After the birth of a baby, with the flow of milk, a woman's breasts become heavy and full. The maximum size is reached in the third to fourth week after birth. Then the volume decreases slightly.
Lactation is finally established by the sixth month after birth. Milk is no longer produced in advance, but appears after sucking. At this time, the breasts acquire the approximate size that they were before feeding.
During pregnancy and lactation, a woman's breasts undergo great changes. Unfortunately, during breastfeeding and after lactation ends, the mother may face big problems. First of all, these are cracks and abrasions on the nipples. In addition, after breastfeeding ends, breasts sag and stretch marks appear. To find out how to get back into shape, read the article “How to restore breasts after breastfeeding.”
Properly selected underwear for nursing mothers will help avoid such problems. You can choose and buy a nursing bra in the first six months after giving birth as early as the eighth month of pregnancy. It is at this time that the breasts acquire approximate final dimensions.
Rules for choosing a nursing bra
- Choose cups with clasps that can be opened and closed with one hand;
- The bra always supports the breasts from below, even with open cups;
- Don't wear tight bras. The underwires and straps of such underwear compress the breasts and block the milk duct. Then the baby will not receive the required amount of milk. In addition, stagnation of milk leads to the formation of mastitis!;
- In the first weeks after giving birth, it is better to use a bralette. They interfere with the normal flow of breast milk. In addition, they cause discomfort to the nursing mother;
- Choose cups made of breathable fabric, preferably cotton or modern microfiber-based synthetic fabrics. Remember that synthetics and plastic films collect moisture around the nipples. Excessive moisture leads to the appearance and development of infection and inflammation;
- Cotton underwear should contain 5-10% elastic fabrics. For example, lycra or elastane. This bodice has a more neat appearance. And it will last longer than 100% cotton;
- The first nursing bra should not contain seams on the inside of the cup. Because the seams rub the nipples, resulting in breast pain, cracks and discomfort. In the future, make sure that the seams are not located in the nipple area;
- Since bust size changes during breastfeeding, you can buy two bras during late pregnancy. One of which will be true to size, and the second one will be larger.
- Additional underwear can be purchased in the third or fourth week after the baby is born, when lactation is more or less established;
- If you have large breasts, choose a bra with extra support. A bodice with all-round support is suitable;
- During breastfeeding, it is convenient to use special pads in the bra. They will absorb excess milk, provide comfort and hygiene. Don't forget to change the earbuds when they get wet.
Let's consider all the “Pros” and “Cons”
Representatives of the fair sex and doctors have been arguing for a very long time about whether a woman needs this attribute of clothing or whether to abandon it altogether. Here are some suggestions against the bra:
- increased chance of breast cancer;
- mastitis worsens, if it predominates;
- the hormone melatonin (the main function is to maintain youth in the body) is produced less well;
- There is no medical evidence for compulsory bra wearing.
But in truth, it is very difficult for a nursing mother. Her breasts are constantly filling with milk and to prevent deformation and sprains, she definitely needs fixation and support. However, not everyone knows how to choose the right model that will not cause discomfort or squeeze the chest, but, on the contrary, will bring only joy.
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If the bra was chosen incorrectly and turns out to be uncomfortable, then the woman has an increased risk of obstructed milk flow through the ducts. In the future, this leads to lactostasis - unpleasant compactions in the mammary glands. If this problem is not eliminated in time, serious complications and mastopathy begin. And then not only the mother, but also the baby itself can be harmed.
In our modern world, fortunately, there are many underwear for nursing or pregnant women. They can purchase a model according to their size and shape in a special department or store. It is worth paying attention to the material and style. But if you want something special, you can always turn to an online store for help.
Nursing bra styles
Top
Reminds me of a short T-shirt. This stretchy, non-wired top is great for breastfeeding moms. The big advantage of this top is quick and comfortable access to the breasts, which can be easily released by simply sliding the cup.
However, such underwear does not provide adequate support and is not suitable for women with heavy or large breasts. The top is best used during the period of establishing lactation, namely in the first months after childbirth.
With all-round support
They are made like a classic bodice, but this type of cup has two layers. A special slot is made in the inner layer for the nipple and areola. The top layer can be easily unfastened and turned to the side. This bodice supports the bust well, but requires more careful selection of the size. The all-round support bra can be purchased with or without underwire.
Open cups
The bust is supported only from below using flexible bones. One of the cups of this bodice comes unfastened and completely opens the chest. This type is suitable for small breasts or after 5-6 months of feeding. They have an attractive appearance and have no restrictions in design. However, access to the nipples will be difficult and not the fastest.
Types of bras for nursing women
Choose underwear that is made only from natural and smooth fabric, without seams. This option will be the most suitable, since it is hypoallergenic and does not rub the mammary glands, but they are extremely sensitive when feeding a child.
