first nursing bra for a giant bust but small back?

[chocoraisin]

hello wise MNetters. I've been measured for a nursing bra, and I'm not sure what to do - Mothercare doesn't stock my size!! at the moment I'm a 34F/G and I've been warned I'll prob drop to a 32 and go up to an H when milk comes in. I don't really want to buy anything expensive though until that's actually happened, and I get measured again. Partly because I can't find anywhere locally to try anything on and partly because nursing bra's are bloomin expensive, so I'd like to avoid buying one until I know the actual size I'll need.

I've been thinking of getting something like the bravado body silk seamless bra just for the hospital bit and first weeks at home, but I'm worried it will be hopeless in terms of support for a pair of ahem, knockers like mine.

Can anyone recommend anything with plenty of stretch and support for the 'tide me over' stage? TIA

[PotteringAlong]

I went from a 34 D to a 34 H and was also sent away from mothercare :o

I know they don't have their fans but marks and Spencer ones have seen me though (DS is now nearly 6 months old and my boobs are diwn to a 24 G!(

[chocoraisin]

hehe, Marks and Spencers also sent me away yesterday - I think I got someone who wasn't very confident at measuring! I suppose I'm hoping to find a sort of halfway house between a stretchy but supportive bra and a sleep bra? Were any styles in particular good for you from sparks?

[doradoo]

You need the Royce or Hot Milk ones - a bit more expensive I'm afraid but the royce onces certainly go up to a K cup. Check out //www.brastop.com -like bravissimo but cheaper.

[EldonAve]

I found Sloggi Double Comfort Top bras good for sleeping etc

Bravissimo are okay
Figleaves good as usually free returns etc - order once you are feeding

Otherwise you can just use underwired bras and convert them with the clips

[Mombojombo]

I'm a 32HH and wear Panache Sophie or Alisha bras during the day, and Royce Sadies at night.

The Panache ones are slightly under-sized in my opinion, but once you get the right fit they're a bit more uplifting and pretty than most big nursing bras. Royce ones are a staple for a lot of big boobed mamas but aren't particularly good in the 'hoisting' department. You won't necessarily need to wear a bra at night, but I can't go without.

[Zipitydooda]

Try
Nursingbra-shop

Or

uppercup

I found the Bravado bra comfy but unsupportive. I might have an unworn bra in a 34H I would be happy to send to you, I never got big enough to wear it.

[EauRouge]

I had a couple of cheapo Emily B ones in a 32GG for when my boobs went enormous the first time. I was only in them for a few months which was a good thing because they didn't last very well.

[Jeezimacasalinga]

I'm a 32G when nursing (was 32H with first baby) and being on baby no 3 have tried out loads of (mostly hideously ugly) nursing bras. The best for me is this Freya one Dotty - it's very comfortable, supportive and not too ugly. The Royce ones are good as well. Good luck!

[MummyWeatherwax]

I normally wear a 34HH, and had your dilemma recently. Bravissomo have nothing, Bra stop only had the ugliest, non-supportive looking things you can possibly imagine. Mostly by Royce, who seem to have cornered to market a bit, but sheesh.
The nursingbra-shop link above is great, they have the widest selection of big sizes i've seen, and are exceptionally helpful with exchanges until you get the right fit (no extra charge).
I also found I went up a back size, so am currently in a 36 J/K from bravado. Not as good as an underwire for support, but the best soft cup I've come across.

(ps - M&S measuring is rubbish, and they don't stock big bras anyway...)

[RedKites]

My local M&S did stock 34Hs, so might be worth trying a bigger store if your nearest doesn't. I've just had a look at their website, and they've changed their range since I was buying them, so can't advise on styles, but if you bought a couple, they'd probably do for at least the first few weeks, and if the size was off, then at least they're easy enough to return.

[chocoraisin]

wow thanks so much for all the advice and links! I'm actually quite excited by some of your suggestions, there are some really pretty ones around, I didn't find anything like as nice as this lot with DS. I only fed him for about 6 weeks myself though so didn't have much need to shop around.

