Dear Eli, I was born to be a nursing bra

...but my new mommy is nervous and not quite sure she's going to use me or not. She's also having an internal debate between breastfeeding and bottlefeeding which I know is keeping her up at nght.

Oh, but I can help her so! She doesn't realize her nursing life with me will be easy, comfortable and (ahem) supportive. I am made of super soft cotton and happy to breathe throughout every wear.

How can I help her understand that breastfeeding is super and that I can help her get through the toughest first few weeks?

Sincerely, All-about-breastfeeding

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Dear All-about-breastfeeding,

We are so on the same page with breastfeeding...I'm a big fan. The benefits of breastfeeding have been recognized the world over: from child's growth, to antibodies, to the very basic financial savings. But, alas, not all women choose to breastfeed.

For those of our wearers who do choose (or are on the brink), the best thing we can do is provide them with comfort and ease. G-d knows, everything else is new and demanding!

Have her feel you, allow her to snap you up & down as many times as she wants, and show her that you are there to give her support throughout her sleepless nights, sore nipples, and new phase of their life. They'll probably keep you on as long as they can!

Best of luck,

Eli

Dear Eli, I love being used but...

...need to be taken home the right way!

My wearer is a big fan of me. She wears me to work, out and about, and lately, even to the gym. Hurray! However, after she washes me and gets me dry, she just throws me back into the drawer. Ugh! It takes HOURS for me to unmangle myself. Love the nice hand massage and the wash but then don't love being disposed.

How can I tell her I love going out but need to be put away the right way so that I'm ready to rock 'n roll next time?

Sincerely,

Busy Bee

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Dear Busy Bee,

I'm thrilled that your problem is going out too much and not too little!

However, yes, it is rather frustrating to be thrown back into the drawer without a little care. I know your shape can suffer. A great tip to share with your wearer is "3 Steps to Wearin' & Carin'."

For Wearin': Slip on your straps, buckle you up, and adjust where needed.

For Carin': fold your cups, tuck your straps, and lay you flat.

One, two, three...on & off.

Good luck!

Eli

Dear Eli, I'm 95% there.

My wearer loves me. She trusts the support I give her, she feels firm, not jiggly, and her back pains are gone. But, she's not diggin' my side stays. Usually they are super helpful. They help out on the support front, they help give shape and keep the garment from pulling around.  She says I'm poking her and as soon as we get home she throws me on the floor. I'm a lover not a fighter. How do I repair our relationship??

Sincerely, Lover

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Dear Lover,

I love simple solutions! She can simply take out your side stays.  They don't work for everyone and all she needs is a pair of scissors, a sewing needle and a thread. I've outlined a quick how-to below which you can share with your wearer.

1. Cut a couple of threads from the top elastic where the bone is kept.  

2.  Lift the elastic and push the bone out. 

3. Once the bone is out, use a needle and thread to mend the stitches. 

Voila! You are now 100%!

She's going to enjoy you oh-so-much-more.

Sincerely, Eli

Dear Eli, I'm parched!

I feel dehydrated, hot, and bit feverish. I'm about to topple over. Oh! I'm achy...Why oh why does my wearer stick me in the damn dryer?? It even takes longer than washing me by hand (with yummy smelling body wash) but she insists on dumping me in with her sweatpants. She is literally beating me up, and doesn't realize that if she keep it up I won't be able to support her anymore. I know I seem tough and sturdy but that only works if you follow my care instructions.

Please help!

Melting away

Dear Melting Away,

Oh poor you! Yes, it is awful to spin round and round without any fun lights or music...while becoming parched. Here are a couple tips to share with your wearer to avoid the dryer forever more.

1. I'm so easy to wash by hand! Just take me into the shower with you, sud me up with your own bath wash, and hang me to dry. Tada! I'll be dry and ready in a day.

2. The more I dry out, the less supportive I will be. I really want to last a good few months, but you won't like me anymore after a couple of spins. Help me, help you.

These are tried and tested...hope they work for you too!

Eli

Dear Eli, I've got to be me!

