It can be so confusing to find the correct size of a bra after pregnancy when everything in your body changes. The most common question that many new moms ask themselves is, “What size nursing bra should I get?” Comfort is not the only criterion of the right fit; it should also be about healthy milk flow, avoiding discomfort, and making breastfeeding more convenient.
You want a stretchy and soft one to wear during the early days or a Momcozy padded nursing bra to have additional support and cover, it is important to know how to measure and make the right choice of the size. Our step-by-step guide will give you the steps to follow to measure yourself, learn about size charts, and make changes as your body grows to match your breastfeeding experience.
Why Proper Sizing Matters During Breastfeeding
Fit contributes towards the elimination of discomfort – back pain, shoulder strain, skin irritation and chafing.
- Poorly-fitting bras may influence the milk flow, milk stagnation (clogged ducts or mastitis), or latching may become more difficult.
- As breasts vary in size (during pregnancy, milk coming in, engorgement, etc.), when their size changes, having a bra that fits such changes will result in fewer concerns and increased comfort.
Understanding the Difference Between Maternity and Nursing Bra Sizing
- Maternity bras are made to accommodate pregnancy: lighter support, stretch, increased space, and possibly less structure. They support the alteration of the size and shape of the breast during pregnancy.
- Nursing bras are post-birth: they have feeding options (e.g., drop cups, full-drop, clip-down, wrap styles), and have additional adjustability due to any changes.
A bra is sometimes maternity and nursing (can be worn throughout late pregnancy and nursing). However, later you might require a more supportive or structured padded nursing bra according to your taste and changes in your breasts.
How to Measure Your Band and Bust Size at Home
You will wish to do this where your breasts are full, preferably before a feeding, and the measurement is called peak size.
Here are the steps:
- Use a non-padded, non-compressive bra (have your breasts as natural as possible).
- Underbust /band size:
- Use a soft measuring tape
- Pluck it around your ribcage under the breasts.
- The tape must be flat, tight without being scratchy.
- Round off to the nearest whole number (some of you may say to the nearest even number)
- Measure your bust (over-bust / fullest part of the breast):
- The taping circles your back and over the entirety of the largest part of your breast (typically at the level of the nipples)
- Tape level and make sure that it is not compressing breast tissue.
- Calculate cup size:
- Bust measurement is less than band measurement.
- The variation in inches is usually in the form of cup size ( 1 inch = A, 2 = B, 3 = C etc.).
- Check with the size chart: Due to the fact that sizing and cup definitions are different by brand, consult the size chart of a certain brand.
When and How Your Size Might Change Postpartum
- Once you are born, when your milk comes in (milk-coming-in phase), your breasts may swell, this normally occurs in a matter of a few days. become big or get adjustable options.
- Fluctuations: Breasts may fluctuate in size, becoming larger during a feed or after pumping, and smaller during the intervals.
- With time (it can take weeks up to several months after childbirth), the situation might stabilize: the milk supply will stabilize, the swelling will decrease, and the size may decrease slightly or alter its shape.
Using Size Charts to Match Measurements to Bra Sizes
- Each brand (Momcozy, etc.) is going to have its size chart. Check those charts once you have your band + bust measurements + cup calculation.
- Additionally, look with special sizing (and some brands also offer Busty-size or larger cup sizes) in case you are over a particular cup size.
- Think about sister-sizes: in case your band size is not comfortable (it is too tight or slides around), you can change to a bigger band and a smaller cup (or vice versa).
Tips for Sizing Up for Milk Flow and Breast Changes
- Find bras that have adjustable hooks (additional rows at the back) to be able to loosen/tighten them accordingly.
- Select more stretchy materials or those that have elastane/spandex so that they will flex.
- In the case of padded nursing bras, padding is good when you wish to flatten the shape or conceal nipples; yet it must be accommodating enough such that padding in addition to nursing pad and your breast during an engorged period will not be crowded.
Trying On Bras: Fit, Comfort, and Adjustability
Check when you place a nursing or padded nursing bra, check:
- Band fit: This should be level (not scooped in back), It should be snug but not tight; must be able to slide two fingers under the back band.
- Cup coverage: There is no spillage at the top, sides or bottom; cup is not gapping. The breast must fit well in the cup.
- Center gore: The central piece in between the cups is to lie flat against the sternum. In case it flies off, the cup might be too small or the style improper.
- Straps: These should not be diggy or sliding; they should have the ability to adjust. But straps get less work – the band ought to take the larger share of it.
- Access to nursing: Find out the ease of opening the cup with one hand by flipping/dropping/sliding the cup. You will do this a thousand times, probably when you hold your baby.
In the case of padded styles, also see how the padded cup can fit changes of volume (e.g., engorgement or nursing pad). You do not want to be in pain.
When to Re-Measure as Your Nursing Journey Progresses
- Once the size jumps (after birth), milk comes in.
- In case of discomfort, tightness, or if the band is too loose.
- In case you lose or gain weight after childbirth.
- After every few months of the first half-year and three months (or earlier, when necessary)
In case you change the style of bra (e.g., to a more padded/structured one) or when you are more active (you want something more supportive).
Conclusion
When deciding on the appropriate nursing bra, the first thing to consider is to measure correctly your under-bust and bust when your breasts are full. These measurements will assist in determining the size of your cup and aligning it with the sizing chart of the brand so as to have the perfect fit. In case you want a padded nursing bra, the padding should not push your breasts into a compact shape and should also have the room to accommodate the natural changes as you continue the breastfeeding process.