Breastfeeding - healthy breasts feed best
breast; breasts; feed; feeding; pregnancy; bra; bras;
Contents
Bras are important during pregnancy and breastfeeding
A well fitting maternity bra will support your breasts comfortably, and help reduce neck, shoulder and breast discomfort.
- Your breasts may increase in size and feel tender during pregnancy however most breast changes have occurred by 12-16 weeks of pregnancy.
- Your breasts may change in size before and after a breast feed. Maternity bras are specifically designed to support your breasts during these changes. Disposable or washable breast pads can be inserted into your bra to manage breast milk leaking.
- An incorrectly fitting wire may put pressure on, and damage, delicate breast tissue leading to complications such as blocked ducts and mastitis.
- If your bra is a good fit, you nipples should be sitting roughly half way between your shoulder tip and elbow.
- Overnight you may prefer to not wear a bra, or choose a softer crop top style.
Bra fitting guidelines
- You can start wearing a maternity bra once you have noticed breast changes in early pregnancy and you may need several bras of different sizes throughout your pregnancy to keep up with these changes.
If you bra feels tight at any time, it is important to have the fitting re-checked.
- If the cup size is too big, the cups will be loose and wrinkly. This will not provide support for your breasts.
- It is recommended to avoid wearing underwire bras during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Make sure that yor bra is comfortable before a feed when your breasts are at the fullest.
- Approximately 80% of the support from your bra comes from the band under your breasts and around your back.
What to look for in a bra
The band
 |
The band should fit firmly but comfortably around your chest |
 |
If the bra is too big the back
band will ride up. |
 |
If the bra is too small, the band
will dig in and cause bulging. |
The shoulder straps
|
The shoulder straps should be wide enough to sit comfortably on your shoulders.
|
 |
Tight, narrow shoulder straps will dig in, causing pain and indents. |
|
Bras are available with wider
straps, to prevent digging in.
|
The cups
|
|
Your breasts should be well supported and contained within the bra cups |
 |
When the cups are too small, your breasts will bulge over the top/sides. This can compress breast tissue and cause blocked ducts. |
Caring for your bra
- It is best to hand wash your bra with mild soap or washing detergent, or use a gentle cycle on your washing machine.
- Let the bra air dry, rather than tumble dry, to avoid weakening the elastic fibres in the fabric.
Extra tips
It is always a good idea to try a bra on before buying it, to make sure that it is a good fit.
- Specially designed silicone bra strap pads can be used to cusion the straps so they don't dig in to your shoulders.
- Bra hook extenders can be added to give extra length to the body size of a bra.
- Gaining or losing weight can impact on your bra size.
- If you are unsure whether your bra fits you correctly, you can seek advice from staff at specialty bra stores or lingerie department in department stores.
- Make sure the front band is not riding up and sitting on top of your breasts. The band should sit against the chest wall, under your breasts, not sitting off your chest.
What to check
| A |
Made from soft fast drying microfibre that does not stiffen from dried milk. |
| B |
Cut high so there is no pressure on the milk ducts. |
| C |
Three hook closure position for a good fit. |
| D |
Soft wide straps for comfort and support. |
| E |
Wide elastic band for maximum support and comfort. |
| F |
Inner lining provides a protective layer between the zipper and the skin to prevent any pinching. |
| G |
Supportive inner lining holds breast in place, yet provides a discreet opening. Cut of cups is designed to hold securely in place, even when lying down. |
| H |
Bra flaps open to the side away from milk leakage. |
For more information in South Australia
- Parent Helpline
phone: 1300 364 100
- Non-English speaking:
for information in languages other than English, call the Intreperting and Translating Centre and ask them to call The Department of Health. This service is available at no cost to you, contact (08) 8226 1990.
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The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.