Maternity & Nursing

page image maternity and nursingMaternity & Nursing

During pregnancy and nursing, your body goes through a lot of change. Expert fitting is crucial during this time as your body is going through so many changes. We work alongside antenatal classes to provide free advice on the best underwear for you during this time. Our personal fitting service will ensure you're getting the right support during pregnancy and after the birth to provide every opportunity for successful nursing.

What sort of changes will my body experience?

During pregnancy, it is normal for each breast to become 300-500g heavier, which puts the surrounding skin and tissue under strain. Your bra size may increase by one or two sizes and your rib cage will slightly expand.
Inadequate support for your breasts during pregnancy can cause them to sag. A bad bra can also cause tension in your neck and back.

After your baby is born, your cup size may grow again signalling your milk arriving. You may experience tenderness and soreness. During this time your rib cage will slowly return to normal. Poorly fitted nursing bras have also been associated with mastisis, which is an inflammation of the breast tissue, so it is of utmost importance to take care of your breasts while you're nursing!

What should I look for in maternity and nursing bras?

Maternity BrasView our accessories

You can try on a maternity bra from when your breasts start to swell and your bras no longer fit - usually about 16 weeks. While you're pregnant, you may find underwired bras uncomfortable, as the wire might cut into your growing body. Maternity bras are made out of soft, breathable material, which expand with your body and have a firm support system and wider straps than regular bras to ease the strain on your shoulders and neck. If you prefer underwired bras, there are especially designed ones for pregnancy and nursing. Many maternity bras are also designed with nursing clips so that you can use them after the baby is born, but you'll likely need to buy at least one new nursing bra. If you are pregnant during summer or you feel the heat, look for a bra made from cotton or wicking microfiber.

A good maternity bra should...

  • fasten comfortably on the tightest hooks
  • have at least half a cup's worth of growth in it (put your hand halfway into the cup - does it stretch to fit?)
  • stay where it is when you lift your arms
  • feel comfortable and supportive
  • give your bust a natural shape
  • have a bra band that lies under the breasts and rib cage (not creep up on the breast tissue)
  • have three ore more back closures

Nursing BrasContact us now to book an appointment

After your baby is born, your ribcage will go back to normal but your breasts will most likely expand. You can try on nursing bras from about 37 weeks. You may be able to continue with your maternity bra if you have nursing clips but you will probably need a larger bra. Softer bras are generally the most comfortable during nursing, although it might take a bit of time to get used to it. The cups on a nursing bra are designed to drop down from a clip to expose your breasts for nursing. You should look for a bra which can be opened with one hand which will be helpful while you're holding your baby.

A good nursing bra should...

  • fit comfortably on the widest hooks
  • have at least half a cup's worth of growth in it
    (put your hand halfway into the cup - does it stretch to fit?)
  • stay where it is when you lift your arms
  • feel comfortable and supportive
  • give your bust a natural shape

Click here to read more about our expert fitting service, or contact us to book a fitting appointment.