4 Simple Tips to Shop Perfectly-Fit Nursing Bras

Choosing a perfect fit maternity bra may not be an easy task. Aside from the alterations in the size and shape of breasts during pregnancy, sometimes the nipples may be sore that makes it agonizing to wear a brassiere.  During pregnancy, it is best to wear a nursing bra instead. Breasts during pregnancy undergo various changes especially in cup size which increases as buildup of milk supply come about in preparation for breastfeeding. The size, however, becomes steady after a regular schedule of infant feeding is established. One of the features a nursing bra offers is how it can be adjusted to contain changing cup and band size in pregnancy and nursing.

Nursing brassieres are exclusively made for pregnant and lactating mothers. One of the aspects given extra effort in manufacturing these undergarments is comfort. However, most of them may not look as appealing as regular bras. A number of manufacturers are currently working on the ‘appeal’ element as most women prefer the same charm with pre-pregnancy intimate garments. Similar to regular underwear, nursing brassieres comes in an adjustable with four hooks for added support. These items are wider which has clasps that can be folded down when feeding.

Wearing a small brassiere adds up pressure on breast tissues resulting to strain and impede the passageway of milk. Approximately 80% of nursing women are wearing the wrong size of undergarment, hence guidelines to obtain the perfect size is of utmost importance. Suggested tips in choosing perfectly-fit brassieres are as follow:

Tip Number 1: Obtain Accurate Measurement.

1. Band Size: Wear a non-padded brassiere that fits well. Facing the mirror, wrap the tape measure around your rib cage below the bust line. The measuring tool should be in parallel with the floor. Fractional measurements should be rounded off to the nearest whole number. Add 4” if the measurement is an even number. If it is odd, add 5”.
2. Cup Size: With the non-padded bra, measure the fullest part of the bust, round of the findings to the nearest whole number.
3. Subtract the band size from the cup size. And refer to the conversion chart for your exact brassiere measurement. For example:

• Band size: Under measurement is 35 + 5” = 40
• Cup size: 43
• 43 – 40 = 3” or Cup ‘C’

Tip Number 2: Look for features of a good maternity bra which includes:

• More flexible fit. An undergarment that comes with three or more back closures allows one to loosen the band as your breasts increase in size.
• The band of the undergarment should lie snugly under the breasts and on the rib cage. It should not creep up on the breast tissues to prevent too much pressure on the passageway of the milk.
• Cup sizes should be large enough to contain the depth of the breasts. When breast tissues are spilling out on top and under the arms, the brassiere is not providing enough support.
• Opt to using undergarments made of cotton fabrics if you are pregnant in hot seasons such as summer.

Tip Number 3: Opt for maternity brassieres with a wide strap to get the best support. Furthermore, straps should also be cushioned and non-stretch.

Tip Number 4: Underwire brassieres should never be worn when sleeping. These items are not discouraged but soft cups and non-wire underwear are usually more comfortable. When breasts are at their fullest size, non-wire bras are found to offer more comfort. If you prefer an underwire garment, be sure check for accurate size to prevent pressure on the breast tissues.

Brassiere Measurement Chart