Apart from a growing bump, one of the biggest changes you’ll experience in pregnancy and early motherhood is breast size and tenderness (joy!). The maternity bra you choose will make a huge difference to your comfort and support. Our nursing and maternity bras are made from fabrics selected for maximum softness and breathability that won’t cause irritation and adapt to your evolving shape, offering all the handy breastfeeding/pumping features you need. To help you choose the right bra for you, we’ve put together an easy guide to maternity and nursing bras, including when to buy them and what size to go for…
When should I start wearing maternity/nursing bras?
If you’ve been wearing a hardwire underwired bra leading up to your pregnancy, you should consider swapping to a Flexi-wire or wireless model. Flexi-wire differs from a traditional bra underwire in that it is soft and flexible and is designed to flex as your breasts increase and decrease in size. There are no hard and fast rules on exactly when to start wearing a maternity bra, as everyone’s experience will vary, but as a guide we’d suggest buying a maternity bra as soon as you feel the need, potentially as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy, or even before if your regular bras become uncomfortable.
We recommend remeasuring and investing in new maternity bras around two weeks before your expected due date. Your breasts will grow as your milk comes in and should settle at a certain size once you establish a nursing routine (if you decide to breastfeed). This is just our recommendation though, if your bra feels uncomfortable or is not fitting as it used to, it’s probably time for a change.
Carrying twins/multiples?
If you’re expecting more than one baby, you might find that the extra dose of hormones causes your breast size to change sooner in pregnancy. This is especially noticeable once you start nursing (if you choose to do it) and your milk supply is nourishing two or more babies. Keep a regular check on how your bras fit and make the move into wireless or flexi-wire bras when you feel a change in size and sensitivity.
What size maternity/nursing bras should I buy?
The best way to know what size maternity/nursing bra to buy is to get measured. We offer a bra fitting service in our Seraphine stores. We highly recommend arranging a professional bra fitting if possible. If you’re not able to do this (and we know it can be tricky with the busy lives we lead) you can do it at home – either on your own or with the help of your partner or a friend.
You’ll need a tape measure to help you ascertain two key measurements. These are band size (measured under your breasts and around rib cage) and bust size (measured around the fullest part of your breasts) – both of which, you can use to determine cup size. You can then use a maternity bra size calculator to work out your size.
Top tip: You’ll know if you’re wearing the correct bra size as the entire breast will sit comfortably in the cup with no overflow at the top or sides, the back band will sit firmly against your rib cage and the front centre will sit flat against your body.
What types of maternity bras are available?
Our pregnancy/maternity bra styles include:
Seamless for an adaptable fit
Pregnancy-safe flexi-wire bras
Soft cup – comfortable and wire-free
Padded cups to add shape, provide nipple coverage and hide milk leaks
Which style you choose is a matter of preference, shape and what feels more comfortable to you. All our bras feature clever design features which make them ideal for pregnancy and nursing and we always make sure they look stylish too! Choose from an array of colourways and finishes, including beautiful lace options and smooth tee-shirt bras.
Nursing vs maternity bras: is there a difference?
The key difference is that those labelled “maternity” are designed specifically to support your growing breasts through pregnancy, while those labelled “nursing” will generally have a flexible fit too but will also have features (like drop-down cups) for more accessible breastfeeding.
How many maternity/nursing bras do I need to pack for hospital?
We’d suggest packing two or possibly three in your hospital bag. Make sure you have breast pads handy too as these can help absorb any milk which may leak during the first few days after giving birth.
Why are seamless bras so good for pregnancy/postpartum?
Our seamless pregnancy/maternity bras are among our most popular for several reasons:
- They come in simple sizing options: choose from XS to XXL
- The soft and stretchy fabric adjusts to fit your expanding rib cage
- The adjustable cups are ideal for your changing body in pregnancy and the daily fluctuations that can occur to breast size while feeding your baby
- The seamless style makes them compression-free, so they won’t block milk ducts
Being seam-free also means that there is no rubbing on tender and delicate pregnancy or postpartum skin. Our seamless designs still offer excellent lift and shape with no need for underwiring. The Zaylee bra is particularly popular and can be worn as a classic bra or adjusted to become a racer back bra - great for versatility and wearing with sleeveless tops.
Finally, several of our seamless bras are made from bamboo, a soft and cooling fabric, which helps to wick away moisture, including breast milk, sweat and yes, even baby drool from your skin. It also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties – great if you’re nursing.
What is a maternity sleep bra?
Sleep bras usually differ from the daytime ones you’d wear. As a rule, they won’t have the clips and fastenings regular maternity/nursing bras have so they won’t press on you while you sleep. If you’re wondering why anyone would want to wear a bra in bed, the answer is that many women find their breasts can feel particularly heavy (not to mention leaky) at night during the nursing stage. Wearing a bra in bed – often known as a “sleep bra” – offers light support as you rest and means you can put breast pads in to soak up any milk. We have several sleep bras in super-soft bamboo viscose, which feature a crossover design so you can breastfeed or pump while wearing them, too. Our Hortensia bra is a great choice for anyone looking for a super comfy, easy access sleep bra made from bamboo.
Can I still wear an underwired bra while I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Seraphine’s pregnancy-safe flexi-wire options are perfect for underwired bra lovers. You may be told by your doctor or midwife that you should stop wearing underwired bras from the beginning of pregnancy. That’s because the rigid hard wire in regular underwired bras can damage breast tissue and milk ducts. An underwire can also restrict the natural growth and shape of your breasts if the bra fit is incorrect – something that can happen all too easily with the frequent changes of cup size during pregnancy.
Luckily, if you’ve always preferred to wear an underwired bra, we have maternity-friendly options made with flexi-wire. This isn’t the same as the hard wire you get in regular lingerie, and is completely safe to wear throughout your pregnancy, and while nursing. Providing shape and structure to the cups as well as offering breast separation, Flexi-Wire differs from a traditional bra underwire in that it is soft and flexible and is designed to flex as your breasts increase and decrease in size. The Flexi-Wire Multiway & Strapless Maternity Bra is brilliant for giving you multiple styling options in one bra. Great for glamorous evening looks and strapless summer styles.
Can I pump wearing a nursing bra?
Yes, you can wear nursing bras for pumping. The drop-down cups/crossover styles like our Samantha bra is an ideal choice for in-bra pumping. You can slot any wearable pump comfortably into your bra and express while sitting down and taking it easy.
When can I stop wearing nursing bras?
This is totally up to you! But as long as you’re finding the functions useful, such as the drop-down cups, keep wearing them. Once you’ve stopped breastfeeding, it can take around three to six months for your breasts to settle to a steady size again, so you might want to hold off a while before investing in new ones and again. We do recommend going for a bra fitting to ensure a comfortable and supportive choice when you’re ready to switch.
