When you’re a new mum, feeding your baby will be your priority. A newborn’s world is basically eat, sleep, burp, repeat. However you choose – or are able – to feed your lil one should be your decision alone. If you bottle feed you’ll need a steriliser and formula but if you’re breast-feeding, a nursing bra will be one of the most vital pieces of kit you can own. As well as the muslins. Trust us. ALL the muslins… And perhaps a pair of maternity leggings too.
How do you choose the breast-feeding bra that will work best for you? Some nursing bras are clever enough to work through pregnancy and into your fourth trimester, making them a sustainable choice. Most styles have drop down cups that unclip when you need to feed, while some have cross over cups that you push the fabric back from and slip out a nip for no-fuss access. It’s a good idea to have a try-on session to work out which you feel most comfortable with.
During pregnancy it’s recommended that your wear a non-wired bra and it’s comfy to continue wire-free during nursing, but if you feel you need more support there are plenty of options with wires. Keep an eye on your sizing as you go through the early days of being a new mum as it’s likely your bra size will rise as your milk comes in so the extra support could come in very useful.
ASOS has a brilliant range of nursing bras for all sizes – the longline pink lace bralette from Mamalicious Maternity is pretty enough to have on display all the time, not just when you’re feeding, while Calvin Klein’s sporty style is made from soft and sustainable modal-mix jersey with lightly padded cups. Marks & Spencer’s soft lace bra is designed to be invisible under your clothes and comes in pale pink and black while H&M’s pack of two cotton crop top style bras have a useful compartment for you to slide in a breast pad – another nursing essential!
Read more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton here or follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton