How to Pick a Nursing Bra

Your nursing bras will become your best friends for those first few months and beyond while nursing your baby. You may see more of your nursing bra than you do your husband. You definitely want to pick out a few before you have your baby, and then once you have started nursing, you'll want to get a couple more since you'll be wearing them constantly. You also want to get bras to sleep in that are comfortable but still allow you to nurse at night.Once you have your baby and begin nursing, you'll know the bra that you reach for first, and that is the style that you want to duplicate when buying extras. Or maybe the bras you bought pre-baby don't fit and are uncomfortable! Your body does change remarkably after birth.Having the right bras can help with the constant routine that nursing becomes. If you pick a great bra, you may nurse longer and become more attached to your baby, a great benefit for both of you.

Instructions

1

Consider how much money you can spend. You can hit the Motherhood stores and choose from a huge variety of very comfortable bras in many different styles, but these will be pricier. Nursing bras are also available at department stores and discount department stores, with lower price tags and usually less to choose from. When starting out, it's wise to splurge and get a few really nice bras that will last and make nursing easier.

2

Try bras that are closest in similarity to the bras you would wear regulalry. Underwire gives great support, but some women can't stand the wire poking into them if their ribs are still slightly expanded from the huge, recently pregnant stomach. Pick a variety and try them on in the changing room. If you haven't had your baby yet, limit yourself to two bras, since your cup size and back size can increase once your milk comes in. A 36C can easily go to a 40D a few days after birth.

3

Definitely consider all-cotton bras. Your non-nursing breasts are probably used to fancy synthetic bras in all colors. When you're nursing, you might find that an all-cotton bra breathes with the skin and helps milk ducts stay clear and not get clogged. The best idea is to get one cotton (underwire or plain), one nylon (underwire or plain) and two nighttime bras.

4

Use sports bras for nighttime bras. These are hard to wrestle yourself into; you might want to step into them and pull them up. You don't want these to be tight, since that can restrict milk production. You want support, but you want to be able to sleep without feeling strangled. All-cotton is best, since it's natural against that sometimes very sore and overused nipple.

5

Before you buy, practice with the nursing bra clips and flaps. Some women prefer a nursing bra that clips up on the shoulder strap; some prefer the bras that snap open and closed at the center. Snaps are the easiest to manage when you only have one hand.

6

Pick up some reusable cotton nursing pads for your bras. You can get them in baby stores and sometimes at the grocery store. You'll need them to pad your bra in case you leak. A pack of six is plenty, since you can wash and reuse them.