Breastfeeding and bras

[akc74]

I know that you're not supposed to wear underwired bras when breastfeeding as they can cause blockages etc.

Does this apply indefinitely, however long you feed for? My son is about 11 months old and I now only feed him first thing and at bedtime. I'm not sure I can bear to wear the tired old feeding bras any longer and on a practical level there's not really any need given the timings.

Any views?

[Fuschia]

I have worn underwired bras once the early days of engorgement have passed. Be careful though as wearing a bra when my twins must have been 18m plus, a feeding bra, even, I didn't adjust it properly and it was cutting in to me and sore. When I looked I had a litle sore lump. This ended up becoming a really nasty abcess that had me on antibiotics for 6 weeks and required draining surgically several times - I narrowly avoided hospital admission.

So i think any bra is fine as long as you take care it's not tight so it cuts into your breast at all ... easier once your breasts have settled, but I think some women are more prone to engorgement/mastitis etc even when their babies are older.

[jollybaby]

I've been wearing special feeding unDerwired bras from about week 2 onwards. Am not sure what makes them special as they seem much like a normal bra to me (apart from the clips of course!) - no problems whatsoever. So I'd be tempted to dig out the sexy lingerie again!

[radnrach]

I didn't know about this, so have been wearing my normal (underwired) bras the whole 8 months I've been breastfeeding. Haven't had any problems, but maybe I've just been lucky!

[Saffron]

I have a feeding bra with specially reinforced seam rather than an underwire. It is pretty and comfy and gives a great boost. But also, when my boobs finally fit back into my regular bras, I started wearing underwires again around 1 yr postpartum. I haven't had any problems, though I don't usually wear a bra for more than 6-8 hours anyway. If you're unsure, perhaps go for a fitting? Some underwire bras are less 'bitey' than other.

[Dullyy]

I too wore these special feeding unwired bras when I was breastfeeding. I wore them from very early on, so I?d say just go for it! :)

[snowboarder]

Me too - have always worn underwired nursing bras (the anita ones from pretty pregnant). Really don't think I would have survived b/f for so long if not worn them - cannot BEAR non underwired!!

[chantelle]

i wore underwired the entire time through pregnancy and BFing. It's only a problem if they are cutting into tissue. I had no problems at all.