Pregnancy and breastfeeding is an extremely important period for the breast, full of rapid changes in size. To ensure that your bust does not lose its beauty after breastfeeding, you need to provide it with adequate support, i.e. a well-chosen bra.
Women worry thatbustpopregnancywill lose shape and go limp. It doesn't have to be that way! A well-chosen, supportive breastbrawill keep your breasts in the same good condition after breastfeeding as before pregnancy. If so far you have neglected this piece of clothing - you did not pay attention to adjusting the size, you focused only on the appearance of the bra - it's time to change it. And if you didn't wear a bra before pregnancy, now it's a must! Particular care should be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
A good bra needed from the beginning of pregnancy
First of all, in the correct size. Already at the beginning of pregnancy, even if your breasts have not enlarged, it is worth checking if the bra you are wearing is good.
How? Measure under the bust with the tailor's tape measure - tight and on the exhale. Round down the result to the next five and subtract 5 cm more (e.g. if you have 78 cm under your breasts, round the result to 75 and subtract 5 cm - your bra size under the bust is 70)
Why? The fabric from which the bra circumference is sewn is usually elastic. It can stretch up to 20 cm (if you don't believe it, spread your long-used bra on the table and measure its length). Therefore, a bra that already has the same circumference as yours under the bust before putting it on has no chance of supporting the breasts.
What happens then? The breasts lose their support, they weigh down, and the back of the bra goes up. In a correctly selected bra, the circumference of the bra at the back should be at the same level as at the front. Do not be afraid that the tight circuit will put pressure on you and make it difficult to breathe. This will not happen if you choose the cup size correctly. To do this, measure the circumference of the breast loosely around the nipples - with and without the bra - and take the larger result into account. Now, in the size chart (e.g. Polish size chart, look for specific manufacturers' tables) find your established bra circumference under the bust (not the bust circumference only!) And the bust circumference.
This way you will determine the size of the bra. For example, if you are 78 cm below your breasts and 90 cm at your bust, you should reachto a bra in size 70D.
How to put on a bra?
When measuring the bra, bend slightly and place the breasts in the cups with the pulling movement from under the armpit. Check that the cup is not too small; The underwire must cover the entire breast, point towards the center of the armpit from the side, and must fit snugly between the breasts. Breasts cannot touch each other. There must be no bulges over the edge of the cup, the so-called buns; the bust line should be smooth when viewed from the side. The folds under the armpits also indicate that the cup is too small.
Do not buy bras in stock
During pregnancy, avoid seamless bras, the so-called growing by size. They mainly "grow" under the bust, that is, they simply stretch, not supporting the breasts. The bra must be the same size. You do not need a special maternity bra, you just need a good, soft bra with underwires.
Buy a new bra as soon as you change the size, do not wait for the time after giving birth or after breastfeeding - losses caused by wearing a wrong bra are very difficult will make up.
Therefore, do not buy in stock, buy now! When the circumference under the bust increases or the bra has not yet stretched, it is worth buying the so-called extension in a haberdashery or lingerie store. It will increase the bra circumference.
Special nursing bra
Buy a nursing bra one month before your due date. Take into account the circumference under the breasts before pregnancy, and enlarge the cup by 1-2 sizes compared to the one you have at the 9th month of pregnancy.
In the first month after giving birth, a bra without underwires will be useful. The body is then sensitive and lactation is not yet stabilized. After this period, reach for a bra with underwires - special for breastfeeding, with detachable cups. Underwires are especially important with larger breasts - without them, the bra will not support sufficiently enlarged breasts. You may come across the notion that underwires constrict the milk ducts, causing blockages. However, this is not possible if the bra is the right size - then the underwire covers the breast rather than lying on it, and does not pinch.
In a cotton bra without underwire, it is worth sleeping during the entire period of pregnancy and breastfeeding. It will prevent the skin from stretching and the sensitive nipples from rubbing against the fabric of the nightgown. Choose microfiber bras that quickly wick moisture away, leaving the skin dry.
A nursing bra does not have to be white - it is impractical because it turns gray after many washes. There are also nude, black bras with flowers on the market. Unfortunately, you won't find a large selection of nursing bras in regular stores. The Internet is the solution - you can safely measure your underwear inat home, to various blouses - instead of in a cramped fitting room, with a crying baby by your side (you have 10 days to send back bras that do not match, and in English shops it is usually 28 days).