How Do I Know What Size Maternity Bra To Buy
Comfort and functionality are important features to look for in a nursing bra, especially as your body changes. Ensuring correct nursing bra sizing before buying is key for optimizing each bra's design and features. While every woman's body is different, taking extra precautions by steering clear of things like lace and underwire in maternity bras can help alleviate discomfort and aggravation while your breasts are growing - and producing milk for your new baby.
how do i know what size maternity bra to buy
Approximately 80% of all women wear the wrong bra size. Seventy percent wear bras that are too small and 10% wear bras that are too large. This may adversely affect your breast milk supply, as it is widely believed that nursing bras that are too tight or have underwire that digs into your breast tissue could block one or more milk ducts. A blocked milk duct can be troublesome and eventually lead to infection or mastitis if not treated right away by a healthcare professional. Proper nursing bra sizing can be quite easy to measure using the directions below, so you can find the most comfortable fit for your needs.
Once you find the perfect fit, you may want to try our Ultimate BodyFit Maternity and Nursing Bra, made with soft four-way stretch material, convenient drop-down cups, and one-handed nursing clips. This maternity and nursing bra also provides extra support for your back with flexibility to adapt to your changing size during pregnancy and postpartum.
Medela's maternity and nursing apparel was designed to meet your unique needs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our maternity and nursing bras naturally adapt to your changing shape and keep you comfortable while conveniently allowing you to pump or nurse whenever needed. Throughout each step of your breastfeeding journey, Medela is proud to provide exceptional fit, comfort, and functionality to parents around the world.
We wish there was that magic timeframe that all pregnant women should measure themselves for a perfect fitting maternity bra. But in reality, every pregnancy is unique and your bra size may change several times (which is why moms are obsessed with our fit-flexible Seamless Bra).
A perfect fitting band should lay flat across your back, parallel to the floor. Motherhood Maternity bras are made with 3-5 hooks, depending on the style. When you first purchase your bra, it should fit on one of the middle hooks. This way, you can tighten or loosen the hooks as needed with size fluctuations during pregnancy and while nursing.
To extend the life of your maternity and nursing bras, we always recommend having at least four go-to bras that you can wear on rotation. One bra to wear, one bra to wash, one bra to sleep and one bra to keep on hand.
It's common to go up a cup size or two during pregnancy (Healthline, 2017). Many women notice they are also broader across the back because your rib cage expands to make room for your baby (NHS Start4Life, 2019).
When breastfeeding, the breasts can change in size between feeds, particularly in the earlier weeks. Fuller breasts can be slightly bigger and feel heavier just before a feed. Underwire can put pressure around the edges of the milk ducts, causing blockages.
The best maternity bras have been specially designed with changing bodies in mind. As you go through pregnancy, your body changes, and your boobs can shift in both size and shape. For this reason, you might find your trusty favourites no longer provide the comfort, support or security they once provided.
Not keen on splashing out on a whole new maternity wardrobe? We get it. In which case, your best maternity bra is one that will last throughout your pregnancy and beyond in terms of both fit and durability. The higher the elastane content in your bra, the more it will stretch with your frame during pregnancy, and snap snuggly back post-birth. For extra longevity, opt for a crop-top style bra that comes in sizes such as XS-XL, instead of specific cup and back sizing.
CHEST SIZE Measure around the fullest part of your breasts, over your nipple area. This is a looser measurement than the rib band measurement. Hold the end of the measuring tape at the side of your breast. While holding both ends of the tape with one hand, use your free hand to press the measuring tape in between your breasts to your chest. This will provide a more accurate cup size measurement.
During pregnancy, our bodies go through an amazing transformation to accommodate the growing baby. Of course, all these physical and hormonal changes mean that our shapes changes, including our breasts. To ensure that you are comfortable during your pregnancy and well-supported, it is essential to shop for maternity bras, as they are designed specifically for pregnant women and their needs.
