Wearing a special bra during pregnancy and breastfeeding has many advantages, including two quite large ones. First of all, the nursing bra supports the breast well, which reduces the stretching of the breast tissue, thereby reducing the risk of stretch marks. Secondly, proper breast support helps relieve the spine, which helps reduce back tension, stress, and pain. How and why should you decide on a nursing bra? Be sure to read!
The bra for pregnant and lactating women differs from these traditional bras. First of all, it is specially designed to support the entire breast, which goes beyond what is considered average breast tissue. In this situation, buying a larger bra size will not bring the expected comfort and appropriate support, which is very much needed in this case.
A properly matched nursing bra should provide better comfort when the breasts have a different shape and weight during lactation. That is why it is best to take measurements every time you want to buy a new pregnancy or breastfeeding bra. Avoid buying too large maternity bras, hoping your breasts will grow. Too big can be just as bad, and maybe even worse than too small.
The difference between a pregnancy bra and breastfeeding bra
The terms “pregnancy bra” and “breastfeeding bra” are commonly used interchangeably. However, there are special bras for pregnant women that are not intended for breastfeeding because they do not have special flaps or they cannot be pulled aside. Nevertheless, most people by saying “breastfeeding bra” mean “pregnancy bra”. Real pregnancy bras, as well as breastfeeding bras, are intended for pregnant and lactating mothers. The fasteners and straps of these bras are specially designed and made so that they do not stick into the body, while at the same time relieving the shoulders and back a bit. The advantage of using a dedicated bra for breastfeeding during pregnancy is that you don’t have to buy a new one after giving birth.
When should you buy a pregnancy bra?
Breasts for lactation prepare quite early in pregnancy. In fact, enlarged breasts are one of the first visible signs of pregnancy. Although every woman feels different changes at this time, most of them notice enlarged breasts around the fourth month of pregnancy.
The right time to buy a pregnancy bra is different for each woman, so there is no specific time limit when it needs to be done. You should think about buying a new breastfeeding bra when the ones you have used so far have become too small.
In general, significant changes in breast size occur around the fourth month (16 weeks) of pregnancy. It is, therefore, a good time to take a closer look at pregnancy bras, if it was not necessary before. To start with, it is best to limit yourself to buying one maximum of two pieces, because in most women breasts continue to grow during pregnancy. It is known that good-quality underwear is quite expensive, and a feeding bra is no exception. Therefore, buying one or two at once will not only reduce the risk of buying something that you will not put on, but it will be possible to best match the fabric and type.
A good pregnancy bra is designed in such a way that at the beginning of pregnancy, it is fastened with the first hooks, and later over time, you can smoothly change the fasteners to those getting closer to the end. Nevertheless, it is not surprising that pregnant women very often plan to buy another. This happens most often when a woman bought her first pregnancy bra right at the beginning of pregnancy.
How to choose a nursing bra?
Not all women need maternity or nursing bras. Nevertheless, for many of them, this special cut provides additional support and increased comfort. The chest of a pregnant woman expands because a place is made in the body for the child. In contrast, breastfeeding women are increasing breasts, but nevertheless at what rate and how many breasts will grow at that time, it is an individual matter. In general, it can be assumed that during breastfeeding, the bra size will usually increase by one waist size and one cup size. For example, if a woman had a size of 36C before becoming pregnant, it is possible that after giving birth she will have a size of 38D.
However, before you buy a bra for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, first make accurate measurements. All because you can buy a bra at different times of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Bra size
You should not measure the size under the bust, as measured in non-pregnant women. All because the chest widens, so measuring in this place will not ensure a perfect fit. Instead, measure around the chest, just below the arms and above the bust. This measurement is your size, but if the number comes out with a fraction or odd, it should be carried to the next whole number. For example, if the measurement comes out 36 w or 37, then the size is 38.
Fitted bra for feeding and during pregnancy
Maternity and breastfeeding bras are available in a variety of styles, fabrics and many options to help you get comfort, support, and a full fit.
Make sure you take good measurements every time you want to buy a new one. This may seem unnecessary, but during pregnancy, breasts can grow as fast as the stomach. Taking the time to make good measurements is a great way to be sure you always buy the right bra size.
A maternity bra with four rows of hooks for fastening at the back may not be the sexiest, but it will provide greater comfort and fit. Such fasteners are also properly prepared both for fastening with the first row, which is used at the beginning of pregnancy and for fastening with the last row of hooks in the last trimester or during lactation.
You should also look at the straps of the bra. The wide and padded straps will provide better support, so they won’t stick into your shoulders. Thanks to this, wearing a pregnancy bra will be more comfortable, especially if the woman naturally has large breasts.
How do you know if a nursing bra fits well?
Here is a brief checklist to see if you need a new bra. It is also a good checklist to check if you have grown out of your current pregnancy bra or breastfeeding during pregnancy:
The bra for during advanced pregnancy should comfortably cover the whole breast. No part of the breast tissue should spill out from the side, and the breast should fill the cup.
The nursing bra should fit snugly around the bottom strap, but it may not be too tight. It should be comfortable, but do not compress the breast. Bras that fit too tightly can clog the milk ducts, and in breastfeeding women, mastitis.
A pregnancy bra should have straps that allow for comfortable breast support, but not at the shoulders.
The feeding bra should not be raised on the back. If this happens, it means that you have the wrong size – this applies not only to pregnancy bras, but also ordinary ones.
Many women ask whether a bra can affect stretch marks on the breasts. In reply, it should be stated that no such relationship was observed. Therefore, it seems that it should first and foremost fulfill functional, not aesthetic functions.
Discussions about underwired feeding bras
There are many lactation consultants and other specialists who advise against pregnant women wearing underwired maternity bras and for breastfeeding. Breasts change constantly during pregnancy and grow almost every day. That is why fluid retention can cause breast swelling during pregnancy. However, when breastfeeding, they change significantly throughout the day, increase and decrease when milk is produced and the baby is fed.
An inflexible underwire bra can prevent the breast from expanding during the day and thus exert pressure on them as they expand. The pressure can lead to blockage of the milk ducts during pregnancy and feeding or mastitis during the lactation period. That is why pregnancy and breastfeeding bras fitted with underwires should be avoided. The good news is that some manufacturers offer maternity bras with flexible, wireless support. As a result, they give support like underwire, but at the same time are sufficiently flexible and do not cause pressure.
If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman decides to put on an underwired bra, she must carefully watch her breasts for pressure. Many women do not have much of a problem during pregnancy, but this does not mean that you can ignore the symptoms if something disturbing begins to happen with the breasts.
Wearing a night nursing bra
Many specialists, including lactation consultants and midwives, recommend wearing a bra to the bed, as it helps to properly maintain the breast and gives greater comfort. For breastfeeding women, it helps to maintain hygiene and cleanliness, because the lactation pad placed in place helps prevent milk leakage. Of course, the decision about it belongs to every woman.
However, if you decide to sleep in a bra, you must avoid underwires. Some bras for breastfeeding are not equipped with special flaps but can be easily removed or moved away. Such bras are usually made of soft material, which is why they are perfect for sleeping. You can also invest in a soft-cup bra that will only be used for sleeping. It will also reduce the consumption of a pregnancy bra or breastfeeding bra.
Nursing bra and hygiene
Once you’ve invested in a pregnancy or breastfeeding bra, it’s worth taking care of it. Certainly, no woman wants him to shrink or be damaged. They should be hand washed and air-dried. Some bras of this type are made of over 30 different decorative elements that can shrink at high washing temperatures. In addition, elastic elements can lose their elasticity if they are not dried properly