Sexy & Pretty Nursing Bras

Changes in a woman's breast take place during the first trimester of her pregnancy. This is the body's preparation for the eventual breastfeeding of the infant. As fat builds up and the breast becomes engorged with milk, ordinary bras should be replaced with nursing bras to make nursing easier or convenient for both mother and child.

Why Use Nursing Bras?

If before pregnancy, you had a bra size of 34B, this will increase during pregnancy and will likely hit 36D; after giving birth, the breast will increase to 36E but will stabilize at a smaller size later. Fuller and heavier breasts will need extra support and you will want a discreet way to breastfeed your infant. Nursing bras provide both solutions.

If you don't wear nursing bras with good support and fit, your breasts will lose its shape and firmness. This will happen especially if you are going to breastfeed your baby for a longer period and if you have much milk. In addition, as your breast size increase and becomes heavy it has to get good support to prevent straining your butt, back, neck, and shoulders.

While these are the primary reasons for using nursing bras for the nursing mothers, fit is just as significant. On the third day after you give birth, your breast size will dramatically increase. A good fitting bra e.g. nursing bra will not compress the breast and suppress the milk. If you continue to wear tight fitting bras, you risk mastitis, a painful infection of the mammary glands.

Your Choices for Convenience

Nursing bras come in varied sizes, fabrics, and colors. But, the ideal nursing bra cup should be 100% cotton to allow your breasts to "breathe." Synthetic fabrics for the nursing cup encourage sweating and the moisture on the warm nipple becomes a breeding ground for the bacteria on the nipple area.

Another factor for choosing your nursing bra is ease of opening. Babies cannot wait when they are hungry and they don't understand why it will take you too long to feed them. A nursing bra has fabric flaps over the cup. These can be unclasped and pulled down to give baby access to the breast.

You have other options drop down cups or zip cups. A no-flap version is available and this type of nursing bra is made of stretchable material, which you just pull to the side during breastfeeding time without uncovering the other breast. Experienced moms prefer bras with handy fasteners that can be opened and closed easily with one hand while they cradle their babies comfortably and carefully in the other arm.

When to Buy Your Nursing Bras

The best time to buy your nursing bra is during the final weeks before childbirth. By this time, your breast size has doubled. It is expected that your breast size will reduce when it stabilizes. Buy larger nursing bras one cup size larger and a larger size than you normally wear. When your breasts have reached its stabilized size, go and get the right size nursing bras. During the different periods, have enough nursing bras. You must never run out of nursing bras to keep yourself well supported at all times. Being a mon is already tough and you don't want to be uncomfortable or in pain too!

Reprinted from Nursing Bras

This is one seriously sexy nursing bra! The Condessa Cassandra nursing bra provides nursing access in a beautiful and feminine design. The Cassandra provides separate cups for the feel and look of a brassiere rather than a box effect. Soft Stretch lace with cotton lining on 1/2 the cup for comfort. Pearl snaps add sparkle. Bras strap and back wings are appealing in size for all cups.

* Nursing Bra in a flattering 3/4 lace cup with lining

* Designed in your size, to lift and separate for a feminine shape

* Pearl Snaps for an attractive and discreet front snap nursing access

* Quality materials and construction for lasting strength and support

* Discreet, satin shoulder strap

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Because a woman's breasts undergo numerous changes during and after pregnancy - becoming larger, heavier and more sensitive - it's important to get a good maternity bra. A well fitting, supportive bra will help reduce fatigue and make you feel more comfortable. Furthermore, a good fit is imperative because it ensures successful breast feeding by maintaining proper blood flow, which in turn prevents plugged ducts and mastitis.

Because breasts are more sensitive during and after pregnancy, most women abandon their underwire bras in favor of an all-fabric construction. Only women accustomed to wearing an underwire bra should consider doing so while nursing. A proper fit is critical: make sure the wire doesn't put pressure on the breast tissue.

