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Original poster

Underwired bras while breastfeeding

26 replies

Mip · 28/04/2008 09:10

Bought a breast feeding bra from a maternity wear shop a few months ago and the sales assistant said that after a while it was fine to go back to normal underwired bras. I would love to do this as I wore the bra the other day to see how it felt (still pregnant, not bfing) and hated it. Missed my proper bras. Can't remember how long she said I would have to wait before that though, does anyone know? Thank you!

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EffiePerine · 28/04/2008 09:12

I did when DS was 10 months and wasn't feeding much during the day. If you feeding a lot or expressing during the day nursing bras are much easier (shame they're so hideous)

SquonkTheBeerGuru · 28/04/2008 09:18

although.... after the baby is born and you are feeding, you may well find that the nursing bra is the most comfortable then.

It was for me.

Original poster
Mip · 28/04/2008 09:25

Thank you both of you! You're probably right Squonk, but baby due in June and want to be able to wear some nice summer dresses etc, can't see how to do that with those enormous breast feeding bras! Also it feels so little support which can't be good when breasts will be so big.
Effie - the woman in the shop was talking more weeks I think, was it 10 months for you because of easy access when feeding so much or that that is the safe time so don't block milk production?

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Jenkeywoo · 28/04/2008 09:30

I have these underwired nursing bras - they aren't glamourous but feel better for me than most non-wired types. humor.beecy.net/animals/halloween-dogs/index.aspx?n=3 but I wouldn't have even attempted to wear an underwire until at least 10 months, more like a year. Before that when you'rw feeding loads they just don't feel comfortable.

finallypregnant · 28/04/2008 09:42

Think you have given us the wrong link!

My plan is to have an non-wired bra for at home etc but to also have a wired bra for the times that I am out and about. That probably won't be for very long initially so when I am home, I can easily change back into the unwired one.

I have big brests normally so they are going to be huge when the baby comes and the one boob look that you get without wired support isn't attractive!

Original poster
Mip · 28/04/2008 09:47

Jenkeywoo- is that what my breasts are going to look like?! . Would be great to find some underwired maternity bras so I look forward to a new link!

Finallypregnant - that's a good idea, underwired for going out, nice clothes etc and virtuous, ugly ones for home. I hated how I looked when wore my maternity bra the other day.

So basically it's ok to wear underwired when b'feeding it's just that's it's probably less comfortable and more hassle, is that alright? Have just been worried about blocking the milk. Can anyone say when I can wear normal bras (not when comfortable, but when safe)? x

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mybabysinthegarden · 28/04/2008 09:55

There are underwired nursing bras wish I'd known about these with dd1 as I found the non-underwire ones so uncomfortable. I don't think there's a danger of them blocking your ducts as long as they are correctly fitted that's what they say at Bravissimo anyway, regarding wearing underwires during pregnancy.

mybabysinthegarden · 28/04/2008 09:59

Oh and I eventually resorted to just wearing normal uw bras and hoiking them down to bf. Not elegant, not glamorous, but better than walking around looking like Tubbs from League of Gentlemen all the time.

Original poster
Mip · 28/04/2008 10:09

Thanks so much for the link Mybabysinthegarden, and thank you for letting me know about that it's ok to wear uw if properly fitted. That's very relieving to know - the Tubbs look is not what I'm looking for this summer! I think I'll get a few uw nursing (have two non-uw bought already) and then do like you, hoik down normal ones. As you say, not so elegant, but then I think I'll be covering up anyway so no one but me can see my lack of grace!

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ja9 · 28/04/2008 10:18

i wore uw bras throughout whole of both pregnancies and whilst bf. bought uw nursing bras from blooming marvellous (i think)...

still feeding dd (14months) bbut haven't worn nursing bras for about 6 months (maybe more in fac) just normal ones and i hoik (?) them up rather than down iyswim!

jaynz · 28/04/2008 10:25

These are gorgeous - expensive but gorgeous

www.hotmilklingerie.co.nz/

minster · 28/04/2008 10:44

I've never used maternity or nursing bras, I hate non underwired bras (I'm gifted in the nork department). I use normal (nice) bras & just hoik like ja9 does.

Original poster
Mip · 28/04/2008 10:56

Thanks minster and ja9 (and for the which way to hoik tip!), good to know I can keep my uws. Was feeling v grumpy about looking saggy all summer. Minster, did you not even use nursing uw bras? Just normal uws while bfeeding?

Jaynz - gorgeous, gorgeous ! Will definitely get some of these!

