I'm always asked this question. Maybe in a roundabout way, it might be "what's the most supportive", or, "what's your most popular" nursing bra, but we always get, "what's a good nursing bra".

I'm afraid my reply may not be that helpful, but it will certainly prompt some discussion that will be helpful.

My response is: A good nursing bra is one that is comfortable for you to wear and doesn't press on any part of your breast which may cause blocked ducts. Yes, it's as simple as that!

For some women budget is a major issue. But, think about leaving £40 aside from you maternity grant to get 1 or 2 more supportive nursing bras than you may be used to - it's worth it. Compare this to the cost of buying formula over months when you could have maybe carried on breastfeeding if you'd been more comfortable.

As for styles and manufacturers? Well, as with all bras, there are some good ones, and some not so good ones. Try and make sure all your breast tissue is covered during pregnancy and breastfeeding with your nursing bra. This will give you more support and leads to more comfort.

As for support, well, this comes from having a firm band that sits in the smallest part of your back. If it starts to ride up your back try a smaller band size. If you reduce the band size remember to increase the cup size (this is just how bras are made, but it's important a 34C is not the same cup size as a 36C or 32C.).

Ideally get fitted (not measured, but fitted) by a specialist who knows what will happen to your breasts during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. I recommend doing this at about 35-36 weeks when your ribs are at their biggest. MAKE SURE THE BRA IS FITTING ON IT'S LOOSEST SETTING AS YOUR RIBS WILL GET SMALLER WHEN BABY IS BORN. Do not be encouraged to buy a band that is bigger than your pre-pregnancy bra size, unless you've put on body weight during pregnancy, not just baby weight. If you need new bras before then, you may get away with a bra extender as it's your ribs that are growing, not your cup size. Or, choose a soft stretchy comfy bra that will do you for the end of pregnancy and starting breastfeeding.

Rule of thumb for initial breastfeeding bras:
Pre-pregnancy band size = breastfeeding band size
Pre-pregnancy cup size + 2 for breastfeeding bra

With so many styles to choose from, it's important not to get anything that is uncomfortable. As with any bra, if it's not comfy, it's not right. Nursing bras are available from a  28 band to a 50 band, and from an A cup to an L cup.

I am a bra fitting specialist, and Mum of 2, who breastfed both until they were 9 months old, who specialises in maternity and nursing bras. I'm happy to give advice on the forum, or by personal message, or through the office info@bras4mums.co.uk. We do give advice by phone and email anyway, and get very good success with fitting this way for those that don't have a specialist maternity or nursing bra fitter near them. (We offer unlimited free exchanges). We're currently recruiting agents across the UK to offer our unique home fitting service in your area. Check out the website for more details on this.

As I said before, it's not an easy answer, as it will very much depend on you, your height, your breast shape and body shape. I'd love to hear your experiences though.

I am always so rubbish when it comes to bras but when I was pregnant, I decided to get properly fitted. I went back about a week before my due date to get fitted again for nursing bras. I think I made a mistake with the first nursing bras I bought - the were cheap and unflattering and I soon fell out of love with them. My absolute favourites were Cantaloop which are not sexy in any way but are the MOST comfortable bras I have ever worn. My best looking one is an Emily bra which is underwired yet kind to my breasts and I'd highly recommend it.