Did you notice about eight out of every ten ladies wearing the incorrect bra size?…
What is a nursing bra? A nursing bra is designed to offer additional comfort and support for moms who are lactating. The specially designed bras come with hooks or clasps so that the flaps can be opened easily for feeding. The nursing bra is also known as a maternity bra, pregnancy bra, feeding bra, or breastfeeding bra.
If you are planning to nurse your baby after childbirth and are looking to find out more about nursing bras, well you have come to the right place. This article is a comprehensive guide on what are the benefits of nursing bras and how to use them. Nursing bras come in a ton of choices such as maternity bras, pumping bras, sleep nursing bras, nursing sports bras, and many more. While it is good to have options, with so many types available, it can be complicated to figure things out.
The Benefits of Nursing Bras
Whether you plan to feed your baby by pumping, nursing, formula feeding, or a combination, your breasts will continue to grow during pregnancy. Wearing larger bras may put pressure on your growing breasts and may lead to blocked ducts, engorgement, and painful mastitis. Without wearing the right bra, moms who are breastfeeding can find themselves in a lot of pain and discomfort.
Nursing bras are designed to alleviate these challenges so that women can nurse comfortably. Every detail in a nursing bra serves a purpose. They are made with stretchable, soft, and breathable fabrics while the cups are made strong to support and accommodate different breast sizes because, during lactation, milk production can increase the band size and cup size.
The nursing bras are also free from underwire to prevent constriction of breast milk ducts. They also have adjustable straps to support them.
How Does Nursing Bras Work
A good nursing bra is a game-changer when it comes to feeding your baby. They have specially designed cups that offer direct access to the nipple to allow your baby to latch on easily or allow you to express your milk with a manual or electric pump. Below are the different types of breastfeeding bras available.
- Drop-down cups – This bra features a nursing clip or clasp that can be opened and closed with one hand so you can feed your baby.
- Lift-up and pull-down cups – This style makes it easy to pull the bra up or down to expose the nipple and breast for your baby to latch on easily. Having a good latch can help prevent milk ducts from plugging.
- Pull-aside cups – Also known as crisscross cups or crossover cups, these bras are very easy and popular with nursing sleep bras. Simply pull the soft cup bra to the side when it is time to feed your baby.
The nursing bras are designed to be used together with breast pads that are disposable or reusable. When the nursing pads are placed under the bra cups, they can absorb breast milk that is released between feedings so it does not saturate the nursing top or leave the nipples wet.
There are many different styles of nursing bras available, so be sure to find something comfortable and convenient as your body changes in preparation for your breastfeeding journey.