Welcoming a new baby home is a special and magical time. With so many things happening, do consider purchasing your nursing bras mid-way through your eighth month of pregnancy, before baby arrives. This way, you can focus on baby, having made this important purchase earlier.
Your nursing bra should be comfortable and supportive and be easy for you to use when the time comes. Definitely practice unhooking and hooking the straps one handed so you can feed baby with your eyes closed (literally) day or night.
When trying on nursing bras before baby comes, do keep in mind that when your milk does come in, your breasts will fill up and your bra will need to accommodate your changing size and shape. Go for a cup that can handle the size of your breasts today with a little extra space, about 2-3 fingers or so. A tight nursing bra can be very uncomfortable and even lead to clogged milk ducts. For the band size, look for a comfy fit and perhaps an extender just in case you need one.
What is comfortable to some is not comfortable to others. Therefore, if you have always been an underwire girl, there are several comfortable and beautiful nursing bras available with an underwire in sizes up to a “J” cup. If T-shirt bras work best for you, definitely consider purchasing your nursing bra with a soft molded cup so that you will feel right at home while nursing. Another good option is a nursing tank top, great for nursing and for hanging out with family and friends when visiting you and baby.
Keeping your budget in mind, having more than one nursing bra is always a good idea. With busy times ahead, its always good to be well equipped. Nursing bras are meant to be worn and washed often and can be washed easily in the shower even while you are still wearing it! Jump into the shower with your nursing bra on, soap it up with whatever liquid soap your body is already used to, avoiding soaps with color dyes. Let the water from the shower rinse all of the soap out. When your shower time is finished, and you are standing, dripping wet…just press your towel onto your nursing bra a few times to get the drippy water out and then hang it up on a hook to dry. So easy.
