In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I wanted to share two posts about breastfeeding topics I don’t see talked about a lot… nursing bras and mastitis. Today I’ll share about the three bras every nursing mom needs, and later this week I’ll share tips for surviving mastitis!
A little background if you’re new here. I have four lovely children whom I have had the privilege of breastfeeding. (My youngest is eleven months and still nursing.) I know not everyone is able to breastfeed or chooses to do so, but I count it a precious gift and I don’t take it for granted! I’ve now nursed for a total of fifty-six months, and I’ve experienced many hurdles along the way (engorgement, clogged ducts, cracked nipples, mastitis, nursing while pregnant, ETC.). I’ve learned a lot, and I hope to be able to share that with other moms, especially since so many moms have shared their wisdom with me!
Keep reading to learn about my favorite nursing bras!
Tips for finding a good nursing bra
It’s important to find a great nursing bra, but it can be challenging to find the time to shop! While you can purchase a nursing bra before your baby arrives (and probably should), your size and shape probably will change after baby has made his or her appearance. I’ve always gone bra shopping right after my six-week postpartum checkup. At that point, things have regulated a good bit and you’re probably ready to find a supportive bra you can wear every day. If you breastfeeding longer than a year, you may need a different size bra at that point.
I love shopping at my local bra/breastfeeding store. (Local friends, it’s across from the hospital.) The owner is so knowledgeable about breastfeeding, babies, and bras, and she’s an expert at finding the perfectly fitting bra for you! In case you’re wondering, getting fitted for a bra is not awkward or weird. She’ll measure you in the store (over your shirt) and let you know what size you should try on. At my store, there is a spacious fitting room and she gives you plenty of time to try on your bras and find a great fit.
One tip: make sure to unlatch the clasp and fold down the cup like you would when nursing so you can see if that style will work for you.
Another tip: put your shirt back on over the bra so you can see if there is enough coverage and if you like the shape that this particular bra gives your body.
If you don’t have a store like that in your area, try to find a store (maybe a department store or a regular bra store) that will give you a fitting. Then shop online at a retailer that offers free returns so you can try on a few styles at home and send back what doesn’t work. Even big-box stores like Target have a better selection online, and many times you can take returns back to the store instead of mailing them.
Throughout this post I’ll be linking to Amazon.com, but I found good (sometimes better) prices (and of course excellent service) at my local bra store! Shop local if you are able to and support these wonderful stores that help support us in our breastfeeding journeys!
Here are the three bras you need:
1. A Workhorse Bra
This is the first bra you should invest in… a super-amazing, could-wear-it-every-day, supportive, fits-like-a-dream bra. It may take trying on a slew of bras to find “the one,” but when you do, you’ll know! (And you’ll wonder why you’ve settled for a bad bra up until this point!) I really like this one because it doesn’t have underwire (which doesn’t seem to work for me anymore), but if you don’t mind underwire, this one is also really great! Getting a the right size and trying it on is crucial (like I said already). You’ll want to make sure you like the closure, the way the cups feel, and the coverage offered by the cups.
2. A Comfy Bra
You’ll also want a super-comfortable bra for sleeping in and for the early days when you’re home a lot. (And you can wear this while your main bra is in the wash!) Just because a bra is comfortable enough to sleep in doesn’t mean it needs to be frumpy! I adore this one for lounging, sleeping, and light workouts such as yoga (but you’ll need something more supportive for running marathons, haha!). I love the soft pink color, but it does come in a couple of other colors. Another good option is this one!
3. A Pretty Bra
Finally, if you’re planning on breastfeeding for any length of time, you’re going to want something pretty you can wear for special occasions! This is not as essential as the other two bras, but I still think it can make a difference in how you feel when you’re still breastfeeding at the 9-month, one year, or 18-month mark. I bought this one because it is so feminine and pretty (and it’s comfortable too)! I haven’t tried this one on, but it also looks nice.
A final tip: take care of your bras by washing them (regularly!) on the delicate cycle and hanging them up to dry.
Also, I should add, when I felt a little woozy spending this much on bras (I bought all three of these on the same day), I just remembered how much infant formula costs!
Feel free to pin this image for future reference, or to share with other mom friends!
Happy breastfeeding!
Aliesha Caldwell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Ugh… when I was nursing babies, it was near impossible to find a good nursing bra. I am a hard to find size as it is, then add in nursing breasts that are larger than normal, and I had like 2 options of bras that actually came in my size. I’m so glad to be done with that!
I hear ya! Wish it hadn’t taken me four babies to find the good bras! HA!