What to Know When Buying a Nursing Bra

Buying a nursing bra is an important purchase.  We believe consumers should be educated, especially when buying something that affects your health.  Whether you choose Bravado, Leading Lady, QT Foundations, La Leche League International, or Fancee Free for your nursing bras, there are a few facts you need.  First, pointelle bras loose their shape...fast! These are the pretty little bras that the fabric appears to have a small pinhole pattern.  They can't support their own shape, let alone yours.   Next, bras with polyester cups do not breathe. You don't need to make yourself susceptible to sore nipples or yeast by keeping nipples wet.  All our bras have cups that are at least 90% cotton and any that are blended have 7-10% lycra or spandex...not polyester.  Make sure you are not buying bras that are just "cotton lined"  because air must be able to circulate through both layers.  Under wires can plug milk ducts so if you can't live without your under wire, choose an under wire nursing bra with a removable wire.  Plugged ducts can lead to lower milk supply or breast infection. Your breasts are fuller before feedings and emptier afterwards especially in the first two months.  This makes it hard to get an under wire to sit behind the breast tissue.  Your breast change again at about six months when your baby begins to nurse less.  That's why we don't carry a line of under wires.  We care about your breast health.  Sleep bras are important for light-weight support and leakage at night. Ours don't have hooks in the back to make sleep uncomfortable.  We try to keep our prices very  competitive and we understand that everyone has a budget.  That's why we carry bras in several price ranges, but larger cup sizes need more support and those bras do cost more.  The Medela bra in the extended sizes F, G or H cup runs about $35-40, but we don't offer it because the Fancee Free bras costs less and support more!  Now the Bravado Lifestyle bra is offered in F cup and the Bravado Essential Nursing Tank is offered in F and G cups.  Most women wear the wrong size.  A good fitting bra will not ride up your back or push your breast together.  Instead it should lift and separate.  When trying on a bra, make sure to lift your breast up into it and then adjust the straps accordingly.   To view nursing bras hand picked by our lactation consultants, click to shop for nursing bras.