Fitting Tips for Maternity and Nursing Bras

Did you know that approx 80% of women wear the wrong size bra! And whilst you are pregnant and nursing it is even more important to get the fit right to allow your bust to grow healthily. Below are some fitting tips for Maternity and Nursing Bras.

Fitting Tips for Maternity Bras

Maternity Bras are simply bras that you wear whilst you are pregnant. They are designed to give you a little more support as your bust grows. But don't worry, they can still be pretty, and can even have wires!

• For Maternity bras you should allow a little bit of room for growth in the cup, enough to fit your hand in. And you should ensure that the Maternity Bra fits snugly when fastened on the tightest hook and eye setting. This is so that as your rib cage expands, you are able to loosen the bra.
• At Eloise Mama, we would recommend that you get fitted every 6-8 weeks especially if you choose to wear underwired Maternity Bras throughout your pregnancy. This is to make sure that the wire is not constricting any of the delicate tissues or glands in your growing bust. Even if you don't feel that you have changed, you should make sure you get fitted every couple of months.
• Some of our Maternity Bras feature nursing / feeding clips. These are fine to wear throughout your pregnancy, however please note that you will not be the same bra size for the duration of your pregnancy and may be significantly larger when nursing.

Fitting Tips for Nursing / Feeding Bras

Nursing Bras feature clips that attach the cup to the supportive sling inside. These clips allow you to nurse easily and discreetly, and can be undone with one hand while you cradle your baby.

• Try to be fitted for your Nursing Bra as close to 38 weeks as possible, this will give the fitter the best estimate of your bra size for when you come to nurse your baby.
• The Nursing Bra will be firmer around your under bust as the ribs shrink back, but the cup size will be 1 to 2 sizes larger as your milk comes in.
• The hook and eyes will be fastened on the loosest setting so that as your rib cage shrinks, and the bra loosens with age you can easily tighten the bra up to make sure you are comfortable and supported.
• The Nursing Bra will have plenty of stretch in the cup as your bust will increase and decrease throughout the day, as well as for breast pads.
• We recommend you have at least three nursing bras so you have one to wear, one in the wash, and one in the drawer!

Eloise Mama offer a specialist fitting service for pregnant and nursing mothers. Contact us for a free appointment.

When to Start Wearing Maternity and Nursing Bras?

Congratulations! You are a mum-to-be! As exciting as it may be, at Eloise Mama we know that it can be a little confusing to know what's best for you to wear as your body changes with your growing bump. Here is an easy to follow guide on when you should get fitted for your maternity and nursing bras and a brief rundown on what you should expect from your changing body.

Early on in your pregnancy you may experience sore and tender breasts as the body changes in preparation for nursing. This is completely normal, and some ladies may not even notice the change.

At 3 Months

Usually by the end of the first trimester many ladies will feel their breasts are fuller and are becoming a little tender. It is at this stage that you will begin to feel uncomfortable in your pre- pregnancy bra, and it is time to have your first fitting for your maternity bra. From here on in, we would recommend that you get fitted every 8 weeks to make sure you are as comfortable as can be, and are in a bra that will allow your bust to grow healthily.

At 6 Months

At this stage you'll find that your breasts are noticeably larger, and you may experience further tenderness. As your ribcage has expanded, you will also find that you will be wearing your maternity bra on the loosest hook, and it is definitely time to come in for another fitting.

At 9 Months

Not long now, and your little one will be here! Your breasts will feel full and heavy, your ribcage will be at it's largest and you may be leaking colostrum. At 38 weeks, it is time to come in for a fitting for a nursing bra, as it is at this point, that we'll be able to give the best estimate of your size when you come to nurse your baby.

Eloise Mama offer a free fitting service, based at our South Wimbledon and Huntingdon showrooms, please feel free to contact us for our one to one service and to make sure you are in the right maternity or nursing bra.

Yummy Mummy Control Wear Sparks Fury

Recent reports that suggest celebrities have been using control wear to shape and smooth their bodies whilst pregnant, have been met with a highly negative reaction from mums across the web. Usually it has been post-pregnancy that mums have felt pressure to regain their pre-baby body.


