Maternity is natures gift to women. The experience of nursing your baby can be increased if you ensure your own comfort level. Your breasts start changing shape from the fourth month of pregnancy. As a result, most women find their previous bra too small.

Purchase a nursing bras close to your due date or shortly after your baby arrives, because your breasts will grow larger toward the end of your pregnancy and when milk comes in.

You can purchase nursing bras in the maternity section of any department store. When purchasing a nursing bra, keep in mind that it is best to shop for one that has wide, comfortable shoulder straps to give adequate support to the breasts. Consider buying a bra that has flaps and can be opened and refastened easily. Since milk leakage is inevitable, it also makes sense to buy nursing pads to protect both your bra and clothes.

Make sure you get the right size. Though good looks are an added bonus, your primary consideration should be access and comfort. Even though you may find bras with underwires tempting, they can constrict the ducts and obstruct the flow of milk. This, in turn, can cause infections.

It is always better to buy 100% cotton bras, as cotton is a breathable fabric. Synthetic fabrics trap moisture and encourage bacterial growth and soreness.

Along with quality, pay attention to the quantity also. You should buy more than one nursing bras to avoid washing the same pieces again and again. As the breast size keeps changing, you should replace your nursing bras regularly to be sure you're getting the support you need while breast- feeding.