Nursing Bras: When to Get Fitted and Other Tips
Nursing bras may not be at the top of your mind when you first find out you’re pregnant, but it is good to do your research ahead of time. Pregnancy is a beautiful experience and as you are navigating your way through it, you’ll notice that your body may be changing in more ways than just your belly beginning to grow.
So how do you know when it’s time to get fitted for a nursing bra? Everyone’s body is different – some people grow right away, their breasts get tender and larger, and it can be the first sign that they are pregnant. For others, the size doesn’t change during their pregnancy at all – and they don’t notice a difference in their bra size until their baby arrives and their milk comes in – and still others grow the entire time.
Look for Flexibility in a Bra During Pregnancy
There’s no way to predict what might happen for you, so how do you know when it’s time to get fitted for new bras or nursing bras? Even if you don’t end up nursing, your breasts still change size and may be tender. “You really want flexibility,” counsels Judy Masucci, Owner of Levana Bratique in Wexford PA. “You want something to grow and change with you as your body changes.”
“We recommend getting fitted when your current bras don’t work anymore,” continues Judy. If you are early in your pregnancy, Levana Bratique’s bra experts will recommend that you get a regular bra in your new size. If you are closer to delivery, then they’ll likely put you in a nursing bra with flexible sizing.
“If you go your whole pregnancy and your bras are still fitting you? Great, just come to get fitted before you have the baby so that you have something to wear after.” Judy laughs, “You don’t want to be coming here on your way home from the hospital.”
Since most people may not know what size they will be once their baby arrives, there are flexible products to invest in early to help as you change and grow through pregnancy and beyond. “We always look for a flexible option for pregnant mothers,” adds Judy.
Wait Six Weeks for a Fitting for Structured Bras
Once you have the baby and you already have something flexible, Judy recommends that you wait about six weeks before getting fitted for a more structured bra. During the first four to six weeks after your baby is born, your levels of the milk-making hormone prolactin will be increasing each time milk is removed from your breasts. As a result, excessive leaking and breasts that fill quickly – and even spray milk during let down – are common and normal.1 “If you’re tired of the flexible bras and want something more supportive and more structured, six weeks is a good time to start thinking about it,” suggests Judy.
Get a Bra Fitting By an Expert
Around the six-week mark, your body switches to a less hormone-related production to a more need-based production (supply and demand). Judy provides good insight when she says that around six weeks, “A lot of women notice they stop leaking, their breasts are softer, and that their size may decrease, which can lead some women think they’re losing their milk – they’re not.” At this point, you can wear something more structured (underwire, etc.) because your size likely isn’t going to change that much. While an in-person fitting is always preferred, if circumstances don’t allow you to make a visit, there is always a Virtual Bra Fitting® Solution that Levana Bratique offers. Learn more by visiting levanabratique.com!
Virtual Fitting Testimonials
“I became a first time mom about a month ago. I am breastfeeding my little one and finding nursing bras was torture. I bought some at a local store and ended up getting a blocked milk duct because they were too small and didn’t fit right. When I found this store and the option of doing a virtual bra fitting I got very excited and honestly at that point I was willing to try anything!
I sent Judy my measurements and less than 24 hours later I got a response back with sizing and several bra options she recommended to try. I ordered four of the bras she recommended and I love every single one of them AND the sizing was spot on! I would HIGHLY recommend this shop to every nursing momma out there, especially the virtual bra fitting! I can’t say thank you enough!” Theresa H., Monroe Twp, PA
Read more testimonials about Levana Bratique and their virtual bra fitting service here!
References:
1 Morbacher N. Breastfeeding answers made simple. Amarillo TX, USA: Hale Publishing; 2010.
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