A Spotlight on Maternity Sports Bras

While I was pregnant I often heard that exercising for 30 minutes or more a day during pregnancy and breastfeeding is important to stay fit and healthy. Helping you feel good.  Try telling my swollen tender boobs that!  Even brisk walking was uncomfortable for my sore breasts during pregnancy.  The only exercise I managed in comfort was deep water running as the water was very supportive!

Once my beautiful baby arrived and we had settled into something that resembled a routine. I was keen to get out and exercise.  I enjoyed being active again but needed to wear a full coverage firm support sports bra. Which was impossible to feed in.  This personal experience was my motivation to help pregnant and nursing women find stylish, supportive sports bras. That could be worn during and post pregnancy.

It’s also important that you have the option to be able to easily breastfeed whenever required. If you choose to.  Thankfully Maternity sports bras have been revolutionised so women can now combine fantastic support and comfort in a style that looks great too.

What is the difference between a maternity sports bra and a regular sports bra?

There are a number of differences that most maternity sports bras provide;

– Structurally designed to provide additional support for tender breast tissue.

– Wirefree or Flexible Underwires so there isn’t any restriction on the breast tissue.  The Flexi Wires are designed to bend/flex more readily to help provide additional support without increasing the risk of blocked ducts or mastitis.

– Often wider straps for greater comfort.

– More hook and eye options to allow for some expansion of the ribs and diaphragm during pregnancy.

– Some lower impact Maternity Sports Bras that are designed for Yoga style exercise have a stretchy band rather than hook and eye fastening to stop clasps digging in when you are laying down.  Many women find these really comfortable to sleep in too.

– The weigth of each breast is supported, not squashed or flattened in the bra.

– Easy access to give you the choice of being able to easily breastfeed.

When should you consider switching to a maternity bra?

By the end of the first trimester, breasts have usually undergone a significant change in size.  Hormones which lead to these early breast changes tend to settle after about 4 months.  When your breasts begin to noticeably swell. And you no longer fit into your existing bras, it’s time to make the switch.  This usually coincides with your waistline growing and your standard pants no longer fitting! It is essential to measure and check your size to ensure a good fit.

Even if you have been pregnant before it is important to measure again as the rate of breast growth can be different for each pregnancy. So you may actually need a different maternity sports bra.

Popular Maternity Sports Bras

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    Cake Maternity Zest Flexi Wire Sports Bra, Black, Front ViewCake Maternity Zest Flexi Wire Sports Bra_Black_Converted Back

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    Cake Maternity Zest Flexi Wire Maternity Sports Bra – Black
    Original price was: $89.90.Current price is: $79.90.
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    Cadenshae Ultimate Bra, Colour White, Front ViewclearanceCadenshae Ultimate Bra, Colour White, Back View

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    Cadenshae Ultimate Maternity Sports Bra – Whisper
    Original price was: $79.95.Current price is: $55.97.
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    Cake Maternity Lotus Yoga & Pumping Bra, Black, Front ViewCake Maternity Lotus Yoga & Pumping Bra, Black, Back View

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    Cake Maternity Lotus Maternity Sports Bra B-DD – Black
    Original price was: $54.90.Current price is: $49.90.
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    Cadenshae Smoothie Maternity Sports Crop - Confetti/Whiteclearance

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    Cadenshae Smoothie Maternity Sports Crop – Confetti/White
    Original price was: $74.95.Current price is: $52.47.
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It is fantastic that there are now stylish and high quality maternity sports bras available so that mums can stay active during and post pregnancy.  It is great to know that your breasts are fully supported giving you the freedom to choose your activity and still breastfeed your bub if you choose to.

For more maternity sports bras see my dedicated Maternity Sports Bras page.

Amy x

Amy Jaffers - Sports Bra Expert

Amy Jaffers

Amy is the face behind Sports Bras Direct, Australia’s largest sports bra website. She's a mother of two, outdoors lover and sports bra expert. Her life mission is to help active women get the support they need as well as assisting women in need through her charitable donations.

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