Nursing Bras

From LoveToKnow Baby

Choosing nursing bras can be a bit confusing. Women's breasts change size throughout their pregnancy and during the time that they nurse. Since most women want to stock up on nursing bras before the birth of their baby, choosing the right size and style can be a difficult decision.

When Should You Buy Your Nursing Bras?

Since your breasts are already growing and readying themselves for the arrival of your baby, typically the best time to buy a nursing bra is about midway through your pregnancy, usually in the second trimester. By this point, your old bras have probably become uncomfortable, and while you may not want to begin wearing your nursing bra until your baby is born, you probably have a pretty good idea of what size to buy based on the enlargement of your breasts.

What Size Should You Buy?

Since you may be trying on nursing bras before you actually need them, you need to keep a couple of points in mind. Once your milk comes in, your breasts will become even larger, and they'll stay that way until your body adjusts to the milk supply and demand of your baby's nursing schedule. Keep this in mind when you purchase a bra. You will need to wear nursing pads at least for the first few months of breastfeeding, since your milk may leak at times. When you purchase a nursing bra, be sure you allow some extra room for these pads, also.

What Should You Look For In A Nursing Bra?

After you've determined the size of the bra you need, you'll still have several options. There are many different styles of nursing brands, including the following:

Sports Bras-These are typically very comfortable, and while they may not flatter your figure as much as an underwire bra, they are great for wearing around the house, to sleep in, and for exercising.
Soft Cup-If you don't like the feeling of an underwire bra, then you'll probably want to purchase a couple of soft cup bras, instead. Be sure you look for one that gives lots of support without the underwire, however.
Underwire-If you typically wear underwire bras, and you like the way they look, you don't have to stop wearing them just because your nursing. However, if your milk supply seems diminished, be sure your underwire bra is not too constricting. You don't want to wear anything that might cause clogged milk ducts, which can cause you discomfort!
Criss-cross-This nursing bra doesn't use flaps. Instead, its stretchy material allows you to simply pull the bra across your breast, exposing it to your baby. These are typically comfortable bras, and you can sleep in them, but it may be more difficult to nurse your baby discreetly.

Once you've decided on the type of bra you want, pay attention to the following tips before buying.

Look for straps which offer you support, especially if you are large breasted. Some bras may even offer padded shoulder straps, which help to ease shoulder pain and discomfort.
Easy access is important. How easy is it to unhook and hook the bra? Can you do it with one hand. This is especially important when you are nursing in public. If you have to struggle with opening and closing the flaps on your nursing bra, along with handling an extremely hungry and fussy baby, you can easily become frustrated!
Do you want front or back closure for your bra? The only real difference in this choice comes down to what you prefer.
If you plan on pumping, will this bra work well, especially if you are pumping both breasts at the same time?

Buying A Nursing Bra

Some popular places to look for nursing bras include the following:

Wearing and Taking Care Of Your Nursing Bra

You may want to begin wearing your nursing bra a few weeks before your baby is born to sort of "break it in". Even if you don't wear it before your baby is born, you'll definitely want to pack a couple of nursing bras to take to the hospital for the time of delivery. Many women prefer to sleep in their nursing bras, at least for the first few months. The additional support will make sleeping and those middle of the night feedings more comfortable.

Finally, pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions on taking care of your nursing bra. Most manufacturers suggest handwashing and air-drying to reduce the risk of your bra shrinking and/or stretching out of shape.

For additional information on breastfeeding, read some of our other great articles!