Nursing bras

Nursing bras are specially designed to adjust to your breast size, which will change depending on whether you have just fed your baby. They are also designed to allow you to feed your baby discreetly and comfortably, by just opening a section, as opposed to having to take your bra off completely.

Buy your nursing bras towards the very end of your pregnancy (from around 36 weeks is ideal), otherwise the fit will be wrong after the birth. It is a good idea to get professional advice and a proper fitting from someone trained in fitting bras - many high street stores offer this free service.

Nursing bras come in lots of different styles, from plain to lacy, and in black, white and ivory; some also come with matching briefs. They are usually sold in medium or firm support; firm support is more suitable for larger breasts. Sizing is the same as for ordinary bras.

Because of the weight of your breasts, even small sizes need good support, but your bra shouldn’t feel restrictive or it may affect your milk production. Look for:

• High cotton content for comfort. Breasts often feel hot and sticky, cotton will help keep them cool
• Fabrics with give
• Wide non-slip straps
• Broad side-panels for support
• Hooks and eyes that are easy to undo one-handed, and don't press into you
• Plenty of hook and eye fastenings at the back (unless it's made from very stretchy fabric) so that you can loosen it as your breasts increase in size
• A good fit all round: not only will an ill-fitting bra be very uncomfortable during breastfeeding, but it can also interfere with your milk production by blocking ducts

Nursing bras usually open up for feeding in one of four ways:

• A front fastening between the two cups
• Zips which sit under each cup
• A fastening on the shoulder strap at the top of the cup which releases to drop the cup down. Ensure the design reveals the whole breast and not just the nipple, as any fabric left pressing on the underside of the breast may cause blocked ducts
• Stretchy material which allows you to slip it over your head, rather like a sports bra, and to pull it open to feed

You’ll need at least two or three nursing bras. Because you are constantly producing milk, you’ll need to wash your bras frequently, even if you are using a breast pad to soak up the excess.

Night time nursing bras are also available; they have all the design features of a nursing bra (as you will of course be feeding in the night) but are lighter weight to wear; instead of the usual ways of opening for feeding, this type of bra might have a crossover front design so you can just slip your breast out.

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