Nursing vs maternity Bra

[EastDulwichWife]

Is there any point buying a maternity bra that's not a nursing bra at 12 weeks? Feels way too soon but feels silly to buy too many...

You might find that what you buy at 12 weeks is too small by the time you have your baby.

I had to buy new bras at about 18 weeks as I couldn’t bear the underwires on my regular ones any more. I was up two cup sizes at that point, and am now having to use an extender on some of the ones I bought, as I’m still going up in size. I’m praying I can make do until after the birth, I’m 30 weeks, and really don’t want to spend any more on bras!

I bought some non-wired bras from Sainsbury’s when they had their 25% off. They were £4 each! I don’t think I’ll be going back to underwires again now

They also do bras by clothes size rather than cup size and I found them more comfortable as my cup size hasn’t really changed at all (I’m currently 26 weeks) but my back size ha expanded a bit.

I’ve also bought a couple of nursing bras for after the baby is here but they are less comfortable so I’m glad I found the Sainsbury’s ones!!

I just bought cheapo bras (underwired as I hate non) as I changed size every 3 weeks or so!

Ideally you want to buy a nursing bra after your bump has dropped at about 39 weeks.

I just used cheap primark soft non wired bras in a medium size when I was about your stage.

I also ended up buying one underworld bra for an occasion at about 30 weeks but had to go two band sizes bigger than usual and it only fitted for about a week and a half.

Keep bra purchases cheap and to a minimum for now!

I never really understood the point of a maternity bra; I had a fitting at 20 weeks as my rib cage had stretched and was told that I found wear normal bras for as long as I wanted as long as they fitted correctly and if the wire bothered me just get a normal non wired ones as my size would likely change shape at the end so not to get a nursing one til 37+ weeks

I've been using Bravado bras which are great for both maternity and nursing. What I really like about them is that they come in small, medium and large, and they stretch as you grow IYSWIM so there's no faffing around with specific cup sizes. Plus, they quality is fab! Check 'em out OP .

I have to say I really struggled buying cheap non wired bras, due to my size, I’m currently a H cup, so not a lot of choice out there sadly, which is why I don’t want to buy any more if I can avoid it! For soft sleep/feeding bras though I can massively recommend the Kindred Bravely feeding bras, you can get them on amazon and they’re soft, flexible and supportive, and I find them comfy enough to sleep in :)

I use sleeping bras when I’m pregnant, or if I’m going out then non-underwire ones. I’ve never been the same size boob from week 12 to due and beyond, it changes so much, so I’d definitely wait before I invest

Can I jump on and ask for bra advice too, I know underlined is bad but what do ladies of a larger cup size do? I was an E cup before pregnancy so non wired bras aren't an option.

Oh I was a 30G before pregnancy (underwired) and I recently got fitted with some non wired bras for at least two cup sizes and back sizes bigger. You can wear non underwired with an E cup!
I personally don't like them as much because they don't sit as well or give as much oompf but I understand why they say to avoid wires unless you're getting measured regularly.
One of the bras I got was the cake sugar candy bra. It's expensive (bit more than my normal bras) but the most comfy thing ever. On its a bit ugly but under clothes I have the same shape as my underwired bras gave. Plus there's growing room in the cup as I'm only about halfway through.
I'll invest in nursing bras once I know what size my boobs end up 🗻🗻😉

Could you recommend any reasonably priced - £20 max - good non wired bras?

I've always found a bra with no wire is about as supportive as no bra, and my boobs end up around my belly button.

Is there any reason why we're not supposed to wear wired bras?

I got G cup non wired bras from
Mother care and marks and Spencer, m&s do a two pack which was ok value. Shape wise they’re ok, but I cant wait to go back to my nice pretty lacy regular stuff. I definitely wouldn’t describe the maternity stuff as sexy!

Not sure on the official guidelines but for me the wires in my bras were just incredibly uncomfortable, I couldn’t stand them.

I'm a f cup and went to Debenhams. They had a few non wired maternity bras and the woman was really helpful. They were £20 each and I love them. They have 4 hooks on the back so extend quite well.

I'm sleeping in a vest from M&S with their "secret suppprt" which is basically a crop top in a vest and it's really comfy and costs about £10 (I went up a size to a 14 in that)

It's tricky having big boobs already before pregnancy- I'm not paying bravissimo prices for a few weeks/months!

This is all so helpful! I'm going to make a trip into town today and pick up something cheap without underwire and hopefully that'll do for a few more months! Thanks eveyone (I didn't factor the bra budget into this pregnancy!)

Underwriting is fine during pregnancy, if fitted correctly. I’ve gone from a 32dd to a 34gg currently at 32 weeks. I was not going without an underwire! The reason to avoid underwire is if ill fitting they can sit funny on your breast tissue.

I styled it out bra wise until I was 17 weeks, when I really had to accept I needed a new one. I went from a 32dd to a 32gg at that fitting . The bra I got is a normal bra, but I paid more because I went to bravissimo and bought in store. Oth, it was quickest bra shopping ever: she measured me, came back with a bra, I tried it on and then bought it. That one was £35. Around 30 weeks I started to need a new bra, today I decided it was unavoidable so spent another £30. I went up a band size and changed the style of cup. She fitted so hopefully it will see me through the remainder...

The lady there advised to come back between 35-37 weeks for nursing bra fit, but later the better. You can apparently get nursing bras with underwire now, too...

I’m resigned to spending money on bras. I believe strongly in a good fit and I find non wired bras really uncomfortable/ineffectual so fitting/paying over the odds it was for me!

With all 3 of mine I used to wear sports bras. Really comfy. X