Buying bras for end of pregnancy & post-partum

[CentralLondonPregnant]

Hi all, I’m currently 27 weeks pregnant, and my boobs have shot up from 30D pre-pregnancy, to 32FF. They’ve been stable in size for about 10 weeks now, and I’ve been wearing normal underwired bras during that time, but I’m thinking of buying some non-underwired / flexiwire breastfeeding bras that I can wear now (e.g. in the evenings after work), but which will last me through to breastfeeding after birth. The underwire is getting quite uncomfortable to wear all day, but I don’t enjoy going totally bra-less either, so it would be nice to have some non-wired options. BUT, having had to buy a bunch of new bras already, I’m not keen to buy more that will only fit me for a short time. So my question is, what sort of size should I get?! Will my boobs get bigger again towards the end of pregnancy? Or only after the birth? I understand my boobs will fluctuate quite a bit during the period immediately after the birth so is it impossible to buy something that will fit me now and also fit me later? Any advice or recommendations would be very welcome!

I should add - I’m happy to spend more on good quality bras that feel good but also offer proper support… I’m short and a size 6 (when not pregnant) so having really good side support and a forward, “pointy” shape works best for me, otherwise my boobs can look very disproportionate and matronly on my small frame. Not sure how achievable that is with breastfeeding bras, but that’s my ideal! So far I’ve been looking at Bravado and Hot Milk. Thanks in advance x

I went from a 32DD to 38G (stayed a clothes size 10) so feel your pain. I ditched underwired before I got to the second trimester so impressed you're still going! I'd just get crop tops or really lightweight stretchy ones that will grow with you. If it's any consolation I went back to my pre baby size eventually! I got a good one on Amazon from Medela and M&S does go breastfeeding/late pregnancy bras too.

@ohwerehalfwaythere

I went from a 32DD to 38G (stayed a clothes size 10) so feel your pain. I ditched underwired before I got to the second trimester so impressed you're still going! I'd just get crop tops or really lightweight stretchy ones that will grow with you. If it's any consolation I went back to my pre baby size eventually! I got a good one on Amazon from Medela and M&S does go breastfeeding/late pregnancy bras too.

Thanks for the advice! But surely crop tops etc create a really unflattering shape?! Which is fine for just being at home in the evenings, but what about going out on walks and seeing people when the baby arrives - do you just wear looser clothing? I guess mine is due early October so I’ll probably be wearing jumpers etc…

I didn't realise care about being unflattering! Tbh I can't remember noticing or caring much

Mine were the same - grew massively in the first/second trimester and thankfully at 31 weeks seem to have levelled out!!

I am a 36F now (was 34D) and have had to give up on my underwire bras as they are just painful by the afternoon!

I have all variety of bras now - some fairly unattractive, but good for every day M&S nursing bras:
www.marksandspencer.com/2-pack-maternity-lace-trim-nursing-bras-b-g/p/clp60437590?color=NAVYMIX#intid=prodColourId-60437590
These are quite thick material, which I MASSIVELY appreciated in my early days of breastfeeding with my first. My nipples were very tender and sensitive, so pretty/lacy bras were really uncomfortable. These padded the ladies and made me comfy.

I then have some pull over the head/crop top style bras for sleeping as once you are breastfeeding, you want something to hold your pads in place... but I couldn't be dealing with straps etc in bed. They are also good for the early days when your boobs fluctuate quite massively in size with milk coming in, feeding, pumping etc.

Then I treated myself to some "pretty" nursing bras from Cake Maternity. They are flexi-wire and lovely to wear now whilst still pregnant and I feel I have two boobs again, rather than a monoboob... but I suspect won't be comfy in the early weeks of feeding. (After 8/12 weeks-ish, your boobs stop leaping up and down in size pre/post feed and regulate out a bit. I fed for a year last time, so there will be plenty of time to wear them later.)
uk.cakematernity.com/products/parfait-nursing-bra

Be warned - if you buy any sale bras from Cake Maternity, you can't return them. I ordered the Truffles bra and the fit felt awful. I complained that not being able to return it was unfair and they allowed me to swap it for a different one.

I seem to remember being able to wear the same bras from the end of pregnancy right through til I started DD on solids, so milk feeds slowly started dropping off then it was lockdown so I didn't wear a bra every/many days 😂

I am pregnant again and have repurchased my favourite bras from before- Blooming Marvellous (Mothercare) t shirt bras in a pack of two from Boots, £30. So they could be a good value for money starting point for you? They are soft but structured if you see what I mean- I found some nursing bras way too floppy and thin.

Mumba Bra. In my extensive purchasing and research they are the best by far.

Thank you so much for these recommendations!

@SillyBry - sadly those M&S bras only go up to an F cup in a 32 back Would it be a safe bet to go up to a 34 back or does your back size go back down quite quickly after giving birth? I’ll definitely check out the Cake maternity ones too!

@8dpwoah - thank you! Looked at the Boots website and they have a bunch of mothercare nursing bras, but none are called “blooming marvellous”, do you know which ones they are?

