Lift And Support And Fit…Oh My!

I just received a brand-new nursing bra in my store (making it 50 different types of nursing bras that I carry – HOLY COW!). It is called the Smoothing Underwire Nursing Bra and it is made by Elomi (part of the Eveden family of bras designed specifically for women with larger busts). I ordered this bra because I am always on the look out for good nursing bras – especially ones that come in large cup sizes. And one combination that seems to be especially difficult to find is a bra that comes in large cup sizes AND has an underwire. I don’t know why – but this is almost impossible to find! Well – it’s impossible to find one that is comfortable anyway….

Well, I’ve found it! And when I tried this bra on, I found myself singing “Lift and Support and Fit … Oh MY! Lift and Support and Fit …. OH MY!” (to the tune of Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!) This bra is fantastic! It gives great lift (important when your breasts are the size of small or in some cases large melons!). It gives great support - again very important when you have large breasts and it fits FANTASTIC!! The underwire is comfortable, the cups are flattering to your figure and it places your girls – right where they belong – IN THE CENTER OF YOUR CHEST - not down in your belly!

This bra comes in sizes 34-48, DD-K. The sizing is a “funky” in that they use some European sizing standards which we North American’s are not accustomed to – but I have put “equivalent” sizing on my site so that you can get a better idea of which size to order.

If you have large breasts – then this is the bra for you! Try one out today! “Lift and Support and Fit … Oh MY! Lift and Support and Fit …. OH MY!”

Disclaimer: I received a free sample of this bra in order to decide if I wanted to order it for my store or not. I was not expected nor asked to write a review of it. I did that purly of my own volition because I was so super impressed with how truely wonderful this bra is!

Oh My God They’re Huge!

This might be something you’re saying to yourself as you progress through your pregnancy and start breastfeeding. Most women will gain 1-2 cup sizes in their breasts from the time they get pregnant to the time to they begin breastfeeding. When the cup size gain comes is different for everyone. I personally went up 3 cup sizes while I was pregnant (from a DD to a G), but didn’t change at all when my milk came in. Other women don’t change much while they are pregnant, but may increase 1 or 2 cup sizes when their milk comes in.

If you are a B-DD/E cup, then you won’t have any difficulties finding a great nursing bra. There are even quite a few styles to choose from for F-cup gals. But once you get BEYOND the F-cup, the selection of bras goes WAY DOWN. I personally didn’t even know bras came in a G-cup until I needed to buy one. I had to wear the most uncomfortable bras throughout my pregnancy and nursing days because I couldn’t find on that actually fit me properly.

Well, have I got knews for you! Bravado! Designs has come out with a BRAND-NEW nursing bra (which I reviewed during my Blogiversary Celebration) called the Sublime Nursing Bra - and boy is it ever!!

There are THREE things that I love about this bra.
1) It is pretty
2) It gives great SUPPORT and SEPARATION
3) It comes in cup sizes from B to K – yes, that’s right – K!!

So now, all of you mamas who are in the “larger than an F-cup” category have some choice – a beautiful bra, with great support at a very reasonable price! What more can a well-endowed mama ask for??

**Disclaimer – I was not compensated in any way for this review – I wrote it to express my gratitude for a nursing bra that is beautiful, functional and comes in large cup sizes.

Mom’s Most Supportive Friend: 5 Things To Look For To Fit The Perfect Nursing Bra

By Alina Szober

The burps, the leaks, the sleepless nights – and then the baby arrives! And when that little one gets here, a well-fitted, comfortable and easy to use nursing bra can be a new mom’s new best friend.

The ideal time to be fitted for a nursing bra is a few weeks before your due date. Because your breasts have been preparing to nurse during your entire pregnancy, you’ve likely experienced some fullness or size increase. Every woman is different as to when and how much she experiences, but purchasing a nursing bra close to your due date will give you the most accurate prediction of your nursing size. During pregnancy, you’ll only need a new bra if you find your pre-pregnancy bras getting snug or uncomfortable. If that happens, most women just choose to buy a nursing bra instead of a regular bra, since nursing bras generally give you more room to grow, and you’ll be able to use them after the baby is born as well.

When you’re trying on nursing bras, the first thing you want to make sure of is that the bra is sitting just right on your body. To do that, once you have the bra on, bend over, and reach your right hand into your left cup, cup your breast, and lift it into place in the bra. Do the same for the other side. This ensures that all your breast tissue is correctly placed in the cups, and none is being constricted by the bottom band or sides of the bra – which is especially important if you’re nursing, because constant pressure in one spot could lead to soreness or infection. And frankly, the girls need all the TLC they can get at this point!

Once you have the bra on, there are several things you can look for to ensure it is just the right size and fits your body well:

1) Scope out the rib band
The band should be sitting evenly all around (level to the floor) in the front and back. If you find it’s riding up in the back, first make sure the straps are properly released to your comfort; and if it’s still riding up, then try a smaller band size. You should be able to run one or two fingers comfortably under the band. If you can’t, the band is too tight – go up a rib band. If you can run more than two fingers, the band is too loose – go down a rib band.

