Searching for the perfect maternity bra?

November 25, 2011, 11:29 amPractical Parenting

After the birth of her first child, Gina Kun found the maternity bras she had didn't offer her the support or privacy she wanted while breastfeeding.Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she grabbed some of her bras and a pair of scissors, and the idea for her Discretion bra was born

Searching for the perfect maternity bra?
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WHO: Gina Kun, mum to Joshua, five, and Sophia, 18 months.
WAS: A mental-health worker.

NOW: Creator of the Discretion bra and winner of one of five Huggies MumInspired business grants of $20,000.

As first-time mums soon find out, when you have a baby and your breasts fill with milk, they become pretty heavy! I wanted a bra that supported my breasts and gave me more privacy while I was feeding. With the Discretion bra, only the nipple and areola are exposed for feeding and the breast doesn’t drop down, so it looks like you’re still wearing a tank top when you’ve got your bub at the boob. Also, because of the layers, it’s a very supportive bra and looks great under clothes, plus it keeps your breasts looking perky.

When did the idea strike?

When I had my son, Joshua, any time we went out in public it was cumbersome to feed him because none of my bras supported the breast I was feeding from. I felt like I needed four more hands, to be able to hold Joshua, my breast and the blanket I used to cover myself. As a result of this, I only ended up feeding him for 11 weeks and felt like I had failed at the first thing I was meant to do as a mother.

Starting out

I decided to take to one of my old bras with a pair of scissors. I started cutting holes in it, got some material and borrowed a sewing machine. It was then that I realised I didn’t have a sewing bone in my body, so I stuck to sketching designs and ideas, and found a local seamstress to help me. Then I started looking into getting a prototype and finding a manufacturer.

Spreading the word

Facebook is a wonderful thing – it gets your message out to a lot of people!

And now?

I have my prototype – I can’t believe it! There are a few little tweaks to make so that it’s perfect. Then, thanks to the Huggies grant, I’ll be able to place my first order. My next step will be to get a fashion agent, and hopefully we’ll have the Discretion bra out in stores by March or April next year. I’ll also set up a website early in the new year.

How do the kids fit in?

I only had Joshua when I started working on the prototype (now I have Sophia, too). I didlots of work while he was napping and at night.

The best bits

When I finally got the first prototype, I just couldn’t believe it. It was perfect! Now it’s becoming a reality. Also, being able to help other mums will be great, because that’s how the idea first came about.

The hardest part

The part that made me come to a standstill was the finance bit. Luckily, a friend told me about the Huggies MumInspired contest and I managed to get my entry in the day before the due date. I couldn’t believe I was one of the winners – out of 1200 applicants.

Other great Mumpreneurs:

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1 Comments

  1. Lucas02:03pm Saturday 03rd December 2011 ESTReport Abuse

    Good on you Gina

    Reply

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