How to Find the Right Size Maternity and Nursing Bra

When you're pregnant, your body goes through an immense number of changes, and one that is almost immediately noticeable is the size of your breasts. You may find that almost overnight, you have a cleavage that you've always longed for but you may also discover that sensitivity increases too, so even the most gentle of hugs can make you wince in pain! In addition to your breasts growing, your rib cage expands and your overall body shape changes. It's therefore very important to find the right sized maternity bra to give you full support and maximum comfort. Getting Measured with Born Trained Staff Your body begins to change at around 12 weeks of pregnancy, so you may need to change to maternity bra's around that stage.  If you are local to our stores you can come in for a fitting with our trained staff who can measure you and advise about the type of maternity bra that will suit you best.  If you are buying a bra specifically for breastfeeding, we recommend getting fitted at around 37 weeks, as bra's which fit at this point of pregnancy should see you through the size changes after your baby is born and your milk arrives. If you are not able to call into our stores, you can measure yourself (or get someone to help). Bravado Confetti - coming soon! Measuring Yourself for a Maternity Bra Before you start: Make sure you are wearing an un-padded bra that is not a compression or a sports bra. Stand straight and relaxed, with your arms down, and breathe normally. If you can, ask someone to help you measure. If you’re doing this solo, measure yourself in front of a mirror. Write down the following measurements: Chest — First measure around your chest. Place the measuring tape around yourself and position it right under your armpits. Make sure that the measuring tape is above your breast tissue in the front, and running parallel to the floor in the back. Pull snug. Write down this measurement in inches.  Bust — Measure across the fullest part of your breasts, right across the nipples. Place the measuring tape around your breasts. This is a loose measurement. Hint: Look in the mirror. Your breasts should fall at the centre point between your elbow and shoulder. Find your size: Determine your band size: Take your chest measurement. If you have an odd number, round it up or down to the nearest even number (for example, 33.5 rounds up to 34, where 32.5 would round down to 32). This is your band size.  Determine your cup size: Subtract your band size from your bust measurement and this is your cup size. Each inch is equivalent to one cup size, so you can count up (1=A, 2=B, 3=C and so on).   How your breasts (and bra size) will change throughout your pregnancy and beyond Bravado have done a great guide for pregnancy changes.  They base the changes on a pre-pregnancy size of 34B, but even if you're not that size, it gives you an idea of the changes that will take place! 3 Months Pregnant: At 3 months, you'll start noticing many changes to your body, including your breasts and ribs starting to pronounce themselves.  Your 34B may feel a bit tight. You're moving from a 34 to 36 and becoming a C cup. 6 Months Pregnant: Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra At 6 months pregnant, you're not only glowing but your belly is more pronounced, and your breasts and rib cage both feel bigger. You're now a 36C. 9 Months Pregnant: At 9 months pregnant you're radiant, and almost ready to deliver. Your breasts may begin to feel a bit puffy and tender the last few weeks, and your ribs may feel very pushed out. You are closer to a 36D now, but not for long! 3 to 4 days after you've given birth: It's now 3 to 4 days after you've given birth. You've been breastfeeding since birth, but today your breasts are significantly bigger and heavier. You've increased at least a full size in the cup (to a E(DD) or more) but feel relief in your rib cage now that the baby is born. You're also wearing a nursing bra to bed for greater comfort. A breastfeeding rhythm has been established: You and baby are happily working on your breastfeeding relationship. Around 10 to 12 weeks after birth your breasts have relaxed in size and weight and you could easily wear a 34D. Choosing a Maternity and Nursing Bra At Born, we pride ourselves on finding and fitting the right bra for you and your needs. Our range includes the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra, our best seller! It will fit you from pregnancy through to extended feeding. The cup stretch is fantastic, and accommodates the fluctuating in size that happens to your breasts in the first few months of feeding.  Insiders Tip!  Arriving in stock in the next few weeks, we have the Bravado Confetti, a gorgeous lightweight bra with a small dot pattern, as well as the Bravado Bliss, the ultimate T-shirt bra! It gives you full access for skin-to-skin feeding and includes the Bravado Bra Conversion Kit which enables you to turn the bra into a normal bra when your breastfeeding journey is complete!  For our full range of maternity and nursing bras, visit Borndirect or contact our stores to book a consultation or fitting. Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra