What Size of Nursing Bra? Too Early Yet?

[highlander]

I'm 30 wks. My cup size has gone up 1 (C to D) and my rib cage has expanded 1/2 an inch - mostly in the first trimester.

Should I aim to buy a nursing bra in this new size or will the boobs expand even more once my milk (hopefully) comes in?

[zebra]

34-36 wks best time 2 measure?

[lavender1]

highlander, dh bought me a couple after I'd given birth as went rock hard and big...could be wrong but thought it was after the birth, sure someone will know this...congratulations btw hope you're feeling okay

[mrsflowerpot]

I was told get yourself measured as near to your due date as you dare (the lady who fitted me said you'd be surprised how many women got measured in between waters breaking and going in to hospital!). And just buy the one in that size, then get yourself another a week or so after the baby arrives as they may change again.

[kalex]

I went in between water breaking and giving birth . It was a 36 hour dealy. On my first day out post baby. I think 5 days, went and got 2 more. I would recommend Sarah Jane (Ithink), it's a name like that anyway. And I bought 1 zippy from underneath (but be careful, zipping your boob is REALLY painful), and 2 drop down ones.

[ECM]

I got ones that were too big - I'd gone from a B to a D in maternity bras, so went for an E size nursing bra. Fitted for first couple of weeks or so but once milk settled in I went back to the D size. Stretchy sleepy tops are good too. Just remeber to take them into hospital with you!

[webmum]

I was told to go at 38 weeks, and was told off by shop assistant for going at 40 weeks, not sure why. She did not get it right anyway. I found my boobs size was changing constantly between feeds and it was a nightmare having anyhting that fitted before and after a feed!!!

[californiagirl]

In my experience, 1) They will expand even more 2) They will then shrink back in a few months and 3) You will be desperate for a bra when they expand so you might as well get one even in the wrong size, just leave some space. Had to send DH out for a cheap bra, then stagger to the nearest proper maternity store ASAP after my milk came in. Now I need to do it again as those bras are really too large.

[florenceuk]

I bought two feeding bras close to the time, and they are meant to adjust the size for post-birth. But none of them actually fit so a waste of money. I would recommend a multi-size bra like the Bravado, which fits a variety of sizes, for the first few days and when you feel you have settled down a bit, go out and get measured again a few weeks or so after the birth. You will find you shrink a size (or more!) as your rib cage goes back to normal after the birth, but your boobs will grow enormously as your milk comes in - and then deflate as your body adjusts to your baby's needs.

[Chuffed]

I wore a nursing bra from about 25wks as found one that fitted well (Elle MacPherson Maternelle) and figured that if my boobs did expand lots they would eventually shrink back a certain extent and I could use it later on. I had conflicting advise as to when to be fitted on one hand it was 38wks and another it was post birth. Well I went at 38wks as I figured that the last thing I wanted to do was venture into town just after birth to be fitted for a bra.
I was sold one 2 cup sizes bigger than I was at 38wks and it is too big and has never fitted. The one I was wearing from 25wks still fits perfectly.
I'd buy one that fits you at 38wks as you'll use it again sometime and then if it gets too small when your milk comes in get another fitting.

[Pagan]

Probably everyone is different. I too went up one cup size (B-C) during pregnancy but 5 days after giving birth when the milk came in I woke up the next morning to admire the mountain view 34DD. I know this coz I got measured at M&S. Boy was I chuffed.

They've since disappeared and gone back to being smaller than they were when I started though

[sweetkitty]

Was in Mothercare on Wednesday and was told to come back in a week (I was 37 weeks) so was told to come back at 38. The girl said the advice was that you go down a back size and up a cup size so they can expand and you can also fit your breastpads in.

I was a nice happy 34C before I got pregnant - but will be a 36E if it turns out to be true.

[muminlondon]

I was as 34C before pregnancy (and got back there eventually). When I got fitted at 36 weeks I was wearing a 36F, but they advised me to get a 34G! (so there's another vote for down a back size and up a cup size after the birth).