Some healthcare professionals are worried about the impact of control wear on the unborn baby's health.

Catherine Gualdino Maule, a senior fitter at Eloise Mama, maternity and nursing lingerie specialist, says: "Maternity support wear isn't a new concept, but we would not recommend a product that would flatten the tummy. Instead we would suggest a specifically designed product, like the BabySherpa, to support the weight of the baby and reduce strain to the back. of course this depends on how the pregnancy is developing and if the mother has sought the go-ahead from her doctor or midwife."


The BabySherpa is an effective support aid to help prevent back and pelvic pain. The fully adjustable belt adapts to the size of the growing tummy and can be put on and taken off quickly, as it is worn over outer garments. It fits perfectly and comfortably whether the wearer is standing, sitting or lying down.

The BabySherpa is available to buy from maternity and nursing lingerie specialists Eloise Mama.

Maternity Diary - Week 17

At Eloise Mama HQ we have our very own mum-to-be. In a series of blogs, Cathy will share her experiences throughout her pregnancy including the highs and the lows. We hope you enjoy her first installment.......

"Having so far resisted the urge to go baby shopping, this week I have started to look longingly at baby products and can't wait to go shopping. Now that the morning sickness has subsided and I've started to get back to my normal self, it's much easier to feel excited about the baby.

I have decided to find out the sex of the baby and only have two and a half weeks until my next scan. Although it would be lovely to have a surprise, I am very impatient and would like to know which colour to paint the nursery and pretty much everything out there seems to be available in either blue or pink!

Although I haven't bought anything for the baby the same cannot be said for myself. I have taken advantage of my changing shape and have bought a whole wardrobe of lovely maternity clothes. It's been a great excuse to spoil myself. Of course it's not just been my tummy that's grown, my boobs have now gone up a healthy couple of sizes and I've had to invest in some lovely new bras.

At the beginning of my pregnancy my skin was far more oily and prone to outbreaks, luckily this has now cleared up. So far I have not had any stretch marks and have been smothering myself in coco butter every night. I think it's important to feel pampered during pregnancy, so I've been trying to take the time out for a nice bubble bath whenever I get the chance."

Snuggle Down in Maternity Nightwear

With Winter still going strong, there's nothing more perfect than getting cosy in some pyjamas. However, whilst you are pregnant and nursing, Eloise Mama knows that they also need to be functional as well as stylish. The nightwear range from Eloise Mama consists of nursing nightdresses, long and short pyjamas and camisoles from the likes of Cake Lingerie and HOTmilk.

Brand new in, is this gorgeous nursing nightdress from HOTmilk, aptly named Successful in Her Ruse, we simply love the soft delicate fabric and marshamallow hues. It's pretty printed mesh veils 100% organic cotton lined cups with a lace trim under the bust. The power elastane A-frame bodice gives you a gorgeous shape and greater support and more comfort whilst nursing. This floral nursing nightdress is simply perfect this spring in any mums to be wardrobe.

For some extra warmth the Delighted in her Victory Pyjama Bottoms and long sleeved top are perfect if you feel the chill. The pretty pyjamas have a delicate lilac and silver print, with a drawstring waist for ease of fit. The co-ordinating nursing top is made from soft modal cotton and features a gathering under the bust to flatter your bump. It also features an internal shelf, an A-frame design and a disguised popper flap to enable easy night time nursing. You can even mix and match your night time style with matching shorts and nursing camisole also available.

Want something a little more flirty? The Ruffle My Feather Camisole and briefs are a favourite with our customers. A nursing camisole that fits close to the body that features sleek fitting black jacquard lace and polka dot mesh with microfibre lining, and an antique diamante brooch that gives this camisole a real feeling of luxury. Plus, it's all made from a soft natural, 100% cotton with a supportive internal shelf, side sling and easy clip fastening to ensure comfort and support.

All of these gorgeous nursing nightwear pieces are available at Eloise Mama, visit the Maternity Nightwear collection here.