Nursing Bra Fit and Care: A Practical Guide to The Very Good Nursing Bra

Quick answer

Choose a size that feels snug on the loosest hook without digging in, then adjust the straps and cups as your shape changes. Wash your Tencel nursing bra by hand or on a delicate cycle in cool water, and air dry it flat. These two habits—correct fit and gentle care—keep a plastic-free nursing bra comfortable and supportive through every feed.

A nursing bra has to do more than a regular bra: it needs to open easily, support changing breast size, and stay comfortable for hours of feeding and holding. The Very Good Nursing Bra - Black Tencel is a world-first, 100% plastic-free option made from Lenzing Tencel, with straps of tree rubber and organic cotton. But even the best materials only work if the fit and care are right.

This guide walks you through the practical steps: how to check the band, cups, and straps, how to adjust as your body changes, and how to wash and dry your bra without shortening its life. Each step includes a common mistake to avoid, so you can get it right the first time.

Start with the band, not the cups

Fasten the bra on the loosest hook and check the band around your ribcage. It should sit level all the way around—not riding up at the back—and feel snug but not tight. You should be able to slide two fingers under the band. If the band digs in or leaves red marks, size up; if it lifts away from your body when you raise your arms, size down. The band provides most of the support, so getting it right matters more than the cup size on the label.

A common mistake is judging fit by the cups alone. If the band is too loose, the cups will feel unsupportive no matter what size they are. Another checkpoint: the band should not twist or roll. If it does, the size is likely wrong or the bra needs adjusting after feeding.

• Try the bra on over a thin t-shirt to see if the band creates bulges or gaps.
• If you are between sizes, choose the larger band and use the tighter hooks as the bra relaxes with wear.

Check the cups for coverage and comfort

With the band correct, check the cups. Your breast tissue should be fully enclosed—no bulging over the top or sides, and no empty space at the apex. The centre front of the bra should lie flat against your sternum. If the cups cut into your breast tissue, go up a cup size; if they wrinkle, go down. Because nursing breasts change size throughout the day, a little flexibility is normal, but you should not have to constantly readjust.

The Very Good Nursing Bra - Black Tencel uses Lenzing Tencel, a fibre made from Eucalyptus trees. It feels soft and smooth, and it has some natural stretch, but it is not a compression fabric. That means the cup fit should be comfortable rather than tightly moulded. A common mistake is choosing a cup that feels tight at the start of a feed—by the end, it will feel even tighter. Aim for a fit that feels right mid-feed.

• If the cups gape when you lean forward, the band may be too loose or the cup too large.
• If you leak, consider reusable breast pads that do not contain plastic; they can be changed without removing the bra.

Adjust the straps for support without pressure

Straps should be tight enough to keep the bra in place but loose enough that they do not press into your shoulders. You should be able to slide a finger under each strap. If the straps dig in, loosen them; if they slip off, tighten them slightly. The straps on The Very Good Nursing Bra are made from tree rubber and organic cotton, so they have natural give. They may feel slightly firmer than synthetic elastic at first but will soften with wear.

A common mistake is over-tightening the straps to compensate for a loose band. That leads to shoulder pain and can pull the band up at the back. Always fix the band first, then adjust the straps. Checkpoint: after adjusting, move your arms in a circle and reach forward—the bra should stay in place without needing a tug.

• If one strap keeps slipping, check that the slider is not worn and that the strap is not twisted at the back.
• For extra comfort during long feeds, loosen the straps slightly before sitting down.

Test the nursing clips for easy one-handed use

A nursing bra is only practical if you can open and close it with one hand while holding your baby. Practise the clip mechanism before you need it. The Very Good Nursing Bra uses a simple clip design, but the fabric around it may be stiff when new. Open and close each side a few times to loosen it up. The clip should release smoothly and reattach with a clear click.

A common mistake is waiting until you are already feeding to try the clips for the first time. Test them in advance, and if a clip feels stiff, check that no fabric is caught in the mechanism. Checkpoint: you should be able to unfasten and refasten each side in under three seconds without looking.

• If the clip is hard to open, try pressing the release tab with the pad of your thumb rather than your nail.
• After washing, always check that the clips are fully dry before storing to prevent stiffness.

