Bra During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding – What Does It Need to Do?
Short answer: A bra for pregnancy and breastfeeding needs to be elastic, soft and free of underwire so it can follow the changes in your shape. Support from a wide band, a breathable fabric and no pressure against the breast tissue are the three things that matter most.
Your size changes more than once
During pregnancy many women go up one or more cup sizes, and the measurement under the bust grows as well, because the ribcage widens. A rigid underwired bra can go from fitting perfectly to pressing within a few weeks. A soft wire free model follows the body along the way and saves you from buying a new bra every month.
Support comes from the band
Most of the support in any bra comes from the band that runs around the body rather than from the wire. If the band sits level and firm without digging in, it carries the weight perfectly well without metal. Wide straps spread the rest of the load so they do not cut into the shoulders.
Why the wire is the first thing to go
An underwire is shaped for one particular breast shape and one particular size. When both of them change quickly, the metal ends up resting on the tissue instead of underneath it. A soft elastic band moves with you instead. Have a look at the bamboo bras without underwire if you want to compare the models.
You notice the fabric more now
Skin often becomes more sensitive during pregnancy, and hot flushes arrive more frequently. A dense synthetic fabric traps heat and moisture exactly where the skin is already easily irritated. Bamboo viscose is soft, breathable and good at moving moisture away from the skin, so it feels cooler across a long day.
Finding the right size
Measure directly under the bust and across the fullest point, and repeat it every couple of months. If two fingers fit under the band without it riding up at the back, the fit is right. If you land between two sizes, take the larger one while your shape is still changing.
Models that work for feeding
Look for something you can pull down or to the side with one hand. Tops with a wide neckline and bras with soft elastic cups manage that with no clips at all. If there is a clip, check that you can open it without looking, because that is exactly what the night hours require.
At night
Many women sleep better in a soft bra during the early weeks, because it keeps pads in place and takes the edge off movement. Choose a model with no hooks at the back and no stiff edges, so you wake without marks on the skin. It has to stay comfortable for eight hours.
Keep several in rotation
Count on at least three: one on the body, one in the drawer and one in the wash. Wash at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle, use a laundry bag and skip the tumble dryer so the elastane keeps its shape. The rest of the range sits under bamboo underwear for women, where briefs and tops come in the same soft quality. See also bamboo clothing for sensitive skin and size guide for bamboo clothing.
Frequently asked questions
When should I change size?
As soon as the band rides up at the back or leaves a mark that stays. Most women change two or three times between early pregnancy and established feeding. Measure every couple of months and you will catch it in good time.
Is an underwire harmful?
There is no evidence that a wire harms the breast in itself, but a wire in the wrong size can press and hurt while the tissue is tender. If you are in pain or in any doubt, ask your midwife or your doctor.
Can I use an ordinary wire free bra for feeding?
Yes, as long as it is elastic enough to be pulled aside and sits firmly again afterwards. The important part is that the fabric does not squeeze the breast once you have moved it out of the way.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
