Breastfeeding in England

Pregnancy is a time when your breast tissue develops and you build up fat stores for nursing, so the breast can grow 1 or more cup sizes and also become a lot heavier. Wearing a bra that doesn’t provide enough support at any time in your life can lead to stretch marks and permanently sagging breasts, wearing the wrong size can lead to plugged ducts and back pain.

What bra choices are there for pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Wired Bras - not usually recommended for pregnancy and the first month of breastfeeding because of the risk of damage, discomfort and possibly plugged ducts from the frequent breast size changes.

Maternity Bras - are designed for pregnancy only, usually an over the head bra that is seamless and very comfortable and will grow with you throughout the pregnancy. They usually come in a small number of sizes that fit a range of cup sizes.

Seamless/Transitional Nursing Bras - provide the same comfort as a maternity bra but can be used after birth for easy access nursing. They usually come in a small number of sizes and fit a range of cup sizes which makes them especially ideal for all the changes your body goes through during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Sized bras - There are some really pretty and even sexy nursing bras available that are sized, but can often be fitted to allow for the growth of the abdomen and cup size. Not guaranteed to fit after your milk volume increases, but are designed to fit a larger range of band sizes to accommodate you from the beginning of pregnancy. These are a real confidence booster.

Some common mistakes made when finding the right bra

The Band – The band should be parallel to the floor. If it is riding up your back try a smaller band size (go up one cup size 38C to 36D)

The Cup – The cup should provide good coverage of the breast. If it wrinkles it may be too big. If your breast is spilling out of the top, bottom or sides it is too small. Fit to your largest breast.

Shoulder Straps – They should not create a dent in your shoulder. If they are then you need to get more support from the band so try a smaller band size

Top tips:

1. If you buy a nursing bra at the beginning of your pregnancy make sure you fit it to the tightest band setting so that there is room for growth.
2. If you buy your nursing bra at the end of your pregnancy or after the baby is born make sure it fits on the loosest band setting. Bras can stretch over time, so this will allow you to tighten the band and not lose support.
3. Your band should not stretch more than 1” or so away from your body, if it does try going down a band size (and up a cup size) example: 38C to 36D.
4. When you put on your nursing bra open the cups. Lean forward and scoop your whole breast into the cup before you fasten it. You want to make sure that all of your breast tissue is inside the cup and not bulging out the top/bottom/side etc.
5. If buying a sized bra when you are pregnant make sure there is a little room for the increase in milk volume that happens after birth. This will increase the chance that you can continue to wear it when breastfeeding. Remember that you may still have to wait until after your milk volume settles at about four weeks to wear it again.

If you have enjoyed reading this post you may want to read more about breastfeeding. There are many bloggers taking part in the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Internet Scavenger Hunt and you can check some of them out here -

Diary of the Milkshake Mummy - Together Everyone Achieves More

Where Roots and Wings Entwine - A Baby Beads Breastfeeding Necklace Review & Competition

Where Roots Flourish - Breastfeeding - Where to Turn

Mixed Bag of All Sorts - Breastfeeding Support: Accurate Info, Practical Help, Listening Ears

Breastfeeding in England - Breastfeeding Support Groups & a BabaSling Competition

Edspire - Who is your breastfeeding support?

Keeping with the theme of nursing bras I'd like to announce a great offer from BoobieMilk for National Breastfeeding Week (June 24-30, 2012). Please use BREASTFEEDING to save 15% all week on Nursing bras, Nursing vests and Sleep bras by Emma-Jane, Carriwell and Hotmilk.

SAVE 15% AT BOOBIEMILK BY USING COUPON CODE BREASTFEEDING

Congratulations!! You have found the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Logo, and you can now enter to win the Grand Prize using the Rafflecopter below.

Here is the Rafflecopter

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