The Right Nursing Bra Can Make All The Difference With Breastfeeding

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It may seem like a little thing, but the right nursing bra can truly make breastfeeding easier and help you avoid certain problems. What do I mean? Here are some examples of how the wrong bra can cause or contribute to breastfeeding challenges.

• Comfort

Generally speaking, nursing bras are made from stretchier, more breathable materials. This is good since a nursing mom’s cup size can change during the day, and she may feel hotter due to changing hormones. In addition, breathable fabrics like cotton and microfiber help wick moisture away which can help prevent thrush (a yeast infection of the breast).

While some women might be able to get away with wearing their regular bras while nursing, it’s not recommended. Why? Because nursing bras allow baby access to the nipple without putting pressure on sensitive breast tissue. Wearing too tight or ill fitting bras can lead to plugged ducts and mastitis. Some women are more sensitive to this than others, and cannot even tolerate an underwire bra while they’re nursing. Thank goodness there are a lot of soft cup nursing bras available even in larger sizes.

• Convenience

When your baby is ready to eat, it can be stressful to fumble around with a bra that can’t be opened easily with one hand. Drop cups that open quickly are much more convenient, especially when you find yourself nursing in public. When you try on nursing bras in the store, be sure you can manage them with one hand before buying. Once you’re home with baby, practice undoing your bra discreetly and latching baby on in front of a mirror. You can get so good at this that noone will know you’re nursing.

Successful breastfeeding doesn’t require a lot of gadgets (one of the advantages of nursing) , but motherhood is short so treat yourself to a well fitting nursing bra to enhance the experience. Here are a few more tips on how to choose a nursing bra.