Nursing bra
A nursing bra is a specialized brassiere that provides additional support to women who are lactating and permits comfortable breastfeeding without the need to remove the bra. This is accomplished by specially designed bra cups that include flaps which can be opened with one hand to expose the nipple. The flap is usually held closed with a simple clasp or hook.
Like its sister the maternity bra, a nursing bra is a practical bra designed with fuller cups, comfortable fabrics, and wider shoulder straps for increased comfort. It is designed to support a woman's increased breast size during lactation and provide ready access to her breasts for nursing. The nursing bra aids breastfeeding by providing flaps or panels that form the bra cup that can be unclipped and folded down or to the side with one hand, exposing the nipple. Some nursing bras are designed so the entire brassiere can be easily pulled upward over the breast to allow an infant to nurse. All nursing bras are designed to allow the mother to easily hold her infant and initiate breastfeeding with a minimum of effort. When in public, this also enables a mother to nurse her infant with minimal effort, minimizing undue or unwanted attention. Nursing bras can be worn under a variety of outer garments, though most nursing mothers choose tops that make it easy for her to place the baby at her nipple. Nursing bras are designed to allow the mother to insert breast pads to absorb leaking milk between feedings.
As with all bras, finding a correctly fitting nursing bra can be difficult. Like regular bras, the band should ride on the woman's torso parallel to the floor. The cups should enclose the breast tissue with no bulging under the armpits, over the tops of the cups, or from under the cups. The cup fabric should be tight around the breast, the underside edge of the cups should lie flat against the woman's chest, and the center gore between the cups should lie flat against the woman's sternum.
Regular bras are not recommended for nursing mothers because they may not offer adequate support or may put pressure on the breasts. It is also more difficult to lift a regular brassiere over the breast when preparing to breastfeed, putting undue pressure on breast tissue, which could increase the risk of clogged milk ducts and infection. Some women are more comfortable wearing camisoles, sleeveless T-shirts, or tank tops over a shelf bra, which leaves the nipple exposed.
Because a woman's torso usually grows during the pregnancy, her bra band size may grow one or two sizes. An average of 80% of women wear the wrong bra size, and mothers who are preparing to nurse can benefit from a professional bra fitting from a lactation consultant. Women should choose nursing bras with strong side and undercup support and an extra-wide back for optimal support. Nursing bras usually have up to four rows of hooks in the rear closure to allow the woman to adjust her band size to a limited extent. However, because a woman's milk supply continually changes, her breasts will also change size during each day. Experts recommend a soft-cup bra made of a blend of cotton and Lycra with cups that stretch to accommodate changes in breast size. Most women buy two or more nursing bras so they can alternate between them. Small-breasted women who don't usually wear a bra may choose to wear a nursing bra to support their larger breasts or simply to prevent milk from leaking onto their clothes.
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