A correct fitting bra will provide women with more support, comfort and shape. It is also beneficial to women's health as it decreases fatigue and will also prevent from damaging their breast tissue. But with 70% - 80% of women in general not wearing a correctly fitted bra, most women are unaware of these benefits and the damages to their breasts that can be caused both short term and long term.

Breast health is a very important issue, especially for women who or pregnant or nursing as the statistic is even higher. For women who are pregnant or nursing, wearing the right sized bra is so important to their breast health. During this time women experience larger, heavier and more sensitive breasts, indicating that they need more comfort and support.

The most common reasons for not wearing a correct fitting maternity/nursing bra are that women do not realise or properly understand the damages that can be caused. And other reasons are that women do not know when to be fitted/refitted or what to look for when purchasing a bra.

Why should women wear a maternity/nursing bra?
Maternity and nursing bras are different from traditional bras. Essentially, they are working bras and they are specifically designed to accommodate and support a woman's growing breasts, and allow for functionality. There are three main features when looking for a maternity/nursing bra:  fit, function and quality.

Fit is so important because an incorrectly fitted maternity/nursing bra or a bra that is not designed for nursing can become uncomfortable, cause irritations and in worst cases it can cause medical complications. As the breasts start to enlarge and swell due to the production of milk it is imperative that the bra worn is not applying pressure onto the milk ducts and stopping the production of milk.

Any well-designed maternity/nursing bra will be a functional working bra. The bra should allow for discrete feeding with easy clip-on drop cups, cotton lined cups to allow the skin to breath, cotton lined straps to provide comfort, a wider back band that will provide support, stretch in the fabric to cater for expansion of the breasts and 6 hook and eye band adjuster to also allow for growth in the breasts and rib cage.

A well-made maternity bra or nursing bra should be made from the highest quality fabric and accessories and exceptional construction and tailoring. All these factors will ensure comfort, function and support, especially in a nursing bra.

When should women buy a maternity/nursing bra?
Due to the many changes women experience during this time, it is recommended that women should be correctly fitted twice, or when required. Typically, women should be fitted around 6-12 weeks and again at 28 weeks. The signs that indicate that a new bra should be purchased are:

• Current bra is getting too tight
• Breasts are not secure or supported
• Noticeable spilling over the top and sides of the bra
• The bra is uncomfortable or has lost its elasticity

What should women be looking for when buying a good maternity/nursing bra?

When purchasing your bra at 6-12 weeks, women should buy a bra that is on the tightest hook to allow for growth and expansion of the rib cage and diaphragm.

The bra that is purchased at around 28 weeks should be fitting on the last hook allowing for tightening after birth once the rib cage contracts and the milk settles. The signs that indicate a correct fitting bra:

• Ability to run a finger comfortably underneath and along the band
• The straps should sit comfortably on the shoulders and should not cut into your shoulders or slip off the shoulders
• The back band should fit comfortably across the back and should not ride up when arms are lifted
• The bottom band of the bra should fit firmly around the rib cage and underneath the bust
• The breasts should be completely enclosed and not bulge out of the top, sides or bottom of the cup

This article was kindly supplied exclusively to Bub Hub by Cake Lingerie. Cake Lingerie is an Australian design brand, specialising in the creation of luxurious maternity & nursing lingerie and bras, maternity sleepwear & loungewear - for beautiful pregnant & breastfeeding women.

website: www.cakelingerie.com.au