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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Maternity/nursing bras - are there any that are vaguely attractive?!

30 replies

Janus · 07/02/2003 19:11

Just about to get some in advance of 2nd birth and god they're pretty bloody ugly!! I must admit my current non under-wired bra is hardly stunning but they seem to get even bigger and uglier for nursing. Is there any that have even a bit of style?
I did look at the Bravado leopard print bra but can't decide if that's maybe taking things a bit too far, ie does it look a bit cheap in real life?, and not sure on the design as it appears you have to pull the thing on over your head or something (ie it doesn't un-do) and not sure how practical that is (my boobs are not small, whose is though when breastfeeding!).
Anyone come across any good ones or maybe just one that is pretty comfortable without feeling completely trussed up??
Thanks.

OP posts:

elliott · 07/02/2003 20:44

I used the Bravado ones and found them really comfortable (not sure I'd go so far as to say attractive though!) BUT my boobs are quite small (34B normally) and didn't get a lot bigger when bf so I didn't need mega support.

Enid · 07/02/2003 21:13

Elle Macpherson does a lovely nursing bra - expensive but I love it, you can find it on www.figleaves.com

I found the bravado bras pretty unsupportive.

aloha · 07/02/2003 21:49

Another vote for Elle Macpherson. very nice in lilac and really practical too.

Carla · 07/02/2003 21:55

Janus, just a thought - and my boobs are quite small too - but I managed breastfeeding both my daughters with my normal bra. Push up & pull down thing. I thought maternity bras were one of those things they try to flogg to first time mums, like those nappy sealer buckets, but if you did use one through pregnancy #1 they obviously do something for people more fortunate than myself ....

judetheobscure · 27/02/2003 23:21

fwiw, I have "researched" this subject extensively over the past 7 years (4 children)! The only nursing bras that I have ever seen that are not boring white or black are (1) the Elle Macpherson ones already mentioned (2) the leopard print Bravado bra already mentioned (both in JoJo Maman Bebe catalogue) and (3) some floral print ones in "La Redoute" mail order catalogue.

Demented · 28/02/2003 19:00

I was fitted for a new nursing bra a couple of weeks back, it was made by a company called Anita and I actually didn't realise it was a nursing bra (though the woman had made a mistake). It wasn't excessively pretty or sexy just looked like a normal bra and was really supportive. Only problem was the one I tried on only fitted one side and so I needed the bigger size and they were out of stock so they said they would order it for me, that was 2 1/2 weeks ago and it is still not in. I am going to a wedding tomorrow and will be going with my boobs round about my waist in my old saggy bra!

Original poster

Janus · 28/02/2003 19:05

Thanks everyone, I have bought one Bravado bra which I must say is really comfy, if a little bit of a fag dragging it over my bump every morning! My boobs get huge so can't go for a normal bra to just pull across.
One thing, how do you know what size you'll be once your baby is here (can't remember what I did last time!), do you go and get measured pretty soon after giving birth? Where have all my brain cells gone!
I'm off to check JoBabyMaman catalogue I have lurking somewhere but not sure which size to order.
Thanks again.

OP posts:

anto · 04/03/2003 22:07

Funnily enough have just been posting about maternity bras on the 'porn star boobs' thread. According to J Lewis and Rigby & Peller you should go and be measured AFTER 37 wks, and they have some magic way of calculating how big you will be when your milk comes in. I am going to brave the congestion charge to go and get measured in town next week - wish me luck - I hope I don't go into prem labour in the middle of Oxford Street.

Elle MacPherson bra looks really nice and comfy but only goes up to DD fitting so if you are a DD or bigger normally it will probably be too small when breastfeeding.

I tried the Bravado bras last time round - so desperately wanted one because everyone raved about them - but even the biggest size was a tight fit and gave me a bosom like a shelf.

If you have big boobs it's really worth getting measured properly or you'll have them round your waist for the next 6 months or however long you feed for - so not a good look! Also don't forget if you get a bra that's too small you are more likely to get mastitis as your ducts are squashed!

Original poster

Janus · 04/03/2003 22:47

Anto, thanks for that. Elle bra won't be big enough then as I'm already wearing a DD (and tight) and I seem to remember getting bigger when milk comes in, have about 10 days until I'm 37 weeks so will hang on until then to be measured. Do Rigby and Peller do maternity bras too, just had a quick look at their website and couldn't see it mentioned but they look like really pretty bras so would like to have a look if they do. Would love to have anything that gives me a bit of shape rather than a big body hugging mess!

OP posts:

anto · 06/03/2003 21:30

Rigby & Peller do Anita and Royce feeding bras. It's a bit confusing because they divide the bras into 2 groups: 'maternity' which I think are bras to wear during pregnancy and 'feeding'.

Someone else on this thread had positive feedback on Anita bras. If you've got the Jojomamanbebe catalogue there is at least 1 Anita feeding bra in there but it's probably the nicest one that only comes up to a c-cup - bras for bigger sizes are NEVER as nice!

I am going next Monday - shall I report back and let you know what I think?

