Nursing Guide/Nursing Tips

Nursing bra guide

If you decide to breastfeed, you won't necessarily need bottles, a bottle sterilizer, or formula. But you will need a nursing bra. It will be your key piece of equipment to get the job done quickly and easily.

Getting started - Nursing bra guide
Nursing bras look like regular bras, but the cups open or lower from the front when you pull them aside, or unsnap, unwrap, unzip, or unhook the closure. It's convenient but not essential that you be able to open the cup for nursing quickly and simply with one hand. (You'll be holding your hungry baby with the other. If you can close it one-handed, too, even better.) Whichever style you choose, proper fit is the key to breastfeeding success. A poorly fitting bra not only will be uncomfortable but also may increase the risk of plugged ducts and/or mastitis, a breast infection. An ill-fitting bra can put pressure on milk ducts, which can make them vulnerable to infection-causing bacteria.

An estimated 80 percent of women buy the wrong-size nursing bra. Where do they go wrong? They increase the bra band size and stay with the same cup size. Most women can stay with their original band size--the rib cage expands a bit during pregnancy, but usually not enough to require a larger band size. Some women may want to go up a band size for comfort, which is fine as long as you have a bra with plenty of adjustment hooks in the back. Meanwhile, most women need a larger cup size during pregnancy. If you were a C cup pre-pregnancy, you may go up to an F, or higher. Depending on the manufacturer, cup sizes can range from A through D, then DD, DDD, E, F, G, H, and I.

Recommendations
The best nursing bras are comfortable, absorbent, and don't bind the breasts in any way that could interfere with milk flow. For optimum support, the band and the straps should be made of non-stretchy fabric. But cups should have some stretch to accommodate changing breast size at different phases of nursing and throughout the day. The band should offer multiple hook positions. Look for bras that are 100 percent cotton or a blend of cotton and Lycra or other stretchy synthetic. Since the right size bra is so important to getting breastfeeding off to a good start and reducing the risk of complications, such as clogged milk ducts, shop at a maternity store or visit a lactation consultant/certified bra fitter for at least your first bra. To find a lactation consultant in your area, contact the hospital or birth center where you'll deliver, or visit the International Lactation Consultant Association at www.ilca.org. A professional fitting will ensure a comfortable fit and the correct size. Try on bras for size and feel, and practice with nursing pads in place. After you've bought one properly fitting bra, you can order more of the same style and size online or from a catalog. Many Web sites offer competitive deals. But stick with the manufacturer and style you were fitted with, or be fitted again, if you'd like to try a different style or brand.

Best for breasts
Tempted to use your regular bra for nursing instead of a nursing bra? That's one cost-saving measure you won't want to take. Regular bras aren't designed for nursing and may not give you the extra support you need to be comfortable. Lifting your regular bra up over your breast to nurse can put a lot of pressure on breast tissue, increasing the risk of infection.

Types of nursing bras
Until recently, there was just one type of nursing bra that came in a variety of styles. Now there are some breast-pumping bras on the market, although we have not tested them. Here are the types of nursing bras to consider.

Traditional nursing bras
Most manufacturers have several nursing-bra lines, including models that are comfortable for sleeping or lounging, traditional, seamless "soft cup" and underwire styles, and super-support sports nursing bras that can take a pounding on the tennis court. Nursing bras that are built into nylon/Lycra tank tops and T-shirts are also an option; discreet nursing clips offer quick breastfeeding access. You'll also find padded and plus-size nursing bras.

Closure locations vary and include flaps that attach at the top near the shoulder strap, flaps that open and close between the two cups, and no flaps at all, where the cups just pull down for quick access. Latches vary, too. Squeeze or push-type latches are easy to operate one-handed, compared to snaps, which usually take two hands to close. Go with whichever type is easier for you to use discreetly one-handed (in case you want want to avoid having to put your baby down).

Breast-pumping bras
Pumping bras can replace a nursing bra or be worn over the top of one. They allow you to pump "hands free" with almost any brand of double electric breast pump. The Hands Free Pump Bra by La Leche League (www.llliclothes.com), for example, is worn instead of a nursing bra. Once you put it on, unsnap the pumping panel from the bra cup and insert the pump's breast shield into the bra cups. You then attach the pump tubes and collection bottles to the pump shield and you're ready to pump.

Another style of pumping bra is designed to be worn over your nursing bra. A pumping bra costs less than a stand-alone hands-free pump. (We have not tested these products.)
Nursing bra features. Comfort is the main feature you want in a nursing bra but there are some other features to consider.

Support | Closures | Adjustability | Color and style

Support
In the world of nursing bras, support is queen. You'll need it now more than ever, just to feel comfortable. The best nursing bras open in the back but have flaps in the front for access. They also have strong side and undercup support and an extra-wide back for a fit that doesn't feel tight. Straps should be non-stretch but adjustable. Soft cup styles usually feature a "no roll" band, which is a plus. If you're extra ample, you may be a candidate for bras with extra-wide, padded shoulder straps and fuller cups. But be sure to try them on before you buy, to see if they're comfortable.

Adjustability
Near the end of your pregnancy and in the early weeks of nursing, your breasts may enlarge, sometimes dramatically, and then they usually return to a smaller size once breastfeeding is established. For greatest comfort, you'll want a nursing bra that "grows" with you and springs back again throughout the day--before and after feedings. So although the band and straps should be non-stretch for support, the cups should have some give. In addition, you'll want multiple hook positions on the band--four gives you plenty of versatility--so you can adjust the bra for comfort. After you've found your correct bra size, look for brands made with a blend of cotton and Lycra.