While you're all here... have heard that breasts grow a cup size more than size when pregnant , but rib size goes back to normal (I've always been 32, now 34 - am 32 wks) having expanded for birth, so should I get 32 for breastfeeding? Also heard that the cup size growth settles back to normal (or pregnancy normal!) after a few weeks of bfeeding. Is this right? Always been a 32 C, now 34 D but these are a bit tight round ribs now. So wondering whether to get 32Ds for afterwards, or 34Ds or 34DDs! No nice bra shops where I am so will have to order over net (and living abroad so not so easy to send back and forth). Sorry if that was all v confusing!

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finallypregnant · 28/04/2008 11:02

I have similar problems with getting measured. Train journey to my local city as I live in the country. I am going to get measured at about 38 weeks and then hope they will do me for a while and when I am up and about try to get out again for a further fitting. It's hard when us big busted girls need to do this given a bra for me everytime is about £35!

sweetkitty · 28/04/2008 11:06

I had proper BFing bras for about the first 5-6 months but then wore an underwired one when out and a non underwire when in the house. I'm 30 weeks pregnant just now and still wearing normal bras just a size bigger, was about a 34B/D now a 36D.

Am going to get some hotmilk ones in a 34D for breastfeeding.

Original poster
Mip · 28/04/2008 11:15

Thanks Sweetkitty for the sizing help. And that you wore uw when out and about. Hotmilk looks like the way to go!

Finallypregnant - I know, it's a very expensive business! I am on my third lot of bras this pregnancy and am going to have to gulp and get a fourth lot (dh says I should just get cheap H&M ones but really want good support and structure... something AA H&M teenagers don't need I'm sure!).

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mybabysinthegarden · 28/04/2008 11:31

Mip, Evans are quite good for supportive, reasonably-priced bras in big sizes. If you can hold off, I wouldn't buy too much until after you have your dc-- I had a fitting at 38 weeks and even though they sized me in a lower back size than I had at the time the bras were still too big in the back once everything settled down. I think it's hard to predict exactly how your shape will change so maybe get some stop-gap bras for the early days and then reassess after a month or so? Lots of these places are quite good at helping you find your size over the phone.

Original poster
Mip · 28/04/2008 11:41

Thanks for advice Mybabysinthegarden - I think I'll buy a few in 32D to keep me going and then see how things settle down as you say. Thanks for Evans tip, live abroad but perhaps my mum can get hold of some and bring them out.

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FrannyandZooey · 28/04/2008 11:46

It's fine to wear underwire if properly fitted so that the wire fits ONLY under your breast and does not press against any part of it...

the problem is that in the early days, breastfeeding breasts change size all the time depending on how full they are, and there is no way you could be sure that the bra was fitting properly

badly fitting underwire can cause blocked ducts and mastitis - it's really not advisable in the early days
you'll know when your supply has settled down and you are no longer filling up unexpectedly - that might be the point to try underwire

sweetkitty · 28/04/2008 12:02

I think what I will do is get one hotmilk bra in a 34D to start off with and some cheap M&S ones then in a month after the baby get measured again and get a few nice ones.

Oh I can't wait for the up and down boobs and also one can be much fuller than the other so one looks like you have had a boob job one doesn't. It's so hard as your boobs go up and down all day long depending on feeds.

slinkiemalinki · 28/04/2008 12:29

I think those hotmilk bras look awful. Fine if you want to spend all day in your bra but put anything other than a baggy top over it and you will have that dreaded prickly hedgehog look of lace and patterns poking through your clothes. Anyone know of anything very supportive and yet sheer?

jaynz · 28/04/2008 20:58

I went up two cup sizes and one around my back while preg, DS is 10m now and I'm nearly 4 months preg again still bf, and nothing's changed at all! Just hoping I don't grow some more!

Jenkeywoo · 28/04/2008 21:48

jeez what's wrong with me? - mistakenly linked to halloween dogs instead of nursing bras!

here's the correct link: underwired bras

JoyS · 28/04/2008 23:15

Ow. Just ow.

In the first few weeks you will need massive granny bras, much bigger than your regular size unless you are very lucky.

Wait for things to settle down before you spend a fortune on pretty bras. Supply tends to regulate around 3-4 months.

FrannyandZooey · 29/04/2008 10:43

do try lots of different styles
I finally put my underwire bra away yesterday (am 7 m pg) and found you can still get nice shaped supportive bras that don't have underwire

and some that make you look absolutely minging

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