If you're pregnant or you've just had a baby, but you haven't a clue about your bra size anymore, you're definitely not alone - maternity bra fitting can be a minefield! Your body is going through so many changes, from growing a fully-formed human being to preparing for the birth and then continuing to nourish your child thereafter - it's no wonder that 78% of women struggle to know what bra size they are by the time they've brought their little bundle of joy into the world.
More than half (54%) of the 500 women polled in a new study were unsure about the bra guidance they had come across whilst breastfeeding. If this sounds like you or you're worried about knowing what bras to wear when you get to that stage, don't worry, you're in good hands. Georgina Bibby, a lingerie expert from NEXT has teamed up with midwife and breastfeeding consultant, Lucy Webber, to answer our readers' most asked questions about the best nursing and maternity bras to wear during pregnancy and beyond.
How do your breasts change during pregnancy?
As if motherhood wasn't going to be challenging enough, especially for first-time mums, the changes that are happening to your body during this time are probably enough to leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused - and it starts early on...
Changes in your breasts can be some of the first signs of pregnancy, and you probably started to notice the differences right back when you first suspected or found out you were pregnant. The NHS says "Your breasts may become larger and feel tender, just as they might do before your period. They may also tingle", and, "The veins may be more visible, and the nipples may darken and stand out." Sound familiar?
As your breasts have grown during your pregnancy, they won't just be feeling different, they'll start to look different too. Lucy explains: "Pregnancy causes changes to breast tissue that may cause them to sit lower than they did before", and reassures; "It's normal for breasts to change."
No woman is the same, of course, but it's likely that your breasts will increase by around one to two bra cup sizes bigger than before pregnancy. not only this, but your nipples will also become larger along with your breasts as they grow due to the milk-producing cells getting bigger. New bras are defintely going to be needed!
Do I have to wear a bra when pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you didn't wear a bra previously, either because you didn't need or want to, you might wonder if your breasts will need the extra support now that you're pregnant.
Lucy reassures, "It’s a myth that you ‘must’ wear a bra, and it’s a myth that you ‘must not’! It is a choice that comes down to each individual."
So go with whatever you feel most comfortable with, and don't worry about what other people are saying. It's your body and the decision as to whether you wear a bra or not doesn't need to have anything to do with the fact that you're pregnant.
When to get fitted for a maternity bra
If you're used to wearing bras and want to continue to do so, you're goin to find that pretty soon your bras won't be comfortable anymore, and you'll probably have to be refitted and go up a few sizes as your pregnancy develops to help provide support for the extra weight you're carrying if this is what you're used to.
Knowing what bras to choose and when to get fitted can be confusing though, so we've done some research to answer your questions, and also found out from our experts what their maternity bra fitting advice is...
How should a maternity bra fit?
According to The National Childbirth trust these tips will help you know how to tell if a bra fits well, and this applies to both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Bra fitting tips
• The entire breast should fit comfortably inside the bra cup
• Check that no breast tissue is bulging above or at the sides
• The centre front should sit flat against your body, no matter how big your breast
• The band around the bottom should lie horizontally across your back
• Make sure the band is at the same level back and front, and doen't arch when you move
• Check by makihng sure you can pull the band about an inch away from the body
• Straps should sit on your shoulders without slipping or digging in
• Make sure the straps are not carrying the weight of the breasts, and adjust for comfort
• With underwired bras, the wire must sit flat against the body and around the breast
• Make sure there is no gaping, digging in or pressing down on any breast tissue
• Buy a bra that does up comfortably on the tightest hook to allow room for growth during pregnancy
• Go for maternity bras that double up as nursing bras with a clip for breastfeeding later on
The National Childbirth Trust advises that an ill-fitted bra can cause poor posture, back pain and neck pain, and blocked ducts which can lead to mastitis. So, it is really important to find the right bra for you.
When to get fitted for a nursing bra
Once you've had your baby, you might be wondering if you need to be refitted for a bra - yet again! 3 in 5 of women in the study were unsure about wearing a bra whilst breastfeeding, and over half didn't know when to buy a nursing bra during their pregnancy.
Lucy explains, “There is confusion about when to buy a nursing bra, whether to get it during pregnancy or after the baby has been born. If you do choose to wear bras, you may need to change size several times during pregnancy (though you may not) because the size of your breasts and rib cage can change."
When it comes to when you should buy your nursing bras, Lucy says, “Some people buy them in the last few weeks of pregnancy, but it’s important to keep in mind that breasts can change size (sometimes) significantly in that first week or two - so you either need to get a bra that can allow for this, which is hard to predict, or invest in new ones if needed."
