As you a preparing for your baby’s arrival, nursing bras may not be at the top of your shopping list. However, it is best to buy your first nursing bra while you are still pregnant. It provides comfort for your growing breasts and room for nursing pads – an important factor, since many pregnant women notice that their breasts start leaking in the last month of pregnancy.
If you haven’t had time to buy a nursing bra prior to your baby’s arrival – don’t fret, you may be able to get your first bra at the hospital. Many hospitals sell breastfeeding supplies, such as nursing bras and tank tops, breast pumps and milk storage bags. They will also offer bra fitting services provided by certified bra fitters.
Pediatrician and author Dr. Sears says this, “Your breasts will enlarge as your milk “comes in” after birth, so perhaps purchase one or two less expensive bras late in pregnancy that are one numerical size and one cup size bigger than what you’re wearing. These will get you through your first several weeks postpartum. When your breast size settles down, usually after the second week, purchase additional bras that fit well.” 1 Ann Witt, an Ohio pediatrician and Coordinator of Breastfeeding Medicine suggests getting fitted for nursing bras in the last month of pregnancy as well.2 Riverview Hospital Association of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, provides the following advice, “During the last month of your pregnancy, purchase one bra to get you through the first few weeks after the birth of your baby. Then about 4 to 6 weeks post-partum, purchase one to two well-fitting bras. This will help you get a better fit. During the first few weeks, your breast size will change dramatically.”3
The consensus is that you should purchase your first one or several nursing bras in the last month of pregnancy (or earlier if you desire), and buy additional bras after you start nursing to accommodate your style needs, breast changes and lifestyle.
Many new moms wonder how many nursing bras they need to buy. The number of bras you need depends on your lifestyle and your budget. If you plan on returning to work after having a baby, or you already have a large family, you probably won’t have time to do laundry every day and will need to purchase more than one or two bras. Some nursing bras can be pricey, so it makes sense to start shopping during pregnancy, so that you don’t have to buy several bras at once.
In its article, “A Simple Guide to Baby Supplies”, WebMD website suggests buying a couple of nursing bras and bringing them to the hospital with you.1 It’s no secret though that many women begin wearing nursing bras during their last months of pregnancy for comfort and convenience.
Jennifer Richards of Parents magazine recommends buying three or four nursing bras as well as two or three sleeping nursing bras before the baby comes.2 Sleeping bras resemble sports bras and a great investment because they are soft, comfortable and still provide great support for your breasts at night. Some moms feel more comfortable wearing nursing sleep bras during the day, too.
Another consideration has to do with how long you plan on breastfeeding your baby. Your breast size may change over time and you may find yourself buying smaller sized nursing bras as you go along. When your baby is a few months old and you begin to spend more time outside of home, you will need to have a couple of different colored bras to fit your clothing.
Action plan:
- Start shopping for nursing bras before your baby comes. Be sure to get professionally fitted.
- Buy a couple of nursing bras and bring them to the hospital with you. Consider a sleeping nursing bra.
- As your breasts change after you start nursing, get fitted again. It is important that you wear a comfortable bra that is the right fit.
1WebMD. (2012). A Simple Guide to Baby Supplies. Retrieved on April 21, 2012 from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/simple-guide-baby-supplies?page=2
2Parents Magazine; Jennifer Richards. (2012). 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Breastfeeding. Retrieved on April 21, 2012 from http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/problems/breastfeeding-soothing-solutions/?page=2
If you are a first-time mom, you may wonder if you really need a nursing bra. Some women think that they can buy larger sizes of regular bras, as opposed to buying nursing bras, citing budget considerations or style limitations of nursing bras. But is it a good idea? Ask any breastfeeding mother and she will tell you that she cannot imagine life without a nursing bra. Here’s why:
- Nursing bras provide easy access to your breastsThis is particularly important early on, when your baby nurses often. The American Academy of Pediatrics statement on breastfeeding suggests that an average infant will nurse 8 to 12 times per 24 hour period.1 Many babies eat every 1 or 2 hours. Scrambling to take your clothes off over a dozen times a day is time-consuming and stressful, especially with a hungry newborn. Nursing bras also allow you to reveal one breast at a time, a key consideration if you are nursing in public.
- Nursing bras are safer for breastfeeding mothers and more comfortable than regular brasBecause your body has been changing during pregnancy and postpartum, you are unlikely to fit into your pre-pregnancy bra. According to an Ohio pediatrician Ann Witt, wearing a bra that is too tight may cause the milk ducts to become plugged. Nursing bras are usually designed to have a wider band and more room, providing the much needed comfort to your hard-working breasts.2
- Nursing bras provide protection from leaksWhether you expect it or not, your breasts will likely leak, especially early on. Nursing bras are more flexible and allow room for nursing pads.
- Nursing bras provide support & comfort to changing breastIt may seem convenient to skip the bra while you are feeding your baby frequently, especially at home. However, it is critically important that your changing breasts receive enough support, not only for comfort, but also for aesthetic purposes. You can experiment with different types of nursing bras to figure out what works best for you. In fact, having a nursing bra is so important that Parents magazine suggests that the right bra is the key to a successful nursing experience. Dr. Sears, a popular pediatrician and author, recommends that you buy at least three nursing bras.
Nursing bras are a great investment, especially if you plan to breastfeed your baby well into his second year. A comfortable bra that provides easy access to your breasts, while you are wrestling with a hungry infant or toddler, is well worth the price.
1 American Academy of Pediatrics. (1997). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Retrieved on April 18, 2012 from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/100/6/1035.full#sec-4
2 WebMD. (2012). Breastfeeding: 11 Things That Can Help. Retrieved on April 18, 2012 from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/breastfeeding-items-that-may-help
3 Parents Magazine; Jennifer Richards (2012). 14 Things You Didn’t Know About Breastfeeding. Retrieved on April 18, 2012 from http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/problems/breastfeeding-soothing-solutions/
4 Ask Dr. Sears. (2012). Choosing the Right Nursing Bra. Retrieved on April 18, 2012 from http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/helpful-products/choosing-right-nursing-bra
