photo by emerycophoto on flickr

When choosing maternity bras, it’s easy to become a little overwhelmed at the choice. There are many styles available from under wire maternity bras to sleep maternity bras, and then there are nursing bras and combination nursing maternity bras. It can help to find a favorite brand which will assist you in narrowing down the selection and you’ll have a pretty good chance of liking the styles that are available.

Many companies produce maternity bras, but some of the most popular are the following:

Emma Jane Maternity Bras are one of the most popular brands available. This company sells nothing but maternity and nursing lingerie and nightwear so you can be sure you’re buying from a specialist. They offer maternity bras, sleep bras and nursing bras designed specifically for comfort and versatility. The bras have excellent support and are highly adjustable to fit you throughout your pregnancy. These may not be the sexiest bras you have ever seen but they are available in different colors including white, black and pink and are a great basic for your pregnancy wardrobe.

Anita offers a range of lingerie but they have a great range of maternity bras and maternity swimwear for pregnant women. Anita maternity bras are both pretty and practical, designed to look and feel good and you can also buy additional garments to support your tummy and your back and to help you regain your figure after giving birth. You can choose from styles ranging from plain white to pretty floral patterns which have cups designed to grow with your body through your pregnancy.

If you’re looking for something a bit sexier then you’ll want to consider the Hotmilk range of maternity and nursing bras. This New Zealand company turned the world of maternity lingerie on its head with the idea that you do not have to sacrifice sexuality for functionality. The exquisitely designed ranges feature intriguing names like “She Blushes in Delight” and “Awakened by Her Desire” and make a great gift for expectant dads to give to their partners to show that she is still desirable and still a woman, not only just a mother!

The Elle MacPherson Maternity bra range is also very popular with women wanting to look sexy and stylish as well as feel comfortable during their pregnancy. These bras are feminine, pretty and supportive and work well for nursing as well as during pregnancy. As well as white and black you can choose a pretty pink color to brighten up your lingerie selection.

Finally, for women who were already blessed with large bosoms before they became pregnant, Bravissimo offers a range of nursing and maternity bras in cup sizes D to KK.  Style is very much part of the equation here and you don’t have to worry about looking matronly in one of their hot pink lace maternity bras.

Whichever brand you choose, whether your style is plain and practical or stylish and sexy, ensure that your maternity bra is fitted correctly and comfortable to wear all through the day.

photo by bellymotherbaby on flickr

Just as with regular bras, when it comes to choosing maternity bras there are a huge range of styles and fabrics available. If this is your first pregnancy you’ll probably be a little overwhelmed at the choice and not know what styles and features are best suited to you. Generally maternity bras fall into a few main categories and the fabrics and styling are down to your personal preference and what you find the most comfortable.

Maternity support bras, commonly known as just maternity bras are the bras you will wear during the daytime while you’re pregnant. These bras provide extra support for your growing breasts and are designed to be extra comfortable and reduce breast tenderness. It’s important to get fitted for a maternity bra as soon as your regular bra starts to feel too small so that your breasts are properly supported.

Maternity underwire bras are intended for women with bigger breasts who are used to wearing underwire bras and feel that regular maternity bras do not provide them with sufficient support. These vary from regular underwire bras as they use a soft flexible plastic rather than wire which can dig in and potentially damage breast tissues, causing problems when it comes to breast feeding.

Maternity sleep bras are extra comfortable stretchy bras that reduce breast tenderness while you’re sleeping. They are also handy towards the end of your pregnancy and while you’re nursing to hold breast pads and avoid leaking breasts from staining your night wear. A sleep bra should be so comfortable that you forget that you’re wearing it. They generally don’t have enough support for regular daytime use.

Plus size maternity bras come in large band and cup sizes and are intended for larger ladies who may have trouble finding their size in normal bra ranges. These bras have all the features of regular maternity bras and are extra supportive as large breasts can sag more without sufficient support. You can usually find these bras for sale by specialist plus size lingerie stores.

Maternity nursing bras are bras that can be worn both during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby when you’re breast feeding. They will usually have cups that unhook at either the shoulder or the center to allow easy access for nursing. You will wear these bras for as long as you continue to breast feed your baby so be sure to select a few that you like and that go with different kinds of outfits.

photo by erik langner on flickr

You may be wondering what the difference is between a maternity bra and a nursing bra? Maternity bras are worn during pregnancy when your breasts increase in size and your pre-pregnancy bras no longer fit. Your breasts may also be more tender than usual so these bras are extra comfortable as well as being very supporting. Nursing bras are worn after you have your baby in order to make breastfeeding easier and avoid any damage to the breast tissue that could result from wearing a regular bra. You can also buy maternity nursing bras which you can wear towards the end of your pregnancy and then also use for nursing.

Maternity bras should be bought as soon as your regular bras start to feel too small, probably soon into your first trimester. Your breasts will grow throughout your pregnancy so you’ll probably find that you need to wear a couple of different sizes of bras as you progress through the trimesters.

