How necessary is a nursing bra?

[CoalCraft]

Hi all, I'm 32 weeks with first baby currently, planning to exclusively breastfeed if all goes according to plan.

I'm just wondering about the logistics of breastfeeding and clothing when out and about and looking to hear experiences there. I've read that the best bet is to have two tops, one that you pull up, the other down, but what about the bra? From practicing now it seems easy enough to pop the bra down under the breast, but I'm aware that what's easy now won't necessarily be easy while juggling a baby!

I've seen nursing bras online that essentially have a little window, but they're quite expensive and honestly I've had all my daily bras for do long that I'm not sure I'd get the right size and everything online. I don't want to fork out for something I'll find uncomfy and won't use.

So yeah, after all that waffle the question is simply... if you breastfed or are breastfeeding, were you able to do with a normal bra or was a nursing bra required? Any other tricks for discreet breastfeeding while out and about (I'm not embarrassed to be seen breastfeeding, but don't want to flash too much of my boobs to innocent strangers in the process).

The thing with anything is they can be bought on next day delivery if struggling. The only thing I would consider is size... My normal bras definitely don't fit atm. And also comfort.. Can you sleep in your normal bra? You will need to to have something to hold your breast pad!

Bear in mind, when really full, the milk ducts can extend around into the front of armpit. At least mine seemed to! I can't imagine wanting to wear underwires with that!

3 xdd and I never had one!! Did have soft non underwired bras though like crop tops. I'm 34c ish.

You really don't want underwires and your old bras won't fit a few days after giving birth when your milk properly comes in.

I like the crossover / sleeping bra kind with some stretch in them that you move aside instead of unclipping. Like a sports bra that's less constricting. H&M do a pack of 2 for less than £20.

Essential in my opinion. When I first had my baby, I only had 2 cheap H&M nursing bras that, whilst comfortable during the day, I couldn't sleep in at night. For the first few months, I leaked like mad. Often waking up in the night drenched in milk if I didn't wear a nursing bra and pads to bed. Ended up buying some really cheap nursing sports bra type ones from Amazon for a few quid and they have been an absolute life saver. Not the most attractive things in the world but ohh so comfortable. My baby is nearly 8 months and I have only just been able to stop wearing a bra at night as the leaking has now finally settled down.

I just wear a normal, non underwired bra. I slip the strap down and push the cup down under my boob. I didn't like the nursing bras or tanks.

I found nursing bras much easier and more discreet then a usual bra when feeding with wearing two tops (one to pull up and one down). Nursing bras will also you room for breast pads or plastic "cups" to collect leaking milk. Your normal bras may get ruined if you leak a lot!

For me, absolutely yes. Even though I am normally small boobed, I was really big whilst feeding. Look on. Fb market place. People are often giving away bags of maternity wear, nursing bras and tops. I had a lovely nursing dress that I wore over a nursing bra and it was so easy to use. I needed a bra to hold my beast pads (reusable cloth ones are the softest, most comfortable ones) as I would leak a lot which is not a good look. I gave away a sack of stuff that was in really good condition.

@jumpingjamboree do you mind linking the amazon ones please?

4 babies, all BF, over 10 years and I would say nursing bras are an essential. Just buy the cheapest ones you can find initially until feeding is established and your size has settled down and then go to bravissimo or the like to be measured properly.

Nursing bra with a vest over the top, then a normal top and you can discreetly feed anywhere. However, if you want to invest in some good nursing vests/tops then I'd highly recommend the b-shirt ones. I'm still gutted that I didn't discover them until I was on baby no 4 as I lived in them - so comfortable and easy to feed in.

https://www.thebshirt.clothing/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMINzF2bP87AIVGu3tCh2NNQZREAAYASAAEgLQ-fDBwE

I had loads of the H&M nursing vests (I still wear them now and I stopped breastfeeding 4 months ago) they are super comfy and stretchy. I've been able to wear them all through pregnancy and breastfeeding.

M&S do a simple feeding bra which comes in small medium and large. They aren't pretty but are great for the early weeks. So comfy and stretchy to accommodate changes / enforcements.

After things settled I got some from mothercare (RIP) and hot milk. I breastfed for over a year with each child so used them loads. I only got 3 or 4 though.

I had to get new ones with each baby as my rib cage expanded loads with DS but not at all with DD

I’ve tried this - breastfed 3 for a year each and got fed up with my nursing bras!- it didn’t really work - it wasn’t comfortable and the bra kept popping up and annoying baby. I had a couple of really pretty nursing bras and the window did make me feel a bit more confident. A good compromise are the marks and spencer bralets - you can just push them down. They are pretty and supportive and fit a wide range and not too expensive.

Have you joined the can I breastfeed in it Facebook group? There’s loads of bra chat there.

IME they’re essential for easy feeding. Also, nipple cream/lanolin stains so you don’t want to ruin your normal bras or tops

You need nursing bras if you plan to breastfeed. You are going to leak milk, especially at night, you will have to wear nursing pads, they will not work without a bra.
I would recommend to buy 2-3 multipack from amazon, get soft ones, no laces/wires. They are not expensive at all

Your old bras won’t fit, so you’ll need to buy new ones anyway.

I started off with the shelf tanks from H&M, but I have massive breasts (32H when breastfeeding) and they just weren’t supportive enough and I was in a lot of pain.

So I got an underwired nursing bra after a month or so. I did really need the underwire for support. And my size had settled down by then (it changes a lot at first). I found the unsized bras from places like H&M completely useless and unsupportive, but then I needed a large size for my cup size, and it didn’t even reach my chest let alone provide band support. If you are a more “normal” size they might work better.

Get something flexible to start with (vest top, bralette etc) and get a proper bra once you know what you are doing with BFing and can tell whether it works for you.

You can measure yourself and then use 'boob or bust' calculator to get the right size.

Get a nursing bra (or two). You'll likely leak at some point and need a place to put pads.

Early on in breastfeeding, your boobs won't be flexible enough to get out fully and regular bras can caused blocked ducts which can lead to mastitis.

Later on, once they're like empty sacs, regular bras are fine (mine were like than from about 6 months ebf).

In early days essential. Your boobs are so big and rocks hard at times a normal bra would be uncomfortable.

As time went on I often only used the h&m nursing tops with clips on shoulders and wore lots of soft crop tops.

I'm breastfeeding baby number 2 and I'm rather horrified at the idea of attempting to breastfeed without nursing bras! I see that some PPs have managed with soft/stretchy non-nursing bras or vests, but maybe they have smaller boobs than me. Your breasts will get much bigger when your milk comes in, your size will fluctuate while your supply settles, and the bras you wore both pre pregnancy and during pregnancy are very unlikely to fit you properly. So you'll need to buy new bras anyway and you might as well get nursing bras. Compared the cost of buying formula it's really not a huge expense.

Measure yourself using or Bust [[https://booborbust.com/]] and if you want suggestions of nursing bras to buy, join the Facebook groups Boob or Bust and/or Can I Breastfeed In It? and include your BoB bra size when you post. In the beginning you'll need a non-wired stretchy bra that will accommodate size fluctuations. If (like me) you have a big cup size, I recommend the Sugar Candy and Royce Blossom nursing bras. If your cup size is smaller you'll be able to get away with cheaper ones.

Nursing vests are helpful too, I personally found the H&M ones a bit useless (my huge boobs just fell out) but you might be fine with them depending on your size. I got on better with the Hot Milk nursing camis as there's an F-H cup option.

Oh dear link fail!
Boob or Bust

I started with one from hot milk, I was already quite busty at and E cup but after DS was born I went to an H cup, the weight of these was awful!!!
I didn't have any leakage and actually made do with just two really good quality bra for the 10 months of bf just washed it every 2/3 days. I hated not wearing a wired bra, I did get a really ugly wired bf one which was such a relief.

Because I was so huge I also was given a bf cover thing from a friend which she had used and loved, it goes round your neck and sits over the top of the baby for some modesty.

I had tops from Isabella Oliver which were great and just wore on rotation in the beginning.

You get more skilled and comfortable over time, I'd suggest getting just one and seeing how you go.

Nursing bras are pretty essential. If cost is a problem have you tried can I breastfeed in it Facebook page where women sell lots of second hand breastfeeding friendly clothes and bras or even give away for free.

@MsChatterbox these are the ones I ordered - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082FVM7N6?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare
Just make sure you work out your sizing right.

Brilliant thank you I really need more but was nervous to order online!

I think it was a top essential. Once your milk is in you don't want to be trying to pull boobs anywhere. Just unflapping the bra is much easier.

It depends on the size and shape of your boobs.
Another mum in my antenatal class used bralets, I tried but my bra size is 32F and I have a lot of boob above the nipple so it was a case of getting the whole breast out which was uncomfortable.
I have a mix of cheap nursing bras from asda that came in S/M/L good for the end of pregnancy and first few weeks. Once they settled down I bought two Freya nursing bras for daytime and asda ones are for night.
I mostly nurse in t-shirts and pull them up. I bought maternity /nursing top the other day from M&S which is really soft and comfy and was only £15. I would happily wear it as a regular top too.