When to buy nursing bras? A common question for most 1^st time expectants.

 For almost 10 years now, the Cake family have been closely engaged with lactation consultants and industry specialists, listened to pre-and post-natal women, analyzed the most common problems and changes in their bodies they are undergoing, month after month. With all this information in place, Cake has acknowledged and segmented pregnancy and post-natal time frames into 5 main stages.

 Every women and every pregnancy is unique, hence you should be looking for 1-2 new bras the moment you feel tiny bit uncomfortable in your pre-pregnancy bra. 

1-3 Month – women experience sudden breast growth/tightness. This changes in the bust can be 1-2 sizes. Breast fluctuation is one of the first symptoms most woman experience in the first few weeks of pregnancy. This is the time when pre-pregnancy bras start being uncomfortable and irritating. For this reason, Cake suggests one of the Candy family of seamless maternity and nursing bras, which are luxuriously comfortable, stylish and allow breast growth without restriction. These same styles are also ideal immediately post birth - Stage 4.

 Stage 2 - Pregnancy

3-8 Months – a little more gradual breast growth occurs, but it is usually pretty stable. During this period, the most amount of expansion occurs in the ribcage, hence look for the with extended bra closure (5-6 Hook and Eyes). This helps to accommodate expansion of the ribcage & for extra adjustability to tighten as the rib cage retracts after the birth. “Tight isn't right”! Traditionally in this stage women choose Flexible wire bra that would look & feel similar to their pre-pregnancy bra, but provides ribcage adjustability and designed to accommodate breast growth.

Stage 3 - Pregnancy

8-9 Months – this is where the bust will grow in readiness for the arrival of the milk. The last growth of the baby and rib-cage expansion can sometimes be quite painful. Whilst purchasing bra at this stage, it’s worth having Stage 4 in mind. The bra should accommodate the breast size increase/ fullness in 2-3 sizes. This is the best time to think, what bras to take to hospital. Seamless, non wired, stretchy bras are most suitable for this stage as they would be most ‘forgiving’ during breast changes.

Cake Lingerie designed styles specifically for B-H cups - Cotton Candy Seamless Nursing and for G-L cup - Sugar Candy Seamless Nursing to ensure women’s comfort and easy access to breastfeed at the early post birth stage.

0-4 weeks - Milk comes in - lots of breast growth, average 2 - 3 cup sizes.  The ribcage will slowly start go back to pre-pregnancy. It’s recommended to wear non-wire bra after giving birth until about 4 weeks post, as breast fluctuates the most during this period. Whilst you can continue to wear Candy family bras, at this stage women often start looking for cup sized bra for going out and meeting other mums.

+4 weeks - Cup size usually reverts to approx. size of when 8 months pregnant. Most women do not fully go back to their pre-pregnancy rib expansion until about 4 months after baby. When searching for a bra at this stage, women have an absolute freedom to choose any Flexi-wire or Wire free nursing bra to meet her needs.

Few other things to take into consideration when looking for good quality maternity and nursing bra are:

• Reinforced lower cup for better support
• Top Cup Stretch to avoid restriction or cut in

• Wider wire “smile” not to constrict and damage breast tissue - wire should sit below and completely around the breast tissue
• Nickel free hooks and sliders to prevent skin allergies and irritation
• Easy drop down cups for breastfeeding
• Cotton A-Frame or Inner Sling - provides added support, security and coverage for modesty

Wearing a well-fitted supportive nursing bra is like having a best friend. You wont know what you did with out it! Cake  Lingerie offer a wide selection of maternity & nursing bras which designed with features mentioned above.