Nursing bra

A nursing bra is a brassiere that permits comfortable breastfeeding, without the need to remove the bra.

History

The first US patent for a bra was granted in 1913 to Mary Phelps Jacob.^[1] Her invention is most widely recognized as the predecessor to the modern bra and consequently the nursing bra. Building on Jacob's design, Ida Rosenthal and Enid Bisset, co-founders of Maidenform in 1922, designed the first modern bras. Maidenform's innovations included adjustable straps, maternity bras, nursing bras and standardized cup sizes.

Many bra manufacturers have since built on Maidenform's designs, aiming to improve fashionable and functionality of nursing bras.

Several nursing bra patents are pending, or have been granted for various innovations and improvements. Mary Sanchez received a patent in 1991^[2] for the one-handed fastening method and variable adjustment of cup size. More recently, a 2004 patent^[3] was granted to Line Rothman for the nursing bra tank designed for Glamourmom®, which features added coverage of a mother's mid-section. Comfy Kangaroo® currently has a patent pending for a variation of the nursing bra known as the Nursing Tank.

Traditionally, nursing bras are made with flaps of fabric over the cup which can be unclasped and pulled down to access the breast. Even with the flap pulled down, the cup of the bra supports the breast. No-flap versions made of stretchable fabric which can pulled to the side at feeding time are also available. Though readily available, underwire versions of nursing bras can constrict the breast and cause either blocked ducts or mastitis. Wearing an underwire nursing bra while sleeping carries a high risk of mastitis.^[4]

Nursing bra manufacturers attempt to design nursing bras which are both attractive and functional.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia