Breastfeeding bras - what size?!

[MistressKatherine]

I was a size a before I got pregnant. I'm probably now a b, although I can still fit into the majority of my bras (with a bit of cleavage I am rather enjoying!).

I started looking for nursing bras the past two weeks (am 32 weeks now) only to find nothing in the shops I've been in below a c. My mother in law said they'll blow up like balloons after baby is born. But having never had much of anything other than small mounds for the majority of my 29 years I struggle to see it.

So ladies help me out. How many sizes did you go up when breastfeeding and what would you recommend? I'm stuck!

You need to get properly measured two weeks before your due date. It's important to have the correct size and support particularly whilst breastfeeding

I went up 4 sizes but was a dd to start with! Definitely go at 38 weeks to get measured.

If you have cleavage then I very much doubt you are an A or B cup.

thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.co.uk/p/fitting-advice.html?m=1 - measure according to this guide to get an idea of what sizes to start with

I was recommended by the NCT Bra Fitter to go at 38 weeks and get some soft (almost crop top bras) to put in your hospital bag, these are perfect for sleeping in to which you'll need to to hold the breast pads in. I got these: www.marksandspencer.com/2-pack-maternity-spotted-nursing-non-padded-bras-b-g/p/p22372695

She advised ensuring that they are on the loosest clasp, as within few days of birth your back/ribs etc will start shrinking back down. Get them a cup size bigger than you are that day - or at least the cup should be able comfortably fit your hand (as well as your boob!) to allow for your milk coming in and breast pads.

Then after the birth wait about 2 weeks to go and be properly measured (I went to John Lewis who were excellent) - this is time for your milk to come in and your supply to start to establish.

Thanks everyone! Excellent idea PazRaz, I'm going to do that. So much easier to know what to do after speaking to people who have been there :)

Yes, as recommended, go get properly measured only after having the baby - it's very hard to predict what size you will end up. And it's also quite likely the size will change during breastfeeding, ribcage will get smaller and you are likely to lose weight.

As asked before, are you sure about your current size? If fitted properly and not by M&S, there are very few women who are actually an A-cup.

I was in a similar position- I was a AAA cup (really) and went up to a C during pregnancy. Now been breastfeeding for 5 weeks and they've settled down to a C again, but for the first couple of weeks I was engorged and got a blocked duct due to the C bras being too small.

What I would recommend is getting a stretch night bras or two in a bigger size than you would expect to give you something comfy to wear if the ones you buy are too small - I had to do an emergency amazon order as going braless wasn't an option due to leaking!

An AAA (does that even exist?) cup would mean there is no difference at all between the under and over bust measurements which is highly unlikely. I would advise you to measure according to the link too so you get a more appropriate size

I measured at 38w, then again at about 4w post delivery once they'd settled down. Went from a 32A to a 34D :)

as A-cup is 1 inch difference, AA is no difference, therefore AAA would have to be inverted?

I have small boobs (wore a 32A pre-pregnancy)

My cup size varied loads while breast feeding - especially in the early days. I found these bras (in size S) to be absolutely amazing - they fit regardless of whether I was flat chested (post feed) or much bigger (pre feed!)

www.johnlewis.com/bravado-seamless-nursing-bra-jungle-berry/p1499564?sku=233498713&kpid=233498713&s_kenid=7a1acd85-12f3-c5e9-eb09-000005d70f6d&s_kwcid=403x136443&tmad=c&tmcampid=73&kpid=233498713

Hmm. Not sure why the link is showing a purple one! I got it in black!

Thanks everyone :) yes definitely an A cup. Been measured several times. I'll definitely get measured afterwards too. Thank you for all the suggestions! Lots of fab ideas.

I've got those Bravado bras too - I've not had my baby yet so obviously things will change (!) but they're seriously comfy. I got fitted in John Lewis and bought one, then I've ordered some more from here www.nursingbra-shop.co.uk/search.asp?types=Bravado cos they're £3 cheaper and deliver for free

If you get fitted afterwards, don't go to M&S or Mothercare. John Lewis is generally good.

Where have you been measured though as some place e.g. m&s, add extra inches to the back size and give a bra too big in the back and too small in the cup

if you measure as in the link we can direct you to what may be a more appropriate size

Hi Pixie. Been measured at JL M&S, debenhams. All put me at 34A. So definitely an A. JL actually said I was only just over AA. So there's no doubting it. Some of us just have to accept what we've been given! Will get measured again at JL at 38 weeks and again after as suggested.

And when I said "cleavage" I meant in my one balcony bra I have a tiny swell as opposed to not doing. That's a cleavage for me!

H&M do very affordable ones, I was a 32D pre-pregnancy, went up to a 34D/E during pregnancy and got a 36E nursing bra but now my milk has come in they are absolutely popping out so I'd recommend to get a couple of different cup sizes.

If your budget runs to it, the check out the Elle Macpherson nursing bras. Debenhams and HoF seem to stock them or there are loads of options on Figleaves. I'm also usually pretty small (when bf DS went up to the heady heights of a 32d) (and yes, this is measured properly, there are many of us out there!) and they were great - and really pretty. Hot milk also do some lovely small sizes. It is great to take advantage of not needing huge 'over the shoulder boulder holders' when bf as pay back for the usual issues with any tops that require boobs.
I fell out with M and S spectacularly about them not doing nursing bras in under a 34 back ( thought this was a few years ago).

I went up to a C cup when I was pregnant (normally a B cup) but I don't think I got any bigger after the baby was born. I have been wearing these: store.americanapparel.co.uk/cotton-spandex-jersey-cross-back-bra_8319?c=Red I find them easy and comfortable and nicer to look at than a lot of nursing bras. I can also wear them to sleep in if I want because they are cotton and have no clasp or underwire.

I also have some bras that are a bit like this (although less expensive) www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/loungebeauty-intimates-sets/35321603.jsp#/ which I find are great and I like being able to wear "normal" underwear. I have pretty small boobs though. I also find it quicker and easier to pull the cotton aside than to unclip and unfold the nursing bras.

Another vote for Bravado bras here, they have been a revelation. I've bought one for pregnancy and another in a bigger size for straight after the birth. I like the "sweet pea" style as it's mostly cotton so v comfortable in warmer weather, plus I was surprised by the amount of support I got from it without a wire. I also got a Bodysilk seamless for nightwear. Seamless bras are amazing, the ones I had first time around with seams across the cups irritated the heck out of me.

Cheapest place I found Bravado online is Nursing Bra Shop

Size-wise, I went up from a 32/34 B to a 34/36DD first time around, and now I'm already in 34DD bras at 34 weeks! I want to get out and get measured but there's only M&S anywhere close by.

Before, try the fitting link posted above, it's surprisingly accurate.

OP, a friend of mine with more modest boobs really rates breastfeeding tops instead of bras - one less layer to deal with. This type, several shops do them:
www.amazon.co.uk/Emma-Jane-Nursing-821-White/dp/B000EK62JE/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1429602886&sr=8-19&keywords=nursing+top

Thanks Hazle, will take a look. Although I know from experience that under bust measurement = band size doesn't work for me as I need an extra 1-2" for comfort.

OP, I forgot the two main things I was planning to post about (duh!)

Firstly, Bravado and some other brands are designed to cover more than one cup size so you can get 34B/C, for example, to give some growing room.

Secondly you didn't mention your band size. I've found a similar fit between bras where you go up a cup size and down a band size - e.g. 34B fits much the same as a 32C. A boutique bra shop once told me I should be wearing a 30C on this logic although I soon went back into a bigger band for comfort sake!

Love those Emma Jane nursing tops too. I lived in them when DS was tiny. Keep an eye on EBay tho as they are ~ £20 each new!

I was talked into buying huge ones at M&S but in the end had to go back and buy my normal size as the maternity bras allowed for the more fuller breast. Waste of money!