Lucy suggests opting for a soft bralette-style bra top for those early days until you feel comfortable and that your breast size has settled in.
FAQ: Wearing a bra while breastfeeding
We know that loads of you want to know all sorts of things about wearing a bra while breastfeeding, and lucky foir us (and you) Lucy has answered all of your questions...
Is it safe to wear a bra while breastfeeding?
“Yes, it can be safe to wear a bra providing it is the right fit for you, and it feels comfortable. “It is well known that a sizeable percentage of people wear the wrong size bra. So, it is important to bear in mind that an ill-fitting bra could potentially cause blocked ducts and mastitis.”
Can you wear a wired bra when breastfeeding?
“In the early weeks and months of postpartum, breast size can change, meaning a wired bra may not be the best option. However, once your bra size has settled, a wired bra may be fine if it is the right fit. It is important to regularly check breast size fluctuations to ensure you’re wearing the right fit throughout your breastfeeding journey.”
What type of bra should you wear when breastfeeding?
“If you want to wear a bra, you can wear both a regular, well-fitting bra and a nursing bra. Nursing bras are specially adapted to allow the cups to be unclipped and dropped down, making it easier for feeding.”
Don't forget that the right bra can also make it easier when using a breast pump, or a handsfree breast pump while pumping on the go. Alternatively you might be using a pumping bra. Getting a maternity sleep bra will also help make those night feed goes so much more smoothly. Yep, lots of bras to choose from!
How can a nursing bra help with breastfeeding?
“Nursing bras can be helpful for those who wish to use them when breastfeeding. They can be unclipped to move the cup out of the way for ease during feeding, meaning you don’t need to remove the entire bra.
“You’ll be less tempted to move a regular bra into an awkward position for a feed, which can lead to compression and damage the breast tissue. Nursing bras are also useful for those who want to avoid showing too much skin when feeding.”
How many breastfeeding bras do I need?
“Three to five is fine for most people, depending on how often household laundry is done. Although it is important to remember that your size may change over the first few weeks and months, which may require you to update your bra collection throughout the breastfeeding period.”
Should you wear a bra at night when breastfeeding?
“Choosing to wear a bra at night is entirely up to you. Some people find they want to in the early days for support and to hold breast pads in place, whilst some choose to wear them long-term as they feel more comfortable, and others don’t wear them at all.
“You can get sleep bras if this is something you choose to do, but it’s important to make sure that it’s not going to dig into your breast tissue no matter which position you’re lying in.”
Postpartum bra fitting advice (expert)
Postpartum can be astressful time for women who struggle to know what clothes to wear while they try to come to terms with their new size and body shape. This includes their new bra size. As we've said, breasts undergo many changes during pregnancy, including them sitting lower than before, and while this is perfectly normal, your breasts may never be the same again. Georgina says, “Everyone is different but your boobs do typically tend to change size and therefore shape postpartum.” This isn't a bad thing, but it does mean that your old bras and bra size may well be history.
Should you get your bra size remeasured postpartum?
So, now that you've given birth and survived to tell the tale, you may be wondering if it's time to get refitted once more. Georgina recommends; "You should absolutely get re-measured after you have had a baby but I would leave it a few months, especially if breastfeeding. It is recommended that you get fitted three to four months after delivery, this gives you time to establish and regulate your milk supply and breast tissue." Georgina adds, "The best time to be fitted is midday when your breasts are full, before feeding."
How do you know if your bra is fitting correctly postpartum?
Georgina explains, “Comfort is key, your breast should be fully encased in the cups and the band of the bra fit level around your body and be secure/not lift off your body when you raise your arms. The centre front should sit flat against your rib cage regardless of the size of your breasts.”
You can refer back to our checklist above for tips on how to know if your bra fits correctly.
What bra materials should you look out for?
Georgina recommends, “soft comfortable stretch materials with lycra and that seamfree styles are ideal when looking for a postpartum bra. Wired bras are acceptable but should be fitted correctly. For those who find a wired bra uncomfortable, non-wired styles might be preferable and can still provide support if fitted correctly.”
To explore the variety of maternity and nursing bras available, visit the NEXT website.
About the experts
Georgina Bibby is the Senior Lingerie & Swimwear Technologist at Next. She has been a branded lingerie technical designer for over 20 years and thrives on the challenge of engineering the perfect fitting lingerie, swimwear & shape-wear within price and lead time.
Lucy Webber is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Registered Midwife (RM). Lucy is also a member of the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain, and fully insured.
Proud aunt to her teen niece, Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She has 10 years freelance writing experience creating lifestyle content for various platforms, including pregnancy, women’s health, parenting, child development and child mental health, plus lots of fun seasonal family articles and celebrity news.