Types of nursing bras, product requirements

During lactation, it is extremely difficult to do without a special bra. It will make the process of breastfeeding much easier, and will also take care of maintaining her health. But only a properly selected nursing bra will cope with this task. It is important to take into account all the nuances of choice and requirements for the product, as well as to know its varieties and advantages.

Benefits of using special underwear

A nursing bra differs from regular underwear not only in size. It is designed in a special way, taking into account the changes in the breast during this period, because with the arrival of milk, it sharply increases by several sizes. In addition, sensitivity increases, wearing regular bras can cause discomfort. Several main advantageous characteristics can be highlighted:

1. Good support. Heavier breasts increase the load on the spine, which can lead to pain in the neck and shoulders. Nursing bras, thanks to wide straps and a belt, allow you to evenly distribute the increased load, as well as maintain the shape of the breast and reduce the risk of stretch marks. To do this, you just need to choose the right bra size.
2. Ease of use. It is very inconvenient to take off the product every time you need to feed the baby, because the baby eats on average once every 3 hours. The design of the nursing bra allows you to unfasten the cup or simply move the fabric to the side with one hand, while the new mother holds the baby with the other.
3. Prevention of congestion. If the mammary gland is squeezed by uncomfortable clothing or tight underwear, it is not completely emptied. A woman risks getting milk stagnation (lactostasis). Painful seals in the breast appear, body temperature rises. Breastfeeding bras have a soft frame, which helps to avoid constriction.

Product requirements

Many women focus only on the beauty of their underwear. However, when choosing a nursing bra, it is important to pay attention not only to its appearance, but also to the quality of its execution. There are certain requirements that underwear must meet:

1. The material must be natural (cotton or bamboo). The bra can be made entirely of such fabric, in which case it will be suitable even for very sensitive skin. It is worth noting that a small addition of synthetic fibers is allowed - spandex, polyamide, elastane, lycra.
2. For breastfeeding, a bra should have a thin and smooth cup, without foam inserts that impede air access to the skin. Rough seams are unacceptable, they can rub and squeeze the chest. The use of lace is possible, but only on the outside, so as not to irritate the skin. On the inside, a lining of natural fabric is required.
3. In any bra, 90% of the support is provided by the band. A nursing bra requires special support, so it is important that it fits snugly to the body, but does not cut into it. Ideally, a finger can fit between the skin and the band.
4. The straps also bear some weight. They should be wide and adjustable to provide good support for the chest and not dig into the shoulders.
5. The fastener should be easy to open, but have protection against accidental unfastening. It can be a button, zipper or hook. All plastic or metal elements should not touch the body to avoid chafing the skin.

The bra must be safe for both mother and child. Beads, rhinestones and other decorations that the baby can tear off and swallow are unacceptable.

Varieties

There is no universal advice on how to choose the perfect nursing bra. Models differ in cut and how the breasts will be accessed:

1. Nursing tops are put on over the head, have a back like a T-shirt and a wide support elastic band under the chest. This model is convenient for home use. The only drawback is the lack of cups, large breasts are flattened, causing discomfort to the young mother.
2. A thin elastic bra does not press anywhere and is able to stretch when the breasts fill with milk and increase in size. This is especially valuable in the first months of lactation. Elastic bras do not have fasteners. To release the breasts, you just need to pull the fabric. The only drawback of this model is that the bra does not provide strong fixation, which means it is not suitable for those with large breasts.
3. The sleep model will gently support the breasts and does not have underwire. In addition, if there is a lot of milk, special pads should be attached to the underwear so that there are no stains left on it.
4. If the bust is lush and heavy, frameless bras are not able to fully support it. Special bras with flexible plastic bones have been created for nursing women. They can be used "for going out", but in any case, you should not do this before lactation is established (the first month or two after childbirth).

Even soft plastic underwire in a bra can put pressure on swollen breasts, so it is not recommended to wear or sleep in such a product for a long time.

In addition to the bra model, it is worth paying attention to the type of clasp. Each bra has its own characteristics, and it depends only on the personal preferences and lifestyle of the young mother how to choose the right one:

1. A bra with straps and a detachable cup. This is the most popular option. The breast can be partially or completely exposed by unfastening the plastic clip on the strap. The convenience is that in such underwear it is easy to feed the baby in a public place. The disadvantage is that in some models only the nipple is exposed, this can interfere with the full emptying of the breast.
2. A bra with a clasp between the cups. In this version, it is easy to adjust the volume of the belt, as there are several possible positions. When unfastened, both breasts are exposed, so this model is only suitable for home use.
3. A bra with a zipper. This is a convenient option, since the zipper is the fastest to unzip. But it will show through under clothing, so you will have to give up tight sweaters and dresses.

A nursing mother needs to have at least 3 bras: one to wear, one to wash, and one to spare.

How to choose the size

Special underwear will be needed already in the maternity hospital, so the expectant mother will have to acquire at least one item during pregnancy. The difficulty is that the breasts can increase unpredictably with the arrival of milk. How not to make a mistake when choosing a nursing bra in advance is a question that should be considered in more detail.

You should start choosing a bra already at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, the breasts are close to the size of a nursing one, and it will be easier to choose a bra. It is advisable to buy the first bra 1 size larger.

The underwear should not squeeze the body under any circumstances, leaving marks on it. But there will be no sense in wearing a bra that is too loose. To choose the right size of a nursing bra, you need to take two measurements:

• chest circumference under the chest;
• chest circumference.

It is desirable that during the measurements the woman stands with her arms down, and the measurements are taken by an assistant. The measuring tape should be strictly horizontal. The volume under the chest is measured on exhalation. The volume of the chest itself is measured on inhalation, at the most protruding points (in the nipple area). In the first period after childbirth, it is advisable to take measurements when the chest is full, in order to know its maximum size. Having received both values, you can easily choose the right product, and the size chart will help you navigate.

The cup size is designated by the Latin letters A, B, C, D, E, F. The basis is the chest volume in centimeters.

Reliable manufacturers

To avoid unnecessary expenses and physical discomfort while wearing underwear, it is necessary to purchase nursing bras from trusted manufacturers.

The choice of nursing bras is very wide. It is important to buy exactly the one that will be comfortable and safe. It is not worth saving on this item of clothing, because it creates comfort for the mother and baby.

Video

https://youtu.be/a7UIzROtMys