Mum's the word - bras for pregnancy

A slightly misleading term, 'maternity bras' can be a minefield, and the a barrage of information can be both overwhelming and confusing, particularly for new mums.

Pant Patroller-in-Chief and seasoned mama of four, Elly breaks down bras for pregnancy and nursing, answering some of your most burning questions below - scroll to the bottom for her must-have pregnancy bra-drobe recommendations!

What's the difference between pregnancy & nursing bras?

Pregnancy and nursing bras often get lumped together under the umbrella term ‘maternity bras’ is often used to describe both  bras. This is misleading, as it almost suggests that the same bra can be worn for both stages of the maternity cycle.

In fact, when pregnant your measure will increase in different ways, for example, your rib cage will broaden to accommodate a bump. Whereas, when breastfeeding you are no longer carrying the baby and thus the rib cage begins to contract. 

Pregnancy bras will offer support during the pregnancy stage of the maternity cycle, specifically. Most women will need to be refitted due to an increase in size between 8 and 14 weeks. Fitting should happen on the middle or tightest set of hooks, so that the band can be loosened as the rib cage will expand.

Pregnancy bras do not need to be designed as such, they should be bra-sized for most to provide adequate support levels. Wires can be worn if the wearer is comfortable with them, but they should come all the way around the breast accommodating breast development. Softer fabrics in contact with the skin are also recommended. 

Nursing bras are measured for in anticipation of or when the breastmilk supply arrives. They are either designed specifically for breastfeeding with accessible nursing hooks at the top of the cups, or they should have a suitable shaped cup for pull aside feeding e.g. a plunge.

Not everyone will use a bra with nursing clips for breastfeeding as they can be fiddly for some. Again, if wire is worn it should be flexible and come all the way around the bust. 

What can we expect to happen to our boobs during pregnancy? How much will they change in size and shape?

Most will become more tender and plumper during pregnancy; size can increase between 1 and 3 cups typically as well as the band when the ribcage expands. Nipples will become larger and darker in preparation for breastfeeding, so some wearers may be conscious of this if wearing sheer / mesh bras. That being said, many will choose these fabrics due to their soft, lightweight and breathable qualities.

Fun fact: some people realise that they are pregnant based on breast sensation!

At what stage of pregnancy should I be fitted for a new bra-drobe?

We would recommend a fitting around the end of the first trimester in pregnancy and again towards the end of the pregnancy for nursing bras if visiting in person – a fitting should allow for growth when breastmilk supply arrives. Whilst a fitting could happen post-birth, most new ma’s will be at home for several weeks post-partum and the last thing on the list will be a bra fitting. 

Online bra fittings can be a fantastic option in terms of accessibility for both pregnancy and post-partum. Many will feel unwell at the start of pregnancy and therefore outside of the day-to-day, a bra shop visit may not appeal.

What should I consider when buying a pregnancy bra?

Your breasts will never change as much in such a short period of time. They are a complex make up of skin, tissue, ligaments, muscles as well as the workings around producing breastmilk. It’s very important to be supported and comfortable during pregnancy not only for wellbeing reasons at the time, but also long-term outcomes. 

Pregnancy bras should be fitted on the tightest hook if the fit is happening early on in pregnancy, so the band can be made broader. If wearing underwires, they should be flat underneath the breast so as not to irritate the bump and they should also come all the way around the breast at the sides. 

Can I wear underwired bras during pregnancy?

Yes, you can wear them throughout your pregnancy. It is a personal choice and many won’t feel adequately supported throughout the day without wire. Bras should be fitted and recommended that are suitable for the maternity cycle. 

Which styles would you suggest for a pregnancy capsule bra-drobe?

So, for pregnancy, I would recommend having x2 supportive everyday bras to rotate. Considering that these are your entire bra-drobe, you need to have one to wear and one for the wash. For comfort, cotton, microfibre & modal styles, plus specialist laces, are designed to be soft against sensitive skin. I would also recommend sleeping in a cotton or microfibre bra to help with tenderness.   

Scroll down to the bottom of the page for my pregnancy capsule bra-drobe picks.

A couple of styles that work well for pregnancy and also have nursing clips are the Microfibre lace trim nursing bra and the D+ wire-free cotton & lace nursing bra.

Please note that the styles worn for pregnancy won’t be suitable for nursing in the early stages of breastfeeding as when supply comes in, size increases. They ‘could’ be brought back into use when nursing settles around 3-4 months old, or possibly when the baby weans at six months, and nursing slows more significantly.