Choosing a Nursing Bra
by Eileen Meisner, RN

FOR CARE To care for your bra, wash in warm water and line dry. Do not use a dryer, bleach or an iron.

If you ask most women, they will tell you that their least favorite clothing item to shop for is a bra. We've all been there - standing amidst a sea of straps looking for something that will be supportive, comfortable and flattering. Once in the dressing room, inevitably we find ourselves needing a different size and wishing that we could dash out to get it without risking arrest for indecent exposure.

Now that you have decided to breastfeed, you're wondering if yet another frustrating dimension will be added to choosing a bra. There should be an easier way.

You can make shopping for your nursing bra simpler by following these suggestions. Select a nursing bra during the final weeks of pregnancy, or, preferably, right after your baby is born. Fitting too early in pregnancy may result in a poor postpartum fit because of the many breast changes. We recommend having at least three nursing bras (one to wear, one in the laundry and one clean, ready to put on). If you need a new bra late in your pregnancy, select one that allows for extra cup room and purchase as few as possible. Insist on a comfortable fit. Features to look for are breathable fabrics and straps that don't dig into your shoulders.

Choosing the correct bra size
It's best to have someone who is trained in fitting bras to fit you properly, but if that isn't possible, you can do it yourself. Measure around yourself just under your arms with a measuring tape. Keep the tape snug, but not tight. If the measurement is an uneven number, round it up to the next even number. This is your band size.

Next, while wearing a good-fitting, unpadded bra, measure around the fullest part of your bust. The difference in the band and bust sizes determines your cup size.

Measuring for the Perfect Fit!
Your bra cup size is determined by your band size and bust size. Read above to determine band size and bust size. If the difference is

• up to one inch the cup size is A
• up to 2 inches the cup size is B
• up to 3 inches the cup size is C, etc.

EXAMPLE:
Your band measurement is 39 inches
Add one inch (uneven number)
Your band size is 40
Your bust measurement is 43 inches
Subtract your band size (43" - 40" = 3")
Your cup size is 40 C

When trying on your nursing bra, bend over and gently shake your breasts into the cups. Use disposable breast pads to be sure that you protect the bra from leaking milk. Adjust the shoulder straps while they are slipped off your shoulder. There should be no breast tissue beyond the side seam or "spilling" out of the top of your bra. Remember that most women lose weight in their upper bodies after delivery, so make sure you have the ability to tighten the band in the future. The band should be snug, but should not "ride up" on your back. If your milk has not yet come in (this usually happens when the baby is 3-5 days old), make sure you have extra cup room or have hooks that will adjust the cups.

Raise your arms, bend over and move about to make sure that your bra fits comfortably. It's important that you are able to manipulate the cup openings with one hand (your other one will be holding your baby).

Whenever possible, ask for help from a knowledgeable lactation specialist in selecting the right nursing bra. A proper fitting bra will help prevent breastfeeding problems such as plugged ducts and breast infections. The right bra will make breastfeeding easier and more discreet. Happy nursing!

Editorial provided by Eileen Meisner, RN, Obstetric Health Specialist, Women's & Family Services, and Manager of The Nursing Nook at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.