Breastfeeding bras

[kittypower]

I'm 34B and finding it really hard to find a breastfeeding bra - they all seem to start at C cup. The only ones I have found are so ugly, they are massive big things (which seems odd seeing as the problem is my boobs seem to be too small!!!)

Any advice?
X

[Ceolas]

ANything at M&S?. I think they have more in store as well.

[KristinaM]

sorry if this is a stupid question...but since you posted in pregnancy i am wondering if you have had your baby yet?

if not, your boobs may be bigger when your milk comes in

[Tutter]

i have posted this so many time i am in danger of boring the pants (bras?) off the whole of mn, but...

i love the anita maternity and nursing bras - have worn them through 2 pregnancies and am bfing ds2 in them atm

i have them in b, c and d cups for my varying pg/early bfing/established bfing sized norks

hang on - will get a link

[MrsBadger]

have only ever heard good things about Anita and they start at a 30B...

[MrsBadger]

xp, oh blue mouse...

[Tutter]

here it is

blardyt marvellous

underwired too, so gives a nice shape

[Tutter]

(am currently (2 weeks postpartum) sporting a d cup, which for this mouse, is enormous - will be down to a c cup shortly )

[Ceolas]

I know lots of people wear them, but I feel nervous about underwired nursing bras...

[KristinaM]

its lovely tutter, i'm it doesn't go up to my size

[missbumpy]

I'm sort of having the opposite problem. I've gone up to a 32G and I'm 30 weeks and I'm not sure how much bigger they're going to get.
When should I get a nursing bra? I've heard that they get massive as soon as you start breastfeeding. So when should I get a nursing bra? Should I wait until just before I'm due?
I'm finding the whole nursing/maternity bra thing quite confusing. None of them seem to fit. I'm just wearing normal underwired bras at the mo and plan to carry on until I start bf.

[Scampynoodle]

I too have looked at maternity bras and can't believe just how much they let your titties sag! They seem to make me look shapeless. I've gone up to a 38E since getting up the spout so need some stout cuppage.

A great find, though, is a little collection in M&S. They're t-shirt bras for women up to size G. They're underwired with moulded cups and come in plain black, white and flesh colour. I find them sooo comfy and the shape I get from them far surpasses anything a maternity bra has had to offer me. I live out of the bloody things and they don't look mumsy either.

Sx

[MrsRecycle]

kittypower - have emailed you - check your email!

[missbumpy]

Thanks Scampynoodle. I've got an M&S T-shirt bra that's a 32G which I'm wearing all the time at the mo (I do wash it though ). I'm just worried about what I'm going to do if/when they get any bigger. It's hard to get anything bigger than G cup. Especially in a 32 back size.
I know Freya have got a nursing bra but I think that only goes up to H. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that they don't get any bigger than that!
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks maternity non-wired bras are rubbish.

[KristinaM]

I am currently BF and an a 32J . The only nursing bra which fits me if this one from bravissimo.

bra



Its really granny - ish and not brillliant support but its all i could find their other bar that comes in thsi size is even less support

[missbumpy]

Thanks Kristina. That's not the most attractive bra is it?!
Do you mind me asking, what size were you at end of pg? I'm just trying to work out how much bigger mine are going to get. I know it's different for everyone but it would be nice to get an idea.

[ejt1764]

Take any measurements for feeding bras after about 36 weeks - which is when you'll be at your biggest ... they tend to say that you'll go down a back size (although I went down 2!) and up a cup size (that bit was right!) when you've had the baby - so when I was 38 weeks pg with ds and was measured, I was a 38G ... (and wondering why all my bras hurt so much!) - but when he was born, they figured I would go down to a 36F ... I actually ended up as a 34F ... hth

I'd suggest that the first feeding bras you get are the sleep ones like this one - they're not the most attractive, but are very soft, and supportive until your milk comes in and you can go and get yourself measured properly.

hth

[maveta]

I´m 36C (or D first thing in the morning and B just after he´s fed - lol) and like the bravado bra www.bravadodesigns.com/category.asp?ID=34. Only problem is it´s like a gym bra with the runner back so it would look a bit odd under a strappy vest..

[missbumpy]

Thanks ejt1764 and maveta. Sounds like I could end up a 30H ! Move over Jordan!

Sorry for the stupid questions but if the bra size goes up depending on time of day/whether baby has just fed, does that mean you need a selection of bras in different sizes or do you just have to put up with them being a bit tight/loose at different points in the day?

[KristinaM]

I don't mind you asking......but i don't think it will be much use as i was still Bf my last baby ( who was 15 months old !)until I was about 7 montsh pg. So obviously when i stopped Bf him my boobs didn't go down to my pre pg size. I was 32DD before i got pg

[ejt1764]

feeding bras tend to be a bit more forgiving in terms of give - you'll only need one size!

[KristinaM]

I dont think you need different sizes of bras. the feeling of being very full and tight is worst at the beginning, especially for teh first few days when you milk comes in [ouch] and for the first 6-8 weeks when you supply is being established.

Once everything settles down you are not aware of changing sizes

well thats my experinec anyway

BTw there is no such thing as a stupid question about bf - better to ask than worry

[missbumpy]

Thanks for the advice. That's really helpful.

I guess I'll get myself down to Bravissimo when I'm about 38 weeks and see what they can find that fits me!

I have to say I'm getting quite scared about bf. I've heard so many horror stories about mastitis, and engorgement and excruciating pain...I'm almost more scared of bf than I am of labour now!

[maveta]

missbumpy, yeah the fluctuating size thing is worst at the beginning.. I was exaggerating slightly. The only time I might be bigger is first thing in the morning but that´s because he´s now going almost 8 hours without feeding at night and my boobs don´t seem to have realised yet Otherwise I do notice them being bigger if he goes 4 hours without a feed but it´s not enough to make the bra tight. Besides, the bravado ones tend to cover 2 sizes at a time anyway, I think.

It´s good that you are aware of the problems breastfeeding can throw at you because you´ll be that much more aware that a lot of the time these problems can also be overcome and you aren´t useless or whatever if it is hard. And despite what you hear, apparently there´s a whole load of people who just breeze through it, fingers crossed you´re one of them!

[ejt1764]

missbumpy - don't be scared - yes it can hurt (mind you, as I'm not used to somebody sucking on my boobs for hours at a time, then it's hardly surprising! ), yes, you can end up with mastitis etc (but most people I've known who have ended up with it have had problems getting a properly fitting bra), yes, your boobs do get engorged - but that bit only lasts a couple of days ...

but

once it settles down (and it does settle down!) it is a really good thing to do ... plus you don't have to faff around with bottles!

The fact that you have a bravissimo shop near you is fantastic - I am !

[muppetgirl]

Missbumpy
what I would do is have a read up on what you can do if you were to get mastitis/engorged/sore nipples etc. Get the knowledge before anything occurs then you will feel much more calmer and in control when you are bfeeding. I bf for 6 weeks and thought I was a hero as it was hell for me (I had pnd and things took a nose dive ) I'm currently 27wks with ds2 and have learned soooo much about bf, what can happen but most of all what to do about it that I am going to have another go at bf again.

I have also learned that most people are soo concerened (me included!) with birth that we don't read about, get told about what is going to happen after and that really is equally important imo.