What to look for when buying a nursing bra

After we had checked out of the Kensington Wing with a 3-day-old Baby Girl, I remember insisting we make a quick stop at Blossom Mother & Child, which was then in Walton Street. I simply had to stock up on nursing bras. ASAP.

I thought I had been super prepared with several packed in the hospital bag, but I wasn’t aware of how much breasts change after the milk comes in and I soon needed a bigger size than what I’d anticipated.

Now I know it’s not always possible to have bras in only one size when breastfeeding, and it is worth choosing comfortable and stretchy bras that offer sufficient support for growing and sometimes painful breasts.

When I now had the opportunity to choose a style from chic maternity and nursing lingerie brand Hotmilk, one of the brands I really liked last time I was pregnant, to review, I wanted to pick a smooth, non-wired bra, which would work well for summer breastfeeding. I chose the Eternal Coral Nursing Bra, and decided to have it one size bigger than the one that fit at 34 weeks.

The Eternal Nursing Bra from Hotmilk is stretchy at the top to allow for growth, which I think will make it a practical bra for the early days of breastfeeding. The cups are cotton-lined, which adds comfort, and the style is low at the front, making it easier to wear with summer clothes than the more sports bra-style nursing bras.

For nursing bras, I do think comfort, stretch and support is key, and it’s worth remembering that if you buy a bra that turns out to be too small in the first week, it might fit again at a later stage in your breastfeeding journey. It’s always an added bonus if you can find a bra that doesn’t only meet breastfeeding requirements but also make you feel good about yourself.

Tags: Breastfeeding, Hospital bag, Hotmilk, Lingerie, Nursing bra, Pregnancy, Review, Third trimester