We know that whilst you are pregnant it can be a little confusing as to which types of underwear you are meant to wear when. So it really is key to understand the options available to you, and know what makes a good maternity or nursing bra. After all, now is more important that ever to ensure you are in the best possible bra. Maternity Bras
It will be towards the end of your first trimester, that you may feel your breasts are full and that you are becoming uncomfortable in your pre-pregnancy bra. This is the time to have a fitting for your first maternity bra.
Maternity bras are specifically designed with your changing shape in mind, with soft seams, deep sides and fuller cups to ensure comfort and support. You will often find that maternity bras also have more hooks on the back, so that they are more adjustable than a standard bra. This means that as your ribs expand whilst pregnant you can work your way from the tightest to the loosest hook, before being fitted for another bra. Also, most maternity bras are non wired. 80% of women are in the wrong size bra, and if you wear an incorrectly fitting underwired bra whilst your breasts are changing or whilst nursing, this could lead to a blocked milk duct. However most maternity bras offer such good support, that you will not necessarily need the underwire.
Nursing Bras
When your little one has arrived, it is time to change from the maternity bra to a nursing bra, to make sure you are in the right size nursing bra, it is important to get fitted at 38 weeks. This is the best time for the fitter to guesstimate your size for when you are nursing. Nursing bras offer the same comfort and support as the maternity bras, however as this is a breastfeeding bra, it also needs some practical features to make feeding easier. You will notice that bras have easy clip fastenings on the straps and cups. These clips can easily be undone with one hand so you have the other free to cradle your baby. They also offer an A-frame support, contained within the cup. Two bands stretch from the strap to the centre of the bra and to the side, this keeps your bra in place whilst nursing, but also offers a nicer shape and better support in the bra. As with maternity bras, the wire free styles are favoured, however if you choose an underwired bra, make sure that it has a soft flexible wire, like the Cake Velvet Delight.
Remember if in doubt, Eloise Mama offer a specialist fitting service at our South Wimbledon and Huntingdon showrooms, just contact us for a free fitting appointment.
