Pregnancy / 26 September, 2024 / My Baba
Motherhood, especially for first-time mums, can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming times, with many questions and concerns. One of the biggest challenges is adjusting to the changes in your body, particularly when finding the right bra fit during pregnancy. Bra fitting advice for pregnant women is essential as your breasts grow and change shape, making proper support and comfort a priority throughout this stage.
Bra fitting advice during pregnancy
A new study by NEXT revealed that 78% of women struggled to know what bra size they were post-baby, and more than half (54%) were unsure about the guidance related to wearing a bra while breastfeeding.
Next’s Lingerie expert teams up with midwife and breastfeeding consultant
To take away any ambiguity and added confusion around whether or not you should wear a bra during this time, NEXT’s lingerie expert Georgina Bibby has teamed up with midwife and breastfeeding consultant Lucy Webber. Together, they share their expert bra fitting advice for pregnant women.
For those mothers who are overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, Lucy reassures, “It’s a myth that you ‘must’ wear a bra, and it’s a myth that you ‘must not’! It is a choice that comes down to each individual. Knowing what bras to buy is one question women have when it comes to maternity lingerie but when to buy them can create even more uncertainty and an already stressful time.
Lucy explains, “There is confusion about when to buy a nursing bra, whether to get it during pregnancy or after the baby has been born. If you do choose to wear bras, you may need to change size several times during pregnancy (though you may not) because the size of your breasts and rib cage can change.
“For nursing bras, some people buy them in the last few weeks of pregnancy, but it’s important to keep in mind that breasts can change size (sometimes) significantly in that first week or two – so you either need to get a bra that can allow for this, which is hard to predict, or invest in new ones if needed.
“My preference would be to opt for a soft bralette-style bra top for those early days until you feel like your breast size has settled in.”
Wearing a bra while breastfeeding
When it comes to bra fitting advice for breastfeeding, many women have questions about whether or not they should wear a bra and, if so, what bra they should wear. Lucy has answered all the most Googled questions to provide clarity for mothers-to-be.
Is it safe to wear a bra while breastfeeding?
“Yes, it can be safe to wear a bra, providing it is the right fit for you, and it feels comfortable. “It is well known that a sizeable percentage of people wear the wrong size bra. So, it is important to remember that an ill-fitting bra could potentially cause blocked ducts and mastitis.”
Can you wear a wired bra when breastfeeding?
“In the early weeks and months of postpartum, breast size can change, meaning a wired bra may not be the best option. However, once your bra size has settled, a wired bra may be fine if it is the right fit. It is important to regularly check breast size fluctuations to ensure you’re wearing the right fit throughout your breastfeeding journey.”
What type of bra should you wear when breastfeeding?
“If you want to wear a bra, you can wear both a regular, well-fitting bra and a nursing bra. Nursing bras are specially adapted to allow the cups to be unclipped and dropped down, making it easier for feeding.”
How can a nursing bra help with breastfeeding?
Nursing bras can be helpful for breastfeeding mothers. They can be unclipped to move the cup out of the way during feeding, meaning you don’t need to remove the entire bra.
“You’ll be less tempted to move a regular bra into an awkward position for a feed, which can lead to compression and damage the breast tissue. Nursing bras are also useful for those who want to avoid showing too much skin when feeding.”
How many breastfeeding bras do I need?
“Three to five is fine for most people, depending on how often household laundry is done. Although it is important to remember that your size may change over the first few weeks and months, which may require you to update your bra collection throughout the breastfeeding period.”
Should you wear a bra at night when breastfeeding?
“Choosing to wear a bra at night is entirely up to you. Some people find they want to in the early days for support and to hold breast pads in place, whilst some choose to wear them long-term as they feel more comfortable, and others don’t wear them at all.
“You can get sleep bras if this is something you choose to do, but it’s important to make sure that it’s not going to dig into your breast tissue no matter which position you’re lying in.”
Postpartum bra fitting advice
During their postpartum journey, many women struggle with knowing what clothes to wear and what size they are now, including their new bra size, but this is perfectly normal.
Lucy explains, “Pregnancy causes changes to breast tissue that may cause them to sit lower than they did before. It’s normal for breasts to change.”
Georgina reiterates, “Everyone is different but your boobs do typically tend to change size and therefore shape postpartum.”
Should you get your bra size remeasured postpartum?
Because of this, Georgina recommends that all women should get remeasured postpartum.
“You should absolutely get re-measured after you have had a baby, but I would leave it a few months, especially if breastfeeding. It is recommended that you get fitted three to four months after delivery. This gives you time to establish and regulate your milk supply and breast tissue. The best time to be fitted is midday, when your breasts are full, before feeding.”
How do you know if your bra is fitting correctly postpartum?
Georgina explains, “Comfort is key. Your breast should be fully encased in the cups, and the band of the bra should fit level around your body and be secure—not lift off your body when you raise your arms. The centre front should sit flat against your rib cage regardless of the size of your breasts.”
What materials should you look out for?
Georgina recommends “soft, comfortable stretch materials with lycra and seamfree styles are ideal when looking for a postpartum bra. Wired bras are acceptable but should be fitted correctly. For those who find a wired bra uncomfortable, non-wired styles might be preferable and can still provide support if fitted correctly.”
To explore the variety of maternity and nursing bras available, visit the NEXT website.
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