What is a maternity bra?

Maternity bras, also known as nursing or feeding bras, are specially designed bras that accommodate changes in a woman’s body during and post-pregnancy. They generally have design features that provide ease and support for the mum-to-be’s breasts, lactation, and feeding.

What’s the difference between a normal and maternity bra?

Maternity bras, such as the Medela Keep Cool Ultra Maternity & Nursing Bra Black generally function the same way as normal bras, but with several special features. To allow for more comfort and utility, maternity bras may feature wider straps, cotton lining, and more eyes and hooks. Additionally, nursing bras will also have specially designed flap-like bra cups for easier feeding access.

How to Choose a Maternity Bra

Similar to how you choose regular bras, your choice of maternity bra will depend on your personal preference and how well it fits you. Comfort, ease, and fit should be some of the things you consider when shopping for maternity. Some of the things you should look for include:

Bra cups that fully cover your breasts
A comfortably fitting bra band that doesn’t dig into your skin
Bra straps that don’t dig into your shoulders

Generally, it’s best to go up one cup and back size before pregnancy to allow for your natural growth. Of course, if this feels uncomfortable, you can always choose what feels best for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do people wear maternity bras?

A woman’s body changes a lot during pregnancy and birth, and a maternity bra is designed to accommodate such changes. These specialized bras support a mum’s growing breasts and alleviates discomfort brought by body shape changes, weight gain, lactation, and other factors.

Should you buy nursing bras before birth?

For mums who plan on breastfeeding, it’s suggested to get your feeding bras at around eight months of pregnancy. During this time, your cup size will be very similar to your cup size when milk production has been regulated. Try to get a slightly bigger band size for your nursing bra as your ribcage will contract postpartum - it’s a good idea to fit maternity bras using the loosest hook as a reference.

When should you start wearing maternity bras?

Depending on your pregnancy, you may feel comfortable to wear maternity bras as early as the first few weeks to accommodate the swelling and tenderness of your breasts. It’s generally advised to purchase a few maternity bras during the first trimester and then buy your nursing bras in the third trimester.

What are the disadvantages of wearing a bra while pregnant?

Generally, many recommend that you wear a maternity bra during pregnancy to avoid excessive sagging and discomfort. The biggest disadvantages of wearing a bra pop up when a pregnant woman wears uncomfortable and ill-fitting bras. Doing so may contribute to the discomfort associated with blocked ducts and mastitis–as such, it’s best to turn towards soft and properly sized bras, especially during the latter part of your pregnancy and early stages of breastfeeding.

Is it better to sleep with a bra on while pregnant?

Aside from sleeping with maternity pillows, you might consider using a specific maternity sleeping bra to get light support for your breasts. This alleviates some of the pressure on your breasts and lets mums sleep more comfortably.

How long can you use maternity bras?

It’s recommended that you have your maternity bras refitted and changed if necessary every six months, especially during pregnancy. Since your body’s going to change a lot between the second and third trimester and postpartum, it’s best to have a few different bras for each stage.

Do maternity bras prevent sagging?

A well-fitting maternity bra may help prevent excessive sagging in your breasts if it provides proper support. Additionally, with the right bra, you can also avoid excessive breast pain, mastitis, blocked ducts, and other potential discomforts of pregnancy changes on your breast tissue.