THE PERFECT MATERNITY BRA

Time to go maternity bra shopping? Most women go up one cup size during pregnancy and their breasts continue to grow during the first month after baby is born – however this varies greatly from one woman to the next. Have a fitting for a maternity bra two to three weeks before your baby is due. It’s important to wear a good-fitting and comfortable bra, especially during the first three months of breastfeeding. Here’s what to look for:

Back strap

The wider the better for maximum support – look for straps with three hooks across. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding your breast size varies greatly from day to day. You need to be able to loosen and tighten your back strap accordingly, and so four to six rows of hooks are ideal.

Shoulder straps

Choose firm, wide, cushioned shoulder straps that are not too stretchy.

The Cup

Cups made from stretchy but firm cotton are best because cotton is a natural fiber that allows your skin to breathe – and it’s soft. Seams should not run across the nipple area, and lace on the nipple can irritate. The fabric support that sits around the breast and under the window flap needs to be stretchy. The window flap should expose quite a lot of the breast so that baby is able to easily latch on.

Clips

You need to be able to operate your clip with one hand. The best clips are the ones that slot in vertically. Slide-on ones are impossible to do one-handed. Velcro “clips” may open up of their own accord. Don’t: - Wear under wire bras. The under wire can cut into the breast, constricting milk flow. - Wear a bra at night. If your breasts are unbearably heavy or leaky and it’s too uncomfortable to wear no bra at all, loosen the back strap to keep your breasts as free from constriction as possible. Or opt for a maternity cami. - Wear an ordinary bra and hitch it up over your breasts to feed – it also restricts milk flow. Do: - Wash your bra at the end of the day. - Have two or three maternity bras so a clean, dry one is always on hand.