We are all different but usually the biggest increase in actual breast size takes place during the first three months.  In fact some women experience changes in the first week or two!  Pregnancy hormones trigger increased blood supply to the breasts and glandular development which can result in a feeling of “fullness” particularly on the top and sides of the breasts.  During your pregnancy your breasts will continue to grow with possible tenderness as the glands continue to expand in preparation for nursing.

What is the difference between my bra and a maternity bra?

Maternity bras are designed to expand with the breasts without cutting into the skin and have an integrated support system for the expanding breast. They should be made from or lined by a soft non-irritant fabric and have wider padded straps to ease strain on the neck and back.

And nursing bras?

Have the same design features as a maternity bra but also have (usually a clip) a method of opening to allow easy and comfortable access to the breast with an internal breast support which stays in place while you feed.

When should I change my bra?

You should have your first bra reassessment at 6-8 weeks of pregnancy or as soon as there is a noticeable change in your bust size or shape. You can move into a maternity bra at this stage or change your bra to a style more suitable for support.

If these bras remain comfortable then you can wear them until your nursing bra fitting but if they become restrictive you should be refitted prior to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

What should I look for?

A comfortable bra which encases the breast both at the sides and at the décolletage. The bra should feel like it is supporting the breast and there should be no back or shoulder discomfort. The material should feel soft on your skin and non-abrasive. The back fastening should be on the tightest or second tightest fitting to allow for expansion of your diaphragm as baby grows.

When do I get my nursing bra?

At 34-36 weeks of pregnancy – by this time the breast should have stopped growing and we can more accurately determine your final breast size. We fit nursing bras on the loosest hook because you will lose some diaphragm size when the baby is born so the bra will need to come in at the back then. We also leave a little room in the cup at this fitting to allow for expansion when lactation commences.

What about underwire?

Most of our clients prefer underwire, as it provides a better shape and comfortable support for the heavier breast. We choose from maternity bras or 2 specific styles which have soft, flexible underwire which is widely placed and does not touch the breast tissue. We recommend having at least one non-underwire bra for periods of increased engorgement (like just after baby’s birth) or “comfort days” – the days when you just want to rest at home. Our clients love to mix it up with a crop top for comfort days and sleeping, light support and super comfortable!

Whatever you decide to do make your choice based on comfort and support – your bra or its underwire should never compress the breast tissue as this affects blood and lymphatic drainage into and out of the breast and increases the risk of problems occurring.

How many bras do I need?

You will need 2 bras during pregnancy and 3 or 4 bras while nursing as the increased moisture associated with breastfeeding will increase the frequency you wash your bras.

Do my bras need to be ugly?

No – there are a lot of prettier styles and colours available now in Maternity Bras. What is available to you will depend on the size of your bust. But remember this is the time when support is more important than fancy lace. If you must have a plunge bra when you are pregnant keep it for special occasions, and give those breasts some love and care the rest of the time.

How do I wash my bras?

Hand wash in warm water and mild detergent or soap. No bleach, no clothes dryers and no sun please ladies.

How long should I wear my maternity or nursing bra?

For the whole period you are breastfeeding or if you don’t breastfeed for 6 weeks after delivery to allow your breasts good support while they are changing structure again. Your bra is not designed to last more than 12 months or be saved from one pregnancy to the next! So get refitted every 12 months please.

And back to normality?

Your breasts will have changed structure and shape so its time to get refitted for a new, beautiful bra!  When – 6 weeks after you stop feeding.

Did you know that there are no muscles in the breast? Your breasts are made up of the suspensory Cooper's Ligament which, when unsupported during exercise, can bounce upto 9cm, stretch beyond repair and lead to irreversible breast sag.

A good sports bra is as essential as a good pair of trainers. Over half of the fittings booked in our boutique, which specialises in lingerie from a D to an L cup, include sports bras. Yet our fitters have been dismayed with a distinct lack of sports bras catering to the same size range, until now.

Kate, from German manufacturer Ulla, is the world’s first sports bra to come in an L cup.

Ulla spent two years perfecting Kate’s design to ensure it would provide unparalleled support, shape and comfort to fuller busted women.  Kate is made from a specially designed fabric which draws perspiration away from the body, prevents odours and inhibits the growth of bacteria in the fibre. With back sizes ranging from an 8 up to a 30 and cups from D to L, Kate’s generous fit has already made it a hit amongst More Than A Handful’s clients.

Ex-nurse and store owner Margaret says that a good sports bra is necessary to prevent damage to breasts and keep “the girls” looking their best. 

“A bra that does not fit can press on lymphatic tissue and prevent good vascular and lymphatic flow to and from the breasts.  Wearing the wrong size or not having enough support during exercise causes excess bouncing, which effects skin elasticity and causes back and neck strain.  Some clients are sent to us by their physiotherapists.  Others have come as a last resort before reduction surgery.  Many of these soon discover that an ill fitting bra was the main cause of their discomfort:  in 9 out of 10 cases the idea of surgery is forgotten within three months.”

“In terms of size, our most popular bras are an 18 I to an 18 L.  Women with larger busts can be hindered during high impact activities, like jogging, due to increased susceptibility to neck and back pain or just the feeling of not having enough support.  But for many women, they’re held back by the thought that they don’t look good while exercising and a good bra can do wonders for confidence levels.”

Compared to an everyday bra, Margaret says that sports bras are engineered to be more supportive.  “Once there are signs of breast development at puberty, girls should start to wear a good sports bra.  One of the many great things about this particular Ulla bra is its popularity and suitability across age groups.  Whilst they wouldn’t like to believe it, it is just as handy for young girls to wear to school as it is for their mothers to wear to work and that’s before you factor in the benefits of its support during exercise.”

Tips on how to find the right sports bra for you:

• Always get fitted.  No matter how many times we say it there are still women who don’t see the value in a good fitting.
• If you are losing weight or just toning up, you will need to be re-sized as changes to your back size can effect the size needed in the cups.
• A sports bra should support the breasts though a firm, wide back.  It should have comfortable, cushioned straps and be higher across the cup than many other bras
• Always test sports bras with a few jumps or a quick jog around the store to mimic the action of your exercise. You may feel silly, but putting a bra like Kate through its paces will show you just how good German engineering can be!

These days I see many young girls coming into More Than A Handful for their First Bra Fitting. Having a good, supportive bra changes how our clothes fit, minimises back and shoulder pain, and – most importantly – gives us confidence. From smaller cup sizes to fuller cup sizes, starting early ensures the bust is always fitted in a good, supportive bra and helps give girls a comfortable awareness at an awkward time in their lives. Many women who come to us have never been properly fitted for a bra and vow that their daughters will never have to suffer through wearing ill-fitting bras as they have!

It can certainly be embarrassing – no one likes having a stranger see them in their underwear! However, in the several years I’ve been a bra fitter, I’ve never seen anyone in their underwear; I have seen a lot of bras – ones that fit, and ones that don’t. We all remember what it was like and while the role has reversed to me fitting my mother in her bras, I’ll never forget the feeling that I’d rather crawl under the fitting room wall to escape my mother than go outside where everyone – thanks to her announcement – knew what I was doing in there.

To minimise the “agony” of having to be constantly refitted for bras, we ensure the bras we fit on young girls have room for growth and we explain how we are fitting the bras and why we have chosen certain sizes to ensure there is an increased understanding and awareness of the importance of a well fitted bra.