I bought my first nursing bras three years ago while I was pregnant with Brooks. My body was doing all sorts of weird, new things, and the drastic changes—coupled with raging hormones—sent my self-esteem plummeting. I’d go to bed and wake up to aching breasts that had somehow grown a cup size larger overnight, and not in a way that felt attractive to me.
I imagined myself more as a porpoise than a life-giving goddess.
I felt so guilty about spending money on a temporary maternity wardrobe when there were so many other things we “needed” to get ready for our baby’s arrival.
And that’s how I ended up wearing a combination of “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” uniboob sports bras and fall-apart, bargain bras from the deepest corners of Ebay. I’m a little ashamed to admit that these have been my go-to undergarments for the last three years, but I’m sure I’m in good company. Moms everywhere have worn holes in their sale rack clothing while they strive to keep their kids looking like Baby Gap models.
There are many reasons we may do this. A tight budget, not enough time to shop for ourselves, low self-esteem, unwillingness to “treat” ourselves for a season of life we believe will quickly pass. And maybe even a little badge of pride for our martyrdom.
Whatever the case may be, women deserve to feel beautiful and comfortable during this mysterious, sometimes unsettling, season of pregnancy and nursing. Our minds and bodies are working non-stop on a cellular level to give, give, give, GIVE. Bringing children into the world is a truly a priceless contribution to society, but the messages we receive from our culture are not always supportive.
It’s up to us to support ourselves. Both figuratively and literally.
Hotmilk Lingerie specializes in high quality maternity and nursing wear that refuses to compromise on function or style. From practical everyday items to seriously sexy, lacy numbers, they’ve got a little something for every new mom.
I myself have a preference for underwire bras. I know, I know. That’s a controversial subject among the breastfeeding community, but I’ve never had an issue with low milk supply or clogged ducts, so I’ll take all the extra support I can get. Hotmilk offers a unique and comfortable solution for us underwire girls. Their Flexi-wire design is gentle and moulds to your body, reducing the pressure on sensitive breast tissue while keeping everything in place.
I’ve been wearing their Forever Yours style nearly 24/7 for the past couple of weeks, alternating between their black and nude colors. It also comes in heather gray and wild—a fun combination of leopard print straps and magenta cups.
The foam moulding creates a flattering profile, and with the right sizing, there’s no bulging tissue or fabric digging into me. And that’s saying something! As any nursing mom knows, breasts can look and feel dramatically different throughout the day.
Hotmilk’s website has a very comprehensive fitting guide to help you locate the size that’s right for your body type as well as adjust your new bra for ultimate comfort. This is especially helpful when your pregnant and postpartum body is vastly different than the one you had before motherhood. And for extra sizing versatility while your ribcage is expanding throughout pregnancy, they design their maternity and nursing bras with six hook adjustments in back.
It was easy for me to find a good fit with the Forever Yours bra, and the cotton-lined straps and soft jersey fabric on the inside create a high level of comfort overall.
The nursing clip has also been very simple for me to manage one-handed while I’m holding and rocking my sweet girl.
I wish I had talked to some seasoned nursing moms before deciding on what brands and styles of bras to buy. Moms everywhere would have told me the same thing: Go for quality and comfort!
If you’re in the market for maternity and nursing bras, take it from someone who’s been wearing around the equivalent of breast torture devices for the last three years. You’re already giving so much of your time, energy, comfort, and sanity to others. It’s time to invest in yourself. Once you try a Hotmilk nursing bra, you’ll never want to go back.
Win a Hotmilk Forever Yours Bra!
Hotmilk is generously giving one of my readers the same bra that Samantha reviewed, in winner’s size and choice of nude or black. Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, 18+. All winner’s entries will be verified.
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Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
Samantha Levang is a contributor at This West Coast Mommy, specializing in cloth diaper and baby item reviews. She lives in Washington state with her husband, toddler son, Brooks, and new baby girl, Riley. Between diaper changes and loads of laundry, she enjoys landscape photography and the never-ending process of home decorating.
https://www.hotmilklingerie.com/collections/t-shirt-bras/products/lovestruck-nursing-bra
this bra looks so comfortable, yet sexy.
I love the SHOW OFF LEOPARD NURSING BRA!! Super sexy and totally functional!
The Vitality Grey Nursing Yoga Bra looks like it would be so comfortable to wear.
I love the luminous nursing bra, especially since it’s on sale and in my size!
The Lovestruck Nursing bra is my favorite! It has pretty details and looks so comfortable.
I would love to have Hot Milk’s Activate Sports Flexwire Nursing Bra since no matter what shape I am in, I fancy myself an athlete!
I would love to try the Forever Yours Wild Flexwire Nursing Bra. It is super cute for a nursing bra.
I have the Eclipse Black Nursing Bra and would love to have another one.
I would love to try their activate sports flexiwire nursing bra in blue – it is hard to find good support in a nursing bra.
I’d love to try the my necessity sleep bra. Looks so comfortable and love the bright blue colour!
Really, I would love any nursing bra! I like the Anita bras.
I also like the LUMINOUS NURSING BRA.
I really like the evermore nursing bra.
I would like to try the Lure or activate bras.
I’d like to try the Activate Sports Flexiwire Nursing Bra.
I like the FOREVER YOURS WILD FLEXIWIRE NURSING BRA
I love the VITALITY GREY NURSING YOGA BRA. It looks soft, comfortable and fitting. There’s nothing better than a really good nursing bra that you can be active in too.
I would love the my necessity sleep bra, it looks really comfortable.
I like the my necessity sleep nude bra. This is good for sleep and those first several weeks when you are so engorged everything that touches you hurts. Comfort is key!
I’d like to try the show off leopard nursing bra.
I also love the activate sports flexiwire nursing bra. Perfect for working out after baby!
I would like to try the FOREVER YOURS NUDE FLEXIWIRE NURSING BRA.
I would love to gift this to my daughter and let her choose her favourite. One of mine is the black Eclipse.
The my necessity sleep/nursing bra looks really comfortable!
I like the DAWN BLACK NURSING BRA
Their sleep bras look super comfortable! I would probably end up wearing it all day!
I would love to try any bra! Pregnancy and nursing x4 who knows what size I am any more and I need some support like yesterday!! I would love the show off nursing bra!!
I would also love the Lure Pink Feminine bra.