Nursing bras

[Benjy]

DC2 is due in 4-5 weeks time. I wanted very much to breastfeed DC1 but couldn't. I have some RL support planned for this time but I have PCOS and had a tumour removed from one breast, which the dr. and the bf counsellor I saw thought might have caused the problems I had first time round.

I am going to plan for bfeeding and need to get some nursing bras but don't want to spend a fortune in case it doesn't work out again. Can anyone recommend good, cheap bras. I bought the Elle McPherson ones last time, which I really liked because they have lots of stretch in them and adjust to your increasing/decreasing cup size but at £30 a go, they were very expensive.

[Powdoc]

What size are your breasts currently? If you're fairly large, I've found Royce and Anita bras good, but they're not cheap. I think that there are more choices if you are a bit smaller and need less industrial support!

[Benjy]

My normal size is 32E. I'm in a 36D at the moment.

[SachaF]

M&S did a pack of 2 for a decent price (£25?) when I was a D cup with no1. I was an E-F with no2 so bought a more expensive Royce one like Powdoc said, really nice and comfy but definately at a 'treat' price so only have the 1 which is a hassle.

[Powdoc]

So you could easily be a 32F or so then in nursing bras? I'm afraid that they Royce ones are about £23 each and I haven't found cheaper ones which I really rate. Shall watch with interest in case others have!

[CMOTdibbler]

The Bravado bras are really good.

If you don't want to spend out, I do have my Bravados still hanging about (why I haven't got rid of my nursing bras I don't know, haven't fed for a year), so you'd be very welcome to those if you don't mind second hand.

[Scaredycat3000]

Debenhams do 2 for £25 up to G cup.

[Jennylee]

cheapy ones the only ones they sell in additions direct, empire, kays etc are between 13-18 pounds each are good but only come in white cotton

[Crazycatlady]

I bought 3 Emma Jane smooth nursing bras at £15 each and they were absolutely fab. Very soft, comfortable for day and night, supportive, didn't have fabric that came up to my neck... and one of the few I tried on that made my breasts look a normal rounded shape under clothes - others just looked somewhat conical or saggy! They come in pink, black, white and nude.

www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=EJ-00411&mci=&size=&colour=&image=r10088 -p325579-front

After about 4 or 5 months of BFing I did go and buy some more expensive underwired nursing bras too, as I'd always been a 'hoik em up round your ears' kind of a girl and wanted a decent cleavage back, at which point I bought Anita underwired and Hot Milk, but the Emma Janes still get worn and I will buy them again for the next baby.

If you have a Jojo Maman Bebe near you they stock them so you can try on.

[Crazycatlady]

p.s. for comparison I'm a 36E when BFing, and I had room in the E cup for mahoosive natural wool breastpads as the cups are very stretchy.

[Benjy]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Does anyone know how to calculate the size I will need? I know I should go and get measured but not sure I'll get the opportunity to do this in time for the birth.

[Powdoc]

You really do need to get measured. To be honest, I'm a bit confused why you've gone down two cup sizes from your normal 32E to 36D. I thought you would normally increase in cup size during pregnancy (or stay the same), and that your back size may increase too. I think you'd want to be careful that you're not starting out in a size which is too big in the ribs and too small in the cup.

However, in an emergency, the way Bravissimo worked it out on me was to basically be able to get a hand into the cup plus your breast. This was roughly a one to two cup size increase. Your back size should return to normal after the birth, but this may take a while. For example, I was 32 before pregnancy, went up to 36 whilst pregnant, and am still at 34 after three months.

[Crazycatlady]

Mmm that's hard because the brands differ in sizing so much. But you have got time to order a couple of different sizes online and try them on before the baby arrives. It's hard to guess but if it were me, looking at your size now I'd probably buy a 36E and a 36D to try.

[Benjy]

My cup size hasn't decreased but they have stayed the same (a 36D is the same cup size as a 32E). I have PCOS and my breasts didn't increase in size during my first pregnancy, which I've been told by my doctor and breastfeeding counsellor can happen in some women with this condition.

[mrsfossil]

Hi I have royce and hot milk bras. Don't bother with cheaper mothercare as i found them useless. I am usually big busted so found the hot milk bra especially comfortable and supportive

[PinkyRed]

Sorry to lower the tone, but I bought two fantastic bras from the Lidl for £4 each. They were supposed to be back up night time ones but now they're my favourites. Fit pefectly and excellent support. Mind you, I'm not that big (up to D from my normal B) so they might not be so good if you're bigger.