Sleep Bra Basics

Should you wear a bra to sleep?

Traditionally, the answer is “no.”  Night time is the right time to “let it all hang out,” and many women – particularly those who have to deal with underwires and straps digging into their shoulders all day – prefer to go braless when they sleep.

But there are times when a comfortable sleeping bra can make a huge difference in getting better sleep.  For example:

Maternity and Nursing Jumping two or three bra sizes during pregnancy means a lot of extra breast weight.  Add in the discomfort of your milk coming in a few days after delivery and the leaking that’s just a part of late pregnancy and breastfeeding, and you begin to see the advantages of a good nursing sleep bra.  I just wish I’d discovered them with my first child instead of my third.

Menstrual

Some women get painful breast swelling before and during their menstrual cycle.  A comfortable night bra can hold breasts in place and lessen the discomfort.

Post Surgery

Mastectomies, breast enlargements, and breast reductions all require post operative care.  A good sleep bra can help recovery go smoother.

Aging

Wrinkles, sagging, stretch marks – it’s all a part of aging.  But it can really take a toll on women with medium and large size breasts.  If you want to fend off the gravitational pull of 1/3^rd of your day spent with no breast support, try wearing a bra at night.

Now I’m not talking about wearing a sports bra or your regular bra to bed.  I’m talking about a comfortable night bra specifically designed for sleep.  Wide straps, no underwires.  Some can even be worn day or night, for those lazy days around the house.  True, they’re not usually the sexiest bras available, but they’re not meant to turn heads; they’re meant to support breasts, which they do well.

So should you wear a sleep bra to bed?  Absolutely!  You’ll be delighted by the results.

Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of Wardrobe Magic, an ebook that shows women how to dress well whatever their age, shape, size or budget.  One of the Wardrobe Magic bonuses, “What to Wear Under What You Wear,” talks about several types of bras, including sleep bras.

Related posts:

1. How to Wear a Bra