Essential Maternity Bra Fitting Guide
Your body goes through amazing changes during pregnancy. Most women’s breasts grow by 2 band sizes and 4 cup sizes. This is because your breasts are preparing to feed your baby. Getting the right support becomes vital at this stage. Many mums-to-be find it hard to pick the perfect time to switch to maternity bras and get the right fit.
The perfect maternity bra should feel like a gentle hug. The band needs to fit snugly while the cups should comfortably hold your growing breasts. You’ll need three maternity bras to rotate: one to wear, one to wash and a spare. The best time to get your first maternity bra fitting happens between months 3-4. By then, your original breast changes have settled though you can expect more growth ahead.
This guide will take you through the maternity bra-fitting basics. You’ll learn which styles work best for each trimester and what makes nursing bras special. It’s important that you feel comfortable and supported throughout your pregnancy journey. Check out our full range of supportive maternity and nursing bras today.
When to Start Wearing a Maternity Bra
The right time to switch to a maternity bra varies from person to person. Many experts point to around the 16-week mark or second trimester as ideal, but your body might need the change sooner than that.
Your regular bras will tell you when it’s time to switch. The clear signs show up as indentations from bands and straps after removing your bra, or breasts spilling over the cups. Most women start noticing these changes about six weeks into pregnancy.
Your breasts become tender and start growing in the first trimester. As early as weeks 8-10, these changes become noticeable. Soft cup bras, crop tops or sports bras work best during this time and adapt well to your changing shape.
The second trimester (weeks 13-28) is the perfect time to get your first proper maternity bra fitting. Your breast’s original changes have usually settled by then, and you’ll need at least one size up in both cup and band measurements.
Your body will keep changing throughout your pregnancy, so you might need several fittings. The third trimester (weeks 29-40) often calls for another fitting that will give a comfortable fit during the final stages.
Here are five clear signs that tell you it’s time to make the switch:
- Breast discomfort or tenderness
- Noticeable increase in breast size
- Visible bra lines or skin irritation
- Early colostrum production or leakage
- Preparation for breastfeeding in later pregnancy stages
It’s worth mentioning that if you plan to breastfeed, the final trimester is the right time to switch to nursing-specific bras. These come with nursing clips or drop-down cups to make breastfeeding easy.
How to Measure Your Maternity Bra Size
A perfect maternity bra fit demands precision and careful attention to detail. The right measurements will ensure your comfort throughout pregnancy.
Measurement process
Here’s how to measure your maternity bra size accurately:
- Wear a non-padded bra or no bra at all.
- Use a soft measuring tape.
- Measure your underbust by wrapping the tape firmly but comfortably around your ribcage, keeping it level.
- Measure the fullest part of your bust.
- Calculate your size—your band size is based on your underbust measurement (rounded to the nearest even number), while your cup size is the difference between your bust and band measurements.
Signs of a properly fitting maternity bra
Your maternity bra should provide support without discomfort. Look for these signs:
- Your breast tissue fits completely inside the cup without bulging
- The centre front rests flat against your body
- The band stays horizontal across your back at equal levels front and back
- Straps rest comfortably on shoulders without digging in or slipping
- During pregnancy, choose a bra that fits on the tightest hook to allow room for expansion
Choosing the Right Style for Each Trimester
Your bra needs will change substantially as your pregnancy progresses. The right styles at each stage will give you optimal comfort and support throughout this special time.
1. Your first trimester (weeks 1-12) brings original breast tenderness and swelling, which can appear as early as week 6. Soft, breathable fabrics work best during this time because they won’t irritate sensitive skin. Seamless, wire-free styles that fit several sizes at once are ideal. They let your breasts grow freely. Your bra should fasten comfortably on the tightest hook to give room for future expansion.
2. The second trimester (weeks 13-26) brings changes to your ribcage as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. Your breasts might feel heavier when milk ducts develop, and some women notice early colostrum leakage. Getting professionally fitted maternity bras with adjustable features makes sense at this stage. Many women stick to wire-free options, though some feel comfortable with flexible low-gauge wire supports that move with their changing shape.
3. The third trimester (weeks 27-42) comes with faster breast growth and possibly more leakage. Your nipples and areolas might get larger and darker, and some women’s skin becomes itchy as tissues stretch. Well-fitting bras are vital at this significant stage to prevent discomfort. Think about switching to nursing bras with drop-down cups around month eight. Your size will likely stay similar after your milk supply balances postpartum.
Sleep bras provide comfort without restriction for overnight support, especially late in pregnancy. These light options work well with nursing pads for leakage and give gentle support without compressing tissues.
Having 3-4 well-fitting bras helps you manage regular washing across all trimesters. If breastfeeding is your plan, build your nursing bra collection gradually before delivery.
Essential Features of Quality Nursing Bras
Choosing the right nursing bra requires understanding everything in quality and functionality to stay comfortable throughout your breastfeeding experience.
A well-designed nursing bra lets you feed easily with minimal effort. You’ll need bras you can operate with one hand since you’ll be holding your baby with the other. The opening mechanism makes a substantial difference—you’ll find options with clips, snaps, or zippers, while some let you push the cup aside.
You will need these structural elements to get the right support without compression:
- Moulded cups to adapt to breast size changes
- Wider straps to handle heavier breasts
- Cotton folded edge slings (side or A-frame) to keep breast shape while nursing
- Multiple rows of hooks and eyes (ideally 6) to adjust as your ribcage changes
Your choice of material plays a big role in comfort. Natural fabrics like cotton work best for breathability and absorbing potential leaks. Synthetic materials trap moisture and might cause irritation. It also helps to choose soft cup or wire-free designs over underwire bras to stay comfortable and lower your risk of clogged ducts.
Get the Right-Fitting Maternity Bra Designed for Mums by Mums
At Mad Hose Mums, we design maternity bras that stretch and adapt to your changing size during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Made from soft yet durable cotton materials, all our products are machine washable and fully breathable, ensuring constant comfort in any weather.
Check out the full Mad House Mum range today or get in touch if you have any questions.