Nursing Bra Questions... [Archive]

AndreaMMS

07-17-2005, 02:43 PM

Hi, Ladies~~

I'm expecting my little girl at the end of September, and have some questions for you...

1) I'd like to have a few nursing bras in the house before she comes, but how the heck do I know what size to buy in advance? Is there a formula for guessing that?

2) If you have a favorite bra brand/style, what is it and what makes it great? (I'm looking for something that gives a lot of support)

3) I need pads too, right? What's the best kind and how do you use them? Are they disposable?

I am so baffled by all this. :rolleyes:

Thanks,
Andrea

Marisa

07-17-2005, 04:31 PM

Hi Andrea! :)

It's best to only buy a few things before the baby comes, because you want to wait to see what happens after your milk comes in. I was a 34D pre-PG, a 34DD during pregnancy, and then I went up as high as a 36G or H after delivering! (It settled back down after a couple of months, of course!)

The best thing for the weeks postpartum would be something like a Bravado:

http://www.bravadodesigns.com/

Instead of band/cup sizes, they're sized S, M, L and there's a range for each of those sizes. They're a little like a sports bra in style, they're stretchy and comfy, and they won't put too much pressure on your tender breast tissue. I wore one of these, and a cross-front bra from Motherwear (http://www.motherwear.com) for the first month or so.

At that point, my supply had settled just a tad, and I felt more comfortable buying a cotton soft-cup bra from Leading Lady (also sold through Motherwear). I didn't begin wearing underwires again for about 3 months, it's a good idea to avoid them at first b/c they can give you a plugged duct if they don't fit properly. My absolute favorite underwire bra is all-cotton, also by Leading Lady.

You can either buy washable cotton pads or disposable, it's up to you. For outings I really liked the Lansinoh disposable ones, they stick to the inside of the bra and they did a good job of stopping leaks. At home I just used washable ones a lot -- I bought a pack of them (maybe 3 pairs?) for $5 at Walmart, I'm not sure if they still carry them.

They also make ones with wool backs to prevent leaks, you can do a google search to turn up websites to buy that type of cloth pad.

Again, I wouldn't get a ton -- some women never really leak at all. But one pack of cloth pads and one small box of disposables wouldn't hurt. :)

catmom

07-17-2005, 04:55 PM

I really like my yes! nursing bras... they are very similair to the bravados except that they are $20 cheaper and have a better clasp. I bought mine from a seller on ebay (not sure of the name, but if you do a search for yes! bras, she'll come up). I started out with bravados, but the clasp kept popping open on it's own, which is really annoying when you're out in public. I wish I had started out with the yes bras first, since they are less than half the price ($15 instead of $35). They have also redesigned the double-plus style (the one that looks like a sports bra), so that there is some shirring in the front which give less of a uni-boob look. But you might want to ask about that if you order, because my last order contained some of the old style and some of the new, since the old stock is still sitting around.

excitedbride

07-17-2005, 05:03 PM

I second the recommendation of the Bravado! It really was a very comfortable bra to wear, especially while sleeping. The other bra I bought was a Medela. I thought those were pretty comfy too.

I really liked the Lansinoh disposable pads. They were thin and I didn't have any problems with leaking. They weren't obvious under your clothes either. I didn't have any luck with the reusable cloth pads, totally leaked and they seemed small.

Renrel

07-17-2005, 05:22 PM

My favorites are my bravado and my tank ones from target. I also have some medelas that I used to like but now they seem to bumpy under my clothes, they are probably just too small now that I am nursing a toddler and not an infant. The tanks are nice because they hide your tummy when you nurse in public. They keep you tummy warm in the winter when you lift your shift and in the summer you can wear them like a shirt, though I will usuallly also wear a light short sleeve button up over it but leave it open, like a jacket.

excitedbride

07-17-2005, 05:48 PM

I also have some medelas that I used to like but now they seem to bumpy under my clothes, they are probably just too small now that I am nursing a toddler and not an infant.

This is true. I didn't like wearing them anymore after things went back to normal I guess you could say!;)

HGMorgann

07-18-2005, 09:16 AM

I second getting a tank one from target - it comes in sizes like S,M,L, XL. I would just get one a size up from your size now as pregant. If I gave birth in Sept, I would probally just wear the tank bra around all day with nothing over it until my nursing was established well....or actually until it got cooler or people were over!

