Depending on where you are in your motherhood journey, you may not understand

exactly what nursing bras are and why you can’t just keep living in your sports bra.

Nursing bra vs. sports bra – which one is right for you? After all, a few weeks into

pregnancy, you’re main priority is probably comfort and support for those ever so

painful growing breasts.

Let’s start with the facts:

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human

Development, women may begin experiencing heavy, sore or tingling

breasts within one to two weeks of conceiving. Depending on where you

are in your maternity journey, you may find that your breasts may

increase a full cup size or two during your pregnancy and more so after

birth, when you begin breastfeeding.

A “nursing bra” by definition is a bra equipped with features that enable you quicker

access to your breasts with a mechanism such as a clip. This is enables you to pull

down the top cup of your bra to access your nipples when breastfeeding; otherwise,

you would end up having to yank up the bottom band of your bra, which can be

incredibility painful.

This is where an active new mom runs into trouble. Her favourite sports bras are

not breastfeeding accessible, but are extremely supportive for working out.

However, while working out with baby, she may find she needs to feed and thus,

ends up yanking up her bottom band ouch. Alternatively, other new moms decide to

forgo their sports bras and just wear their casual nursing bras for working out.

While this is comfortable, the typical nursing bra designed for daily wear does not

provide enough support to carry you through any high impact activity such as

running, jumping jacks or plyometric moves.

The solution? A nursing sports bra or breastfeeding sports bra. It has the support

you need to get back in shape with any activity you desire, combined with the

accessible clips you need for breastfeeding.

If you’re just starting out on your maternity journey, it’s best you invest in a nursing

sports bra that you can use after baby is born to breastfeed. Here are the features

you want to consider in a bra that will take you from pregnancy, nursing and

beyond:

1. Foam structure support – typically bras without a foam interior are designed

for lower impact activities. Built in foam also provides protection against

those leaky boobs, without requiring nursing pads or cups.

2. A long line and adjustable torso band. You may find with your growing belly

and bust, that a sports bra that isn’t long line in design can dig in. Try and

look for a bra that has a 1.5 inch sports band. Also make sure it’s adjustable.

During your pregnancy, you want to look for a band that fits you on the

middle or largest hook, this way you can pull it in as your torso comes back

in.

3. Adjustable shoulder straps. As your boobs fill with milk, you’ll find one

moment you’re a size C and then you’re moving on to a DD. Look for a bra

where you have the ability to shorten the shoulder straps to accommodate

your boobs as they shift in structure.

4. A nursing sports bra you can take swimming. Have you ever tried to

breastfeed in a bikini? It’s the worst. You’re flashing the whole beach before

you know it. A nursing sports bra is made as the same material as swimsuits,

so you can definitely rock one with bikini bottoms at the beach.

5. A built-in conversion service. No one wants to invest in a bra they’ll only

wear for a few months. Invest in the right nursing bra that includes a

conversion service to a regular bra.

Need help finding the right nursing sports bra? Check out AFTER9 for supportive

nursing sports bras for your journey.