Underwired bras in pregnancy

[nh101]

My sister says I shouldn't be wearing underwired bras (I am 10+3) as it may affect my milk production. Anybody know if this is true? I am only a 34A (and am still in my normal bras as my boobs have hardly grown at all).

[conkertree]

I heard this as well but dont really know how true it is or not. makes sense i suppose.

i noticed a bit of a change in size, and the underwire bits were digging in quite a bit so i have moved to non-underwired ones from about 10 weeks onwards. suppose it depends on comfort and if you know they are uncomfortable, its more likely they could be cutting something off or restricting things.

[foxybrown]

Apparently they can affect the milk ducts. I go for sports bras in pregnancy.

[finecheese]

Hello, I remember reading that too and got the fear a bit but then thought sod it, I want to wear nice bras still . Wore underwired all the way through and then breastfed babe for 5 months with no probs at all...

Hope that helps a bit

[Littlefish]

I wore underwired bras most of the way through my pregancy. I have huge bazoomas and without the underwiring, they would have been hitting my knees

However, I made sure I was measured every 4 weeks at the bra specialist, Bravissimo. They made sure that the underwiring was not touching any of my breast tissue.

[Moomin]

It's right - you shouldn't be wearing normal underwired ones. But there is at least one maternity bra that is underwired and is perfectly ok. I will try and find out the name and post back here. It cost about £20 and was sooooo comfy. Wore it after I had the baby as well. Back soon...

[Moomin]

It was this one - but it's pricier than I remember. Maybe I got a special offer as I bought it at the Baby Show

[EmsTomot]

Don't know if this helps, but being from the back of the queue when God handed them out, I opted for underwired, padded bras throughout pregnancy. I did have horrendous trouble breast feeding, don't know if it is connected but have recently read that it can affect milk production - my milk arrived a little later than expected and by then, I was bottle feeding.
My bust increased only one cup size and I chose a sports bra when the milk eventually came in because - well, it is bloody uncomfortable!
I know maternity bras are really expensive - Asda sell some, which are fairly comfortable for under a tenner - the more expensive ranges can been adapted to your growing bust, so I have heard.
Good look!

[Gingerbear]

Miriam Stoppard underwired pregnancy bra - reduced to £6 in Debenhams

[foxybrown]

I buy my sports bras in TKMaxx - soooo much cheaper. Topshop on line have a rather fetching leopard print mat bra with matching pants (if they've any back in stock yet). Frankly no matter what I wear, they ain't what they used to be ...

[foxybrown]

gingerbear, is that in store or on-line?

[Gingerbear]

in store - although they do have some other makes on-line

[Tutter]

the anita one linked to below is fabulous

[Miaou]

nh101 - I'm a 36A and tbh I find that non-underwired bras are far more likely to affect my milk ducts than underwired ones - being somewhat challenged in the boob department I find the elastic rides up and cuts into the breast tissue! I wear underwired up until birth then wear feeding bras afterwards (not underwired, but by then I am a B cup so they don't ride up so much!).

BTW EmsTomot - breast size is unlikely to have been the reason for your difficulties in starting breastfeeding as the milk ducts are deep inside your chest and not in the "breast" part. Despite my flat chest I had more milk than I knew what to do with when I had ds - so don't let it stop you trying again another time if you want to!

[MrsMar]

Hi NH, we were discussing this on the due in september thread... my sister said exactly the same. I'm 11 weeks and still in underwired bras, but I'm seriously thinking about buying some maternity ones. My boobs have gone up about a cup size I think, but I was pretty big to begin with (34E) so I'm quite concerned about support and having a horrendous monoboob, as all the non underwired maternity/sports type don't seem to separate, iyswim.

[EmsTomot]

Miaou - Thank you, the pressure to breast feed was unbelivable and I was very upset for some time that I couldn't feed my little one. Looking back, it wasn't meant to be because I have lazy off spring!!!!
I will be trying again, IF the chance occurs.
Once my milk came in, it made it worse, because I was leaking everywhere!!!! - Thought about putting it in a glass and drinking it myself for a couple of days!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrsFish]

I am 10wks today and am still wearing my underwired bras, My boobs change size quite alot depending how much I weigh so I have several different sizes already, I have not put any weight on yet, but have gone up a cup size already. Will be wearing the underwired ones as long as I can

[aprilmeadow]

I am 31wks and have worn under wired bras pretty much all the time. When i was pg with my ds i followed the non wired route, but the bras were so unflattering and didnt really support me to greatly. I was a 34b when i started out and went up to a 34d before my milk came in. This time i do have non wired but only really wear them on weekends and if i want to be totally comfy. I started this pg being a 34c and am now a 34e, so defiantely need the support.

[hoxtonchick]

i wore underwired bras throughout both my pregnancies. breastfed ds for 6 months & dd for 18....

[motherinferior]

...and Hoxty has the norks of a goddess.

[cece]

I wore underwired till I was 38/39 weeks both times (basically till I bought my nursing bras.) I bf dd for 8 motnhs and ds for 15 months.

[hoxtonchick]

you too MI .

[fizzbuzz]

Apparently they are only a problem if they don't fit properly.

I have very big norks , and a non underwired bra made them look like a low slung mountain range, horrible.

Wired ones pushed them up a bit at least. Posh lady in posh bra shop, said there was no prob

[indiajane]

I went to M&S to get fitted for new bras when pregnant and wanted the fitter to get me some underwired ones and she REFUSED!

I explained that I was an adult, able to make rational decisions etc but she still refused and told me it was store policy!!

I told a friend who is a consultant obs about it and she told me that there have been no clinical trials whatsoever relating to underwired bras and milk production and it was a myth.

So, I wrote to M&S to complain and they apologiesed.

Oooh the memory still makes me cross