1. Bravolution! The Guide to a Better Bust Experience
Presented by Brooke Smith, BS-MCH, IBCLC

2. Society’s Big Bra Myths
Small breasts are always an A- or a B-cup
Big breasts are always a D- or a DD-cup.
Anything bigger than a D is reserved for morbidly obese women wearing baggy clothes.

3. Guess The Correct Bra Size!
Answer: 30J
Answer: 30D

4. Guess The Correct Bra Size!, Part II
Answer: 28FF
Answer: 30G
Answer: 28F

5. Why a Great Bra Fit is Vital (and how MCH professionals miss the boat
Hormones are one of the biggest drivers of bra size fluctuations in nulliparous women (Wood, K.; Cameron, M.; and Fitzgerald, K.; 2008)
Provides women considering breast reduction a truly viable alternative (Greenbaum, A.R.; Heslop, T.; Morris, J.; Dunn, K.W.; 2003)
Protects against plugged ducts (and thus mastitis and abscesses while nursing)
Provides support and cosmetic benefits
MCH professionals are often the first person to objectively look at a woman’s bare breasts

6. Why US Retailers Don’t Care
Economics! Having extra stock ties up money both in purchasing and storage costs.
Professional fitters at mall lingerie stores are used to keep customers in their offered bra sizes.
As long as women believe they are in a bra band and a cup size A-DD, there is no business incentive to change course.

7. How To Correctly Measure a Woman’s Breasts
Before you begin, you need a cloth measuring tape, paper, pen, and a woman nude from the collarbone to her belly button.
Measure (in inches) very snug at the root of the breasts (1). Write this measurement down.
Measure (in inches) loosely around the fullest part of the breast (2). Take this measurement once with the woman standing normally, once with the woman lying down, and once with the woman bent forward, back parallel to the floor. Use the largest measurement from these three.

8. I Have the Numbers, Now What?
Inches
US Cup
UK Cup 1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 DD 6
DDD E 7 G F 8 H FF 9 I 10 J GG 11 K 12 L HH 13 M 14 N JJ 15 O 16 P KK
The difference in inches between your band size and the size of the fullest part of your breast determines your cup size. NOTHING MORE.

9. Sister Sizes of Bras and What They Mean
From top to bottom: 38E, 36F, 34FF, 32G, 30GG, 28H. Same cup volume!

10. US versus UK Sizing Inches US Cup UK Cup 1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 DD 6 DDD E7 G F 8 H FF 9 I 10 J GG 11 K 12 L HH 13 M 14 N JJ 15 O 16 P KK
For this entire presentation, we will be referring to women as they fit in their UK size.
Once you are above a D-cup, you will see that the US and UK size differ drastically and thus, any bras you consider for purchase should be verified that they are using the same sizing system that you are using.

11. Trying on Your New Size
Signs of proper fit: band placement, wire placement, strap placement cup fit, tacking gore

12. Skills for Properly Putting on a Bra
Band should be on the tightest or second tightest hook and loop.
Underwire should sit directly at the root of the breast
Use the swoop and scoop technique to place your breast tissue into the cups.
Tissue migration from ill-fitting bras does occur quite often. You may need a new bra size in a month or two
Red marks are normal, pain is not.

13. Swoop and Scoop with a Good Bra
Same bra, top is before swoop-and-scoop. Bottom is after swoop-and-scoop.

14. Swoop and Scoop with a Bad Bra
Same bra, top is before swoop-and-scoop. Bottom is after swoop-and-scoop.

15. Specials Needs of Maternity
Trimesters 1 & 2
No special needs. May need to re-measure for cup size if primipara.
Trimester 3
Ribcage expansion. May want a bra extender
Uterus may be pushing on band. May want to switch to a wire-free bra temporarily.

16. Specials Needs of Postpartum/Nursing
1st 3 months Postpartum
Focus on stretchy cups (not moulded) to allow for cup size fluctuations
Will usually remain in the same band size as 2nd/3rd trimester
3-6 months Postpartum
Re-measure for proper cup/band size. May want to retrofit a bra with nursing clips.
6 months Postpartum
Re-measure for cup/band size because of potential tissue migration. This will likely be the size for the remainder of the nursing relationship.

17. Where to Buy Correctly-Sized Bras
In-Store:
Nordstrom – bands, broad range of cup sizes (up to at least a UK J in some styles, more limited in larger band sizes)
Nordstrom Rack bands, broad range of cup sizes, stock varies heavily from store to store as it is an outlet-style store
Cacique/Lane Bryant bands, US cup sizes up to an H for bands; not all stores stock large cup sizes but they are available online for free ship-to-store
Dillard's bands, limited range of cup sizes at least up to US H
Intimacy bands, A-K cup sizes, located at some major urban centers

18. Where to Buy Correctly-Sized Bras
Online:
Ebay.com - search for bras available "worldwide" to get a larger selection
Brastop.com (UK-based, ships worldwide)
Figleaves.com (UK-based, ships internationally, has a US-based return center)
Bare Necessities
HerRoom.com (US-based)
BreakoutBras.com (US and Canada)
Ewa Michalak (Polish-based, ships int'l, make sure your address comes through correctly if you're not shipping to Poland)

19. Proper Care and Keeping of Bras
A properly fitting bra is rarely under $20 – protect your investment with the following tips:
wear your bra every other day at most to let the elastic relax
wash your bra after 3 wears - you can stretch it, but it's not advised as your body's natural oils cause degradation in fabrics
however, you can wash as often as you'd like - it won't damage your bra as long as you are gentle
don't squeeze or otherwise distort moulded cup bras - this encourages wrinkles to develop on the surface

20. Washing Your Well-Fitting Bra
Use a gentle wash like Eucalan or Orvus. Few grocery-store detergents are gentle enough.
Soak bras in soapy water for 15 minutes.
Drain and rinse clear
Dry by placing flat on a towel and rolling, pressing excess water out
See resource handout for complete information

21. How can MCH Professionals Help?
Network with a WAHM or business to offer conversions to nursing bra conversions
Locate local stores and professionals who offer correct sizing
Consider offering sizing or consultation services as part of your practice
Let moms know prenatally or during the course of breastfeeding how they might find more comfort with a properly fitting bra

22. Thank you for attending!
Please refer to your resource sheet for detailed information! Feel free to contact me for further questions: Welcome to the Bravolution!