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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Nursing bras?

18 replies

Oneof4 · 14/02/2011 15:39

My first DC is due this weekend and I'd like to bf.

Do I actually need to get nursing bras or are they another of those things that are just 'nice to have'? If so, can anyone recommend a good shop that won't cost an arm and a leg? (I spent a fortune as my boobs grew in stages over the last 8 months...). All advice gratefully received!

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Meglet · 14/02/2011 15:42

I preferred nursing vests as they are comfier and kept my stomach covered (and warm). Try H&M or any of the maternity catalogues / shops. Another poster on MN said they got Primark vests and turned them into nursing vests by sewing in little clips to let the top bit down.

TBH I think it would be a PITA to try and bf without a nursing bra or vest, you'd be having to yank up the bra all the time and re-adjust it.

MrsJamin · 14/02/2011 15:44

I think you definitely need nursing bras, would be v uncomfortable not to have one. I would thoroughly recommend Hot Milk bras, they adjust through a lot of sizes at the back and don't make you feel too mumsy.

mum2oneloudbaby · 14/02/2011 15:48

i would say nursing bra/vest is essential.

I mixed nursing vests and bras. For inexpensive but v v comfy bras try the miriam stoppard from debenhams about £16 I think.

and if you want to splash out on a really nice one down the line HotMilk are lovely.

neolara · 14/02/2011 15:51

Essential IMO. Hot milk bras are the way to go. Wish I'd known about them earlier.

slowangels1 · 14/02/2011 15:53

I've got 2 nursing bras, one (I think) from 'anita' and the other is hot milk. The hot milk one looks like a nice-ish normal-ish bra of you don't want anything too grannyish. I'd say it's not the brand that's important but the fit. I've been advised to get a couple to start me off and then waiti a few weeks into bfing and see how my boobs go (ie how they change size wise) and perhaps get refitted. FWIW I love rigby and pellar (if you have one near you) and the maternity bra they fitted me for at about 14 weeks they still say is a good fit now at 39 weeks, so was well worth its money for lasting and going somewhere good for a fit.

Btw I've also ordered some mothercare night feeding bras in a clothes size as opposed to bra size that hopefully will be suitble for nights (and maybe days) and will be comfy (although prob not overly supportive). They were £20 for 2 so not bad at all - maybe try something liek this for the first few weeks and see how things go?

I think you can bf with non nursing bras but its a big pain to get on/off/lift up and down and can make things more uncomfy for you.

MummyBerryJuice · 14/02/2011 15:53

Freya also does really nice nursing bras and JL's own brand nursing bras are good (if matronly) basics.

I agree that, particularly in the colder months, nursing vests can be better but I'd think that they are more comfortable if you are a smaller size (I'm a 32DD/E and find them fine but if you are big they may not offers enough support)

Original poster

Oneof4 · 14/02/2011 17:16

Brilliant - thanks so much for the opinions and shops! I've got no problem spending money on the things that will make a difference...but until you have a baby I think it's difficult to really tell which those are! Off to do some online shopping...

OP posts:

mum2oneloudbaby · 17/02/2011 10:10

Also, I would stay away from mothercare bras I found them v v v uncomfortable worse bras I have ever had.

PermaShattered · 17/02/2011 10:52

I think it really depends on what size your BF boobs are!

I'm lucky in that I'm on the small side (pre-preg about 34B, BF 36C. I'm fine with maternity/sleep bras - I get the cross over ones and I just one side of it over one breast from the middle to feed, and then put it back again. Dead comfy, and no fiddling with the clips on 'proper' nursing bras which i hate. They invariably say you can use one had to clip and unclip but I used to need 2 when I used them which was a real pain.

Give me crossover sleep or maternity bras anyday - if you can get away with it. Mothercare do a pack of 2 for £20 and if you do a search online you'll see 2-3 other brands too.

JollySergeantJackrum · 17/02/2011 10:54

NCT sells nursing bras for £14 each. Although I'm still pregnant I've been wearing them and they're pretty comfy.

ckny1 · 17/02/2011 11:09

I also love my Hot Milk and Cake and have been wearing them throughout pregnancy because they look nice, but just recently bought Marks & Spencer (I think 2 for £24) and find them good and basic for what's to come! :)

mullymummy · 17/02/2011 16:51

Really make sure you get the right size... my boobs were agony until I got them properly supported - and the cup size I needed once my milk came in properly was an F when I'm usually a B!!

mullymummy · 17/02/2011 16:53

Oh, and don't forget to buy some nursing pads so you don't leak on your tops. Don't buy boots own brand, they itch like mad!!

Leilababyno1 · 17/02/2011 17:11

Can anyone tell me where I can get a COMFY nursing bra/vest??

I was a 34C before pregnancy- I am now a 36E at 30 weeks and feel sooooo un-comfortable when wearing a bra. I've got a few nursing bras at the mo- Mothercare/Next/H&M...

Sometimes I am so desperately un-comfortable that I would rather go without, but I know that lack of support isn't good (don't want to end up sagging!)

adamomma · 17/02/2011 19:43

If you're London based I can recommend the bras and fitting at Pretty Pregnant. I was 32C before baby and god knows what after (massive!). I was surprised to find that I was more comfortable in the non-underwired bras, but they had a really good fit. I also really liked Boob nursing tops which are shockingly expensive, but worth every penny. I have a few singlets which I wore underneath a more loosely fitted top. Great for keeping you warm in the winter.

I second the comment about nursing pads. I went through loads! My favorite are Lansinoh ones, but mothercare's are also good (and cheap).

Also, you'll need some lanolin cream. Buy it now. Take it to the hospital. Apply generously.

And most importantly, I know that it seems like you will only be breastfeeding for a short time and you don't want to spend a lot on things like nursing bras and tops, but you will be doing it like 12+ hours a day. Value your ability to breastfeed, spend time and money on making yourself and your baby more comfortable. It's hard work- you deserve it.

Laska · 17/02/2011 21:27

I've just bought my first bravado bra from [nursingbra-shop.co.uk] and am thrilled to bits with it. Am going to get some more too. Wish I'd not struggled through 35 weeks with the 'professionally fitted' John Lewis bras which have been uniformly desperately uncomfortable.

cara2244 · 17/02/2011 21:59

Bravado bras are brilliant. So comfy and supportive. Expensive, but I bought loads of cheap crap nursing bras first pg and I'm not doing that again!

NancyDrewHadaClue · 17/02/2011 22:10

I'm expecting DC4 and I have loads of nursing bras (M&S, Emma B, Elle McP, Cake, Emma Jane, Mothercare, Isabella Oliver)

For the first couple of weeks you do need something comfortable and easy access (but a stretch vest does as good a job as almost anything IMO) but once you have got the hang of BF you can just pull the cup on any bra aside.

Certainly after 3mths or so I rarely wore a nursing bra and I am a 36F at the moment.

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