Tips and Guides in Choosing your Maternity Bra

What are nursing bras? How do nursing bras work? Are nursing bras necessary? How to measure nursing bra size? How many nursing bras do I need? How to buy nursing bras before birth? Read on and find out!

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Nursing Bras

Nursing bras give a convenient and discreet way for all of the breastfeeding moms out there in nursing their babies while at the same time giving a support that their breasts need. These nursing bras come in many colors, and the most typical colors are skin-toned, black, and white. These types of bras have various opening designs in order to give a mom fast, one handed access on their breast while she is holding her baby. On the other hand, the difficult part comes from knowing how to select a nursing bra size and style which is easy and convenient for a mom.

What Are Nursing Bras?

Nursing bra is a type of a specialized bra which gives an additional support for the mothers who are in the period of lactating and gives a comfortable breastfeeding without the need of removing the brassiere itself. This is done with the specially created bra cups which have a flaps that could be opened with a single hand in order to show the breast with ease. This flap is commonly held close using a one hook or clasp.

How Do Nursing Bras Work?

These nursing bras are originally made for convenience. What you can do to be more convenient with this is that you must unhook this under the neck of your shirt and pull the flap down of your nursing bra under your shirt. You need to lift a little part of your shirt then get your baby up to your breast.

You need to keep in mind that these bras are practically designed brassieres that have a fuller cups, broader shoulder straps, and comfortable fabrics in order to give you a lot more comfort. This was designed and created in order to support the increased size of the breast who is under the lactating period to give an easy access on her breast for nursing. These bras aid breastfeeding because it provide panels or flaps which form a bra cup that can be removed from its clip then folded to the side or down using a single hand. Some of these nursing bras are created so the entire bra can be effortlessly pulled upward over your breast so you can let your baby to nurse. All of these nursing bras are made to let the mother to hold the baby much easily and start breastfeeding without exerting too much effort.

Whenever in public, this bra can still let a mom nurse her baby without too much effort and minimize unwanted or undue attention. These type of bras could be worn under different outer garments, although most of the nursing moms want tops which are making it very easy for them to place the baby right at their nipple. These nursing bras are created to let a mother insert a breast pad into their bras in order to absorb all of the leaking milk during the feeding.

Are Nursing Bras Necessary?

Common bras do not have any room for a growing diaphragm during the pregnancy and at the same time, they have underwire that is not recommended for you to wear while nursing or pregnant. Nursing bras have soft cups and this has a room for expanding diaphragm during the months of their pregnancy and an ability to tighten whenever the baby is already born and when the diaphragm is depleting. This also means you will be comfortable and you are going to have an easy time while breastfeeding. Always bear in mind that comfort is very important.

At the same time, you cannot use the common bras during your pregnancy and the days during your breastfeeding because of the reason that underwire is placing a pressure on your milk ducts which can possibly block the flow of your milk which can lead to a plugged milk duct. This can lead to several dangerous infections that can require you to take an antibiotic intervention that can interrupt your routine for breastfeeding. These nursing bras are originally designed in order to give you all of the support that you need, therefore, nursing bras are really necessary. These types of bras have an advanced powered fabric which has a perfectly designed structures on its cup pattern and has a cotton lined straps as well. There was an intensive research done to the several pregnant women which proved that nursing bras are really superior and can give you the comfort that you need.

On the other hand, it is very important that for you to choose a nursing bra which is supportive and very comfortable. Whenever you want to breastfeed, you are going to need a nursing bra where the cups can easily be opened and always keep in mind that you need to get this type of bra which has an allowance just in case your breasts tend to grow a lot bigger.

How To Measure Nursing Bra Size

As with all of the other bras, getting a perfectly fit nursing bra could be a really difficult task to do. Like all of the other common bras, a band must ride on the torso of a woman parallel on the floor. The cups must enclose to the breast tissue without any bulge under the armpit, under the cups and over the top of cups. The fabric of the cup must be tight around your breast, underside edge of the bra cups must lie flat on the chest of the woman, then center gore between the bras cups must lay flat against the sternum of the woman.
The strap of the bra must be set fairly wide apart and must lie flat against the back. A good support helps a lot in minimizing the eventual appearing stretch marks. Wide under band serves as a foundation for the growing, heavier breast. Also, you need to get a full cup which gives a support and creates a smooth look.

Typical or traditional bras are not suggested for the nursing moms because of the fact that they might not give a sufficient support or it can put a pressure on the breast of the woman. At the same time, it is a lot more difficult in a situation of lifting a regular bra over your breast whenever you are preparing for a breastfeeding and put an undue pressure on your breast tissue that can increase a risk for infection and clogged milk ducts. Some of the women are a lot more comfortable when they are wearing sleeveless shirt, camisole, and tank tops compared to shelf bra that leaves them for an exposure of their nipple.

How Many Nursing Bras Do I Need?

The most common answer to this question is three. There should be one to wear, one in the drawer, and one to wash. On the other hand, this should still be based on your financial status, at the time of pregnancy or breastfeeding or if you have a washing machine inside your house.

Like any other circumstances, there are still some things that you need to consider when it comes to these things. You need to know how long these nursing bras last, or if you have a big breasts, how often you should wash your undergarments, the stage of the breastfeeding or pregnancy you are, and what you want to wear them with.

Most importantly, you might want to buy a nursing bra which is going to blend great with your wardrobe, or otherwise, you will never get to wear them again. If it is a special occasion, you can take your dress with you whenever you are buying a nursing bra. You need to make sure that the nursing bra you are going to choose is that something that will make you feel great and not make you feel all lousy. There are various styles and colors of nursing bras available so you can definitely choose one that will fit you.

How To Buy Nursing Bras Before Birth

The soon to be moms must buy a nursing bra which is one or two size bigger than their typical sized bras. This has been a rule of thumb whenever you are shopping for nursing bras before giving birth. On the other hand, no one can really guess what the size of a nursing cup of a woman unless the milk already comes out.

So, which nursing bras do moms have to start with? There are nursing bras which are designed with a traditional sizing. These are usually called comfort bras, their sizes are typically small, medium, large, etcetera. These types of nursing bras are made to make it easier for the mothers to nurse the infant.

The industry for nursing bra is segmented. This includes a traditional bra manufacturer like Wonderbra. Their items are created in order to accommodate all of the needs of women whose size of the breast could fluctuate up to one cup size every hour when nursing. For the moms who have to pump for the breast milk, there are specialized nursing bras which are available that lets a woman in pumping the breast hands-free.