Wisdom please: bras

[OptimisticRealist2024]

I'm 12+2 and, as far as I can tell with my tape measure, my boobs haven't got any bigger. (They didn't turn up at all until two weeks before my wedding at 25, so this doesn't surprise me.)

I'm in dire need of some new bras (old faithfuls are weak, sad and I've repaired them so much they're barely the same things I bought) but don't know where to start re:sizing.

I get that everyone is different boob-wise in pregnancy but I hate bra shopping, so would rather be economical and not buy again and again. (Both for storage reasons and sanity.)

I've been going full Charlie Dimmock lately out of sheer denial, but have accepted this is going to cause problems when I actually manage to leave my house.

What do other people do? How big do boobs get during pregnancy? One cup size, three?! When do they get to pantomime dame size? Do they stop growing and stay the same size during bf?

Should I:

1. keep using old faithfuls for now/freeing the nipple, and put a watching brief on my boobs and buy nursing bras when they eventually get massive so I can use them for ages post-partum

2. accept defeat, buy bras in all the sizes I turn out to be every few months and be quietly furious that this is another fucking thing I have to think about and spend money on

3. buy new bras a cup or two bigger so I can grow into them but be relatively unsupported for next few months 😬

4. forget bras and start looking into 19th century corsets.

Honestly I swear by the Hofish ones on Amazon, they're nursing too and absolutely so comfy but as long as you make sure your straps are the right length very supportive too. I'll try post the link

I really love molke bras, they are great for breastfeeding but I haven't used them through pregnancy yet. Something to be aware of, it's not just your boobs that get bigger, it's also your ribcage and back measurement as the baby grows. You do get bra extenders, personally I'm not a massive fan as the fit can be weird. Also when you give birth it takes time for things to shrink back down (months and months if you're bf). Id probably buy literally 2 that you're comfy in now, maybe bralet style so you've got more flexibility on sizing.

I swear by Bravissimo. I have size H boobs and breastfed my son (now 2). I was quite happy in the M&S soft cup feeding bras until I caught sight of my silhouette wearing them and was horrified 😭 they looked so saggy and I looked all droopy.

Anyway-i bought some pretty lace, underwired feeding bras which were discreet enough to not look like maternity bras and even though I'm no longer feeding my son, they still fit quite nicely however a bit snug round the back where my ribs have expanded.

I asked about getting measured this time for the same bras (currently 33 weeks pregnant) and they suggested getting measured as late as possible eg 35/36 weeks or once milk is in and breast size has settled.