hand.

When to Purchase Nursing Bras

The best time to buy nursing bras is during your third trimester, or when your pre-pregnancy bras are no longer comfortable.

Nursing Bra Styles

Nursing bras come in many different styles, including underwire models, which provide greater support. If you decide to buy one with an underwire, remember not to sleep in it and to make sure the wire does not put pressure on the breasts. Pressure on the breasts can lead to blocked ducts and mastitis.

Nursing bras also come with detachable flaps that will allow you to nurse your baby discreetly without removing your bra. The flaps may hook at the top or the side of the breast or may utilize Velcro to keep the flap in place. Many will also adjust for changing cup sizes. No flap nursing bras are made out of a supple material, so they can easily be pulled to one side with one hand.

Fitting a Maternity Bra

Fitting a nursing bra is done through the same two-step process you would use to fit any bra. First, use a tape measure to measure the circumference around your rib cage, just below your breasts. Add three inches to this measurement, and round up to the nearest even numbered inch. This will give you the band size. Second, measure around the fullest part of your breasts, making sure to hold the tape measure taunt but not binding the breasts. This is the cup measurement. By subtracting the band measurement from the cup measurement, you can determine your cup size.

• A cup is 0 to 1.5 inch difference
• B cup is 1.5 to 2.5 inches difference
• C cup is 2.5 to 3.5 inches difference
• D cup is 3.5 to 4.5 inches difference
• E (also called DD) cup is 5 to 6 inches difference

So, if your band measurement is a 36 inches, and your cup measurement is 38 inches, then you would want to purchase a size 36B bra.

Additional Tips

• The straps should be adjusted to elevate your breasts without cutting into your shoulders. If necessary, you can purchase bra strap extender.
• The entire breast should fit into the bra without excess breast tissue spilling out the sides or top.
• The band should not bind or put pressure on the breasts. This can lead to plugged ducts or mastitis.
• Remember to allow room for nursing pads. Leakage stains can be embarrassing and can easily be prevented with pads.

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