Finding Nursing Bras You Will Not Want To Burn

If the term “nursing bra” sends up red flags on your “frump” meter, it’s time to put that notion aside, Mama! Today’s nursing bras can be as fashionable and, yes, sexy as the cute little numbers you shoved to the back of the panty drawer during your pregnancy.

Just as with regular bras, nursing bras come in an array of styles, each with their own advantages.

Softcup bras are available in anything from the ugly burn-it-when-you’ve-weaned to the kind that will make your husband look twice. Focus on comfort and support, something you can best determine by trying it on. Some sport nursing flaps while others require Mom to pull down the cup to nurse. Determine what is most convenient for you. Try out the flap to be sure that you can rapidly and discreetly open it (remember, you’ll have a demanding, hungry baby in your arms) and close it (you’ll have a limp, sleeping baby in your arms) with one hand. Hook and eye flap closures offer adjustable cup sizes–great for a changing Mom–but are often tricky to close one-handed. The larger plastic hooks are easier to close, but generally do not have options for adjustment. Some even close in the center or only allow the nipple area to be accessed, something your baby may not appreciate.

The controversy continues regarding underwire bras. While women love them for their support, they are a common cause of clogged milk ducts and mastitis. If you choose underwire, make absolutely certain that you have the right fit, that nothing rubs or presses on your breast or underarm area, and that you never sleep in it. Forget about underwire entirely the first few weeks after baby’s birth, and swap it out for a softcup any time you are engorged. If you are accustomed to the separation and support of an underwire, consider opting for a ruched center such as Bella Materna sells.

Seamless bras spruce up the mother’s undergarment wardrobe. Padded or natural, they offer a sleek look under fitted tops.

Sleep bras are a stretchy material that offer mothers nighttime support and a place to hold breast pads to absorb the inevitable night squirts. The top easily stretches down so a groggy mom can feed a not-so-groggy baby.

Full chested moms have a remarkable array of choices as well. Plus Size nursing bras are available from companies such as Medela and Bravada, with Underworks even offering up to size 50L.

Moms can even find strapless, backless nursing bras that are essentially cups which attach to your shirt. Padded nursing bras that allow Mom to remove the pad are a great option for fluctuating breast size. Anita sells bras that allow you to easily mark which breast was last used for feeding.

The options don’t stop there. Glamourmom makes a nursing bra tanktop which they have since expanded into full tops, attractive sleepwear, and cute dresses. Carriwell sells chic nursing swimwear for moms on the go. Who says mothers have to be frumpy!

Whatever style you choose, look for a bra in a breathable, absorbant material that will help keep the breast dry and prevent thrush, such as cotton, cotton blends, and microfiber. If the bra has lace, be sure it isn’t irritating to your breasts once they are called into action.

Purchase two or three bras toward the end of your pregnancy when your breasts have grown significantly. These can double as maternity bras and will get you through the early months of breastfeeding. Later, however, your breasts will adjust to the feeding process and lose a bit of bulk. If your bras are not adjustable, you will need to purchase another few bras to get you through this time period. Manufacturers such as Bravado offer nursing bras specially designed for these various stages in the nursing process.

The right fit is crucial to the proper bra size. During pregnancy, the chest cavity expands (mostly a permanent change), so you will need to measure under your breasts and around the back to find your new band width. Measure across the fullest part of the breast. If the difference between the two measurements is less than 1/2 inch, buy AA, if 1/2 to 1 inch, buy A, if 2 inches, buy B, if 3 inches, buy C, and so on. Be certain that all breast tissue is within the cup so as to avoid discomfort and infection.

Buy the best bras you can find based on fit, function, and comfort. If the price tags online are scaring you off, consider Playtex, which offers a variety of nursing bras at prices you can expect to see at local department stores.

The most important consideration when selecting a nursing bra is how you feel–comfortable, supported, and ready to take on the world . . . or at least the needs of a hungry eight-pound bundle of love.