Nursing bra recommendations, please

[MamaLazarou]

Sorry if this topic has been done to death already - I am new to this folder.

I'm having problems finding reasonably-priced nursing bras in larger sizes. I'm also not sure which size to get: I was 34F before I was pregnant. Now I'm somewhere between an H and a J. I'm after those drop-cup bras for easy access whilst out & about.

Any recommendations?

I've been measured as a 34GG for nursing (was 34DD / E before pg, depending on make). I have a royce sadie (~£25), which is ok. Tried a couple of the other royce styles, but they fitted differently

But the most comfortable is the bravado nursing top in med++, and a couple of the bravado vests in 34G, which are fairly stretchy - can't guarantee they would stretch enough for you. These were all about £30.

The vests are fantastic for me, as it means I can wear most normal tops for feeding and keep my (flabby) tummy warm and covered.

Would suggest that going for the cheaper options (e.g from mothercare) is false economy as you need decent support.

Hope this helps.

I'm at 34F/FF when feeding and have found the best everyday, and also not stupid expensive to be Miriam Stoppard's Nurture range good. I personally really liked the padded/tshirt bras as when I leaked from the other side whilst DD feeds it didn't soak my top. Yes I know that's what breast pads are for but I keep forgetting them!

Hotmilk are fab and pretty. Which is nice on occasion when you end up feeding for more than a couple of months.

If you can't find either of those in your size try Royce who seem to have the largest cup size choices. I remeber trying this one but couldn't stand the beige colour.

Figleaves.com is great for ordering a ton of sizes and styles and then returning what doesen't fit and replacement deliveries if you want a different size or even style are free.

When did you have your baby MamaL? I got measured in late pregnancy and was a 36 back - but was down to 34 within a month of having the baby. I now strongly suspect I'm back to a 32 again which is what I was pre-pregnancy.

I'd get some reasonably priced ones (M&S? They do 34H online) unless you're pretty sure your weight has stabilised. Then get a lovely Hotmilk one as swissmiss recommends...

bravissimo have got some not-so-vile ones atm. can't remember the brand.

minshu, where did you find bravado? i've drawn a blank...

Think figleaves have bravado bras.

I've had millions.. well not quite.. but a few, and my faves have been Elle Macpherson Maternelle nursing bras.

I've had Bravados, Royce ones and Elle MacPherson and Elle's win hands down as my top fav, really comfortable and wash well and seem to hold their shape better than the others.

I got some nice ones from Mothercare online - they were by Panache, and quite pretty, nice patterns, lacy etc (can't bear boring, functional cream or white nursing bras), and they go up to at least an H cup.
Hotmilk are lovely, but I don't think they go big enough (at least they didn't for me, last time I looked - I was a G cup)

I am a 34C which is not a lot but have found that M&S has a wide range of sizes and good value for money.

However don't expect to find the same size in each design. First time bought 34C in one the design and the next time same size different design and were a bit smaller than the frst brass so Id to change them. I haven't tried any other because I was very happy with the helpfulness and service,and the quality of the product.

Bravissimo have a great range of sizes and also have great customer service - going to the shop is best but if you can't they will give you fitting advice over the phone and they make it really easy to return wrong sizes by post.

Thanks all for your replies so far - sorry, I should have mentioned, I have not had my baby yet, I am 32 wks with DC1.

I'm not sure M&S would go up to my size - shame, as they are generally well-made and good value. I have the Miriam Stoppard maternity bras but can only find them up to size G.

Might have a look a Royce's range - thanks for the suggestion.

Have you looked at the Emma Jane brand? OUtstanding, but not sure how you' ll know whcih size to get.

I think they recommend you get measured 1-2 weeks before your due date.

I would recommend Elle McPherson ones again, on the grounds that they've got quite a bit of stretch in them so would accommodate the early days of bowling ball engorgement until your supply regulates.

Would also suggest maybe getting a couple of cheapies until you are sure what size you will 'settle' into.
Mine changed quite a lot initially, in fact the vest type tops (Bravado do good ones IMO) were great in the early days.

Emma Jane have lasted me well too, although the black has fared better than the white. they are cotton and don't have much stretch so weren't as comfy in the first few weeks.

I am size 34G (normally EE) and found that Hotmilk and Elle McPherson don't seem to go up after cup size F or if they do, they must have sold out everywhere already.

Freya do some nice larger cup sizes of nursing bras, though.

I got bravado at nursingbras.co.uk - very quick service, too.

The royce one I got is a pretty pink colour, although not something I would normally go for. It was the style they had in black that seemed to fit differently, and were a less stretchy material.

It's worth going for a proper fitting. The lady who fitted me in the bravissimo branch in newcastle was aware of the shrinkage of the rib cage, so gave me a snug 34 back although I was wearing a 38 back during pregnancy, which is fine now at 8 weeks after birth.

I ended up with Royce ones in black - got a pair of M&S ones online before birth, but they didn't fit right despite being the same size as the ones I got a few weeks later having made it to John Lewis for a fitting (38F)

The ROyce ones lasted really well, still in good nick over a year on. Just treated myself in Bravissimo after giving up feeding a fortnight ago, and the fitter thinks my back will shrink further over the next couple months. Odd that my back has got smaller and my breasts stayed the same size but I'm not complaining!