@October2020 - will check out the Mumba bra! What size are you if you don’t mind my asking? Thanks x

H&M and Debenhams do good soft/non wired and nursing bras, most are just sold in Small, Medium, Large etc as they're stretchy so you don't need to choose a specific size. You do have to sacrifice a bit of aesthetics and flattering shape but like a previous poster I didn't care, and yes you'll be wearing looser tops anyway if breastfeeding. I often wore a tight vest top which was quite supportive of stomach and boobs under a looser tee for easy bf access, between that and the soft bras they looked fine, a decent amount of support. But I'm a DD, never changed or became bigger during or after pregnancy.

I went up 2 cup sizes to 32H after my milk came in, so I’d wait if you can. Sports bra without cups can get you home from the hospital and sleep bras for bfing can help around the house. Freya was a great brand for me.

Oh bugger I forget they changed the brand names when Boots took them over, sorry (BM was Mothercare's own brand)
These are my favourite "Mini Spot and White Nursing T-Shirt Bras - 2 Pack" they do maternity support ones too but I wanted them to do two jobs 🙂

Thank you @8dpwoah, will check them out!

Useful to know they may get even bigger after birth @MySocalledLoaf It sounds like it would make sense then to get some stretchier (less flattering) ones for now and for the immediate period after birth (and as sleep bras) then invest in some nicer nursing bras once my size has settled down a bit!

The bravado bras are excellent. Your breast size will fluctuate quite a bit, especially if you end up breastfeeding. This is why they are so good. They cover a number of breast sizes and are incredibly comfortable and soft. They even come with clips to convert them to a normal bra as well. I have had mine for a few years. Used them during pregnancy, breastfeeding and still wear them now when I want something more comfortable. They also give a really good shape under clothes and you will feel supported.

They also saved me money from buying multiple bras in different sizes, which probably would have never fitted correctly for very long anyways.

Finding pregnancy and nursing bras with a larger cup size (and originally smaller back size) was genuinely one of the toughest things for me.

I think I changed and fluctuated constantly. Before birth, I was a 30GG. After birth, I was a 34J (a lactation consulted suggested I could feed a village) and I think tbh they only really settled after about 4 months. I was wearing the same nursing bra size from about 6 months till I stopped at 2 years, then got pregnant again. I think its v subjective. I found all the 'multi-size' ones like bravado did not have enough room or support for me. I got some from hot milk (hate the name) and I think panache. I would also get some bra extenders. Despite losing the weight, my back size didn't seem to go back to normal and stayed at 32, but again I never fully stopped feeding and don't know how much of this was comfort.

For me, it wasn't really about appearance: it was about not looking like I wasn't wearing a bra at all and not being in massive discomfort. This time around, I've vowed to accept that I'll end up spending a shit ton of money on bras, and its worth it to be comfortable.

Thank you @chilliplant634! Another person had recommended Bravado to me as well. Is there any particular style you think gives a good shape under clothes?

@cindarellasbelly - I feel you on the small back size / large cup size. A lot of nursing bras come in small / medium / large, so I’m concerned too that the ratio will be off. Good to know about Hot Milk and Panache once my size settles down after birth (I’m planning to breastfeed so bracing myself for the size fluctuations). What did you use initially after the birth? Thank you! x

I have both the bravado body silk and the yoga bras. Like a pp has mentioned, fit is very subjective and will obviously vary from woman to woman. I would just order one first and see whether you even like it. If not, then at least you haven't wasted lots of money.

Last time my boobs got bigger in the third trimester and then again when my milk came in after birth. So I wouldn't spend loads of money on wired bras for the long term as who knows what size you will be.

If you're uncomfortable now I would focus on buying non-wired bras for now and worry about later, later - because again, who knows what size you will be then and what kind of fit you will want.

Have a look at Emma Jane, Royce, Molke and Cake bras. I'm in my second trimester with no.2 and rewearing all these none-wired ones from last time as well as some underwired ones as I'm only 26 weeks and ok in either for the moment. I imagine I will be ditching the underwired ones in a few weeks though tbh if last time was anything to go by.

I highly recommend BRAVADO feeding bras. Sooo comfy!! Good for wearing now (before baby) and after babe is born.
They come in S, M and L, and have stretch - so you don’t have to guess what size you’ll be when milk comes in. I found that really difficult with my first - I took a selection of sizes into hospital all with tags still in. No need with these Bravado babies!!

The Bravado Body Silk seamless ones are fantastic. In fact I noticed the other day on Insta that they're now selling a non-nursing version, whichim seriously considering...(shouldn't have given away my old nursing ones!)

I also really rated the Anita flexi-wired ones, once nursing was a bit more established. The Hot Milk one I had was Ok - average - and I had another quite comfy one from a fairly priced brand called something like Amalia, maybe? But the Bravado and Anita ones were by far the comfiest!

Thanks so much everyone for contributing! I think my game plan from here is:

• I’ve ordered a couple of Bravado bras to wear in the evenings/ weekends when I’m not wearing underwired bras. My hope is that these will see me through for some of the breastfeeding period as well (although perhaps not straight after birth)
• If I like the Bravado ones, I’ll order more in a larger size for the immediate post-birth period (if not, I’ll check out the other recommendations)
• Once my size has settled down a bit after birth, I’ll look into getting bras that provide a bit more shape and uplift, e.g. Cake, Hot Milk, Panache, Freya, M&S and the Mothercare / Boots ones

Let me know if any of you think this is not the best approach! Looks like I have to reconcile myself to spending a lot of money on bras…