to have no idea where to start re nursing bras?!

[Cranberri]

Packing my hospital bag and buying last bits and pieces. How on earth do I know what size nursing bra to buy? My boobs have gone from a 34C to a 34C/D, no idea how much bigger they will get. I don't have the money to be buying multiple sizes and returning things etc and nowhere seems to sell them in store cheaply (I'm looking at eBay).

Anyone any advice? I've not got a clue!

I’d consider some of the stretchy yoga/crop tops for the first week(s).

@TestingTestingWonTooFree just normal ones, or specific nursing ones? I still have no idea what size to buy.

Wait until you are about 38/39 weeks. Then get measured. Start by buying one 2 pack. I find the bras with the triangle flaps which clip in to the strap good. I like the Mothercare cotton ones good. They are comfortable and wash well.

Lidl have baby event on they are arounf £4 iirc
I got one
Biggest mistake was I didn't buy more!

I went to mother care and they said most people don't change that much from the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. I got a couple of the cotton ones. Then got more afterwards (I wouldn't buy loads now just incase you change size or don't end up best feeding for long). Once you know what size you are and if you're going to feed then it's easier to get some more online - h and m and topshop etc do some that are a bit nicer looking

I'm not very well at the moment so baby might be coming sooner than we thought so I'm rushing around like mad trying to get stuff so sadly might not make it to 39 weeks!

Didn't think of Lidl! Thank you!

Primark do cheap nursing bras, I think £6 for 2? Can't remember

Oh really? I didn't think they did maternity and nursing stuff! That's good to know!

Cheap sports bras in Primark. You just have to hoick it out. No faffing with clips. Comfy to sleep in too. Just make sure they're low as some are cut a bit high in front.

The Emma Jane nursing bras are fab - they are crop top style so extremely comfortable but have a proper fastening at the back and adjustable straps. I've worn mine non-stop for 20 months so not looking forward to going back to proper bras 🤣 I think JoJo have a maternity / nursing sale on at present or you can get them from Amazon.

Tbh I couldn't have predicted what size I was until my milk came in. Maybe you'll be different. Mine went up two cup sizes during pregnancy so I bought for that size but they then went up another two sizes after birth. At that point I went to a bra shop as I was huge and couldn't find anything to fit. They were lovely and measured me with ds in the pram outside the cubicle and sorted me out with properly fitting breastfeeding bras which, although expensive, were a worthwhile investment in terms of comfort and confidence.

Instead of buying expensive bfing tops, I use one strappy top inside a long sleeve cotton top over it. You pull up the bottom of the outside top, pull down the top of the strappy top inside and unclip the bra strap.
Muslin clothes are great too when burping. Another tip is to pop some spare breastpads and maternity pads in your baby bag. They're always handy to have if you need them unexpectedly.

I just wear stretchy bralette type things rather than proper bras atm.

Just buy one or two cheap ones for now with a 'best guess at size and then get measured properly when your milk cones in

That's the concise version of what I was trying to say ! Thanks jg!

General advice is whatever size you are at around 37 weeks you'll go down a band size and up a cup size after delivery. But I still wouldn't buy too many to start with.

H&M nursing vests are fab - built in support with clips. Also you can get nursing bras on amazon for cheap, the kind that cover more than one size eg. small, medium, large. Molke also get great reviews. Or just a cheap stretchy crop top/ sleep bra. For the first couple of weeks when your milk comes in your boobs will be huge! But they will go smaller once your supply settles so no point spending a lot of money. Comfort is the most important thing!

Debenhams maternity sports bras, sooo comfy. I brought a small - my boobs went from 34C to a 34D. A medium would have probably fit too, good stretchy material.

I was a 34B pre pregnancy, a week after birth I got measured when my milk came in and I'm a 34F now. I bought some maternity sleep bras from H&M in a size medium which did for the first few days then I bought some from Mothercare that are super stretchy.

H&M had these amazing two packs of stretchy nursing bras when I had mine - they fit me before during and after my milk came in and were so comfy.

This was the only thing I bought from mother care.They had a zip on the underside of the cup so you could unzip and lift your top up slightly to get your baby on.The other advantage being that you only needed one hand to undo.
I got measured 38 weeks I think,your biibs go enormous for the first few months and then settle down a bit when feeding us fully established.

I was your size and now 2 months post birth and breastfeeding I'm wearing a 34FF. I bought Emma Jane soft nursing bras which were size 34 B-F and waited for milk to come in before buying more.

where abouts are you OP? my local mothercare store is closing and i just got 6 nursing bras for £12! might be worth seeing if any near you are closing.

New look are great. I'd buy one pair in a size up and not get any more

You can get nursing vest tops with a bit of built in support they would see you through the first couple if weeks if no bras fit. The support bit holds a breastpad in place too.