2) Check out the straps
Adjust the straps to your comfort, so that they’re not digging in or providing support. A good test is to let them drop over your shoulders – the cups and rib band should stay in place without them. If they don’t, the bra is likely too big.

3) Make sure your cups don’t runneth over…or under
When looking at the cups, see if there is any gaping, puckering, or extra fabric. If so, the cup is too big, and you should try a smaller cup size. The cups should cover the breast fully. Breasts should not be bulging out of the top or sides – do a finger test at the top to make sure you have a little room. Another thing to look for is where the seams lie in the cups (if the bra has seams), and to make sure they run to the sides of your nipples for your comfort.

4) A new meaning to easy access
Another important thing to try is the nursing closures on the bra. They should be easy to operate once you get used to them (most closures take a few tries to get the hang of). Bend over and wiggle around a bit to make sure they don’t open spontaneously. Better to find out now, instead of when you’re leaning over to grab some cereal from the bottom grocery store shelf! Needless to say – don’t buy it if it does that.

5) Overall look and feel
Last but definitely not least, think about whether the bra is comfortable and if you feel supported. Is anything bothering you? Do you find any of the seams irritating or any of the fabric scratchy? Make
sure to move around in the bra to ensure it stays put (that the rib band doesn’t ride up, the straps don’t fall off). As well, put your top on over your bra, and look at yourself in profile to see your shape. Are you getting
the silhouette that you want? Do the nursing closures lie flat under your clothing?

And remember, today; you don’t have to sacrifice a stylish bra for comfort and function.

Alina Szober is the Marketing Manager at Bravado Designs Inc. Mom owned and operated, Bravado Designs holds over 17 years of combined experience and knowledge in the nursing apparel industry from its thousands of wear testers, mommy designers, and its fearless owners – one of which is a certified lactation consultant. Alina has been with Bravado for 4 years, time she has spent understanding nursing mothers in their own words, through Bravado’s proprietary database of over 80,000 moms.

Bravado Designs is also proud to be a sponsor of the Mommy News & Views Blogiversary Celebration. Stop by and visit their Review/Giveaway in our Blogiversary section!

Help! How Do I Get A Nursing Bra That Fits??

I have measured myself and I wear a 34C nursing bra. I purchased a new nursing bra in a 34C. It was too tight in the band, but fit well in the cups. So I ordered the next size up (36C). This one fits great in the band, but it is too big in the cups! Should I just pick a different style bra?

Bra sizing can be very confusing because a 34C and 36C are not the same cup size. Once you know your measurements and what size you should be, then you will have to apply that knowledge to the different fit of each nursing bra. We try to give fit advice for each nursing bra in our boutique. So if you read the descriptions, it will tell you how to get the best fit once you know what your size is supposed to be. Some bras run small in the band or large in the cup or some combination of both. The most important thing is knowing “what you should be” and then using the bra descriptions to figure out what size you should order for that particular bra.

With bra sizing, every time you go up a band-size, your cup size also increases by one cup size.

So a 36C is actually one cup size larger than a 34C. If your pre-pregnancy size is 34B and your size after your baby comes is a 36D, then you have actually gone up THREE cup sizes, not two! It can be confusing – so the best thing to do is just keep in mind that if you increase your band size, you should take a corresponding decrease in your cup size to maintain the same cup size.

In the question submitted here, the bra fits in the cup (34C) but is too snug in the band. There are two options to get a good fit with this bra.

1) Order the bra in a 36B. This will give you one band-size larger – giving a great fit around, while maintaining the same cup size that you had with the 34C.

2) You can keep the 34C and get a bra extender to make the band a little bit wider.

Have you ever ordered three bras and wore a different size in each one? Please share your stories on how you got a great fitting nursing bra!!

SPECIAL: As part of our Breastfeeding Week Celebration, place an order for any three nursing bras and receive a FREE Nursing Bra Washing Cube. Just enter code ‘CUBE‘ at checkout. This offer is available TODAY only (August 4, 2009).

How Do I Know What Size Nursing Bra To Get?

I am currently pregnant and would like to purchase some nursing bras. My current bras don’t fit me well anymore, but I still have 6 weeks before my baby arrives. What size nursing bra should I purchase?

