New motherhood comes with a lot of questions, including what to do about your changing breasts. The world of nursing bras can be confusing, but we're here to give you answers and prepare you for the exciting journey ahead!

What differentiates a Nursing Bra from a classic maternity bra is its ability for the cups to open up to allow easy access for breastfeeding.

The best nursing bras are made of soft and stretchy material. Either clip, fold, or pull aside for easy one-handed access to the breast for nursing. They can be found both with and without underwire to suit different situations and preferences.

Most nursing bras also have spaces for removable breast pads. Breast pads absorb leaking milk between feedings to prevent it from getting onto the mother’s clothes.

Even if not breastfeeding, a properly fitted nursing bra is still critical to a mom post-partum as it will help elevate back, neck, and shoulder tension from the new growth in the breasts.

The terms "nursing bra" and "maternity bra" can often be used interchangeably. Nursing bras tend to have cups that open to make breastfeeding easier, and many nursing bras are lined or designed to accommodate pads to catch any leakage instead of letting it seep through the bra and wet the shirt.

Maternity bras, on the other hand, are specifically designed to comfortably support your growing breasts during pregnancy, with features like a wider strap, soft cotton lining, and extra hooks and eyes on the band. Typically you will not find any maternity bras with underwire cups, they are meant for comfort and support.

If you're planning on breastfeeding, a nursing bra will make life a lot easier. Nursing bra cups are designed with two basic ideas in mind: drop-down or cross-over design to expose your breast for nursing, this allows for easy and discrete feeding of your newborn. The drop-down nursing is ideal for day feeding or public feeding with privacy in mind, the cross-over is ideal for sleeping and relaxing around the house. They are both designed to allow the mother to insert breast pads to absorb leaking milk between feedings. It's also very important to wear nursing bras post-pregnancy as proper breast support will help elevate back tension, stress, and pain from the extra weight of the breasts.

It's ok to wait until you enter your third trimester to start buying nursing bras, however, you should invest in a good maternity bra before then. Your breast size should stabilize by the 7th or 8th month, this is a good time to get fitted for your large cup size nursing bra, keep in mind it is a good idea to purchase one that is one cup size larger than normal. You will need the extra room once your breasts begin producing milk after birth. Being in the correct bra and cup size will help you relax and be comfortable, so you can enjoy all the wonders you have ahead of you.

Just like regular bra fittings, finding the perfect fitted Nursing bra can be anything less than perfect. During your pregnancy and breastfeeding you can expect your cup size to increase by 1-3 sizes, if not more. Getting a nursing bra with stretchy material can help make sure your bra will still fit ensuring any size fluctuation. For a perfectly fitted Nursing bra, you want to follow the same procedures in the Sizing Guide. Keep in mind that comfort is the key and a nursing bra that is too small can cause mastitis and plugged milk ducts. You want to be sure you give yourself enough room in the cups as well as the band.

All of this can be confusing and time-consuming with a new little one running around, so allow us at Hourglass Lingerie to help! Call and schedule a personalized, one-on-one nursing bra fitting with our bra experts to ensure the best fit on the first try!

When it comes to choosing the best nursing bra, personal preference is key. Whether you prefer underwire or wire-free, something pretty or practical, we've got you covered. Here are some of our favorite picks for nursing bras:

If you're looking for a more comfortable everyday option or something to just wear around the house, choose one of these wire-free nursing bras from Parfait and Goddess.

These nursing bras from Anita and Panache are the perfect options for wearing under a t-shirt or other thin fabric.

Every mom deserves to feel stylish, even while breastfeeding, and these nursing bras from Anita are the perfect blend of function and fashion.