A proper fitting bra helps support good breast health and reduces the risk of back and shoulder pain

How to tell if a bra fits well

• The entire breast should fit comfortably inside the bra cup, with no breast tissue bulging above or at the sides.
• The centre front should sit flat against your body, regardless of the size of the breast.
• The band around the bottom should lie horizontally across your back, be at the same level back and front and not arch when you move. When checked, you should be able to pull the band about an inch away from the body.   
• The straps should not carry the weight of the breasts. They should sit on your shoulders without slipping or digging in. They can be adjusted to make sure they are comfortable.
• If it is an underwired bra, the wire must sit flat against the body, around the breast, without gaping, digging in or pressing down on any breast tissue.
• When buying a bra in pregnancy, it is best to buy one that does up comfortably on the tightest hook to allow room for further growth.

How to measure for a nursing bra

Step 1: Band Measurement

Measure your chest above your breasts – make sure the tape is around your back and under your armpits. Check in the mirror to ensure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor along your back. The tape should be snug around your body without any fingers underneath the tape. If you are in between band sizes, round up or down to the nearest even number. This will be your band measurement (34, 36 etc.).

Step 2: Bust Measurement

Measure around the fullest part of your breasts, over your nipple area. This is a looser measurement than the band measurement. While holding both ends of the tape with one hand at the side of your breast, use your free hand to press the measuring tape in between your breasts to your chest. This will be your bust measurement (37, 38, etc).

Step 3: Calculate Your Size

Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement. The remainder is your cup size, where each number or inch represents one letter. Combine the band measurement and the cup size for your bra size.

For example, if your band is 34 and your bust is 38:
38 – 34 =4, 4 equates to a D
(1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD, 6=E)
Your bra size is a 34D.