If you’ve never bought a nursing bra before, shopping for one may seem like a daunting task. What size should you buy? How do you know whether it’s going to fit you throughout your nursing experience? Below are a few basic guidelines to get you started.
First of all, you should start shopping before your baby arrives and get fitted by a certified bra fitter. If you plan on purchasing nursing bras online, you can still get fitted at the maternity store and write down your measurements for future use.
When choosing a nursing bra, keep in mind comfort and convenience. For comfort, look for a soft, well fitting bra. Bras that are too tight are not only uncomfortable, but may contribute to plugged ducts.1 WebMD recommends wearing nursing bras that provide firm support for the growing breasts.2 Babycenter.com, a trusted pregnancy and parenting resource recommends looking for soft cotton or cotton-synthetic blend nursing bra that doesn’t have seems near the nipple and has sturdy, wide straps.3 Dr. Sears suggests choosing a bra that “supports the breast from beneath even when the cup is open.”1
A guide from Botsford Hospital Breastfeeding Services says this about buying a nursing bra:
- Choose cotton, because it allows the air to circulate around your breasts and prevents irritation;
- Choose wide straps, because they won’t cut into your shoulders;
- Try to avoid underwire bras, as they may interfere with the flow of milk;
- Look for a bra with fasteners that can easily be opened and closed with one hand.4
If you are going to pump as well as nurse, you may benefit from buying a special bra that allows for a pumping attachment. This type of bra will give you the freedom to pump hands-free.
When you try on bras, sit down to check how the bra fits and feels when you change position. Also, practice opening and closing the bra fastener in the fitting room. You may need to try on several different bras before you find the perfect fit. Your rib cage expands throughout pregnancy, so if you bought your nursing bra while pregnant, you may need to size up a few times after giving birth.
1 Ask Dr. Sears. (2012). Choosing the Right Nursing Bra. Retrieved on April 22, 2012 from http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/helpful-products/choosing-right-nursing-bra
2 WebMD. (2012). Common Pregnancy Pains and Their Causes. Retrieved on April 23, 2012 from http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-coping-with-discomforts
3 BabyCenter. (2012). Maternity and nursing bras 101. Retrieved on April 23, 2012 from http://www.babycenter.com/0_maternity-and-nursing-bras-101_10347729.bc?page=2
4 Botsford Hospital Breastfeeding Services. (2012). How to Buy a Good Bra. Retrieved on April 23, 2012 from http://www.botsford.org/medical_services/new_beginnings_maternity/breastfeeding/Breastfeeding_How_to_buy_a_good_bra.pdf
We are happy to feature Mommy Gear as our inaugural Retailer of The Month.
Mommy Gear® is where fashion meets function for Mom & Baby. Mommy Gear has a beautiful store in Ligonier, PA and ships products all over the world via their website—http://www.mommygear.com. They specialize in beautiful nursing wear, breastpumps, nursing bras (32A-48K), breastfeeding support products, baby carriers, and cute baby gear & gifts.
A couple days ago, we had the chance to interview the founder, Dawn Higgins. Here are some of the highlights of our conversation with Dawn:
YL: Can you share details about your background, how and why you decided to become a maternity boutique owner?
DH: I started Mommy Gear® in 1996 because she wanted great looking clothes to wear while breastfeeding my first son, Will–and I thought other moms would, too. Not just casual clothing, but real clothes that we can wear to all the occasion in our lives. I left my job as a corporate communications & customer service manager and started Mommy Gear as a small, home-based business with most of our marketing by word-of-mouth. When people referred us to their friends and family out-of-state, I built a home-grown website. Since then, we’ve expanded into a storefront and launched an expanded website. This has allowed us to better serve our customers, help a form and host a local La Leche League & offer classes for new moms and families. We have partnered with The Bra Recyclers to collect gently used bras to be used for women in need. It’s a dream to have Mommy Gear® be the center of grass-roots community breastfeeding support & education.
YL: How did you come up with the name of your business?
DH: Mommy Gear® was the working name that I used as I made notes on my business idea during my lunch hours at my corporate job. Mommy Gear fit the active, casual yet classy moms that were my friends and the name just stuck. Our logo was developed by Audrey Brown, one of our earliest customers who is an artist & designer. She was looking for a project during her maternity leave and I told her that I tried to draw an image that was a mom and baby formed by one line, but had no artistic ability. She took my crude sketch and made the elegant logo that we still use and love today.
YL: What do you think your customers think when your store comes to mind?
DH: We want to make breastfeeding comfortable & convenient for all moms & babies. We look for products that meet the highest quality and design standards that are beautiful and practical too. We offer personalized service to professionally fit nursing bras, choose breast pumps and teach baby carrying.
YL: What type of products do you carry?
DH: We offer nursing bras, tops, dresses & nightwear from top designers as well as our own Mommy Gear private label styles. We carry professional breast pumps, parts & support products from Medela, Ameda & Hygeia. We also feature a great selection of baby carriers, baby clothes & gifts, and baby shoes. Since our store is located a few miles from Steelers’ training camp, we’re a center for the littlest football fans, too.
YL: Why do you carry You! Lingerie?
DH: We love the fun, sexy styles that You! Lingerie offers. The You! bras are gorgeous and well-made and easy to use for nursing. The prices make You! bras an affordable luxury that our customers really enjoy. You! Lingerie proves that breastfeeding doesn’t mean giving up your sense of style.
If you are in the Ligonier, PA area, drop in and say hi to Dawn and her team at Mommy Gear. Its a great place to shop! And if you cannot make it to Ligonier, but need beautiful nursing wear, breastpumps and cute baby gear & gifts check out their website: http://www.mommygear.com
Mommy Gear is offering a You! bra giveaway (YAY!) on their FB page & website (giveaway through rafflecopter) at http://www.mommygear.com/mommy-gear-contest.htm
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.