I am a sassy three-piece cup with amazing seams, but I'm ignored in the drawer every day, as my no-seam sis gets the ride of her life. I mean, come on! I hug & balance the body by giving support, shape and structure to the bust. Who doesn't want that?? I know we all want a little "less" some days, but if my wearer doesn't get the right support, her bust will simply droop and fall. Masks are great for Halloween, but really, every day? How can I show my wearer that my seams rock?

Desperately-wanting-to-come-out-of-the-drawer

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Dear Desperately-wanting-to-come-out-of-the-drawer,

You've got all the right stuff to make your wearer feel awesome every day. Here are a couple tips to woo her the right way:

1. Don't be shy, show her your seams! At first, she might not understand why they're all there, but she will be very very curious to see what that kind of structure helps her with.

2. Get her to walk around with you for 15 minutes. She'll notice the difference immediately. She will stand straighter (no back aches here) and her bust will look like it just got a boob job

3. Get her to wear a t-shirt over you...she'll be giddy with how she looks in the mirror.

I'm telling you, drawer for you no more...time for the ride of YOUR life!

Eli

Dear Eli, I'm on the rack and I want out!

I can hold a rack, I just don't want to be on the rack. I can't do anything from here...I can't support, I can't lift, I can't separate, I can't bring it! I'm a hot red 42H looking for a life partner to share my cups with.

I am built like a Corvette, with a structure to die for but no "wearer" to go. How can I shine the spotlight on me and get off this forsaken rack?

Sincerely,

Can't-wait-to-get-off-the-rack

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Dear Can't-wait-to-get-off-the-rack

Boo. We've all been through that...on the rack, waiting for that special someone to give us a lift and take us home. There is no best-kept secret for being chosen, but our best shot is during the fitting when we can remind our wearer:

1. A little color goes a long way. Red looks hotter under a white t-shirt than white. (So two points for you). Lace is another plus. All wearers want to feel sexy even if only a select few can see it. Heehee

2. Pretty is nothing without support. Check out my seams, my structure, my reinforced straps, my v-center front. I will give you all the loving you will ever need, just pick me up for love's sakes!

Just hang on tight (just not too tight) and your special someone will find you.

Sincerely,

Eli

Dear Eli, I'm a rollercoaster, help!

I am riding up and moving around but I'm not supposed to. She's only worn me a couple of times and she doesn't look too happy with me. Sniff. I really want to give her as much support as she needs (especially after she broke her heel coming home from work), but she just won't listen! I tried dropping my strap off her shoulder, inching up her back, uncovering part of her chest, but nothing, she can't pick up my hints, she just gets angry and takes me off. The floor is really not my favorite spot.

Any ideas?

Sincerely, Jiver

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Dear Jiver,

Just reading your note made me sea sick! Most women don't know what a bra should ACTUALLY be doing, and that's to stay still, supporting everything it can, including the chest and back. You seem to be giving all the right signals, but perhaps these tips will help her out a little more:

1. Adjust my straps so she can fit two fingers through

2. If I'm riding up, tighten me up

3. Lean forward and give me a shake to fit in your ladies the way they're supposed to

She'll feel so much better if she gets around to these. Check back in soon to let us know how the chat turned out!

Good luck,

Eli

Dear Eli, I am being over stretched and over used!

My wearer wants me all day, every day as tight as can be. I just don't think I'll last long in this relationship...I am maxed out and overstretched. She thinks that if she just keeps me nice and taught I will help hide some skin and give her more support. She just doesn't understand. I need a break before my wonderful elastic stretches out and before she complains that I can't help her. I know she will be angry at me and at herself and that would be devastating. How do I tell her I want to support her not hurt her but that I also need some rest? 

Desperately seeking answers,
Overstretched

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Dear Overstretched, you are not alone!

Most women are not quite sure how to work with us to get the most support. Here are a couple tips you can share with your wearer:

1. I am built strong enough to give you support. The different hooks are there because we know your chest changes a bit throughout the month (every month), and we want to give you several options to be at your most comfortable. Just make sure to get fitted first so that I am the right size for you.

2. Find a couple of my friends to help you out as well. We work better together (at least 3) so that one of us can always rest, one of us can get washed, and one of us can be worn.

Wanna try these out? Keep us informed and good luck!

Eli