Here at figleaves.com we are proud of our fabulous maternity offering and believe women should wear bras that make them feel confident and feminine. With summer approaching and the introduction of lots of beautiful, new maternity styles, prints and colour ways, we have interviewed Isabel Keith, Assistant Buyer for lingerie and maternity bra expert:
Izzy, what's the importance in getting measured during pregnancy and what happens to your bra size?
Most women get measured in the fourth month of pregnancy, however it’s best to listen to your body and do what is most comfortable for you. During pregnancy your breasts might start to feel swollen, so you should invest in a few new maternity/nursing bras to accommodate your changing shape.
What should you look for in a maternity bra?
However many bras you need, comfort is always key. Your tissue is growing and will be very delicate, so underwired bras are best avoided if they haven’t been specifically designed for pregnant women. There are underwired maternity bras on the market that have a special flexible wire that is longer than normal wires, this means that the bra is wider at the sides to avoid the underwire hitting the glands, which can cause mastitis. You should opt for bras with comfortable, wide straps that don’t dig in, as well as a breathable fabric or one with a high cotton content to keep you cool.
How should a maternity bra fit?
A maternity bra should fit you on the tightest hook when you buy it, you can always loosen it, or even buy bra extenders as you grow.
How should a nursing bra fit?
When you buy your nursing bra, it should fit you on the loosest hook, your back size might well get smaller after the birth, so tighten it as you go along and don’t worry if it looks a little generous in the cups as you will grow as your milk comes in and nursing bras are designed to cater for this.
A maternity/nursing bra should be comfortable and supportive. Unlike an underwired bra it will not always sit flush against the body because of the soft cups. The cup should be smooth on the body i.e no double busting effect.
What about getting measured post pregnancy?
Getting measured post pregnancy is very important due to your body changing shape. Before breastfeeding your ribcage expands and then once you have given birth it decreases. Midnight Grace by figleaves.com maternity bras are a great solution for this as they come complete with 6 hook and eyes, allowing you to adjust your bra as your body shape changes.
What particular bra features should you look for and in particular what brands are good for this?
When choosing a maternity or nursing bra you might want to opt for a soft cup to ensure you are comfortable. It’s also advisable to opt for a bra with as many hook and eyes as possible so you can adjust it as your body changes.
If you would rather keep to an underwired bra then we have brands such as Anita and Anielina that offer solution styles that are underwired (with a flexible maternity wire especially designed for pregnancy) great for everyday or more pretty styles that use organic cotton and have pretty ribbon slot details for a feminine touch.
Cherry Blush Maternity Bra, Anita, £39.00
Our Midnight Grace range has really nice, soft drop cups with a feeding hole for modesty; features like this are vital when selecting the right bra for you.
Apple Blossom Maternity Bra, Midnight Grace by figleaves.com, £28.00
Being comfortable is key, so soft to touch fabrics such as cotton, microfiber and super soft elastics are key. Wide straps are also a popular choice for pregnant women or for women who are nursing, for the ultimate in support and comfort.
Feeling feminine whilst pregnant is something that we have really embraced at figleaves.com. We have introduced gorgeous, fashionable prints to our Midnight Grace maternity lingerie and handpicked a collection of maternity designs especially for both fit and styling.
Are there any other accessories that can be bought to help?
Bra extenders can be purchased to fit on the back of regular bras throughout pregnancy.
If you're going straight to formula when's best to get remeasured and what can we expect?
It is recommended that you get measured for a bra as often as you can when your body is changing shape. Your breasts are likely to get smaller and losing baby weight can alter your bra size dramatically.
Do you have any advice on bra fitting after you've finished breast feeding?
Get fitted regularly or learn how to fit yourself. You can use our fit guide to do this in the comfort of your own home and if you have any questions please speak to our team of trained Personal Shoppers over the phone on 08444 932 932 or via email: help@figleaves.com