When shopping for a maternity bra, don't rely on buying the same size you've been wearing. To get the most comfort and support, it's best to be fitted by a specialist. Take advantage of the sales staff's expertise.

The bottom band should fit snugly. A bra should not be worn too loosely around the rib cage; that allows it to ride up, keeping it from providing sufficient support and allowing the breasts to droop. The more you tighten the shoulder straps to raise the breasts, the more you raise the bra back above the shoulder blades, reducing support and increasing discomfort.

You should be able to feel your rib cage just below the bra. The breast should not be below the bottom edge of your bra, and each breast should be completely enclosed within the cup. If the bra seems to fit but continues to ride up in the back, try a larger cup size.

The cups should be large enough to provide full coverage, with sufficient depth to fully support the breasts. If the bra doesn't fit snugly against the rib cage, the cup size might be too small. The result is inadequate support, potentially with ride-up in the back, drooping in the front or breasts slipping or bulging out from the bra.

Things to keep in mind when shopping for maternity or nursing bras:

Choose a bra that allows easy access to the breast, with skin-to-skin contact for convenient nursing. A one-hand cup opening can be particularly handy.

The best time to shop for maternity or nursing bras is during the final weeks of your pregnancy. Your breasts will continue to change as your due date approaches, but selecting a bra in the last weeks will help guarantee a good fit after the baby is born. You may have to get a different size later when your milk supply is increased.

Bra shown at top: Elle Macpherson Intimates Maternelle No-wire drop cup bra

Want real mom reviews?

With all of the styles, shapes and sizes to choose from, which nursing bra should you consider? Following is a review of the most popular nursing bras currently offered today. Choosing a bra is a deeply personal decision that only you can make. Take the time to make the most wise decision as the purchase of theres bras can be quite expensive.

Bravado Nursing Bras

These are one of the most popular nursing bras on the market. There are 3 different nursing bras offered by Bravado: (1)Lifestyle (2) Original; and (3) Supreme Nursing Bra.

Lifestyle Nursing Bra

This bra offers a more feminine design as it is trimmed in lace and has a low neckline. The straps and neckline are also trimmed in lace. This bra is very good for breastfeeding as it has full access nursing flaps.

Original Nursing Bra

This bra comes in three different types: Basic, Plus Style and Double Plus Style. Which style you choose depends on what stage of pregnancy you are in-expecting, immediately postpartum or advanced breastfeeder. The Bravado Original Nursing bra is the most popular for new mothers. These bras as made from spandex and cotton fabric which provides the ultimate support for your changing body.

Supreme Nursing Bra

This bra is designed for the larger breasted woman although it does not have an underwire. The fabric in this bra is silky which allows clothing to easily slip over the bra for easy access for breastfeeding.

Medela Nursing Bras

There are many different types of bras offered by Medela. While I can't review all of the bras, following is a review of Medela's most popular ones:

The Medela Comfort Nursing Bra

This bra will most likely be the best fit for the breastfeeding mother as you can wear it day or night. If you are looking for stylish and sexy however, this bra is not for you.

The Medela Seamless Bra Line

This bra is more sheak with it's low neckline and intricate lace design. The seamless is very popular because it is so smooth and provides a natural seamless bra line under any type of clothing that you choose to wear.

Medela Nursing Sleep Bra

This is the newest bra offered by Medela. Made from stretchy soft fabric, this bra provides easy access for nighttime feeding. The bra is constructed from cotton-Lycra fabric which allows for breatheability in the cups. This bra also comes with adjustable cup sizes which allow for the changing shape of the breast.

The Playtex Expectant Moments Nursing Bra

The Playtex Expectant Moments Nursing Bra is one of the most stylish bras available. The cups of this bra are constructed from soft fabric and are accented by a very low neckline. The combination of fabrics provide you with easy adjustment, coolness and added support. This bra is one of the best available for the asking price.

Elle Macpherson Nursing Bra

Staying with the usual offerings by Elle, the Elle Macpherson Nursing bra comes complete with full lace which gives you a very sexy feel. The bra is covered with lace on both straps and the cups. Lined with 100% cotton, the cups are smooth and silky yet sexy because of the lace overlay. This nbra is one of the most pricy on the market.