You should always purchase a bra that is going to fit you now. If your current bras aren’t fitting, then it is time to get a new one. If you don’t know what size you are, then you should get measured or measure yourself to find out what size you should be wearing now. Many women will go up one full cup size after the baby arrives and their milk comes in. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict exactly how much your breasts will change size once the baby arrives. What I generally recommend is that moms get a bra that is comfortable now, but will give them “room to grow” for after the baby arrives. There are two bras that are really great for this:

1) The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra: This bra doesn’t have specific cup sizes but instead is sized S, M, L, XL. It is designed to stretch to accommodate your changing body. So even if your breasts go up one or more cup sizes, this bra will still fit you. It will also continue to fit you after your milk comes in and your breasts change size in the AM vs the PM or during the first few months post-partum vs when your baby is approaching his/her first birthday and not nursing as much anymore. In addition to this “stretch-a-bility” I also love this bra because it gives FANTASTIC support. It has “ribbing” that goes under the bust and up the side of each breast which gives the same support/lift/separation you would get with an underwire – without an underwire! It also has removable padding – so if you don’t like it, you can take it out. And – it fits cup sizes B-DDD(F) – so will accommodate almost everyone!!

2) The Tee-Shirt Underwire Nursing Bra: This bra is great too – especially for those of you who like underwires. This bra has a padded underwire so that it fits gently under your breasts and gives fabulous support without digging into you. It also has three nursing clips – allowing you to make the cup up to one full cup-size larger to accommodate your changing breasts. This bra is so comfortable that my MOM is wearing it – and she isn’t even nursing!! It is by far the most comfortable underwire bra that I have ever worn. It comes in sizes 34-42 C-DDD(F) and will accommodate up to a G cup easily! The only downside to this bra is that it doesn’t have any padding in the cups.

If you choose one of these two bras while you are pregnant, then you will have a good start for when your baby arrives. Once the baby is born and you know exactly what size you are going to be, you can come back and try the plethora of other nursing bras that are available!

What was your favorite nursing bra? Did you purchase it before the baby was born or after? Please leave a comment and share your experiences with our readers!

How To Measure Yourself For A Nursing Bra

Did you know that most women are wearing bras that don’t fit properly? Greater than 70% of women are wearing the wrong size or style of bra for their bodies. No wonder we hate them so much!! And when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is even more important to have a properly fitted bra. An ill-fitting bra can cause many problems like blocked ducts, mastitis, milk supply problems and discomfort for new moms. If you don’t have a place that you can go to for a proper fitting, then use the instructions below to fit yourself. It is probably easier if you have someone help you take the measurements.

To take your measurements, take off your shirt and make sure you have your best fitting bra on. Make sure that the bra isn’t tight in the cups so that you are able to get an accurate measurement.

To get your band size, measure around your body but ABOVE your breasts. This should be a SNUG measurement. Make sure that the measuring tape is parallel to the floor when taking this measurement. Round up to the nearest even number. Now take the same measurement UNDER your breasts. Round up to the nearest even number. Take the LARGER of these two measurements. This will give you your band size.

To get your cup size, measure around your body and across your breasts at the largest part (with a bra on). This measurement should be a fitted, but loose measurement. The difference between this number and your band size will give you your cup size. 1 inch = 1 cup. For instance, if you are a 34 band and you measure 37 across your breasts, then you are a 34C.

Now, this technique isn’t perfect and I have seen some moms who just don’t measure their size no matter how many times they take their measurements – so I always recommend that you also look at what size bra you have been wearing. If your measurements are similar to the size you have been wearing, then they are probably pretty accurate (but remember, the size you are wearing may not be the correct size for you – so they should be close, but don’t need to be exact). But if your measurements are way off, then you are better off using your current size as a gauge of what your bra size should be and then using trial and error to figure out what size bra to order. I once had a client who measured a 36DD but actually wore a 36H. No matter how many times she got measured, she always came out at a 36DD, but clearly, that size bra was not going to work for her. It is rare to have the measurements be this far off, but it does happen occasionally.

Now that you know your size, it’s time to shop for a bra. Unfortunately, not all bras are created equally and even though you know what your size should be, with some bras, you may need to order a different size to get a proper fit. In our boutique store, we always give sizing and fit recommendations for bras that don’t run true-to-size. You can use those recommendations to help you to get the perfect bra!

Do you have tips for taking your measurements? Do you have a favorite nursing bra? We’d love to hear from you – please leave a comment and share your experiences with our readers.

SASSY Savings!

Don’t you just hate the “rolls” and “buldges” that are produced when wearing most bras?? Well, if you haven’t heard of Sassybax, then let me tell you about them!!

Sassybax was started by a woman who also hated the “lines” and “buldges” that were left behind by her bras. So she invented a bra that GETS RID of those unsightly lines and rolls. Giving you a smooth silhouette – no matter what you are wearing! And best of all, these great garments come in bras and tanks with and without underwire – so there is something for everyone!

Are you breastfeeding? If so, thse bras are for you too. They don’t have any nursing clips (so anyone can wear them, nursing or not), so to breastfeed, simply pull them aside. They are designed to bounce back into shape when you are done. Best of all – one size is designed to fit multiple cup sizes – so as your breasts change from day to day or week to week, this garment will fit you perfectly all the time!!

We’d like to highlight a special for all of our blog readers, facebook fans and twitter followers – just for you and available for two days ONLY – save 25% off all of our Sassybax Tanks and bras. Just use coupon code SASSY at checkout.

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