Pregnancy Calendar + Nursing Bra Calendar: Your Guide to Maternity Bras and Nursing Bras Throughout Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

As your hormones are ramping up to prepare your   body to support your pregnancy, you may experience slight to severe breast   tenderness.  Be considerate to your   breasts and let them have space by wearing stretchy maternity bras.  Spandex and soft cotton fabrics will be   your best bets during this sensitive period.

Breast soreness usually eases by the 2nd   trimester, but you may notice your breasts are getting fuller.  Your body has the ability to produce milk   as early as the 2nd trimester so your breasts are expanding for that purpose.  Look for extra supportive maternity bras that have thicker, padded, adjustable straps and multiple hook-and-eye closures for size flexibility throughout the rest of your pregnancy.

You’re in the home stretch and by the end of your   pregnancy, your breasts will likely feel heavier than ever.  This is a good time to transition to the   nursing bras you will be wearing in your early days of breastfeeding.  Leisure bras with front closures are   excellent choices, as is anything with give-and-take that will accommodate   milk fluctuations.  Also, nursing bras   with inner slings offer added around-the-clock support, including during   breastfeeding.

Your little one is thriving on breast milk now,   and probably feeding often.  Make sure   you’re wearing easy-to-remove nursing attire to make feedings simple.  Nursing camis are perfect for day or night   and can be worn as stand alone tops or layering pieces.  A nursing chemise is another great solution   for easy nighttime feedings.  Nursing   camis and nursing chemises allow for fluctuations in milk supply throughout   the day and night, and are made of soft cottons that will feel silky smooth   against your and your baby’s skin.

Your milk supply will start to stabilize and life   will be getting back to normal, with a new addition to the family of   course.  With your physician’s   permission, you’ll likely be returning to more regular activities like   working out and perhaps a date night here and there so you can expand your   nursing bra wardrobe to include sports nursing bras and some sexier   pieces.  There is no need to sacrifice   style as long as your bras are still supportive and comfortable.

The American    Academy of Pediatrics   recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of a baby’s life.  By your 4th month, you will be in a great   routine and can wear any style of nursing bra, including more structured bras   like molded and underwire styles.    These may be most similar to what you wore pre-pregnancy and will work   well with almost anything in your wardrobe.