YES! Bra Sizing Tips

Before you buy the YES! Nursing and Maternity bra, make sure you read these helpful hints.

In general, your pregnancy size will be one cup size AND one band size higher than your pre-pregnancy size (eg. if you are 36C pre-pregnancy, your pregnancy size is likely 38D). In the first 2-3 days after the birth you will likely be another cup size and band size higher (eg. 38-40 DD or E) -- but just for a few days!

Getting the correct size bra requires measuring for band size as well as cup size.

To get the band size: Measure the circumference of your rib cage just under your breasts. Add 3 inches to this measurement. Add 1 if your measurement is an odd number.

e.g. Band measurement is 36. Add 3 = 39. Add 1 to round up to 40. The nursing/maternity bra size for you will be a 40.

To get the cup size: Measure the circumference of your rib cage at the fullest part of your breasts. Use the table below to determine your cup size. Take the cup measurement, and subtract the band measurement.

e.g. Cup measurement is 42. Subtract the maternity/ nursing bra band size (40). 42-40 = 2. Using the chart below, a difference of 2 inches between band and cup measurement will be a B cup.

You should try bras that are a 40B to be most comfortable!

Because your size will change during maternity and nursing, the sizes of the YES! bra overlap so you won't have to buy multiple sizes. We recommend the following:

• 28-32 B/C cup - try size: 1
• 32-36 A/B cup - try size: 2A
• 32-36B/C cup - try size: 2
• 32-36 C/D cup - try size 2+
• 32-36 DD/E/F cup - try size: 2++
• 36-40 A/B cup - try size: 3A
• 36-40 B/C cup - try size: 3
• 36-40 D/E cup - try size: 3+
• 36-40 DD/E/F/G cup - try size: 3++
• 38-42 C/D cup - try size: 4
• 38-42 DD/E cup - try size: 4+
• 38-42 DD/E/F/G cup - try size: 4++
• 42-46 C/D cup - try size: 5
• 42-46 DD/E cup - try size: 5+
• 42-46 DD/E/F/G cup - try size: 5++
• 48-52 C/D cup - try size: 6
• 48-52 DD/E cup - try size: 6+
• 48-52 DD/E/F/G cup - try size: 6++

Other helpful hints

Support band should:

1. Be snug but not too tight.
2. Be flexible and stretchy to grow with you and shrink when you do too.
3. Keep the back of the bra from riding up. You want your bra to stay firmly in place.
4. Be strong enough to keep the breasts in place. Together, the straps and support band should work to keep the breasts elevated nicely. The straps should not cut into your shoulders at all.
5. Be supportive enough that you won't have to worry about big-breast backache.

Cups should:

1. Provide adequate coverage. A bra that falls short on coverage won't feel comfortable. Make sure your breasts aren't peeking out of the bra too much!
2. Be comfortable
3. NEVER feel like they are tight. If the breast in constricted by a bra that is too snug, you may have problems with plugged milk-ducts or mastitis.
4. Have a little extra room for nursing pads.

General Tips:

1. Go shopping for nursing/maternity bras as soon as your current bras aren't comfortable any more. For most women this will be during the second or third trimester.
2. Follow the washing instructions on your new bra carefully. Even the most durable bra can't stand up to mistreatment forever. Help yours last as long as you nurse.
3. Talk to other moms and ask them whether they felt a nursing bra was a worthwhile investment!
4. Think about your lifestyle and budget. Are you moderately active and need a sports-bra style? Do you like underwire or non-underwire bras now? How long do you plan to breastfeed? How much money do you feel comfortable investing in nursing bras?
5. Think about buying nursing pads for your bra to help protect against leakage.