Color and style
Nursing bras once came only in white, beige (taupe), or black. Though white is still the norm, you'll now find nursing bras in brown, teal, florals, and floral animal prints, some with lace and ribbon that fall into the lingerie category.

Nursing bra shopping tips
Certified bra fitting
Yes, there's a certification program for bra fitting. When you're a nursing mother, a properly fitting bra is more important than ever. You'll want comfortable nursing bras that provide the right support--bras that don't bind, pinch, hike up in the back or front, or irritate breast tissue. Most women experience changes in breast size during pregnancy and lactation. For optimum size and fit, go bra-shopping from four to six weeks before your delivery date. Your size may change throughout the rest of your pregnancy and again after you give birth and begin nursing.
You want some give or stretchiness in the cup to accommodate not only these changes in breast size but also normal changes during the course of the day once you begin to nurse. Though the band should be comfortable, that part of the bra should be firm for proper support. The multiple hook positions will allow you to adjust it if you need to; multiple hooks are the key to comfort. Straps should also be firm--not stretchy--for additional support and stability.
Shop at a maternity store and ask the sales staff whether there's a certified bra fitter on staff. This service is usually free of charge. If a certified bra fitter isn't available, a lactation consultant, perhaps one affiliated with the hospital where you'll deliver, can usually help. Many lactation consultants are also certified bra fitters. The advantage to a bra fitter who is also a lactation consultant is that you can develop a relationship with that person and she can help you address any issues or questions right away. To find a lactation consultant in your area, visit the International Lactation Consultant Association (www.ilca.org).

When you're being fitted, you'll be measured under your arms. The tape will also be wrapped around your torso at the fullest point of the bust. The difference between the two measurements is your cup size. Once you get your official size, you can find a style you like and feel comfortable in. Don't be put off by the size the fitter recommends, which could be much different from what you normally wear. Keep an open mind and try it on before you decide whether it's right for you. Once you realize the difference in not only support and comfort but also appearance (a properly fitting bra will make you look much better!), you won't be hung up on letters of the alphabet. You may not end up with the bra size you thought you'd wear, but the bra probably will fit well.

After you've settled on a brand and style of nursing bra and you're confident you've got the right size, buy online from the manufacturer or Web sites that sell it, or from a catalog, if you want to avoid a trip to the store. If you're buying a bra you haven't tried on, double-check the retailer's instructions for measuring since brands may be sized differently, and make sure you can return it in case it doesn't fit. Or play it safe by buying all your nursing bras at the maternity store where you were measured.

What to buy, when
Buy two or more bras. That should be enough to meet your needs, allowing you to have a couple of bras on deck and one or two in the wash. Plan to buy a sleep/loungewear bra for the early days of nursing when you'll want to wear your nursing bra and pads 24/7 for leakage control.

Shop as early as four to six weeks pre-delivery, as we mentioned, but no earlier. Your breasts may enlarge even more during the end of pregnancy and after your milk comes in, so look for bras with cups that stretch. If you're still not comfortable, you may need to be fitted again.

If you're especially large-breasted, you may need to shop around. Some companies make bras for maximum support and coverage for heavier breasts or plus sizes. If the bras available in your local maternity store aren't large enough, try a specialty lingerie or "foundation" store instead. These shops usually can meet your needs and even custom-make bras in your size.
Underwire nursing bras
The pressure from the underwire support may contribute to breast maladies, such as clogged milk ducts. If you feel you must have an underwire bra, it's vitally important for it to be flexible and fit properly. You definitely want to have an underwire nursing bra fitted by a professional.

What not to buy
There are quite a few nursing bras available that require hand-washing, so check the maintenance tag before you buy. Who has time for that? You won't. Because your baby will be high-maintenance enough, you don't want to spend any downtime you have on this laundry detail.

Accessories
In addition to nursing bras, you'll need disposable or washable cotton pads that you can tuck inside to absorb any leakage. The disposable types are usually made of super-absorbent material that wicks moisture away from the skin, They're higher-tech than cotton nursing pads, but both types cost about the same. Both kinds prevent clothing stains and skin irritation and are invisible to the outside world, so it's just a matter of personal preference. You may also need special bra shells that can protect sore nipples from irritation or help draw out inverted nipples. You can find nursing pads and bra shells at drugstores, specialty maternity shops, and baby-product stores.

For instant privacy, many women use a baby blanket to cover their baby when nursing in public. But a nursing cover-up can be more secure because it doesn't slip off as easily. Cover-ups have a strap that's worn around the neck, which prevents them from shifting and babies from being able to yank it off. Whatever you choose, make sure there's enough airflow for your baby to breathe once you're covered.

Nursing clothes
You can buy special nursing shirts and nightwear that have strategically placed slits and flaps that give you fast access to your nursing bra, making breastfeeding ultraconvenient. Although nursing clothes make breastfeeding easy, they're not essential. Moms tell us that they've bought nursing tops they've never used, making do with large shirts and tank tops they can easily maneuver when the time comes.

A button-down-the-front blouse, stretchy T-shirt or sweater, and two-piece pajamas--in other words, your regular clothes--can work just as well. Regular clothes can be even more discreet, if that's important to you.
Because of their front flaps, which consist of two extra pieces of fabric, nursing shirts tend to advertise the fact that you're nursing, although no one, except other mothers, may notice. The newest generation of nursing wear--clingy tank tops and T-shirts--have a built-in nursing bra so you don't have to wear a nursing bra and a nursing top. They're something to consider for a change of pace. Still, like traditional "nursing" shirts, they're an added expense, and their life span tends to be brief. Many moms, especially those who plan to breastfeed for a while, abandon the nursing duds in short order and breastfeed in whatever they wear that day.