Before you buy the YES! Nursing and Maternity bra, make sure you read these helpful hints:

To be sure: measure yourself now to see what size will suit you best.

Band Size:

• Measure the circumference of your rib cage just under your breasts.
• Add 3 inches to this measurement.
• Add 1 if your measurement is an odd number.

e.g. Band measurement is 36. Add 3 = 39. Add 1 to round up to 40. The nursing/maternity bra size for you will be a 40.

Cup Size:

• Measure the circumference of your rib cage at the fullest part of your breasts.
• Use the table below to determine your cup size.
• Take the cup measurement, and subtract the band measurement.

e.g. Cup measurement is 42. Subtract the maternity/ nursing bra band size (40). 42-40 = 2. Using the chart below, a difference of 2 inches between band and cup measurement will be a B cup.

You should try bras that are a 40B to be most comfortable!

Other helpful hints:

Support Band should be:

1.                  Snug but not too tight.

2.                  Flexible and stretchy to grow with you and shrink when you do too.

3.                  Keep the back of the bra from riding up. You want your bra to stay firmly in place.

4.                  Strong enough to keep the breasts in place. Together, the straps and support band should work to keep the breasts elevated nicely. The straps should not cut into your shoulders at all.

5.                  Supportive enough that you won’t have to worry about big-breast backache.

Cups should:

1. Provide adequate coverage. A bra that falls short on coverage won’t feel comfortable. Make sure your breasts aren’t peeking out of the bra too much!
2. Be comfortable
3. NEVER feel like they are tight. If the breast in constricted by a bra that is too snug, you may have problems with plugged milk-ducts or mastitis.
4. Have a little extra room for nursing pads.

General Tips:

1. Go shopping for nursing/maternity bras as soon as your current bras aren’t comfortable any more. For most women this will be during the second or third trimester.
2. Follow the washing instructions on your new bra carefully. Even the most durable bra can’t stand up to mistreatment forever. Help yours last as long as you nurse.
3. Talk to other moms and ask them whether they felt a nursing bra was a worthwhile investment!
4. Think about your lifestyle and budget. Are you moderately active and need a sports-bra style? Do you like underwire or non-underwire bras now? How long do you plan to breastfeed? How much money do you feel comfortable investing in nursing bras?
5. Think about buying nursing pads for your bra to help protect against leakage.