Do I need a nursing bra straight away?

[Charingcrossbun]

Am trying to be economical (having sat down and worked out maternity pay!). I'm 36 weeks and far I've remained in normal bras (not the nice fancy ones but still!). I would like to breast feed. Will I need nursing bras straight away? In the hospital bag? Ror will I cope for a week or so?

Try something like a Bravado stretchy bra in the first instance. You will want some support and something to wear if you leave the house but it isn't size specific so if you over/underestimate there's no waste.

You will need something to combine support and access. But don't go mad as your size may change.

i coped fine for a few weeks. you're better not to wear any under wiring though. i wore sports bras (the crop-top type ones so not proper cups) or vests with "hidden support" which i already had. it's not as if you're going to be moving much in the first few weeks anyway so unless you normally need loads of support then you'll probably be fine.

While I was 'getting the hang of' breastfeeding I would literally have boobs out but I wore breastfeeding bras from the start and would just unclip them when I was feeding. I think it took me a couple of weeks to actually make proper use of them! Use breast pads from the start tho to help with leaking nipples!

I had some from the start (expensive ones too!!) and after a couple of weeks I stopped breastfeeding as it just wasent working. So they were a waste of money really for me. However, If breastfeeding had worked then I would have struggled without them.

You will need something to put breast pads in. I got a stretchy bra from sainsburys then went to mothercare when ds was around 5 days old. I was mortified though as milk was spraying every where when I took my bra off so not great for trying bras on.
Could you buy a few different sizes then return what you don't use?

I would say yes you do need a proper fitted nursing bra if your breasts are on the larger side, I tried without for a week or so and it was horrendous with the leaks and soreness. I was relieved when I finally had some support and the breast pads didn't move around.