nursing bra reviews - Stuff Parents Need

We’ve talked before about the importance of having quality nursing bras in your collection, and having them ready to go before you bring your little bundle home (I promise you will NOT want to go bra shopping the week after you have a baby!). This is such an important topic that I’m bringing it up yet again, because I really want the message to be received!

Today I’m featuring a company that specializes in nursing and full figure intimate apparel, and has been in the business since 1939…they must be doing something right! Leading Lady really strikes a great balance between comfort, style and affordability, all while keeping “real” women and their comfort in mind. Their mission falls in line with exactly the type of products I need and want, so I’m excited to show them off here on Stuff Parents Need, especially if you are not currently familiar with the brand.

Their entire collection, for the first time, is now available to purchase online. So even if you don’t have a nearby retailer, you can still shop for a nursing or full figure bra that meets your needs. Simply head over to LeadingLady.com and check out their great selection! I actually prefer to shop for bras online because I often find in the stores that they either don’t carry or are out of my size. It’s so frustrating to not be able to purchase what you need when you make a special trip to go get it! Shopping online eliminates that issue!

Lately, I have been wearing the Santoni Wirefree Nursing Bra and I absolutely ADORE it. It is doing a great job of offering the support I need (without uncomfortable wires) AND it has removable bra pads that I can use when I am out and about and want a bit more modesty. The nursing clasp is easy to remove, but at the same time, doesn’t look as though it is going to come off on its own (I’ve had that happen in the past with other bras!). Nursing bras are available in sizes 34B to 48 F, so there’s something on their site for every shape and size!

I’m also very pleased with the overall fit of this bra. Leading Lady ensured I got the right fit thanks to their bra fit calculator that helps determine your bra size. I highly recommend using it to make sure you get exactly the size you need, not the size you think you need!

Leading Lady is also a company that supports programs empowering and supporting the health and welfare of women throughout the nation. It also is working on sustainability issues as a company by actively working on reducing their packaging and using more products made of post-consumer recycled materials. I love when a company is thoughtful about these issues, as it falls in line with what I value, too!

Edit: this giveaway is now closed.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a nursing bra in your choice of style and size from the e-boutique at Leading Lady, as well as free shipping!

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As I head into my third and final trimester of pregnancy, my body is starting to really prepare itself for becoming a mom. Those of you who have been pregnant before know that your breasts grow quite a bit in the early part of your pregnancy, and they grow a bit more in the final trimester, as well. They also sometimes start leaking colostrum (sorry if that is TMI, but its something I wish I had been told the first time around, because when it happened to me it totally freaked me out!).

I recommend sleeping with a comfortable nursing bra as early as late in your first trimester. I would say to absolutely be sleeping with one by your third trimester. At this point in my pregnancy, sleeping on my side is a must for the health and safety of the baby. But sleeping in this position without providing some additional support for my breasts is a recipe for a terrible night of sleep (I know from experience!). Quite frankly, your breasts are just heavier than they have ever been, and they need some support so that you aren’t feeling really uncomfortable.

So why get a nursing bra instead of something else? Well, first and foremost, you need something that offers a balance of support and softness. I promise you don’t want any underwire within a 10 foot radius of your breasts! Also, since you are going to need a nursing bra in the near future, it makes sense to go ahead and get one now so that you can get even more use out of it. But shop carefully, because I cannot stress enough how important it is for this bra to be comfortable. In just a few short months, you will be wearing it to bed and using the nursing feature all hours of the day and night!

I have been wearing the cotton nursing bra from Bravado lately (poor thing is constantly getting yanked from the dryer and then worn and worn some more until I give it a break, but only to be washed and quickly dried before the cycle repeats!). This bra is EXCELLENT! I am top-heavy, and it rises to the challenge of providing me with the support I need. In the past, I’ve had the experience with some wire-free bras where they felt nice, but were sort of pointless in the support department. This is not the case with this bra. With that said, comfort has not been sacrificed. I have also practiced unlatching the bra so that I will know how to do it when it is time to breastfeed, and I’m pleased to report that it is very easy to do with one hand.

Want to hear something REALLY cool? This bra comes with a neat little conversion kit so that when you are all done with breastfeeding, you can covert the bra back to something more traditional. What a great value this provides!

Wherever you may be in your pregnancy or breastfeeding journey, I can say with full confidence that this bra is a terrific purchase choice. I already love it because it keeps me comfortable day and night (a decidedly difficult task at this point) and I know I’m going to enjoy using it as a nursing bra, as well. Bravado really got it right with this product. Well done!

Buy it!: The Bravado Original Nursing Bra is available online for $35 and comes in several attractive colors and patterns.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win an Original Nursing Bra from Bravado!!!

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