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
Retailers & websites are chocked full of ugly, dull maternity and nursing bras. But why should a new mommy settle for those, I mean seriously. There are many reasons why pregnant and nursing moms should look for sexy nursing bras, but here are the 3 top reasons they should look for a cute, colorful alternative to spice up their drab lingerie drawer.
- Would you pick these…..
- ….or these?
(more…)
If you were like me, when i went shopping for my first nursing bra, it was all one GIANT guessing game on what were the best options. So what is a good nursing bra anyway???? I know lots of women who are unsure about what to look for in a good nursing bra… so they typically go through several nursing bra purchases doing trial and error before they might eventually land THE ONE, if they are lucky! Honestly i don’t understand why this is the case (but sadly, it is) because the same regular mainstream bra rules should apply to nursing bras, well maybe with a few tweaks, right?
So here are some helpful tips to help you decode the encryption of good nursing bras. HAHA:) Oh, and remember to wait until the final weeks of your pregnancy before you purchase your nursing bras. One mistake many expectant mommies make is that they purchase their nursing bras too early and a little big, with room to grow….well, this makes sense intuitively but you will only end up with a nursing bra that fits you poorly and gives you problems! So here it goes:
DeCode #1.
SUPPORT = COMFORT! The most important factor in a good maternity/nursing bra is the how well it provides proper support to the breast. The “drop” cup should provide adequate support and lift to the breasts while giving a good separation.
DeCode #2.
Look for a bra that provides easy access to the breast so that you can feed your hungry baby easily.
DeCode #3.
Look for a bra with that provides one-hand cup openings even when you are holding your baby. Chances are you will be holding your baby with your other hand:)
You! Lingerie Nursing bra (Isis Blue) – Drop cup with one handed access
DeCode #4.
Look for a bra with wide straps for more comfort because it will help evenly distribute your breasts weight.
DeCode #5.
Look for bras with cups that are lined with 100 percent cotton because it allows air through to keep nipples and breast dry. An added benefit is also for comfort, which you will appreciate!
DeCode #6.
Fit, fit , fit!!!! Ensure that the band of the bra fits you well on its widest setting because after the birth, your band size will begin to decrease as your rib cage decreases. So you will need to be able to comfortably re-adjust the band to the closer settings.
DeCode #7.
Choose a bra with a four or more back hook closure because they give you the most flexibility in fit.
I hope these tips will allow you expectant and nursing mommies to have more confidence as you go out shopping for your nursing bras. I mean I wish I had them for myself 2 years ago when I had my daughter… It would have saved me the unnecessary multiple trips.
