The sweet yet tiring period of pregnancy and childbirth is a time to cherish. Holding your lil’ bundle of joy is a great delight in itself, isn’t it? In a time like this, it is important for a mother to establish that bond and nourish her munchkin rather than traumatizing on finding ways to soothe her feeding experience. For this very reason, nursing bras are something that were wholly crafted keeping comfort and ease of feeding in mind.
What Is the Difference between a Normal Bra and Nursing Bra?
| Regular bra | Nursing bra |
| No front openings | Easy front openings suitable for feeding |
| Conventional cups with/ without padding | Leak-absorption cups with soft padding |
| Regular shoulder straps | Broad shoulder straps |
Why Nursing Bras?
- Nursing bras, in general, come with front or side opening cups that eliminates the need to remove your entire bra while feeding. This is most suitable when you have to feed in public places/ feeding rooms where unclasping your bra in one hand is quite a task.
- Similarly, breast leakage is another difficulty that forces a new mother to stay at home. But, times have changed and maternity bras come with soft-padded cups that are molded to absorb leakage.
- Talking about the bra’s support, you’ll not be surprised to find that the shoulder straps and back closure are broader than the regular ones. This is for the very reason that lactating breasts are much heavier and sensitive and hence require the need for wider straps and back closure.
When to Shop a Nursing Bra?
It is always advisable to shop pregnancy bras a month in advance of your date of delivery. Firstly, you’re going to find no time to go shopping anytime soon after your child’s birth. Moreover, you’ll be prone to a lot of physical and biological changes that’ll curb you from stepping out in hunt for a good feeding bra.
Hence, along with your maternity shopping, make it a point to shop good-quality nursing bras as well.
Does the Nursing Bra Size Differ from My Normal Bra Size?
You can witness a considerable increase in breast size during the time of pregnancy and after child birth. This is because of lactation and hormonal changes that occur in a new mother. So, it is wise to measure your breast size before you go ahead and buy a nursing bra. Use online bra size calculator or get the help of a fitting expert for the same.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Wearing a Nursing Bra
- Place your cups in such a way that they accommodate the breast tissues leaving no room for spillage.
- Once the cups are set, gently hook the bra. Do not use the flip-and-turn technique as your nursing bra might soon lose its elasticity.
- Now, adjust the shoulder straps using metal/ plastic sliders to achieve the right fit.
- If it’s an underwired nursing bra, trace a finger underneath the cups to double-check for poking wires.
- Unfasten and fasten the front closure to make sure there is no discomfort during feeding.
It’s true that women undergo a lot during maternity, but, it is also a fact that only after all the hardship, you get to embrace the sweetness of motherhood. And, during this time, there could be no better companion than a nursing bra to stand by your side no matter what.
