When to buy nursing bras?

[PetrovaFossil1]

Hi all, I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant with my first child and wondering at what stage my bra size will have 'settled down' in order to buy nursing bras?

[Junosmum]

Currently 11 days postpartum and mine are just settling in to a steady size. I bought some cheap ones in a guestimated size which sort of fit and I plan to get measured next week.

[PetrovaFossil1]

Thanks! Looks like my grand plan to be super organised and buy upfront may not work then!

[starsinyourpies]

I would get a couple to keep you going, they are usually pretty stretchy but I would err on getting big ones (lady in Bravissimo talked me into biggest size and she was right!!!)

[starsinyourpies]

I'd wait until about 36 weeks to buy them though.

[CarShare]

The breastfeeding advisor at our NCT session recommended to get measured at 38 weeks and buy bras that require the back to be done on the loosest clasp (so there's scope for tightening them after ribcage reduces post labour) and that the cup should have space in to get your hand comfortably inside to allow for boob expansion.

I've bought some of the multi cup size ones from Jojo and M&S (at 37 weeks, in case the baby comes early) following the same rules and think they will probably do fine until everything settles down and I can be measured properly. Not an exact science I guess!

[KatharinaRosalie]

Get a couple of stretcy ones. But it's pretty impossible to guess how big you will be afterwards, so I would not suggest stocking up.

Oh and also, nursing bras are not even strictly necessary - I BF happily in normal bras, just slide the strap down, pull boob out of cup (half-cup or balconnet bras are of course more convenient than full cups for this), and that's it.

[Fourormore]

I got mine from Bravissimo at 38 weeks. She said that if after having given birth they were the wrong size, I could return them for the correct size.

[Dixiechick17]

I was measured at 38 weeks, and my boobs went crazy after my DD was born, so my new nursing bras were too small. I got measured again a few weeks after and got the right size.

[Icklepickle101]

I got 2 at 35 weeks and at 38 weeks they don't fit quite right anymore, not an awful for just not perfect.

[PetrovaFossil1]

This is really helpful, thanks everyone

[minijoeyjojo]

I've got some bravado bras, they are very comfortable and stretchy so coped well with the engorgement post birth. They come in S, M, L etc so easy to fit, I still had mine fitted at John Lewis though who were great at recommending a size that was smaller than I'd thought - your rib cage expands massively in pregnancy! I'd definitely recommend getting one (or more!) to transition through those early weeks. I wear mine all the time still and love them.

[whatsoever]

Last time I got measured at 38 weeks and bought two cheap, softish ones and then about 8 weeks post birth I got re-measured and got some better quality ones. I retired the soft ones to night time.

[Freya888]

I began using my nursing bra during my third trimester and I wish I would have found it earlier. I ordered it online. It has just the right amount of support provided by the soft thin padding needed for growing breasts. Wire bras and regular bralettes during pregnancy become extremely uncomfortable and/or itchy.

[mrsjskelton]

I bought at about 39 weeks - they're pretty soft so I think they'll be able to handle a variation in size!

[maamalady]

I got bravado bras too, probably from about 20 weeks, then wore them all through pregnancy, breastfeeding (12 months), then just as I was thinking I could go back to real bras found I was pregnant again, so they're still going strong. Currently 31 weeks and hoping to breastfeed for a year or so again.

Honestly I wouldn't worry about "correct" sizing. Get a stretchy one, as there's no wires it won't be uncomfortable. I found my breasts and ribs changed enormously through pregnancy and the first 2-3 months after birth - from hour to hour as well as week to week - you will spend a fortune if you try to have bras that are perfect the entire time.

[mrsmugoo]

I spent a fortune on nursing bras in an an array of sizes and didn't get on with any of them. I settled on mothercare cross front stretchy sleep crop tops instead and I'm still wearing them two years later

[bluewisteria]

I've just bought a few of these, I'm 37 weeks but being induced next week. They are amazing, so clever and comfy!
I'm a G cup so can't really get away with unstructured bras. These are fab and mean you won't need to buy more
www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk/royce%2Dblossom%2Dnursing%2Dbra%7E321

[bluewisteria]

Btw they aren't under wired even though they look it, just moulded. And the neckline adjustment is brilliant. It's so annoying having lowish cut tops that nursing bras peek out of, I find them generally quite high.

[rageagainsttheBIL]

I'm 33 weeks and just bought a Bravado body silk bra after reading so many good reviews. It's not cheap - not much change from £30 - but manages to be both super comfy and supportive! I can see why it's so popular. It can expand and mould to fit you as your size changes. It is a bit higher cut than I'd like at the straps (I usually wear balconette bras which are obviously v low cut at sides) but it doesn't stick out from any of the tops I've worn so far.

[FellOutOfBedTwice]

I brought one at about 35 weeks pregnant thinking that my usually 36GG boobs couldn't get much bigger than they were at that point when they had reached 36H. So naive.

When my daughter was four days old my breasts more or less exploded overnight when I turned up to a bra shop in the next town virtually in tears pleading with the lady to do something to help me. I was a 36MM. They were like two netballs and remained that way for the first six months.

So my advice would be to wait!

[FrankSpencer]

Double M crikey! Your poor back!

[FellOutOfBedTwice]

Frank I think six months with those tits was worse than childbirth.

[FrankSpencer]

I can believe that - motherhood, eh?

[YellowSquirrel]

Can anyone recommend a nursing bra that does not give you a monoboob? Pre preg I was 28HH, nowv@6months 32J. I have never had a non wired bra that gives boob separation...
FellOutBed- hope they settled down post bf!