The best time to buy a nursing bra is towards the end of your third trimester when your breasts will have reached their largest size. It’s likely that the size will still increase a little when your milk comes in so it’s best to choose a bra with a little extra room for expansion and to fit breast pads. As your body grows used to feeding your baby, your breasts will reduce in size and you may need to be measured for a smaller maternity nursing bra at a later date.

When choosing a maternity bra, nursing bra or nursing maternity bra the first thing to look for is comfort. A comfortable bra is the sign of a good fitting bra and during pregnancy and breastfeeding, your breasts will probably be extra tender so it’s a good thing to try and be as comfortable as possible. You may find it uncomfortable to sleep at night so a good quality maternity bra will help give you support without feeling awkward.

It may seem that buying all these different sizes and types of bras can be expensive but you can keep costs down by buying a combination maternity nursing bra. Look for one that is very adjustable with several size hooks on the band and stretchy cups. This will accommodate fluctuating sizes in cups and bands. You can wear these nursing maternity bras through your pregnancy and while you’re breast feeding so they’re great value for money.

Other things to look for in a nursing bra are the style and ease of use. Remember you will need easy access to your breasts for feeding your baby so look for a style that will allow you to unhook cups with one hand. There are also versions that simply stretch rather than unhooking – these are great for sleeping and very comfortable but do not provide as much support as other styles.

photo by helga on flickr

When shopping for maternity underwear it’s easy to think that as soon as you became pregnant, you became a mother rather than a woman and instantly lost all your sex appeal. Many styles of maternity bras are frumpy and unattractive and do not help boost a woman’s self esteem when you’re already suffering from feeling fat and raging hormones.

This does not have to be the way however. Although there are still many maternity bras on the market that are purely functional and seem to have paid little attention to how they look on the female body or how a woman may feel wearing them, some companies have recognized this problem and are now producing maternity bras that are both supportive and sexy!

Comfort and support should still be your number one priorities. It’s important to wear a well fitting bra during pregnancy to prevent sagging, stretch marks and potential damage to milk ducts. Don’t choose a bigger size of your normal bras because they look prettier than the maternity versions. There is a compromise between style and comfort.

There are several companies now that specialize in producing sexy and attractive bras for pregnant women. Many women find that their more curvy figures and fully breast make them feel more sensual during pregnancy and they want to show off their bodies, not hide them under ugly maternity bras.

You can try companies like Hot Milk who produce ranges of maternity and nursing bras that are beautifully designed and styled to look sexy as well as being comfortable and providing support. There are also now more sexy versions of maternity bras being produced alongside the more maternal lines sold by major underwear and maternity clothing companies.

One of the best places to start looking for these bras is online. The selection of attractive maternity bras in stores is still small compared to the range and variety you will find on the internet. You can shop directly from the manufacturer’s website or use an online store that stocks maternity bras from a variety of different brands.

Try to find a website that offers customer reviews for each bra. This can help you find one that is comfortable and well fitting. Also be sure that the company you order from has a returns policy and you read it thoroughly before ordering. It is important to ensure a perfect fit when you’re shopping for maternity bras and you’ll want to be able to return any items that don’t come up to scratch.

photo by showbits on flickr

When you’re shopping for maternity bras, ideally you should be measured and fitted by a specialist who is trained in fitting bras for pregnant women. You may find this service offered by  maternity stores and specialist underwear stores but ensure they are trained for maternity bra fitting and not just regular bras.

If it is not possible to be measured, you can measure yourself just under your bust to find out your band size. This will probably increase during pregnancy due to your rib cage expanding. You will probably go up at least a cup size and probably more throughout your pregnancy. It’s best to try a few different cup sizes to see which one fits best.

Firstly try the maternity bra at its tightest fitting to allow for room to grow as your body changes. If you’re shopping for a nursing bra or maternity bra near the end of your pregnancy, choose one that fits on the loosest fitting as your chest size will decrease again after giving birth.

Your breasts should be fully covered by the material of the cups to ensure maximum support and comfort. The cups should neither feel too big or too small but should fit smoothly against your skin. Don’t be tempted to buy a bigger size that will last you longer – this will not provide the support that you need.

Check that the band fits flush to your skin with no gap between your chest and the fabric of the bra. A wider band will be more comfortable and more supportive during pregnancy. Most maternity bras do not come with underwire as this can restrict the tissue of the breasts and possibly cause problems with later breast feeding.

Try on several bras before you decide which to buy and choose the one which feels most comfortable and supportive. You’ll probably need at least a couple of different sizes during your pregnancy so try to get refitted regularly throughout your pregnancy.

Later in your pregnancy you can buy a maternity nursing bra which will support you during your pregnancy and also be suitable for breastfeeding after your baby is born. This is a great way to save money and avoid the additional expensive of buying separate nursing and maternity bras.

Always try to be aware of how your bra is fitting. If it starts to feel too tight or uncomfortable then it is time to be measured again and buy a bigger maternity bra!