Nursing Bras for Lactating Moms

Life for lactating moms can be very difficult. Indeed, this is the time in most women’s lives when we gain the skills of multitasking; doing many things, for many people, all at the same time. Usually, most new moms find it difficult, and it is not surprising when considering what they have to do. During the time when she could be preparing food, sanitizing bottles, doing the laundry, ironing, mopping the floor or simply dusting the home, when baby needs feeding, it has to be done instantly.

To enable mom to do this as easily as possible, it’s important to wear a nursing bra which make the task doable and provides some comfort; they are specifically made for lactating mothers. After a short time of getting used to your new bra, you will be able to provide more or less instant access to your breasts for baby to feed on without having to remove it.

Like most things in life, some nursing bras are great, particularly the better quality ones, while others are quite poor. For sure, the quality of the materials used and the design of the bra play important parts in its overall functionality.

So what should you consider?

Firstly, do not go out and buy dozens of bras until later in your pregnancy; leave it until week 35 or 36. Furthermore, it is advisable that you buy just two or perhaps three at most on your first bras shopping trip. Please bear in mind that the size of your boobs will change, sometimes significantly, during the pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods.

So, the ideal time to purchase a nursing bra is approximately three weeks prior to your baby’s scheduled birth. This is the time when your boobs are probably at their biggest size plus your older bras will no longer fit you very well. Before going shopping it is extremely important that you get accurately measured so you gain maximum benefit from the items you are about to invest in. I would strongly recommend that you go to someone who is trained to do this for you, however, I realize that this is not always possible so you may want to take a look at this video, ‘how to measure for a nursing bra‘.

When you do finally choose a nursing bra, it’s a good idea to ensure that it is large enough to accommodate nursing pads as well as providing sufficient support that’s required when feeding your new born infant. The bra should feature easy to remove drop flaps (another option is a zipped cup) so as to provide immediate accessibility for your hungry baby. You can buy a bra which has a complete opening, but I would strongly suggest that these are not suitable for breastfeeding moms as it becomes very difficult getting your boobs back into position.

Some bras come with a pumping system which is extremely useful should you want to reserve some milk before you start doing your myriad of household chores and the million other things that we girls have to do. The only word of caution I would offer at this point is to ensure that a feature like this offers a free-hands option.

Something I’ve always an advised against of bras fitted with under wire support. When fitted in a nursing bra it becomes cumbersome and makes breastfeeding a little more tiresome. It may also, inadvertently impede the flow of milk via the ducts thus causing you complications.

A good bra will ideally be manufactured with a breathable material which allows a flow of air to pass through the fabric of the cups. One of the better materials is good old fashioned cotton, however, as technology improves, manufacturers are creating new kinds of synthetic fabrics that offer the same benefits.

As I said at the head of this article, do not buy too many bras and the same time. It’s a good idea to do some testing as you go through your pregnancy and post pregnancy periods. As a result of buying different kinds of brass, you will ultimately decide which the best product is for you.

Finally, not all bras are the same; they may look similar, but by virtue of its functional requirement, you are well advised to pay attention to what you really need when buying a nursing bra. After all, don’t you and your baby deserve the best that money can buy? I think you do!

Warmest Regards,

Ava Prekas