We’re back with the second part of our What to Expect with Maternity and Nursing Bra Fittings! We’ll pick up where we left off in our interview with BOB's sizing expert, Arielle.
Arielle, in the previous blog, you mentioned not getting a cup and band size-specific nursing bra during your pregnancy. When would you recommend that women get fitted for a nursing bra to wear AFTER they deliver?
Ideally, four to six weeks after delivery. By then, they’ll know what their milk supply is like, their ribcage size will be more settled, and if they are even able to or want to nurse. Their rib cage might be the same size as it was pre-pregnancy or bigger. I normally wear a 32 band, but I was a solid 34 after delivery. Eventually I got back down to a 32, but it took a while. Your organs are being pushed upward to make room for the baby while it grows. That’s why the ribcage expands so much during pregnancy—to make room for your organs and the baby. It took 9 months for your body to change, and it will take a while to go back to your new normal. Don’t expect to be back to your pre-pregnancy size in a 6-week period.
Also, by four to six weeks, they’ll be able to better predict their milk flow, so they’re less likely to leak unexpectedly. Speaking of leaking unexpectedly, you’ll want to wear disposable breast pads or reusable silicone pads, such as LilyPadz, when you're trying on nursing bras in the store to prevent any damage to the bras. We provide disposable pads free of charge to moms trying on nursing bras.
What’s the next step once a nursing mom comes in for a fitting?
"Their next step is to decide if they want underwire or softcup. Did you know that it’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t wear an underwire bra if you are breastfeeding? You CAN wear underwire if you are properly fitted! It's not about the bra having a wire or not. It's about the overall fit. You can also get clogged ducts and mastitis with a wireless bra.
Milk ducts actually reach all the way to your underarm area. The fitter will make sure that the wire placement extends past that and doesn’t put pressure on your ducts. Your breast should be fully contained, and the cup should not be pressing into breast tissue anywhere. In general, customers will need to opt for a bigger cup size to allow fluctuation room for when their breasts are full, as well as avoid clogged ducts."
If you want to prevent clogged ducts, which you do, getting properly sized will ensure you have the best nursing experience possible. Some people are more prone to mastitis than others, so please let your fitter know if this has been an issue for you in the past.
That’s some great advice! What are some of your favorite nursing bras or nursing products, not only as a fitter but also from your personal experience?
"My favorites are Molly by Elomi, Katherine by Panache, and any Bravado bras. My favorite while I was nursing was the Bravado Original. It's soft, comfy, secure, and feels like a real bra. A nursing bra gets a lot more wear and tear than a regular bra because you’re pulling on it and washing it three times more than a regular bra. On average, nursing bras will last about six to eight months if cared for properly. The customer will want to have two to four nursing bras in rotation to make things easier and ensure a good overall experience.
One life-saving product for me was the Clip and Pump by Bravado. I tried to breastfeed, but my son had some latching issues that resulted in it not working out like I wanted. I ended up using a breast pump exclusively for 13 months. The Clip and Pump held the nursing shields in place while I pumped. The Pumpkin bra by Cake also has zippers that will hold the shields in place.
Those are great recommendations! Thanks so much again for taking the time to give us this valuable information. I’m sure it will be a big help to our nursing customers! Is there anything you’d like to close with?
"If you can’t come to the retail store to get fitted, go to Breakout Bras’ Comprehensive Sizing Guide at www.breakoutbras.com/pages/fitting-guide. That will give you an idea of what size you need to start with. You can always call us toll-free at 866-870-8911 or email us at service@breakoutbras.com. We’re happy to give style recommendations and sizing advice."