Katie Brooker
Katie is a Nursing Bra Specialist
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Why Multi-Fitting Bras Are Ideal for New Moms

It’s no secret that becoming a mom for the first time is a time of great change and adjustment. One of the changes that often get overlooked is that which is happening in your breasts.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the most dramatic change your breasts undergo is during puberty when you go from having no breast tissue to being fully formed. The difference is, though, these changes happen over the course of a few years, whereas during pregnancy and breastfeeding your breasts transform in a matter of around 15 months.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding your cup and band size can change up to five times! But who wants to, and can afford, to buy a new bra every time this changes? That’s where multi-fitting bras come in.

What Is a Multi-Fitting Bra?

To put it plainly, a multi-fitting bra is one that is sized XS-XXL and each of those sizes fits multiple cup and band combinations in one. A single size in a well-made multi-fitting bra will cover around 2.5 band sizes and 3-4 cup sizes. For example, a size L can cover a 36DD-G, 38C-DDD, and 40B-C.

There are numerous bras on the market that may cover a wide range of sizes, but only those that are properly constructed will have the capability to lift, support, and separate each of those sizes and as such support you through your fluctuations and throughout the extended wear of the garment.

The bras at Cake Maternity have a high elastane content, which means the stretch recovery of the fabric will perform time after time. The fabric has a dense construction to ensure the proper amount of support, no matter how your size changes. So if you’re a 32DD in the morning and a 10C at the end of the day, your bra will grow and contract with you.

Why Are Multi-Fitting Bras Ideal for When You’re Pregnant?

Some women know they’re pregnant before they’ve taken a test, simply due to the increase in breast size and tenderness. This growth continues throughout the first trimester, so a good multi-fitting bra will be soft, comfy, and non-restrictive to allow for this growth and sensitivity.

After this time most of the growth happens through your ribcage, which is when the multiple band size aspect of a multi-fitting bra really comes in handy. These styles feature 6 hook and eye closures on the back, which ensures you can let out your band size as bub grows and bring it back in postpartum.

Our bras are also designed specifically for a pregnant and breastfeeding body, which can be experiencing a multitude of changes such as temperature increase, sensitive skin, and leakage. We use superior yarns, cotton linings, and breathable fabrics to accommodate all of these symptoms.

Why Multi-Fitting Bras Ideal for New Moms

When your milk first comes in, it can take about 6-8 weeks for your flow to regulate. There are numerous factors that can affect your milk supply during this time. Bub may be experiencing a growth spurt and needing more milk than usual, or they may be feeling unwell and off their milk, or simply cluster feeding. All of these things affect your size, in fact your cup size can fluctuate dramatically over the course of 24 hours!

Once you’ve given birth your ribcage will still be where it was during the late stage of your pregnancy. It takes a long time for it to expand during pregnancy, and it can take a similar amount of time for it to return to its original position — sometimes up to 6 months.

A multi-fitting bra will be able to accommodate all of the above without any restriction, which is particularly important as that can lead to clogged ducts and ultimately mastitis if left untreated. These bras will even support you if you’re just feeding on one side, leaving your breasts two different sizes!

After 6-8 weeks, most mamas find that their bra size has stabilized along with their flow and their routine. Even at this stage, a multi-fitting bra is perfect to be able to handle those odd fluctuations and support you through your day of full and about to burst, to oh-my-goodness, I have nothing left to give.

Multi-fitting bras are not just for breastfeeding though, they can also cover the pumping mama. You could be pumping from one side and feeding from the other, or simply popping your wire-free pumps inside your cups.

What To Look For in Multi-Fitting Nursing Bras

A multi-fitting bra, as mentioned above, should cover 3-4 cup sizes and 2.5 band sizes. When you’re looking for a bra, it can be tricky to decide whether to size up or size down, especially if you’re on the cusp of a size range. This can all depend on what stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding you’re at and whether you think your band or cup size will increase, stabilize, or decrease.

Freckles are one of our most popular multi-fitting bras because it ticks all the boxes of what to look for in a perfect multi-fitting bra. Its design suits a range of different body types, it has three versatile colors to choose from, and because of its plunging neckline and lightly padded cups, it can be worn under all of your favorite tops. The foam molded cups are the perfect density to hide nipple show-through without adding extra bulk when you’re already feeling like a busty, lactating mama.

It’s also fit for Mother Nature, as it’s seamlessly knitted using a super soft, recycled nylon material. This drastically limits offcuts and therefore less waste ends up in a landfill. Any offcuts we do have are repurposed into nursing slings, which keep your breasts in place when using the drop-down cups for nursing. The cotton-lined frame is sturdy enough to support all sizes, while the channel mimics the shape and support of a wire, without any of the uncomfortable compression.

Freckles come in S-XL sizes in Petite and Busty sizing, which means this style covers a 32B to a 38H. If you’re looking for something with an even larger size range, we have lots of multi-fitting bras to suit.

Whether you are a new mama or a seasoned expert with your tribe, you can rest assured in a multi-fitting bra to support and fit you throughout your stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding whilst remaining comfortable and breathable.

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About Katie Brooker

Katie is the proud mum of two beautiful girls and has been responsible for all the designs, style, and fit at Cake Maternity for over a decade now.

Katie is a nursing bra specialist and a fit, pattern and grading technician. She is passionate about breastfeeding and the many benefits it offers to both mum, baby, and the environment.

She is determined to make the breastfeeding journey a comfortable, supportive, and beautiful one for all mums, understanding that it doesn’t always come easy to everyone. That’s why she has made it her mission to empower women as they mindfully navigate the world of motherhood and help make breastfeeding easier, through experience-driven innovation.

View all posts by Katie Brooker here.

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