William Rosenthal, president of Maidenform bra company, made undergarment history in 1927 when his company launched the first maternity nursing bras. Nursing bras are stretchy so they don’t bind the breasts, which would interfere with your milk coming in. A too small or too tight bra can cause your milk ducts to clog, which is not good for breast feeding or for your comfort. But your breasts still need support. The size of your breasts fluctuates through pregnancy, and as your milk comes in. A woman’s breasts can swell and enlarge up to three cup sizes within an hour as the milk fills the breast to feed the baby. Nursing bras are forgiving and typically adjustable as well to accommodate these changes in size.
If you are planning to breast feed, you will need maternity nursing bras. This is not a frivolous purchase. This is a necessity. The nursing bra is designed to allow ease of access to the nipple. When you have a hungry, yelling baby, it’s important to be able to get the infant to the milk as quickly as possible. A nursing bra has clasps that you can unhook and pull down the cup of the bra so your nipple is exposed.
Many people feel that maternity nursing bras are all about function so how they look doesn’t matter. However, some companies are changing that perception by creating attractive bras that are still fully functional and practical. They also offer comfort for expanding breasts, which is typical during pregnancy.
The fabric construction of maternity nursing bras is crucial. Breastfeeding makes your breasts and nipples quite sore. Pregnancy often has this same effect as well. Cotton makes great nursing bras. The fabric must be breathable and have a lot of give to it. Cotton dries really quickly, so it’s a standard choice for these bras.
The construction of maternity nursing bras is geared around adjusting to your ever-changing body. The band of this bra will be wider and rather than three different hooks and eyes, there are usually four or five to choose from. Also, there are typically two sets above and below rather than just two hooks and eyes total.
If you order your maternity nursing bra online, order several sizes and designs. Try them all on and have someone else adjust the straps for you. The straps should fit quite snugly to the skin. When you’ve decided upon the correct size and design, send back the bras you don’t like. (Be sure to check the company’s return policy before ordering.)
Take special care with your maternity nursing bra. Hand wash it and then hang it up to dry or let it dry flat overnight. When you get up the next morning and need it to wear, it will be clean and fresh. A lot of women have found that simply wearing their nursing bra in the shower and then using a scented shower or bath gel to clean it makes for a more pleasant wearing the next day and makes cleaning it easier as well.