It's good to know I'm not the only person with an ample bosom... (last time round I am pretty sure I was closer to an I than an H and was busting out all over the place, but I've gained less weight this time overall so fingers crossed they will remain slightly smaller than my head )

Zipity that's a really kind offer, if you can lay hands on it I'd really appreciate that! Are you sure? If you don't know where it is though please don't go to any trouble x

[comelywench]

I would just like to second Freya nursing bras as a good bet for when your milk comes in. I got my first one from John Lewis and then ordered more from Figleaves once I knew what size I was. It was a little "fifties" in look, but I LOVED that it was supportive after wearing unwired monstrosities whilst I was pregnant. I thought they weren't too unreasonable in price. So, as you can see, I'm afraid I have no suggestions for something to tide you over till your milk comes in. I was just a little saggy [sigh]
All the best with your breasts [snigger] - i know excatly how you feel!

[Germolene]

A 32Jer here. 32F pre-preggers
wow. a support thread how wonderful!

Bravissimo in Brighton has always come up trumps for me after a fitting.
Got to be done really. I don't know if service varies shop to shop.

Whatever you start with in advance will be fine, just go for comfort for the first

If it's not right you can always relegate it to a spare nighttime/emergency wear after you've been fitted properly when your milk comes in.

It's the only way I tell ye

[Germolene]

Somehow my excitement at a support thread made me not at all read your situation properly!!!

[MerryMarigold]

I got some from Bravissimo online. My size fluctuated quite a bit even whilst breastfeeding, so I got 2 different cup sizes, but I wore them both. I had some cheap-o ones too, but they were dreadful compared to my 'nice' ones. I'd just make sure they are big enough so maybe go one cup size up from 'estimate' and then 'too big' doesn't really matter, especially if you've got breast pads in. Too small definitely doesn't work, but too big is fine.

[NeverKnowinglyUnderstood]

My feeding bras were a 30G/H
John lewis and bravissimo were my saviour!

[Germolene]

Oh and I would add the advice I was given was not to use underwired bras at all - it is thought they can resrict milk flow, block ducts and cause mastitis. Ouchy.

[Germolene]

restrict

[chocoraisin]

I mourn my underwire... but the one soft underwired maternity bra I bought fit really badly so I have written it off as a bad idea!

[Germolene]

very last after thought:

mothercare (are they still around?) / m&s are shite for us types

don't go there

[Germolene]

seeing as x posted, one last thing:
I think (but not sure) there is a difference between a soft wired maternity bra and a non-wired nursing bra for when milk comes in? Do tell if I am wrong but perhaps best to clear up once and for all!

[Ellen2012]

Try Elomi, underwired feeding bras. Expensive but worth every penny!

[KatAndKit]

I am a similar size to you, but slightly larger in the back. The best bra I have so far is the Bravado M++ It's stretchy so covers a range of sizes, is sport bra like in style and is much more supportive than my M&S thinner cotton nursing bras. No back hooks so good for sleeping too. I am a cup size smaller than you though but if you order one online and it doesn't fit, you can always send it back.

I am looking forward to when my size settles down and I can splash out on some decent underwired bras!

[Ellsbells32]

I'm breastfeeding and am a large cup, bought nursing bras (K cup) but can not get on with them at all because you need two hands to unclip plus my boobs went down to my knees!!! I just went to la senza bought some plunge bras (h cup) for a fiver a piece and they are so much easier plus my boobs are in the right place!

[senoritachiquita]

Just saw this thread and totally second the suggestion about Freya nursing bras - i have the Dotty style in a 32GG and the support and lift is amazing compared to styles from places like M&S which give little or no support for a huge bust. I wish I had bought 2 now. I also have a Hot Milk nursing bra in 32G which is pretty good but I think Freya is better- you can get them via Figleaves online. I was already a big Freya fan pre-pregnancy when I was 32E. Happy shopping!