Your Guide to Maternity Clothing
When you find out you’re pregnant, you might turn a critical eye towards your wardrobe. Your body will go through a lot of changes over the next nine months, meaning your wardrobe will have to change in order to keep you stylish and comfortable. However, you’ll be needing to expand your range too, so here's our helpful guide to maternity clothing.
When should I buy my maternity clothing?
Knowing which maternity clothing to buy can seem like a daunting task, but the reality is, your body will let you know. Your body will change and that means buying clothing in maternity sizes, but they should always be bought when you feel ready for them. Everyone experiences pregnancy differently and over-preparing can lead to many wasted purchases! Instead, focus on the most important thing, which is your comfort.
There are supporting bands and belts to ease your time while nurturing your baby, but when things start to get uncomfortable, do something about it straight away to avoid it becoming a larger problem. Get fitted for maternity bras, wear a support belt if you start to feel back pain and make sure you stay comfortable while you’re pregnant.
A whole new world of clothing is available to help you stay comfortable while pregnant. You may not have ever considered maternity bras, bump bands and support belts before, but knowing their many benefits can help give you the support that is essential as your baby develops. Here are some of the items you should consider during your pregnancy:
What is a Maternity Bra?
A maternity bra is specifically designed to support your breasts as they grow during pregnancy. They often sport softer lining, extra hooks and wider straps, helping you to stay comfortable as your breasts become larger and more sensitive. The underwire of maternity bras are flexible to allow for this growth, offering greater support than regular bras.
It is common for your breasts to increase in size by one or two cup sizes and you’ll start noticing weight gain around the eight-week mark of your pregnancy. It’s advised that you buy a maternity bra in anticipation of this, though everyone’s body changes differently. Ultimately, you should buy a maternity bra once you notice your regular bras becoming tighter or less comfortable than normal.
When buying a maternity bra, it’s recommended that you are correctly measured. Breast size can fluctuate throughout pregnancy due to hormonal changes, and over time you can monitor the changes your breasts go through and purchase your maternity bras accordingly. You can choose to buy several of the same size if your breasts change slowly, or hold off until they reach a larger size if they change quickly.
What are Nursing Bras?
A nursing bra offers the same support as a maternity bra, though also allows the mother to breast-feed easily without having to remove the bra. For this reason, you may want to consider purchasing a nursing bra over a maternity bra, as it will be useful if you are planning to breast-feed your child. However, it is important to remember that not all nursing and maternity bras are fitted the same way. Variations can be fitted with different clasps or flaps and these offer varying levels comfort.
Both varieties of bra offer back and shoulder support and you should never ‘make do’ by suffering through a bra that is too small or does not alleviate any pain you are experiencing.
What is a Maternity Bump Band?
A maternity bump band is used when you are in between your clothing; not yet needing maternity dresses or jeans, but finding your current clothing harder to fit. The band is a thin sheet of material that fits over your stomach to conceal it while your baby is developing. It’s all about personal comfort, letting you continue to wear a t-shirt that may ride a little high, or jeans that feel better left unbuttoned. If you’re wearing a matching maternity bump band, you don’t have to worry about ill-fitting clothing or having to compromise comfort in the name of style.
What is a Maternity Support Belt (or Belly Support Band)?
A Maternity Support Belt is a garment that is wrapped around your back and supports your stomach. These belts can be adjusted as your baby grows and supports your lower back, a frequent source of pain for expecting mothers. Support belts are also great for staying safe while exercising as well as soothing irritated skin.
“Maternity bands are a great investment. They give your bump extra support, and work with your old jeans. Also, start to wear comfortable shoes as early as possible. They will benefit you in the long run and will work with your lifestyle.” – Jules Greaves, Fashion Designer