Childbirth is left behind. You are overwhelmed with the happiness of motherhood. You can't get enough of your baby. This is romance. The reality is pain during feeding and problems with the breasts, which become very heavy as they fill. You can't do without a nursing bra.
Nature endowed a woman with the ability not to notice the painful reality when she became a mother, but female physiology requires special attention to the breasts during feeding. It is at this time that she becomes very sensitive, so you need to choose a new bra - you must not allow your breasts to remain unsupported, otherwise, at the end of feeding, you will not recognize the part of the body that you were so proud of.
When to buy a nursing bra and how to choose the size?
It is better to buy a nursing bra when the breasts are close in volume and shape to the breasts of a nursing woman, i.e. - in the last month of pregnancy .
- First measure your circumference under your bust. This figure should be used as a guide when determining your bra size.
- Measure your bust circumference at the fullest point to determine your cup size.
Flaws
The disadvantages include:
- An incorrectly selected bra in size and shape can cause discomfort to a nursing mother.
- Wearing it stops after breastfeeding is completed. After this, an expensive piece of underwear becomes unnecessary.
- High price.
Nursing bra sizes are classified from size 1 to size 5
Using an example, we will determine the required size. If your chest girth is 104, and your underbust girth is 88, then 104 – 88 = 16. Look at the table:
- Difference in cm: 10 – 11 – fullness AA – corresponds to size zero;
- 12 - 13 - A - first size;
- 14-15 – B – second size;
- 16-17 – C – third size;
- 18-19 – D – fourth size;
- 20 – 21 – DD – size five.
The difference in subtraction corresponds to “C” - the third size. In this example, the required bra size is 90B.
Why can't you get by with the usual?
At a time when women in our country did not yet have the opportunity to purchase special nursing bras, they made do, of course, with ordinary ones. And, as grandmothers like to say, nothing happened, they survived and grew up. Without knowing anything good, how to appreciate the benefits of civilization. But life changes, we strive for comfort and can afford it. Moreover, we are talking about a period of life when comfort in the little things creates a positive perception of motherhood.
Advantages of a special bra:
- The underwear is made of natural fabrics, no inserts that are unpleasant for the skin. This is important for the part where the nipple comes into contact with the tissue, because first-time mothers have to endure painful cracks and increased sensitivity of the skin until mature lactation is established.
- The product does not contain seeds in the usual sense. The properties of the material are such that the breasts are supported even without these additions. And if the breasts are voluminous and still need bones, they are specially made gentle so as not to interfere with the flow of milk in the gland. This design protects massive breasts and prevents stretch marks and congestion.
- The seams are flat so as not to injure delicate skin.
- The bra is resistant to repeated washing and does not lose its appearance.
- Elastic fabric takes into account changes in breast size as milk flows in early pregnancy.
- There are removable parts, detachable cups, and space for inserts in case of milk leakage.
- Comfortable wide straps securely hold the structure without additional strain on the back.
- The underwear does not restrict movement and is not felt on the body, so it is suitable for sleeping. And the removable elements allow you to feed your baby at night without undressing.
Regular bras do not have these benefits.
Bra size chart for nursing mothers
When choosing a bra, pay attention to the treatment of the seams inside the cup , whether the breasts are comfortably supported. If you feel the slightest discomfort, especially in the seam area, then it is better not to buy this model, but consider the option of a bra model with a seamless cup.
Don't just buy one bra, but several , as your milk will leak and therefore you will have to wash your bras frequently.
Review of the best manufacturers
The leading brands in the market of underwear for pregnant and postpartum women are EuroMama, Mama Comfort, Fest, Mama Line, Viva Mama, and Full Season. The collections contain many different models with their own characteristics.
- Viva Mama
The manufacturer makes classic models in black, white and beige. These bras are sewn from cotton jersey (95% cotton, 5% elastane). The cups are large, soft, and cover the breasts well. Flirtiness is added by elegant frills on the outside (made so that they do not touch the skin or rub). Approximate price – 750–900 rubles.
- FULL SEASON
The collection of this manufacturer includes bras for everyday wear, bras for walking and tops for sleeping. All models are very delicate, mostly in pastel colors. The price is affordable - from 290 rubles.
- Fest
The Fest collection has quite a few models of bras for women in the postpartum period. The models are different. For example, there are options for different seasons. For the cold season, it is proposed to purchase a seamless bra made of dense fabric that protects the breasts from hypothermia. In hot weather, you can wear sconces made of the most breathable materials. The average cost is 900–1200 rubles.
- MamaLine
This company offers nursing bras in a variety of colors and patterns. The sizes are presented in only three options - 75, 80 and 85. Bras are made from mixed materials (63% polyamide, 15% cotton, 16% lycra, 6% viscose). Average price – 1550 rubles.