Wash gently to protect the Tencel fibres

Lenzing Tencel is a cellulosic fibre, so it responds well to gentle washing but can be damaged by heat and harsh chemicals. Wash your nursing bra by hand in cool water with a mild, plastic-free detergent, or use a delicate machine cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Avoid fabric softener and bleach—they can coat the fibres and reduce breathability. The label on The Very Good Nursing Bra is printed with Oeko-Tex certified inks, so it will not peel or scratch, but it is still best to turn the bra inside out before washing.

A common mistake is washing nursing bras with towels or heavy items. The agitation and weight can stretch the band and straps. Wash them separately or with other lightweight delicates. Checkpoint: after washing, the bra should smell clean and feel soft, not stiff or slick.

• Use a detergent that is free from optical brighteners and enzymes if you have sensitive skin.
• If you hand wash, support the bra in the water rather than wringing it—squeeze gently to remove excess water.

Dry flat and store with care

Never put your Tencel nursing bra in a tumble dryer. Heat can shrink the fibres and damage the elastic straps. Instead, lay the bra flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping the cups and band as it dries. If you need to hang it, use a padded hanger and hang by the band, not the straps, to avoid stretching them. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can fade the black colour over time.

A common mistake is hanging a wet bra by its straps. The weight of the water can stretch them permanently. Checkpoint: once dry, the bra should hold its shape and the straps should snap back into place when gently pulled.

• Rotate between at least two nursing bras so each one has time to rest and dry completely.
• Store bras flat or folded in a drawer—hanging them by the straps long-term can distort the shape.

Recheck the fit as your body changes

Your ribcage and breast size can change significantly in the weeks and months after birth. A bra that fit perfectly at week two may feel tight at week eight, or vice versa. Recheck the band and cup fit every few weeks, especially if you notice red marks, shoulder pain, or a need to constantly adjust. The Very Good Nursing Bra has multiple hook positions, so you can move to a tighter hook as the band relaxes with wear.

A common mistake is sticking with the same size because it worked before. Your body is changing; your bra should change with it. Checkpoint: if you are using the tightest hook and the band still feels loose, it is time to size down or replace the bra.

• Keep a note of which hook position feels best so you can adjust quickly after washing.
• If you are between sizes, consider a bra with a bit more stretch, like the V for Victory Bra - Latte with removable pads, which has discreet pockets for optional padding.

Your step-by-step nursing bra fit and care routine

1. Check the band first: Fasten on the loosest hook and ensure the band sits level and snug, with room for two fingers. Avoid judging fit by cups alone. If the band rides up or digs in, adjust the size before touching the straps.
2. Fit the cups mid-feed: Ensure full coverage without bulging or gaping. Tencel has natural stretch, so choose a cup that feels comfortable when your breasts are fullest. A cup that feels tight at the start of a feed will feel tighter by the end.
3. Adjust straps for support: Tighten or loosen so straps stay in place without pressing into your shoulders. Move your arms to test stability. Never over-tighten straps to fix a loose band—fix the band first.
4. Practise the clips: Open and close each side one-handed several times before you need to feed. Ensure the clip clicks securely. You should be able to unfasten and refasten in under three seconds without looking.
5. Wash gently in cool water: Hand wash or use a delicate cycle in a mesh bag with mild detergent. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and heavy items. Wash separately from towels to prevent stretching.
6. Dry flat, never tumble: Lay the bra flat on a towel to dry, reshaping the cups. Keep out of direct sunlight. Hanging by wet straps can stretch them permanently.
7. Recheck fit every few weeks: Your body changes; recheck band and cup fit regularly. Move to a tighter hook as the band relaxes. If the tightest hook feels loose, it is time to size down or replace.

Product facts that matter for fit and care

• The Very Good Nursing Bra - Black Tencel: Made from 100% Lenzing Tencel (from Eucalyptus trees), with straps of tree rubber and organic cotton, sewn with cellulose thread, and label printed with Oeko-Tex certified inks. These materials are plastic-free and breathable, but they need gentle washing and air drying to keep their softness and shape.
• V for Victory Bra - Latte with removable pads: Our first organic cotton padded bra, made with discreet pockets for an optional pad. The bra arrives with pads in the pockets. If you want extra coverage or shaping without plastic, this gives you the option to add or remove padding as your needs change.

Getting the fit and care right for your nursing bra makes a real difference to your comfort and to how long the bra lasts. Start with the band, adjust the cups and straps as your body changes, and treat the Tencel fibres gently. With these steps, The Very Good Nursing Bra - Black Tencel can be a reliable, plastic-free part of your feeding routine.