Hello bosom friends! My name is Courtney Killpack, I’m a bra fitting expert and creator of BraFittingsByCourt.com, where I’m passionate about helping women find more confidence and beauty by fixing their stubborn bra problems. Something you might not know about Jenna, we used to work together in the same lingerie department at Nordstrom years ago!

I’m going to talk about when you should go get fitted and shop for your nursing bra AND after you’ve weaned your baby. Some of the most commonly asked questions I get asked from women is should they wait after they have their baby, lose weight, or when they stop nursing to go bra shopping? I have some simple tips on how to navigate these many bosom altering moments.

My rule of thumb: It’s never a bad time to be fitted

A lot of women think it’s not worth to buy a new bra until they lose all of their weight, after their pregnancy, or when they’ve weaned their baby. I’m here to say, why suffer?!? Why be uncomfortable and miserable by wearing bras that don’t fit? There’s this mentality a lot of women have that in order to treat yo self, you have to achieve your ultimate goal. That’s crap.

When you notice your bra isn’t fitting right: the straps are falling off your shoulders, cups are too small or too big, you’re hanging out or coming out of your bra, underwires digging into your breasts, band rides up the back, and you’re constantly adjusting it. This means your bra isn’t fitting, and it’s time to get a new one!

You don’t have to go out a buy an entire new bra wardrobe and spend a small fortune. Buy 1-2 bras at a time. This way, you buy what you need. Buying small quantities of bras as you transition into your new size is a smart bra buying strategy.

Also, it’s good to know your correct size so if you do change size in the future, you’ll have more confidence on how to navigate the sizing system.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Most women go up 1-3 cup sizes in the 10 months they’re pregnant. This means you’ll need to go be fitted and buy a new bra each time you go up a size. Sorry ladies, the days of you wearing the same size you’re entire pregnancy is out! As soon as you feel like your bra is getting too small in the cups or in the band, go get fitted for a new one!

A couple weeks before you have that little bundle of joy, I recommend you go get yourself a transitional nursing bra. These are bras that are low in support, come in S, M, L, XL, and are perfect as you transition from the hospital to home, and when your milk comes in. One of my favorite is the Cake Maternity Rock Candy Nursing Bra. 1-2 weeks after the baby comes, and once your milk has settled, go get fitted for a more supported nursing bra, preferably an underwire.

Cake Maternity Rock Candy Nursing Bra

Some women stay the same size on their entire breastfeed and pump journey, some don’t. If you start to lose weight and notice your cups and band is getting too big, it’s time to go get fitted for a new one. Having a supportive and quality nursing bra that fits while you’re lactating so much better and easier, I promise!

Once you decide to wean your baby, I’d wait to get fitted until you notice your nursing bras don’t fit anymore. This can take up to two weeks to notice a change in your cup size.

Gaining & Losing Weight

It’s life. At some point in our lives we gain weight. I know it sucks to have to buy bigger sized bras, but why wear things that don’t fit and don’t make you feel good? You’re so worth it to invest in your chest and wear things that make you feel like a million bucks and flatter your beautiful self. As soon as you notice your bra isn’t fitting or is uncomfortable, go get fitted. Buy 1-2 bras in your new size, wear those out and by the time you start to lose weight, it will be time to buy another 1-2 bras in your new smaller size! Bras should only last about 6-12 months.

When you lose weight, some women lose it all in the chest, some lose it all in their butt. Whatever you were blessed with, the same principle applies. If you notice you bra doesn’t fit, go get fitted, buy 1-2 bras in your new size.

Where to be fitted?

Here are my favorite places to be professionally fitted:

Me!

I offer in-person and group bra consultations for those who live in Northern Utah and online bra consultations for those who live far away or don’t have options around them. I love taking my clients bra shopping, educating them on how bras should and shouldn’t fit, making it fun and educational, and helping you feel more confident and beautiful. Go here to learn more and book an appointment with me, it will change your life!

Nordstom

I used to work for Nordstrom for over four years and really like their fitting program. They have a wide range of sizes and have an amazing return policy!

Boutiques

Bra boutiques that are independently owned are notorious for being great at fittings. Before you go, call ahead and ask if they are experts in fitting and if they have a wide range of sizes A-K cup sizes and 28-46 band sizes.

To learn more about how bras should and shouldn’t fit, go download my FREE bra fitting guides, where I walk you through the process of how to find your size and breast shape.

Also, to shop the nursing and everyday bras I recommend my clients go here!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram at @brafittingsbycourt for daily bra and bosom tips!

If you ever have bra questions you can email me at brafittingsbycourt@gmail.com Thanks Small Fry gals for letting me guest post!