OK. No giggling in the back, we're going to talk about underwear.
In a previous existence I was a lingerie specialist for an English company that does a lot of lingerie, let's call them Arks and Encer. Which meant that I did bra fittings. LOTS of bra fittings. I may have seen more breasts than Ron Jeremy.
Pregnancy plays havoc with 'the girls', and wearing a bra that fits is never more important. So, here's how to choose a good bra, how many you need and what to look out for.
First, here's how to spot a bra that DOESN'T fit.
- (fig 1) Are the straps digging into your shoulders? Even on
the longest strap extension? That's not good, and probably means that
your chest measurement is wrong (The number part, 32,34, 36 etc). Your
shoulder straps should sit on your your shoulders without digging in,
because they shouldn't be providing most of the support, the chest
strap should.
- (fig 3) Do you have a pooched bit of flesh under your
armpits? Or does your bra slide up into your armpits? Again that's a
chest measurement thing. Pooching means the bra is too small. Riding up
means it's too big. Your armpits shouldn't really be affected at all.
- (fig 4) If you've got flesh poking out here or your bra
doesn't give you good coverage, then your cup size is probably wrong.
(The b,c, d, part) you shouldn't have very much flesh exposed here at
all.
- (fig 5) Your bra should touch the space between your breasts
not smoosh them together and sit on top like this. This is a cup size
issue, it happens with a too small cup.
- (fig 6&7) you shouldn't have that 4 (or 8) breast effect where your breasts pooch over the top or squish under the bottom of your cup. The cup should start where you breast does or you're not getting any support at all. Which sucks. How much of the top of your breast is exposed is totally a bra style thing but there shouldn't be an indent.
- There isn't an example here but if your bra is creeping up the center of your back, where the straps are pulling it up then your chest measurment is wrong, try a size smaller.
- There's a little trick to getting your cup size right. Put your bra on then lean forward, smoosh your hand into your bra on the outside of your breast (by your armpit) and lift your whole breast up and out, adjusting into the cup. Then take your hand out and, still leaning forward, give those puppies a little showgirl shake. If you don't have any of the problems above then your cup size is good. Yay!
- When you try on a bra you should be looking to do it up on the middle set of hooks, this will give you a little wiggle room, weight wise.
- And Finally, get a measurement from a department store, but bear
in mind that this is only a starting point. The ABSOLUTE best way to
ensure a good fit is to TRY STUFF ON.
So that's what you're looking for in a bra, in a Maternity/Nursing Bra specifically, well...
- Underwires or no underwires... totally a personal choice, if you're
been underwired since your were 13 then going without can make you feel
naked, BUT they can get uncomfortable as the amount of water you retain
fluctuates throughout the day, by early evening if can feel like you've
been trapped in a cage all day. For nursing bras underwires are pretty
much out of the question.
- Soft cotton with a bunch of stretch seems to be the most comfortable material. Lace can get scratchy and leave you with weird lace imprints, again because of the water thing.
- Wide straps. Yes you should be getting your support from the back strap but wide straps equals comfy straps.
- Seams that cut across the cup can be a serious no no on tender just learning-how-to-breastfeed nipples.
- Flap down vs. center parting nursing bras. Both have their
advantages. The flap down sort give you good support while
you are actually nursing, which can mean that you don't have to use a
hand for support. But they look RIDICULOUS. Kind of like a cross
between a superhero mask and the least sexy peekaboo bra ever. Not hot.
The kind with the center clasp and the cups that come apart can leave
you feeling more exposed and don't give you as much support. Which can
be tough, especially when you're just learning the breastfeeding ropes
Before you go shopping, have a look at what you've got. How are the bra's you have holding up? If your breasts aren't doing anything dramatic, you might be able to hold off the inevitable for a while.
How many should you buy and when....
As soon as you start to notice major changes in your breasts is when to start looking at getting new underwear. You don't want to be buying preemptivly either, don't go three cups sizes larger than you need now because you think you'll grow into them.
Only buy maybe two of each size, sure you'll be doing a lot of washing but you might as well get used to it... baby's are all about the laundry.
If economics are a factor then you could look at buying nursing bras as opposed to specific maternity bras. Your breasts will fluctuate in size when you're nursing too, so you should get more than three weeks use out of them. You'll 'outgrow' them when you're pregnant but they will still be there when your breasts return to something like your normal shape when you're are nursing, which will happen, honest.
If you're not lucky enough live near an ah... Arks and Encer's, (who do awesome maternity/nursing bra's) then here are a few that I like the look of.
This one from warners is great for smaller breasts, it's comfortable enough to sleep in and it washes like a charm.
This one by Vouge has a little more support, and a firmer cup, which means you don't get the whole nipple outline thing going on.
If you are fairly large to start with or your breasts get just
unrecognaisably huge (over night!) then you absolutely need a firm
support support bra, this one should fit the bill.
They're brutal aren't they? But they're not forever. Eventually there will be cute bra's again. Honest.
The bad fit Photo is from here
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