If you still like ruffles and lace, or synthetic products, still make sure that the insert inside the bodice is made of cotton and completely hides the areola and nipples.
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More expensive models made from the highest quality material contain antibacterial inserts, but in terms of grace and elegance they are not inferior to those on the shelves of expensive boutiques.
Experts pay attention to the correct wearing of underwear for nursing mothers with underwires. Their use is not prohibited, despite the opinion of society, but it is recommended to wear it for a short time and only during the daytime. If you like such models, then the inserts must be plastic. It is possible that metal bones will tear the product and damage your breasts.
At night, it is advisable to use a top made of knitwear or linen.
It is perfect for breastfeeding and maintains breast hygiene. However, a woman with small breasts can afford this option. For voluminous breasts, there are classic lactation bras with a cup-valve; you just need to unfasten the top part.
In tandem with a shirt or T-shirt along with a stole, a woman can easily feed her baby even in a public place, in the absence of a special room for mother and child.
How to determine size
The standard marking contains two symbols. The letter indicates the cup size (chest volume), and the number indicates the volume under the bust. Nursing tops are sometimes labeled by bust measurement only, as the stretchy fabric stretches to accommodate different sizes. Sometimes tops indicate double cup volume. For example, 75 A-B. This indicates that the bodice is suitable for bust sizes 1 and 2 and has a girth of 75 centimeters. In addition, the top can simply indicate the size of the clothing (S, M, L, etc..).
To choose the right underwear, use the bra size chart.
| Bra size | Chest (cm) | Underbust circumference |
| 70 A | 82-84 | 68-72 cm |
| 70 V | 85-86 | |
| 75 A | 87-89 | 73-77 cm |
| 75 B | 89-91 | |
| 75 C | 91-93 | |
| 75 D | 94-96 | |
| 80 B | 94-96 | 78-82 cm |
| 80 C | 96-98 | |
| 80 D | 98-100 | |
| 85 B | 100-101 | 83-87 cm |
| 85 C | 101-103 | |
| 85 D | 104-106 | |
| 90 C | 106-108 | 88-92 cm |
| 90 B | 108-110 | |
| 95 C | 111-113 | 93-97 cm |
| 95D | 113-115 | |
| 95 E | 115-117 | |
| 100D | 118-120 | 98-102 cm |
| 100 E | 120-122 |
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How to choose a nursing bra size?
When choosing a bra, the most important thing is to measure your breasts correctly. This can be done at home in a comfortable environment or in a store with the help of a specialist. Every woman is unique, so measurement is the very first and most important step.
Once you have decided on your size, try on the bra to make sure you are comfortable in it. At the same time, you can check whether the bra has comfortable clasps and detachable cups, whether you are satisfied with its shape and quality of material, how well it supports your breasts, whether it is invisible under clothes, and so on.
Check whether it is convenient to unfasten the bra clasps with one hand. This is important because you will have to unfasten and fasten them with one hand all the time - you will be holding the baby with the other.
Why does a nursing mother need a bra?
The shape and size of the breast depends on the genetic predisposition and characteristics of the woman’s body. During pregnancy, the breasts begin to swell. After childbirth, having gone through the complex process of establishing lactation, the mammary glands adapt to the regime of constant milk production for a newborn baby. Never before this moment have your breasts been subjected to such serious tests and transformations. At the end of the breastfeeding period, the breasts may lose their previous appearance. Stretch marks appear on it, and the original volume is lost. To minimize visible changes in the mammary glands, even if you have small breasts, it is necessary to ensure their proper support even during lactation. By ignoring the wearing of a special nursing bra, you risk irreversibly losing the beautiful shape of your breasts.
How do nursing bras differ from standard models?
- A nursing bra has the ability to expose one breast without having to undress. Moreover, the designs can be very different. The most popular type of nursing bra is the one with a detachable cup. It is comfortable, can be used with almost any clothing, and covers the mother quite well when feeding.
- The nursing bra provides excellent breast support. With them, your back gets tired more slowly and hurts less.
- A huge number of nursing bras have special inserts that protect underwear and clothing from moisture, and the breasts from chafing and infection.
- Nursing bras are quite flexible. This is necessary in order to quickly adapt to the changing breast size throughout the feeding period.
Differences in parameters in different countries
The system that was described above is used in Russia and most European countries, but, for example, in France, Italy, the USA and England, other parameters are used. Before choosing underwear from these manufacturers, find out how to determine your bra size using the correspondence table.
First, find a Russian or European one, and if you don’t know it, then measure the circumference under the chest, and then match it according to the table. For example, Russian 80 corresponds to French 95, American and English 36 and Italian 4.
Italian ones are the simplest, there are 8 in total and they are designated by numbers from 1 to 8. Russian 65 corresponds to 1 Italian, 70 - 2, 75 - 3, 80 - 4, 85 - 5, 90 - 6, 95 - 7, 100 - 8 .