Once you determine which nursing bra is best for you, you must decide how to find one that properly fits. Check out my article Nursing Nursing Bras-Five Tips To Choosing The Right Nursing Bra to learn how to get the best fit.

Treat yourself to a luxurious French lace collection. Made of French lace in plum and apricot colors, and lined with our supple Italian knit. Feels decadently soft against your skin. Simple, pull-over nursing access, or wear while pregnant and transition into nursing. Pair with our French Lace Tanga for a luxurious set. The band is a wide comforting elastic, the cups fit well up to an E cup. Crafted in the USA of breathable and quick-drying Italian nylon/Lycra®.

Purchase the French Lace Bralet

Many first time moms are not sure when to purchase a nursing bra or why they even need one! Research shows that most women are not wearing the correct bra size although there are many quick and easy tips to help you select the correct one.

Why do I need a nursing bra?

• Most women experience an increase in their breast size during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Although this size change will vary greatly from woman to woman, it is usually at least one band size and one cup size.
• For example a woman who wore a pre-pregnancy size of 36c could expect to need at least a 38d.
• A nursing mother needs to select the correct size to avoid mastitis and plugged milk ducts.
• Wearing the correct nursing bra size will help prevent neck and shoulder aches and pains.

When should I purchase a nursing bra?

• It is usually best to wait until a few weeks before delivery to purchase your nursing bra.
• Remember that your ribcage will continue to expand to accommodate your growing baby.
• Choose a bra with several hooks on the band which you can use once your ribcage shrinks back after the baby is born.
• Your cup size will also continue to increase as your body prepares to produce breast milk.
• We do not suggest waiting until after the baby is born to purchase your nursing bra.
• Approximately 3-5 days postpartum your milk will "come in" and temporarily increase you cup size due to engorgement.

How should my bra fit?

• Most maternity and department stores have trained staff to help you choose the correct bra size.
• All the breast tissue should fit inside the cup. You should not see any part of your breast spilling out of the cup or side seams.
• Your bra should fit snuggly.
• The band should not rise up at the back - of it does you may need a smaller band size.
• If you choose an underwire bra, the underwire should fit around the breast and not pinch or squash it.

Many lactation professionals suggest than nursing moms wear softcup bras as the underwire can cause a clogged duct by digging in to the breast tissue. How can I measure myself? You'll achieve best results if you measure yourself while wearing an unpadded bra.

First you'll need to calculate your band size. To do this you'll need to measure around your rib cage just below your breasts. If you're measuring yourself be sure to check that the tape is level all the way around! Add 5 to this number and this will be your band size. For example if this measurement is 29" you'll add 5 and your band size will be 34. If this number is an odd number you'll generally need to round up to the next even number.

Next you'll need to determine your bust/cup size. You'll need to measure around your bust at the fullest point. Again, you'll need to make sure that the tape is level all the way around. The difference between the band size and the bust/cup measurement is your cup size. Each one inch represents one cup size. For example is the band size is 36" and the cup measurement is 38" you would wear a 36b.

If difference is 1 inch you'll wear an A cup

If difference is 2 inches you'll wear a B cup

If difference is 3 inches you'll wear a C cup

If difference is 4 inches you'll wear a D cup

If difference is 5 inches you'll wear a DD cup

If difference is 6 inches you'll wear a E cup

If difference is 7 inches you'll wear a F cup

You'll find that different bra styles may fit you slightly differently so you'll want to try on a few to ensure you find the most comfortable one. If you're still unsure of your size or just want a second opinion - most stores have trained professions who are happy to help you or contact your local lactation consultant.

Julie Zarchi is a wahm and owner of SuperMomz, an online boutique featuring Essentials for todays busy SuperMom. Julie spends much of her day helping expectant and nursing moms to measure themselves and order the correct size nursing bras, nursing tanks and pumping bras.