BridalLace

07-18-2005, 09:55 AM

i love Target brand bras. they have three types: long tank, short sports bra and underwire. they also have some sort of nursing outfit they sell i think...like a nursing blouse or dress or something. anyway, with all the variety they are my favorite. the bras are well made and easy to unsnap and care for etc.

alienhost

07-18-2005, 10:39 AM

I'm also a fan of the Target nursing bras. I have several of the camisole/tank type and I also will just wear them around the house and if I go out I throw on a button down shirt or a t-shirt. I like how my stomach is covered when I'm feeding DD.

I also have the sports bra type, an underwire and a lacey one, all from Target. I like them fine but they do all have different clasps for the front of the bra. Some with smaps, some with clips, hooks etc. I just gets confusing sometimes to get unhooked.

As far as the nursing pads, I like the Lasinoh ones the best right now. I like how they are thin. The Johnsons ones are thicker and smaller around, I used those at first and they were fine, but a little bulkier.

matryoshka

07-18-2005, 01:46 PM

I'm in the same boat as you -- glad for more info here.

I just wanted to post that I had a hard time finding yes! bras on E-bay or online: the e-bay seller's email is affordabra@hotmail.com, a recent item she auctioned is 5409072974 . The website for Yes! is http://yesbreastfeeding.com:8080/yesbreastfeeding (also impossible to find!)

I learned all of this on the message boards of the Baby Bargains website, which I LOVE for all the product-specific info. I just bought the Spanx Bra-lellujah yesterday, as a maternity bra (incredibly comfy) but also b/c posters on those boards have recommended it for nursing.

Dreshny

07-18-2005, 05:52 PM

Hiya Andie!

I love the Glamourmom tanks that I got at the Upper Breast Side (220 W. 71st St.) The people there are pushy and weird, but their products are nice. They can also measure you (I hear a measurement is accurate at 36 weeks pregnant) and let you know what size to buy. I also have a couple of very soft (t-shirt material) Japanese Weekend nursing bras.

Just FYI, I'm able to wear nursing clothes now, at nearly 7 weeks PP, but for several weeks my breasts and nipples were so sore that I could only wear a stretched-out completely non-supportive old bra from the Gap (with Lansinoh pads inside.)

pgbg

07-18-2005, 06:22 PM

I'm also thinking about nursing bras (I'm 33 weeks now) but am confused -- are you not supposed to wear underwire nursing bras? I thought I read somewhere that they can cause ducts to get obstructed (or something like that), but then lots of stores sell the underwire style.

Any input?? Help!

Marisa

07-18-2005, 10:48 PM

I love my underwire nursing bras (wearing one now, in fact!) -- but you're not supposed to wear them *at first*, because your breasts will undergo some changes as your milk comes in, then your supply regulates. You may be very engorged at first, then it goes down to normal... or you may never get really engorged.

The idea is to wait 6-8 weeks and see how your body is at that time, so you can get a better-fitting bra. The underwire can press on your tender breast tissue and cause plugged ducts if it doesn't fit properly.

AndreaMMS

07-19-2005, 07:26 AM

This is great. Thanks so much for all the info! :)

ellybelle

07-19-2005, 03:07 PM

I really like Anita bras
http://www.brashop.com/anita/ http://www.brashop.com/anita/

They're comfortable and very supportive, with an under breast fabric band.

LexyLou

07-19-2005, 03:15 PM

Okay, I went to the Bravado site and it said 24-62 hours after delivery your breasts will grow another full cup size?? I already went from a B to a DD! I'm scared. :eek:

Should I get the medium or super daddy support bra?

BTB

07-19-2005, 03:15 PM

I only had one nursing bra before my milk came in, and good thing too because my size in late pregnancy was significantly smaller than my size once actually breastfeeding.

I have Medela bras, our lactation consultant came to the house and fitted me for them right after my milk came in - besides the one Mimi Maternity bra I owned beforehand, they're the only kind I have. I like them just fine so haven't gone shopping for anything different. They're available in extended sizes, and are plenty supportive and comfortable.

Marisa

07-19-2005, 04:00 PM

Alexis, that's probably true, but it's also true that it will settle back down again. So if I were you I'd get one based on the size you are now (the Bravado style has some room to stretch)... and if it truly doesn't fit you now you can save it for 6 weeks PP when you settle back down again. I wouldn't buy more than one for just this reason.

I have a whole collection of nursing bras now from size 34DD or F (what I currently wear) to 38G and H (my highest point).

