Nursing bra sizing is crucial. It is estimated that the number of women who wear the wrong size bra can be as much as 80%.  For larger breasted women especially since this can lead to problems and discomfort. For nursing moms the proper nursing bra size is a must.  Pregnant women also need different bras since their breasts have grown and will continue to grow and they too need to be able to find the correct maternity bra size.

Since nursing bra sizing is so critical for comfort as well as support for breasts it is often recommended that for your first nursing or maternity bra it be professionally fitted. However, if this is not possible there is a relatively easy way to determine your nursing bra size to make sure your nursing bra is fitted correctly.

  • Band Size
    • Wearing a good supporting bra stand in front of a mirror and measure straight across the back and over the top of the breasts right at underarm level. It is important that the tape measure is a straight line if it does not that will add inches. Having someone help with this will ensure a more accurate measurement.
    • Add one inch to the resulting figure.  This figure will be the band size.
  • Cup Size
    • While wearing a good fitting bra which supports your breasts well measure across the back and over the top of fullest part of your breasts. If the resulting figure is a fraction, then you will round up to the nearest number and add an inch if the number is odd. For instance for 30 and ½ inches you would round up to 31 and add 1 inch.  If the figure were 27 and ½ you would round up to an even 28.
    • Take the band size and subtract it from the second figure. The difference between these sizes in inches determines the cup size.
      • ½ – 1   A
      • 1 – 2    B
      • 2 – 3    C
      • 3 – 4    D
      • 4 – 5    E
      • 5 – 6   F

This can seem a rather complicated method which is why it is often preferred to visit a professional for that initial measurement. If this is not possible then this nursing bra size chart will work to determine your correct nursing bra sizing.

0 – ½ AA

½ – 1 A

1 – 2 B

2 – 3 C

3 – 4 D

4 – 5 E

5 – 6 F