Shopping for maternity clothing can be fun and exciting. Most women enjoy building their wardrobe by buying tops and pants or skirts that will fit them well as their bodies change. Buying a maternity or nursing bra or pregnancy underwear may not occur to them and yet these two garments can help a woman look and feel her best while she is expecting.
When a woman gets pregnant, her body undergoes a lot of changes in both her stomach region and in her breasts. A woman’s breasts will get larger and heavier as they get ready to produce milk. While a woman may be able to wear her existing underwear, maternity or nursing bras will likely become a necessity, especially if a woman has larger breasts to begin with.
Although breastfeeding brassieres can be worn during pregnancy, there are differences between maternity and nursing models. While both are built for support, comfort and modesty, models that are made for nursing are designed so that a woman can un-clip the cup and open it in order to let the baby have access to the breast.
Brassieres that are bought in pregnancy need to fit just as well as any that would be worn at other times. The straps should be wide enough that they do not dig into the skin and the band should fit low on the back and not ride up. This provides the framework of support that a woman’s breasts need to stay comfortable and to prevent sagging.
Many expectant mothers do not realize that they may need to purchase two different sizes of bra. They may purchase theirs too early in pregnancy or not have themselves refitted after their milk comes in. This can lead to clogged milk ducts, sagging breasts and reduced milk production. It may be a good idea to go in shortly after a woman’s milk has fully come in so that a proper sized brassiere can be purchased.
Women may worry that they will not be able to find models that suit their personal style. There are nursing versions of many different bras. Some examples include sports styles that have fuller coverage and thicker straps, under wire models that have beautiful fabrics and lots of lace, and full-cup models that provide comfort and support for women with larger breasts. If you like the idea of a model that has an under wire, you want to make sure that it does not pinch or compress your milk ducts since this can interfere with breastfeeding.
It is always a good idea to try on a bra before you buy it. You want to make sure that you can open the flaps easily with one hand and that a large portion of the front of the breast is exposed. Babies tend to focus on the dark area around the nipple while they are breastfeeding and it can help if they can see a large portion of your breast.
There are many different places that you can find a nursing bra. Many women think that the only place to find them is in a maternity store but they can also be found in department stores, some lingerie stores and on websites that offer maternity clothing and undergarments. Wherever you buy them, it is important to try them on, especially if it is a style or model that you have never purchased before. Once you know the right size you can begin to look for bras that make you look and feel beautiful and feminine.
Choose a nursing bra that provides comfort while you are feeding your baby. Maternity bras must fit correctly and provide good support