A maternity bra is specially designed with tender and ever-changing breasts in mind. They have several features that differentiate them from regular bras and that make them more comfortable at a time where comfort is key.
Once your underbust measurement has been taken, you will need your over bust measurement to determine your cup size. The over bust measurement should be taken over the fullest part of your breasts. Based on these two measurements, your bra size will be calculated, and the sales assistant should recommend some maternity bras that are best suited to your needs.
You might have heard that underwired bras are not recommended in pregnancy. But as long as they are well fitted and size checked regularly, they should be ok. Although, many women find that underwire bras are uncomfortable during pregnancy so choose a softer, more padded bra with no wires for comfort purposes.
This organic cotton maternity bra has TENCEL Modal built in for an ultra-soft and breathable fabric on your skin. The Bravado B nursing clips mean you can unclasp with just one hand and the cup drops away fully to give maximum skin to skin contact during breastfeeding.
As mommas ourselves, we know how much your body changes during maternity. It can be really frustrating to find a bra that fits perfectly. The Momma's Comfy Bra is specifically designed to adjust with your body so that it will keep you comfortable. We even include a free, larger size of our maternity bra just in case :)
Most maternity bras out there are dull and boring. Boring colors, boring designs, no spice at all. They make you feel like once you get pregnant you don't deserve to feel sexy any more. At Momma's Shop we believe the opposite is true.
Try our bras on at home, wash them and if you're not 100% satisfied with the fit within 30 days of receiving your bras, simply send us an email, return the bra to us, and we'll replace it with a different size. Your first return is FREE, a shipping label will be sent to you :)
Absolutely LOVE this maternity bra, its not your moms maternity bra. I never thought you could have such a cute AND comfy maternity bra. Its so soft/comfortable and it gives me more confidence through this season of body changes through pregnancy. Excellent customer service! Thanks Mommas Shop.
Ordered a bigger size a couple of years ago when I was pregnant/nursing my twins and loved it! Had to get it again this go around in a smaller size. Still alternate between both sets, and will probably continue to use them even after I'm done nursing.
Your breasts are going to go through large fluctuations in size as your body regulates its milk supply. Having a tight-fitted bra can disrupt this process. So for the couple of days post-birth, opt for a seamless bra. These bra styles will move with the breast (and body) changes after you give birth, along with all the support and comfort you need.
If you can, take the time to get fitted at around eight months of pregnancy before baby arrives. This is the size your breasts should be at approximately 8 weeks post birth when your body has learned to regulate its milk supply.
It is during the first eight weeks post birth that your breasts will feel a little out of control. You will notice large fluctuations in breast size as your body learns to regulate its milk supply. A seamless bra will move with your changing body and provide you with that much needed comfort and support. A cupped size product will not only feel uncomfortable but also will compress and restrict the breast as it learns to regulate its milk supply.
As a fitter, we typically see pregnant women go up one band size and two cup sizes during pregnancy. The majority of the change occurs during the first trimester and is hormonally driven. These changes (1 band and 2 cups) are common with a weight gain of 25-35 pounds.
The female body is amazing! Pregnancy releases a hormone called relaxin that loosens (aka relax) your ligaments and allows your bone structure to accommodate the growing baby. Loosening ligaments combined with increased fluid (blood and water) in the body increase your band size.
Rib cage: Remember that magical hormone called relaxin that allows your ribcage to expand? It also helps your ribcage contract after pregnancy. We usually see the rib cage go back down in size by about 4-6 weeks after delivery. That is the bone structure. Please see previous notes about cookie consumption and know that weight is weight. Some women experience elevated levels of hormones for longer and will not return to pre-pregnancy band size for months (some until the end of nursing)
What is a maternity bra? One that fits you while pregnant. It does not have to be specific to pregnancy. It is just a bra that is fit to you at your pregnancy size. Any bra that fits you will work just fine. Pro tip: you will likely find better maternity bras from bra companies than from maternity clothing companies. 041b061a72