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Some experts, including La Leche League, recommend breastfeeding people avoid underwire bras, as they may put pressure on one area of the breast throughout the day, potentially leading to blocked ducts and mastitis. However, other experts say that this is only a risk if the bra is too tight. I tested some underwire options due to their popularity and availability, but you should proceed with caution there. 

As Dr. Robyn Horsager-Boehrer wrote in a post for UT Southwestern Medical Center, avoid medication formulated for multiple symptoms during pregnancy, as they can contain unnecessary amounts of acetaminophen. Also, she writes, natural cough remedies like a spoonful of honey can be just as effective (or more effective) than medication.

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The best way to figure out your size is to go to a maternity store and have an employee size you in person, Rosenthal said. If you can't do that, you can take your own measurements with a measuring tape at home. Most sellers provide a size chart to help you out. But a general rule of thumb is to take your pregnancy bra size, then add one cup size and subtract one back size, Rosenthal said. 

Rosenthal recommends buying two to three high-quality nursing bras that you really like. You may need to replace them after a few months if the fabric stops feeling supportive or if your breast size significantly changes. 

Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

If you want an underwire option (see more about this below), particularly as you move on from the first months of breastfeeding, the ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Nursing Bra is the closest I found to a traditional bra. This is a good choice for larger-chested people, offering full coverage. I found the gold clasps were slightly more difficult to undo than some of the others on this list, but not terrible. I also don't know the purposes of the pleated straps, but they made it easy to recognize which bra I was grabbing out of my drawer in a sleep-deprived haze. 

Pseudoephedrine is a common decongestant, found in Mucinex products such as Mucinex D, that works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages. And it's also one ingredient the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends against during the first trimester due to a small risk of birth defects in the abdominal wall.

"The nursing bra should be comfortable, feel supportive, cover your entire breast, and you should be able to undo the clasp easily with one hand," Rosenthal said. "Choose a soft fabric that will stretch with you, as breast size can change throughout the day as well. It shouldn't feel too tight, itchy or irritating." 

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With allergy season approaching, and COVID-19 still here, many people are reaching for over-the-counter medication in the hopes of relieving congestion or getting through a cough. What about one of the most popular ones, Mucinex?

Bottom line: Ask your health care provider before taking Mucinex or any cough medicine during pregnancy, so the two of you can weigh the severity of your symptoms with the potential risks (if any) of medication. 

The above bras (and others that I tested but didn't make the list) were chosen for testing based on top reviews from popular vendors like Amazon and Target, as well as maternity brands like Kindred Bravely and Motherhood Maternity. But there are certainly many other brands that I haven't tested. With clothing, everyone's body is different, and my experience doesn't represent all shapes and sizes. But I hope that it can help lead you to an option that will work for you. Drop a note in the comments about your favorite nursing bra that didn't make the list. 

Alison DeNisco Rayome/CNET

Larger-busted people looking for more coverage will want to check out this bra from Motherhood Maternity. Similar to the Thirdlove bra above, this is an underwire option that closely resembles a traditional bra, and provides full coverage and more support. making it a good option to wear under tighter clothes. Again, just be aware that some experts advise against wearing underwire bras while nursing, but we know that sometimes you need that support during your nursing journey. 

Determining the risk of the other active ingredients found in Mucinex is a little trickier. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works by interfering with the "cough" signal in your brain. Guaifenesin works by loosening the mucus in your chest. There are some reports of a small risk of neural tube defects linked to guaifenesin, but the evidence is inconclusive. It's listed in a report by the American Academy of Family Physicians as "might be unsafe during first trimester." In the same report, dextromethorphan is listed as "appears to be safe in pregnancy," but as is true for many drugs and ingredients, there isn't enough evidence to say conclusively either way.