Demented · 06/03/2003 22:27

I'm still waiting on my Anita bra ! I think I may have found the same one on the net now so may order it on-line, only problem is that I have now spent the money that was for the bras !!! I am an F cup so this one certainly goes beyond a C, it is style no 5022 (looks like the one I tried on), as I said before it isn't excessively pretty or sexy, just normal looking.

anoushka · 08/03/2003 20:17

hi i am 37 weeks today and went into my local m&s to get a nursing bra and they said you have to get two sizes up because you have to have room for the breast pad too i am a dd size now and have to go to a whopping f size it is about the size of a tent but i did see a nice lacey one but they are not cheap it's 19 quid just for one i do think it is very important you get one that gives you good support or you will look like your granny after i have seen my sister in law boobs and they are very saggy after

Wills · 08/03/2003 22:10

anoushka - only an f? Pah. Try having to come home with an H. My husband's comment... "Oh look, over the shoulder boulder holders". How to make a heavily pregnant woman feel sexy, wanted and femine (not!).

monkey · 09/03/2003 16:15

Does anyone know at what stage one buys a breastfeeding bra - just before the birth??

Also, during pregnancy, is it right you can't wear under wired bras & g-strings, and if not, why not? If not, is this for the whole pregnancy or just the end.

I like the look of the Elle Mc bra too. Jojo maman baby stock it too.

anoushka · 10/03/2003 05:57

monkey i was told two weeks before to get your bf bra i must say she did say you dont realy know how big you are realy going to get untill your milk comes but as a guide you go up two sizes oh on the underwired bra front i just cant coment i cant wear them my self i never found one i found confortable hope this is useful

WideWebWitch · 10/03/2003 09:55

Monkey, off topic I know, but does this mean you were pregnant when you had all those symptoms but negative tests? I haven't been around much recently so may have missed it if you announced it. Anyway, congratulations

anto · 10/03/2003 10:01

When I went to get fitted for nursing bras first time round I got ticked off for wearing an underwired bra, but not because it was going to do any harm to the baby but might apparently cause me pain in my ribs. Never heard that you shouldn't wear g-strings.

I'm now 36 wks and have worn an u/w bra most of the way through...otherwise I just look too dreadful!

Last time the 2 bras I bought before b/f weren't big enough when my milk came in, and I didn't even need breast pads. So when you go to buy your bras, don't go crazy - I would suggest just buying one and seeing how you go with it afterwards.

bundle · 10/03/2003 10:20

anto, have you tried just taking the wires out of the u/w bras? I think the changing nature of the tissue means the hardness could cause some damage. I'm wearing (ok, I know it's not attractive) a sports bra, fitted at John Lewis, endorsed by some blonde tennis star

SofiaAmes · 10/03/2003 16:37

I think you may find that the underwire can cause blocked ducts once you have the baby and are breastfeeding.

monkey · 10/03/2003 17:35

Hi www - I haven't been around for months either - broken computer. No all those neg tests really were negative! so after a few months of trying, I've finally just succeeded - due mid November! what about you? Have you managed yet? I must say, I was very surprised it took so long (only 5 months, but it seemed a lifetime!) that Mirena maybe did mess me around after all - aparently the pg symptoms I had were caused by the oestrogen levels rising (or something like that - I've got a hopeless memory!) anyway - nice to say 'hello' again.

Thanks for the replies. I have only inferred the 'no g-string' rule from maternity cataloges that stock g-strings, and discribe them as being for after the birth, not during pregnancy.

anto · 10/03/2003 22:05

I didn't wear an u/w bra while breastfeeding! Only during pregnancy. And now I'm in the last leg I'm in my old breastfeeding bras from last time round. I have also got a bra-strap-expander (from John Lewis) which works well with my sports bras.

Went to get measured for my b/f bras today. The Anita bra was actually quite nice (for a b/f bra in a huge size!) and very soft and comfy. They didn't have my size so I had to order it - hope it turns up in time.

Demented · 01/04/2003 11:57

anto, did you get your bra then? Six weeks on and mine still hadn't appeared so I told the shop to stick it! I did however order them from mothernature.co.uk and they were great, they came this morning less than a week after I ordered them. Only problem is that it is not the same bra as I tried on in the shop that was originally ordering for me, that one was nicer but I am so fed up of my old bras that I will keep these as they are a vast improvment on the old ones, my boobs are now up and away from my waist and the bra is reasonably pretty. My old one had zips so it is nice to have the clips instead, feeling and looking a bit more normal!

motherinferior · 01/05/2003 11:22

anyone tried the emma jane ones on order from blooming marvellous? I had Mothercare ones last time but they are now so very knackered...

kathylee0 · 01/05/2003 12:34

i used to work in mothercares as a maternity bra fitter,so hopefully in can shed some light;You should not wear underwired bras during pregnancy as it can damage and/or block your milk ducts.
Nursing bras can be fitted from 38 wks, but not before,reason?-at 38 wks your actual breasts increase in size but you band size will go down due to the baby moving down.eg if you were wearing say a 36c during pregnancy,your nursing bra would most probably be a 34d(approx).My biggest tip is go and get your self measured and fitted.Marks and Spencers offers more attractive maternity bras at a price!.I found that mothercares were very drap and i often saw the look of sheer disgust/disappointment on mums to be faces when i showed them the bras, but once they tried them on i would say at least 90%,would be so shocked at how comfortable and well supported they were ,they suddenly didn't care what they looked like.
My biggest tip when buying a support bra,is make sure it fits comfortabley when done up at the tightest,that way you can adjust it as your rib cage expands during pregnancy.Anything else just ask!!

Hughsie · 01/05/2003 12:39

I had 'Royal' for my first baby and they were too knackered to cope with a second so have got Emma Jane this time - nice and comfy but not really supportive enough in the night. Royal were quite good as I remember but I refuse to buy loads as I get so fed up with them after a while of constant wearing - I just take it off to wash and dry and back on it goes!

John Lewis for both of them

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