Breastfeeding a baby does not mean the end of wearing fashionable clothes.  Over at MyMomsBest sponsors pages, we have a huge range of beautiful blouses, dinner dresses, baju kurungs and spaghetti straps sold by Breastfeeding moms themselves.

So, the next question brought up by new mothers is : What about bras?  I can’t fit into a spaghetti straps with a nursing bras.

Well, first thing, you must notice that Breastfeeding Moms lost their weight faster than non-breastfeeding mothers.  The other plus point is they have excellent curves because a lactating breasts are much more attractive and plushier.  This is a positive point because many women who are flat chested had this wonderful chance of being curvy, for once.
A bra with proper support is important BEFORE the woman breastfeed, i.e. during pregnancy. Which means every woman, whether they breastfeed or not, will get the same amount of ‘damages’.  It is a myth that breastfeeding moms will get saggy breasts.  Not true if they had been wearing proper, supportive, comfortable bras during their pregnancy.  Most of these bad impressions are created by parties whose main interest is to see a reduction in breastfeeding and increase in using other alternatives.
The breasts take about two months to get used to the routine of producing milk at the correct timing.  In the initial days after giving birth to a child, the breasts went haywire in producing milk and we get leaky breasts.  But this is only temporary.

By the time a breastfeeding mom returns to work, i.e this case, after 60 days for us here, her breasts will more or less got used to produce milk on demand.  Therefore, after say, about three or four months, you can easily go back to wear whatever bras you used to wear without fear of leaky breasts.

A lactating breasts is not some balloons filled with water!  Please do not get that kind of impression.  One does not need a huge, strappy, rubbery bra to hold them up.  After a few months, the breasts can be of normal size and yet have excellent storage of milk because the milk is produce on demand, i.e. the brain make instant milk.

A mom in our forum asked about underwire bra.  Some quarters had warned that wearing underwire bra can cause mastitis which is blocked milk duct that leads to infection.  Well, I had mentioned that once you get over the severely engorged breasts stage, the risk is minimal.  I.e. unless you allow yourself to go being uncomfortable in a bra for the sake of vanity and not expressing your milk at the scheduled timing.  Any kind of bra can lead to this, in fact.

In case women need more assurance, I am picking up something written by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.  Do surf their website because they have excellent information for breastfeeding mothers.

Is it true I can’t wear an underwire?

Many women prefer underwire fashion bras and are confused when told these are not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. The reason for this is, once again, your changing breast shape. When breastfeeding, the breasts can increase and decrease in size during the day, as milk is produced and removed. Retained fluid in late pregnancy can also cause the breast to swell. Although only a slight change in size is occurring, a rigid underwire may put pressure on the breast when it is fuller. Such pressure can lead to blocked milk ducts or mastitis and it is for this reason inflexible underwire bras are not recommended. However, there are now nursing bras available that have a flexible plastic support, similar to an underwire, designed to flex and change position with your changing shape. These are less likely to cause problems.

Bras for Breastfeeding.

Bras designed for pregnant women are also used when breastfeeding. The names maternity bra and nursing bra mean the same thing.

When trying on different styles, remember to open and close the bra cup. Most bras open for feeding and some are easier to manage than others. Look for bras where the whole cup folds away, as opposed to rigid ‘trapdoor’ styles which can also put pressure on a full breast while feeding. Centre front and shoulder clasp styles are available.

So, breastfeeding moms, go on and flaunt that assets of yours.  LOL.  Your breasts have served their main purpose of nourishing your child and at the same time,  being an assets with the mostest!

Originally posted 2006-05-20 13:43:14.