I need to buy a nursing bra sooner rather than later. Apparently, I need it while in the hospital and since I have no way of knowing when that day will take place or how long it will take for me to find a bra that fits, I should probably start researching this sooner rather than later. That’s where you come in, Internet. Anyone out there ever buy a nursing bra? Anyone know of any decent brands, places to purchase, or pointers regarding sizes, styles, or brands? I’m now a 36 D. (Yes, they grew when I got pregnant. And the circumference of my chest grew as well because a pregnant woman’s ribcage shifts to make room for what’s to come. Insane? You bet.) Any or all information welcome.
I went from a 34C (before pg) to a 36DD then post-birth a 38F. I couldn’t believe that sizes went that large! Also, your breasts will be much larger at first until your milk supply stabilizes, usually within the first couple months. Then you will need other bras. I’ve spent a fortune on nursing bras! Even after baby #2, my ribcage and breasts have gone back to the same size, albeit with some stretchmarks!
I had good luck at Mimi Maternity store with bras. They had a nice selection. I think that the plastic clips rather than snaps are easier especially in the middle of the night. I also liked the pure cotton rather than the synthetic fabric. Later on, as breastfeeding got easier, I liked the Bravado bras (http://www.bravadodesigns.com/). Also, if you like the tank style bra (http://www.glamourmom.com/) these are awesome. It’s also nice when nursing in public since one’s stomach isn’t hanging out whilst the baby is eating.
Good luck with the nursing bras! Feel free to email me if you have any other questions. A great breastfeeding site is http://www.kellymom.com.
Yeah, I fear that I’m going to hit the Double D range once my milk comes in. More of a reason why I will one day have them reduced. This is bullshit. haha
I also already have stretchmarks on my breasts. Ah, motherhood is blissful, no?
Thanks for all those links! I will hit them now. I had a feeling this might put us in debt. I hope that the money I would have spent on milk (should this work out for me) will run more than what I spend on nursing bras. Wishful thinking? Probably!
comfort is worth the cash. just get what you need!
OK, maybe I’m just weepy from being pregnant (or jealous b/c my husband is out of town), but TobyJoe’s comment made cry a little. He’s a keeper!
(Also am dreading the nursing bra/excess boobage thing myself. Will be checking back to see what your readers suggest.)
I used nursing bras from motherhood. It is styled similar to a sports bra. It crosses down so you can easily pull out your breast. I also liked it because it is comfortable to sleep in as well. Pretty inexpensive, so buy several. Another item to pick up are Lansinoh nursing pads. Best by far. I found that Target had a very good price on them, $2 cheaper than a chain drug store. Oh, and pick up the Lansinoh cream as well. It will really help when you are sore and cracked. It will set you back about $10, but it will last for a long time!
I am awesome, it’s true. And watch: michele will fight me on making her comfortable. Womenz iz crazy.
You’re awesome except with regards to peeing and small furry animals! (STORY TO COME NEXT TUESDAY!)
I used this bra with both of my kids: http://www.motherhoodnursing.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=97092008&category_Name=Nursing+Bras&Category_Id=2008
Comfort was key. It is very comfortable and affordable. I slept in them and wore them during the day. I bought one heavily padded bra that I was popping out of and I just tossed that one. I have a little more on top than I care for so I empathize with you.
Additionally, I would recommend purchasing some Lansinoh products: http://www.lansinoh.com/index.php?submenu=Products&src=gendocs&link=LansinohProductsLanding&category=Main
I used the topical treatment several times a day and it was very helpful in reducing cracking, etc. The nursing pads are the best and even the storage bags are quite good. I found that in my area, Target had the best prices.
See, I just hit that site and read the size chart. I was an 8 before pregnancy and so it claims that I need a size medium. I don’t believe that my boobs will fit into a medium. Do they take that into consideration? That some of us are much larger on top than we are on other parts of our body?
Thought on this one?
P.S. Julie, sorry, your first comment was spammed. (My site has been very active with marking comments as spam lately. In fact, I was marked as a spammer yesterday. :])
I think I bought large and they fit fine. They are not as supportive as regular sports bra so you may want to go with the size they suggest. I’m not sure if they take your pre-pregnancy size into consideration at all. I was all over the place with maternity clothes from size med to xl. So, I’m not really sure how they do measurements.
You know, I thought I had submitted a message earlier. I was on the phone so I wasn’t paying attention to what I was writing/doing. So better that it was spammed.
Hmmmmm maybe I’ll get one of both. Thanks, Julie. I need all the information I can get. Damn tits.
I second (or is it third?) the recommendation on the sleep bra from motherhood maternity. I have two of them, and still wear them. Right after you give birth, they are great because they are comfy, stretchy, and will hold a nursing pad in. But you will want to get something more supportive if you are out and about. Unfortunately, you do kind of sag (or at least I do) in the sleep bras, so they don’t look that flattering to wear during the day, if you care about such things. But you could definately use these until your milk comes in and your size stabilizes. And buy two, so you can wash one and wear one….
If there is a MM store near you, I’d say try before you buy!
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/ are fabulous
and i also recommend the lanisoh. i still use it on charlotte’s face in the winter when it is dry. or under my nose when it is raw from blowing it. good stuff!
I recommend going to a lingerie store and getting fitted for your nursing bra. Even if you don’t buy it from them you will get sized and get to know what a good fit feels like.
please check out http://www.EveAlexander.com – sexy nursing bras a-la Victoria’s Secret!
i too went from a c to a dd. but you know what? it’s kinda fun because with the milk those babies are rock hard and you’re like a total porn star! i got my nursing bras from target, your boobs are mostly out of them anyway, so who cares what they look like, right?
I bought 2 unstructured nursing bras from motherhood maternity before I gave birth. After I was sure breastfeeding was working out and I knew for sure what my size was I bought some different styles. I had one bra that was a little too small or tight for me and had an underwire & probably some spandex that I ended up throwing away, even though it was the prettiest and looked the most like what I was used to wearing. It gave me painful blocked ducts too many times & ended up being too uncomfortable.
You guys rule. I just got back from my breastfeeding class and, wow. So much information! The lactation consultant told me to get fitted but I so don’t want to deal with that. Am I being lazy? Should I get a proper fitting? This is my new question. :[
I guess I could find somewhere not too fancy in the city. Not sure where to begin!
Again, you guys are the best.
Sandi, I just reread your comment. I will get up off my ass and get fitted. I probably need to anyway. Never did that before.
the motherhood maternity sleep bra rocked. Cheap and comfy so get two or three. i lived in them, but agree they’re not for running errands in. i was all over the place. I also rocked the bravados. Some bravados are sized to fit a range of cup sizes and those worked really well for minor boob fluctuations in the early weeks/months. Super comfy. worth it to get a fitting at a place that sells nursing bras, but you may want to wait until 6-8 weeks after mr. baby comes out before you go shelling out serious cash. your boobs will have settled down a bit by then. yep, lansinoh cream and nursing pads are the best too. although, be warned, any nursing pad feels like a diaper in your bra. I got the cotton washable ones, they were way more comfy, and less diaper-y, but bulky as hell.
i think i just used “comfy” more times in this comment than i have in my whole life.
1) Make sure that you don’t wear any bras with underwire- it can contribute to mastitis.
2) Go to The Upper Breast Side (yes, it’s a real store). The people who work there can be quite bitchy, but they REALLY know their stuff.
I am a plus size, had recently bought two underwire nursing bras both did not fit me well, It could well have been a matter of not understanding things about proper shapes and sizes of nursing bras. I think these tips which you share are really good ones, will definitely take care of these the next time I decide on purchasing nursing bras for me!