Fitting tips and tidbits:

Underwires

MYTH: You should not wear an underwire bra while nursing.

TRUTH: This is an oversimplification and is not true.

It is OK to wear an underwire while nursing AS LONG AS the bra is well fitted and the wires are not pressing on soft breast tissue.  This is often best done after the first few weeks of nursing when your breast size has settled down and isn't fluctuating as much.

-Never sleep in your underwire bra.  Choose a softcup or sleep bra for lounging and nighttime wear.  Save the underwire bra for daytime.

TIP: If you are choosing only 1 or 2 bra styles to start with, be sure that at least one style is a softcup or a sleep/lounge bra such as the Bravado Original bra.

Sleeping in a bra

MYTH: You have to sleep in a bra when nursing. Don't get bullied into feeling that you must sleep in a bra by a well meaning hospital nurse--do what feels right for you.

TRUTH: It is NOT mandatory. It can be a comfort measure when your nipples are tender or your breasts are heavy and light support in bed can feel good.

Never sleep in an underwire bra.

When to get fitted for a nursing bra

There are two basic times to be fitted for a nursing bra during pregnancy.

1. Whenever you outgrow your regular non-nursing bra, get a nursing bra that you will be able to wear after your baby is born instead of a fashion (non-nursing bra) that you will very likely not fit into when you are ready for that style again.

2. The last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy is the ideal to be fitted for your nursing bras. You are the closes to the size that you will be when your baby is born. We will fit you so that you can tighten the band size as your ribcage becomes smaller after birth. Nursing bras offer growth room in the cups to provide for the extra room you will need when your milk comes in.

MYTH: Wait until your baby is born to buy nursing bras.

TRUTH: When you are at home with your newborn baby, you will have better things to do than go out shopping.

TIP: Get them ahead of time! Send in a family member or friend after your baby is here to purchase more for you if needed.

Common sense guidelines for nursing bras:

Maternity and nursing bras should frame the breast not pick them up and put them elsewhere as many fashion bras aim to.

The more bras you have, the longer all of them will last. 

Handwash your nursing bras and hang them up to dry.  Washing machines are hard on underwire bras. Frequent machine washing in high temperature water will diminish the elasticity of the spandex, lycra and elastic in your bras.