Your Nursing Bra Fit Companion: Expert Tips for Measuring and Selecting the Best Fit

Photo credit @everleigh_and_us

A well-fitting nursing bra is essential for the comfort and support of breastfeeding mothers. In order to find the perfect nursing bra, it's important to understand how to properly measure yourself and identify the signs of a good fit. Follow this guide to ensure you find the right nursing bra for your needs.

Understanding Your Band Size

The band is responsible for providing the majority of the bra's support, keeping your breasts comfortably in place and distributing their weight evenly across your ribcage. A properly fitted band ensures that the nursing bra offers adequate support and comfort to breastfeeding mothers, who often experience breast size fluctuations and increased sensitivity due to milk production and hormonal changes.

Measuring your band size accurately is crucial because if the band is too tight, it can cause discomfort, restrict your breathing, and dig into your skin, leaving marks or even causing pain. Conversely, if the band is too loose, it will not provide the necessary support, causing the weight of your breasts to strain your shoulders and neck. This can lead to poor posture, shoulder pain, and backaches. Additionally, an ill-fitting band may cause the bra to shift, resulting in the need for constant readjustment.

Understanding Your Bust Size

The bust size is the measurement around the fullest part of your breasts. Accurately determining your bust size ensures that the bra cups will provide adequate coverage, support, and comfort for your breasts during the breastfeeding journey. This will help make your breastfeeding experience more comfortable and convenient, promoting the overall well-being of both you and your baby.

Breastfeeding mothers often experience changes in their breast size and shape due to milk production, hormonal fluctuations, and tissue changes. Wearing a nursing bra with the right cup size is crucial for preventing discomfort, chafing, and potential issues related to inadequate support.

A well-fitting cup size is essential. Here's why:

Comfort: Cups that are too small may cause breast tissue compression, leading to discomfort or even pain. Cups that are too large may not provide adequate support, resulting in discomfort from excessive movement.

Support: The right cup size ensures that your breasts are fully encased and supported, helping to distribute their weight evenly and relieve pressure on your neck, shoulders, and back.

Breast health: Wearing a nursing bra with the correct cup size can help prevent issues such as clogged milk ducts, mastitis, or reduced milk production, which may arise due to excessive compression or inadequate support.

Aesthetics: A nursing bra with the correct cup size will create a smooth, natural silhouette without causing spillage or gaps between the breast and the bra.

Functionality: Properly fitted cups make it easier to access your breasts for nursing, ensuring that the nursing bra fulfills its purpose of providing convenience during breastfeeding.

How do you measure for a good fit?

Were you aware that bra sizing lacks an industry standard? This, coupled with the fact that pregnancy and nursing can lead to rapid changes in bra size, explains why 8 out of 10 women are wearing ill-fitting bras. To help you find your ideal MORROW+MINT size, refer to the size guide provided below.

Step 1: Measure your band size

1. Begin by wearing your best fitted non-padded bra.
2. Using a soft measuring tape, measure around your ribcage, just under your bust, where the bra band usually sits. Keep the tape level and snug but not too tight.

Step 2: Measure your bust size

1. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the ground.
2. Make sure the tape is not too tight or too loose, and ensure it doesn't compress your breast tissue.

Step 3: Find your size

Now that you have both your band and your bust measurements. Use the below chart to find your best fitting MORROW+MINT size.

Signs of a Well-fitting vs. Ill-fitting Nursing Bra:

Every bra fits a bit differently. You may have the correct size, but not every bra is the right style to suit your body. Read on below to find more about how a nursing bra should fit on your body.

	Well-fitting	Ill-fitting
Comfort	A properly fitted nursing bra should be comfortable and provide ample support.	Any chafing, redness, or irritation around the bra's contact points (band, straps, or cups) could signal a bad fit or unsuitable materials.
Band	The band should be snug but not too tight, sitting horizontally around your ribcage.	The band is too tight. It can cause pain, restrict breathing, and dig into your skin.  The band is riding up your back. This means the band is too loose, it will not provide the necessary support, leading to strain on your shoulders and neck.
Cups	The cups should fully encase your breasts without causing any spillage or gaps. Your breasts should sit comfortably within the cups without being compressed.	If there are gaps between your breasts and the bra cups, it means the cups are too large, and you need a smaller cup size. If your breasts are spilling out of the cups from the top (quad-boob), sides, or bottom, it's a sign that the cups are too small.
Straps	The straps should be adjusted to provide support without digging into your shoulders or slipping down.	If the straps are indeed digging in or constantly slipping down, the bra may not be providing the right support, or the straps may need adjusting.
Underwire (if applicable)	Underwire should lie flat against your ribcage, without pressing into your breast tissue.	If the underwire digs into your breast tissue or feels uncomfortable, the bra may have a poor fit, or the underwire may not be suitable for your breast shape.
Center gore	The center gore (the part between the cups) should sit flat against your chest.	If it isn’t then that is an indication that the cup size is too small or the bra's shape isn't suitable.
Easy access for nursing	A good nursing bra will have clasps or drop-down cups that can be easily opened with one hand for convenient breastfeeding.	If you're having trouble accessing your breasts for nursing, the bra may not be designed well for easy nursing or may not fit properly.

Conclusion

It is essential to measure yourself accurately and try on various nursing bra styles to find the perfect fit for your unique shape and size. Keep comfort, support, and ease of use in mind while shopping for your ideal nursing bra.