A Guide to Post-Breastfeeding Bra Shopping
Post-breastfeeding moms are some of our most cheerful customers. After months of stretchy nursing bralettes and pull-over sports bras, it’s a milestone to finally put yourself first — and get back to pretty bras.
How do I find a good post-breastfeeding bra?
We’ve put together a DIY bra fitting guide and included some recommendations based on post-breastfeeding customers we fitted.
STEP 1: GET YOUR MEASURING TAPE OUT
Once your size and shape have stabilized, it’s time to remeasure yourself. Most of our customers tell us they dip their toes back in 3-6 months after weaning.
To get your size, we need 3 measurements:
- Your underbust, where your bra band sits. Pull the tape as tightly as you want your bra to fit.
- Your upright bust. Wrap the tape loosely around the fullest part of your bust while standing or sitting upright.
- You’re leaning bust. Lean forward about 90 degrees, and wrap the tape loosely around the fullest part of your bust.
Now put those numbers into our size calculator. If you are just transitioning from nursing bralettes, and there’s a less than 4’’ difference between your underbust and upright bust, choose “RELAXED FIT.” If you want maximum lift and there is a 4’’ or more difference between your underbust and upright bust, choose “FIRM FIT.”
STEP 2: CHECK YOUR SHAPE
At Understance, “saggy” is not a shape. Not because we don’t like the word, but because it doesn’t actually give us much information. When we talk about breast shape, we talk about the shapes of supported breasts.
First, check your roots. Lift up your breasts, and look at the line where your breasts are attached to your torso. Are they narrow or wide?
If the line ends directly under your armpit or closer to your back, your roots are wider. If they end in front of your arms, your roots are narrower.
(Root width is an important factor in determining underwire shape.)
Second, check your vertical fullness – this is whether most of your breast tissue lies above or below your nipples. When you lean forward close to 90 degrees, where do your nipples point?
If they point toward your belly, you are fuller on top. If they point toward your chin, you are fuller on bottom. If they point straight down, you have even vertical fullness.
(Vertical fullness is important for determining cup shape.)
STEP 3: FIND YOUR MATCH
Know your size and shape? Check out the following recommendations for your best post-breastfeeding bra:
Ivy & Ginger
If leaking is a concern, try Ivy or Ginger, part of our CoForm™ collection. They’re made with lightweight and comfortable cotton padding.
Ivy’s underwire skews narrow, and the higher coverage works best for full-on-top breasts. Ginger is wireless and works best for full-on-bottom breasts.
Zoe & Salma
If lightness and lift are your top priorities, we recommend Zoe or Salma. They are unpadded underwire bras. Compared to padded bras, they can accommodate a larger variety of shapes.
Zoe’s underwire is regular width, and works best for full-on-bottom or evenly full breasts. Zoe offers good lift in its smaller size range (30-38, D-DDD). If you are in a larger size range, Salma will offer better lift.
Salma’s underwire is wider and flatter on the bottom, and works best for full-on-top or evenly full breasts. Salma offers good lift in its mid size range (30-34, DDD-I) (36-40, DD-H) (42-48, D-G), a more natural shape in its larger sizes, and is very firm in its smaller sizes.
And finally, if you are looking for underwear that’ll make you look snatched – we have something for that, too.
We specialize in contouring underwear, which is somewhere between regular underwear and shaping underwear. Contouring won’t make you look a size smaller, but it’ll smooth out some lines and bumps – amazing for days when you can’t deal with the discomfort of shaping underwear, but still want a little oomph.
LIGHT COMPRESSION
Soft Support
This collection has two shapes – a high-rise brief and high-rise boyshorts. The double-layered waistband will smooth out lines, while the free-cut leg openings won’t dig in. It’s made of a heavier weight modal for a secure, cool to the touch, and breathable fit.
LESS COMPRESSION
Soft Contour
If you’re immediately post-partum, our high-rise brief and high-rise thong are two great, comfortable options. They don’t have any elastic at the waistband, so there won’t be any pressure on your stomach —but they still provide a bit of compression. Plus, the leg openings are free-cut, which means they won’t show under tight clothes.
We hope this blog helps you find the perfect post-breastfeeding bra.
Good luck, and we are so happy to be on this journey with you!