Maternity Bras for the Different Stages of Your Pregnancy
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What an amazing time of your life! There are so many choices and decisions that you’re going to have to make. Your belly, boobs, and beyond are going to be going through some dramatic changes. So what is the best nursing bra & best maternity bras for each stage? Read on and we can cover those bases for you.
First Trimester Maternity Bras
First Trimester: When you first become pregnant, swollen breasts and sensitive nipples can be some of the first signs that you’re growing a human. It’s in these early stages of pregnancy that the most rapid increase in breast size occurs. As a result, it’s important that your breasts are comfortable, supported and not restricted.
We recommend that you’re fitted into a comfortable, double-layered, stretchy yet supportive seamless bra.
Seamless bras usually cover multiple cup sizes and come in easy XS-XL sizing (one of the best maternity bra options out there).
This is perfect for you at this stage because you may still increase in size. Will you increase by 1, 2, or even 3 cup sizes? No one knows, sorry, so it’s best to get out of your wired or restrictive cup-sized bras.
Look for a seamless bra that has:
- Superior design — designed for support and comfort.
- Made from high-density yarns that are micro twisted separately using nylon 66 for that superior feel.
- Moulded for extra cup capacity and depth — your breasts shouldn’t be squished together but should be separated and allowed to have the room they need for fluctuations
For a full range of bras for each trimester and beyond, head to cakematernity.com. We’ve even got a nifty function where you can shop by stage. Brilliant.
Maternity Bras for the 2nd & 3rd Trimesters
2nd & 3rd trimesters: Your breast growth will slow through this stage but your bra size can still increase due to your ribcage expanding. Your ribcage expands to allow for your other organs to relocate and your baby to grow.
Hence the reason many women feel fuller quicker when pregnant and have trouble breathing. Joy.
You’re now allowed to go into a cup specific flexible wired bra or a more structured wire-free bra.
Whatever your choice, make sure the bra is fitting you with these simple guidelines.
Being fitted in your second and third trimester is quite important because going off measurements can be a little tricky.
If you are 8 months pregnant, your measurements will most likely be showing an underband of a much larger size.
If you buy this, then it’s unlikely it will fit you for very long, especially after you have your baby and your ribcage contracts again.
Here’s a quick guide for hook and eye closures and your pregnancy.
Pro tip — around 80% of women will be the same cup size at 8 months pregnant as they will be after 6-8 weeks of breastfeeding.
So, if you’re wanting to save time and be prepared, you could purchase a bra for nursing at 8 months pregnant as long as you’re fitting it on the last hook.
That way there’ll be enough hooks to make sure the underband is firm and supporting you after you’ve had your baby.
Baby’s arrival or the 4th-trimester nursing bras
If you thought your size had increased when you were first pregnant, just wait for this lovely trimester when your milk comes in.
Please note, whether you decide to breastfeed or not, your milk will still come in (unless medicated otherwise).
During this stage, your size may go up between 1 and 5 cup sizes. The average is around 3 cup sizes. Not to worry though, the size of your breasts doesn’t indicate the amount of milk you’ll make.
Some women find this stage very uncomfortable because not only are your breasts much larger, but they are much heavier when compared to a non-breastfeeding breast of the same size.
Because they have endured a rapid increase, the skin may also feel very taught, itchy, and sensitive.
Your nipples (let alone from breastfeeding) may also become sensitive again with the hormonal changes occurring in your body.
Once again, the seamless bra is your bestie during this stage, just like in the first trimester.
Your breasts, with their fluctuations, weight, and sensitivity will thank you for choosing a supportive and comfortable seamless bra.
6+ weeks postpartum:
After about 6-8 weeks your crazy fluctuations will calm down and you will be able to go back into wearing a cup sized bra again, just like in trimester 2 and 3.
Your rib cage and organs are also nearly back to their previous position and size.
Opt for a bra (flexible wire or not, your choice) that has good underbust support, a firm back band and quality shoulder straps for support.
Make sure when you do fit them, they are on the middle hook, so you can tighten once again as your ribcage contracts.
This may take some time and some women find that they never go back to their pre-baby underband size.
Another thing to look for is ample stretch in the top cup of the bra for milk fluctuations.
When you’re being fitted, make sure this is not digging in when you are about to feed and not too loose when you’ve just fed.
A good quality bra will support you through the entire day, no matter if you’ve fed or are just about to.
Whatever stage you’re at, and whatever your style and size, you can be sure to find what you’re looking for at Cake Maternity.
As long as you are comfortable and supported, we believe that your breastfeeding journey will be a smooth one so you can focus more on your baby and less on your underwear. Win-win.
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About The Author, Katie!
Katie is the proud mum of two beautiful girls and has been responsible for all the designs, style, and fit at Cake Maternity for over a decade now.
Katie is a nursing bra specialist and a fit, pattern, and grading technician. She is passionate about breastfeeding and the many benefits it offers to both mum, bub, and the environment.
She is determined to make the breastfeeding journey a comfortable, supportive, and beautiful one for all mums, understanding that it doesn’t always come easy to everyone. That’s why she has made it her mission to empower women as they mindfully navigate the world of motherhood and help make breastfeeding easier, through experience-driven innovation.