How to Get Fitted for a Nursing Bra

Many pregnant women who plan to nurse will want to buy a few nursing bras prior to delivery. Finding the right nursing bra can be a challenge, as a woman's breasts can go through tremendous changes after pregnancy that won't be easy to predict before her milk comes in. Here are some guidelines for getting fitted for a nursing bra that fits properly.

Instructions

1. Wait until you're eight months pregnant--or further along--to begin shopping for a nursing bra. If you shop for nursing bras earlier in your pregnancy, your breasts might still grow several sizes before your baby is born. By 8 months, though, you'll have a good idea of what size you'll be when your milk comes in.

2. Choose a bra that is either adjustable in the back or made from a stretchy material like Spandex or Lycra. Chances are, your back will become much more narrow once your baby is born, so you want a bra that can adjust to fit a smaller band size.

3. Measure yourself above the swelling of your breasts, right beneath your armpits, to get your band size. Round up to the next number if you get an uneven number--i.e., a measurement of 37 inches would be a size 38 bra.

4. Determine your breast size while wearing an unpadded bra by measuring at the fullest part. Subtract your band size from your breast measurement. A 1-inch difference is an A cup, a 2-inch difference is a B cup, a 3-inch difference is a C cup, a 4-inch difference is a D cup, and a 5-inch difference is a DD or E cup, depending on the manufacturer.

5. Choose which nursing features you like the best next, once you've determined your size. Some nursing bras have a flap that is unsnapped to allow baby access to the breast, while other bras are simply pushed aside. The flaps can be from the center of the breasts, from the top or the sides. See which options you prefer.

6. Consider buying a Bravado bra if you think your breasts will change considerably after pregnancy. These bras accommodate a large span of bra cup and band sizes because they are made from stretchy fabrics.

Tips & Warnings

• Get fitted at a maternity or nursing supplies store for an optimal fit.

• Buy a few nursing bras late in pregnancy, and a few more when your baby is two or three months old. By then, you'll have a good idea of what your bra size will be for as long as you're nursing since your breasts will have adjusted to the milk supply and you will have lost some of your pregnancy weight.

• Avoid underwire bras while nursing.

Resources

• Find a variety of nursing bras at Bravado.