…

Maternity Bra Guide

Congratulations, you’re expecting a little one. And that’s so exciting! As your body changes throughout pregnancy, start by finding a comfortable maternity bra for a little lift and a lot of support.

Bra sizes are more than just letters and numbers. Did you know it’s common for a woman’s cup size to increase up to 2 times during pregnancy? That’s a lot of change for your body in a short time.

So here at JoJo, we’ll help you find the right adjustable maternity bra to wear through pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. We’ve lots of tips and tricks for wearing the best maternity and nursing bras. After all, a good outfit starts by feeling good in your skin.

Shop maternity bras

In-store bra fittings

We’ve all awkwardly held a tape measure under our bust and across our chest to try and work out our bra size, only to end up with the wrong size, tight straps, and the bra wire digging into our skin. So we’re saying no to ill-fitting bras!

Did you know you can have bra fitting expert advice from any of our in-store specialists, anytime. There’s no need to book, just pop in and ask.

How should your maternity bra fit?

Everyone’s bodies are different. So, every bra will fit slightly differently, too. All of our maternity and nursing bras are wire-free. That means all the support without any of the painful bra prodding. Whatever your cup size, we’ve got some easy ways to make sure maternity and nursing bras fit as comfy as can be.

| Your breasts should be fully enclosed by the cup of the bra, and no breast tissue should be under the cup seam. If there’s a smooth line when you wear clothes with no bulging at the side or underneath, you’ve got a good fit.

| Struggling to fit in your current bra? Go up a cup size. Too gappy? Go down a cup size.

| For a well-fitting bra, make sure your back band sits horizontally around your body without riding up or digging in. You should be able to pull the band about an inch away from the body.

| The centre front of your bra should sit flat against your body. If it doesn’t, it’s either because your back band isn’t firm enough, or your cups are too small so you’re pushing the centre. Try a bigger cup size and a smaller back size.

| Bra straps should sit on top of your shoulders without slipping or digging in. Bra straps feeling too tight or too loose? Adjust the straps until they’re comfortable.

| Bra riding up as you move your arms? There’s too much space! Try a smaller back size and cup size to keep your bra closer to your chest.

| Are your bra straps falling? This’ll happen as you wear your bra and the straps loosen up. Give the straps a little tighten and it’ll fit just like new.

| Are your bra straps digging in? Don’t make your shoulders do all the work! Wear a bra with a smaller back band to tighten the fit.

FAQ

What is the difference between a maternity bra and a nursing bra?

The biggest difference between a normal bra and a nursing bra is that nursing bras have feeding clips. Drop down clips allow for easy feeding, so you can breastfeed on the go.

All JoJo bras can be worn by pregnant and nursing women. They’ll give you a gentle lift and help you feel your best. We’ve lots of maternity and nursing bras that are pretty and practical. All of our bras come with lots of back-band adjusters to help you get the best fit as you grow through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.

How often should I get measured?

Everyone’s body shape changes all the time, and we recommend getting regular bra fittings to find the bra size that’ll fit you best. But as your body shape changes even more during pregnancy, we think it’s really really important to prioritise a bra fitting. You may even notice your breasts change during the first trimester.

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, we’d recommend getting a bra fitting as early as possible so you can feel supported throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Then, as your bump grows, you can find the maternity and nursing bras to suit you. Badly-fitted bras cause poor posture, fatigue, back pain and neck pain. So, it’s a good idea to get fitted at the first moment to help your growing breasts.

Buying a maternity bra just before giving birth? Make sure the bra fits on the loosest setting — you’ll need to tighten the bra as your rib cage retracts. After 8 to 12 weeks, your rib cage should reduce back down to its pre-pregnancy size.

For nursing bras, we’d recommend being fitted a few weeks before your due date. That way, it’ll accommodate your changing breast shape as your body gets ready for breastfeeding. Make sure it’s roomy! Tight bras can lead to inflamed breast tissue.

What do I do if one breast is bigger than the other?

It’s pretty common for women to have one breast that’s larger than the other. This could start as early as puberty but often kickstarts during pregnancy as your body gets ready to breastfeed. Studies differ in numbers, but it’s commonly agreed that up to 90% of women have one breast that’s noticeably larger than the other. So, if you’re staring at your chest, don’t worry about asymmetric breasts. It’s normal!

When shopping for maternity and nursing bras with asymmetric breasts, try a lace trim bra that’ll sit over your chest to give the appearance of an equal cleavage. Or, go for a silky seamless bra that’ll mould to your shape, giving you the best support.

Should I wear underwired bras while pregnant or breastfeeding?

It’s okay to wear an underwired bra if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. You’ll want to consider your day-to-day bra-wearing, though. If you’re breastfeeding, underwire bras can put extra pressure on your chest, making it difficult to feed. But, if you’re wearing a well-fitted bra (after being fitted at a JoJo shop, of course!) then you won’t have to worry.

All JoJo maternity bras are wire-free. They’ll support your changing chest without any of the pressure digging into breast tissue.

How should I care for my bra?

We recommend washing your bra at a lower temperature. It’ll keep the cups in shape and so the colour doesn’t fade. If your bra cups are wrinkling, this could be down to too many machine wash cycles. If you can, try to hand wash your maternity underwear for that extra bit of TLC.

Do I need more maternity underwear than a maternity bra?

Support your body through pregnancy and beyond with our range of JoJo maternity underwear and accessories. Find the right knickers to flatter your figure with our maternity underwear range designed for prenatal and postnatal wear. Or, if you need additional baby bump support, our shapewear solutions and pregnancy belts can be worn under clothing, too.