- Euromama
Soft cups of linen from the EuroMama company lie softly on the chest. The fasteners are located in the area of the straps and can be easily unfastened without completely exposing the gland, which allows feeding outside the home. The cups are made to accommodate absorbent liners to prevent milk from leaking. Price – from 690 rub.
Buying a nursing bra - how to choose the right bra for a nursing mother?
Before choosing a nursing bra, check out our tips:
- Buy the best quality bra - this is not something to skimp on.
- Choose cotton bras that keep your nipple dry and cool.
- Fasteners should be comfortable , not cause discomfort, not cut into the body and be easy to unfasten and fasten.
- The straps should be wide to provide adequate support for your chest.
- The fit to the body should be comfortable . This is usually achieved by using an elastic finishing band at the bottom of the bodice.
- A maximum of two and a minimum of one finger should fit between your bra and your back . If there are more than two fingers or they don’t fit at all, don’t consider this option.
- If you put on a bra, raise your arms up, and it goes up your back , the bra does not fit you.
- Remember - hard elements or wires are not allowed in a bra for nursing mothers, because... their presence leads to stagnation of milk.
- Make a purchase of a bra only after trying it on , because... Each woman is individual, and all manufacturers cannot take into account the characteristics of the female breast. Look for your own option that suits you.
General recommendations for selection
There are points common to choosing different models. It is better to buy several bras before giving birth - after some time in practice you will understand which one has become your favorite. While you do not have experience feeding a child and wearing special underwear, listen to simple recommendations:
- Choose bras made from natural fabric. In elastic models, the inside of the cups should have a cotton or linen lining - otherwise the remaining milk will not be quickly absorbed.
- The closing valve on the cup (if provided) must be unfastened with one hand. Very often the second hand will be busy, because you will have to hold the child with it. This is especially convenient if you decide to feed your baby in a public place.
- The chest should always be supported from below. Even when the valve is open for feeding, the mammary gland should not sag. The edges of the supporting part should not be rigid so as not to create pressure along the edge of the fabric.
- For women with large breasts, it is very important to choose a bra with wide straps, since thin ones will rub the skin of the shoulders. You probably encountered this before pregnancy. The situation will be aggravated by the fact that the mammary gland will swell with milk.
- It would be great if the bra has a special pocket for inserting pads. When the baby is full, milk continues to be released, and a few drops will definitely fall on the fabric. It is convenient if you can replace a wet gasket.
- Don't choose bras with underwires, even if they are very soft. When the mammary gland is engorged, the ducts from the nipples to the armpits fill with milk. They must not be pinched by anything - this is fraught with inflammatory processes.
- Fasteners, wherever they are located, should provide several volumes. Breastfeeding involves consuming a lot of calories, so you may gain more weight than you expected.
- The bra should fit snugly at the bottom. Choose bras with a wide elastic band. This also applies to models without fasteners. The presence of such an element should not interfere with the rapid release of the gland for feeding.
How many bras do you need?
You can, of course, be content with one sconce, but what will you do when you wash it? So, buying a bra becomes a necessity. A backup option will also help you out if your bra gets wet and you need to change it urgently.
It would also be a good idea to purchase a top for sleeping. This way your breasts will be protected from negative sensations while you sleep. In addition, lactation is a 24-hour process that does not stop when night falls, so a comfortable bra with pads will save you from nighttime “floods.” Agree, it’s not pleasant to wake up in the middle of the night, literally floating in a puddle of milk. If you are not used to sleeping in a bra, pay attention to T-shirts and shirts with built-in nursing cups.
Breast changes during breastfeeding
Pregnancy is a real joy for the expectant mother and a real test. Everything about a woman changes - her body, her character, and even her taste preferences. The mammary glands swell and fill with juices, the breasts become larger and more beautiful. But more serious changes await a woman after the birth of a child, during breastfeeding.
For another whole year, and maybe more, the baby will be attached to the breast every day, receiving healthy mother’s milk. The lactation period cannot but affect the shape of female dignity and volume.
Special nursing underwear will help preserve the beauty and firmness of your breasts.
Clasp options
For the convenience of mothers, whose hands are almost always busy, the creators of underwear have provided various fastener options. The usual one on the back is a tribute to tradition and confidence in the strength of the entire structure.
The front clasp is always at hand, which is especially convenient. But this option is suitable for smaller breasts.
Some models have no fasteners at all due to increased elasticity. Nothing in them will definitely break, come off or interfere even at night.
Fasteners can be made in the form of zippers, traditional hooks, elastic bands, etc.
Additional earbuds
When becoming a mother for the first time, a woman does not know how her mammary glands will behave. When the breasts are full, milk may leak to a greater or lesser extent. Then you will need bra pads. They are replaceable, absorb and store excess fluid, and are a kind of nipple pad. There are disposable and reusable ones that are washed along with the laundry. To ensure that they do not move around in the bra, many have a special compartment in their design.