BTB

07-19-2005, 07:27 PM

There's an average, but also a range around that average. I was two full cup sizes larger after delivery, and still am, DD will be 14 weeks old tomorrow. I don't know if this is standard on lots of styles of nursing bras, but the Medela bras have three different cup hooks you can use - that helps a lot just from pre-feeding to post-feeding, and I really like that feature.

elly

07-19-2005, 07:41 PM

I used Lansinoh disposable pads which I really liked but eventually started using Lily Padz which worked out great as well! (never really found a nursing bra that i liked. some of my friends though, say they kept using a Victorias Secret regular one)

SaphirimalMei

07-19-2005, 08:27 PM

When I was nursing, I loved my nursing camisoles that I bought at BRU. $17 each, very comfy and quite easy to undo and re-clasp with one hand...VERY IMPORTANT :p

The main reason I sprang for the camisole instead of a regular bra type was that fact that it was soft and comfy, and since I didnt know what size the bbs were going to be when my milk came in (it actually didnt come in, but that's pretty rare). I figured those would give me time to figure that out without letting everything flap in the breeze in the meantime :)

Kim

07-19-2005, 09:36 PM

I love the Medela soft cup nursing bras. Very supportive even though I'm pretty well endowed (36 DD). As for nursing pads, I've pretty much tried them all but Lansinoh are my favorite.

Mickey&B

07-19-2005, 10:57 PM

I just wanted to post that I ordered some Bravado nursing bras today from www.breakoutbras.com and they were on sale for about 31.50 and they had free shipping as well. I ordered Bravado just because that's what my lactation consultant recommended apparently they have some room to stretch which will be helpful PP.

cc8

08-18-2005, 12:15 PM

I'm a pretty petite woman and my BBs didn't grow that much during PG, however, for the past month my regular bras were very uncomfortable. I finally caved in and bought a Bravado which I've been wearing for the last 2 wks. I have a size Small (32-36 B).

My question is how can I reasonably estimate what my size will be once my milk comes in?

Should I just WAIT until *after* I deliver to gauge size and then get another nursing bra at that time?

Marisa

08-18-2005, 12:50 PM

cc8 - yes, that's pretty much exactly what I'd recommend. :) The Bravado will get you through the first couple of weeks afterward, and it'll be nice and stretchy and shapeless if you feel sore after your milk comes in.

After the first 2-3 weeks you'll probably settle in a little bit (often after the 3-week growth spurt) and then you'll have a better idea.

You might change sizes a couple of times, as you lose more weight and your supply really regulates. That's annoying, but pretty normal. :)

kimthebride

08-18-2005, 01:23 PM

Bra to prepare yourself with
- I bought the Medela Seamless Nursing Sleep Bra $29 @ Mimi Maternity
http://www.mimimaternity.com/Images/Products/9507.jpg
It was soft and comfy, had enough stretch in it to accomodate me while I got engorged and until things settled down. Comes in S, M, L, XL so you have a little give-and-take in the size guess. I was about a 40E when I delivered and bought the XL, likely could have been fine in the L. Now, since it is technically a sleep bra I wouldn't suggest running a marathon in it support-wise, but I only wore it the first few weeks when I wasn't super active. It was nice to have at the hospital.

Once things stabalized
- I bought the Seamless Snap Front Nursing Bra $38 @ Mimi Maternity
http://www.mimimaternity.com/Images/Products/9148.jpg
I personally find it easier to manage a bra that snaps open for nursing in the front center, rather that up above the cup. The snaps have never popped open on me, and I am pretty comfy in it going up & down stairs and doing my daily business in it at a size 38DD. Supportive, seamless under clothes and easy to BF in are what sold me.

As for sizing...you go up and down until your milk production starts regulating itself, and as you lose weight. Get measured at the store to save yourself some grief.

I love the Lansinoh nursing pads and lanolin. No leaks with those pads, and they are fairly seamless under clothes. The lanolin saved my nips from when thry were getting abused in the first few weeks.

Janey

11-07-2006, 06:52 PM

Bumping in case anyone has additional info...

I started out a 38C and bought two 40Ds at the end of the first trimester. Now those are uncomfortable by the end of the evening. My guess is that I'm a 42D/DD now. I tried on nursing bras at both Target and JC Penney (a Playtex) and didn't like any of them. :/

Those of you who have Bravados - How stretchy are they in the band? I am considering ordering the "Plus" Bra in a Large (http://www.bravadodesigns.com/content.asp?ID=3), but I'm concerned it's going to be too tight around my monstrous rib cage. If it's pretty stretchy I should be OK. My current 40D that cuts into me by the end of the night is not very stretchy in the band, whereas I can still wear my 38C Body By Victoria bras in a pinch because they're very stretchy. I hate to go to XL because I have a feeling the cups will be way too big.

Kimthebride, do you still recommend the Medela sleep bra? That looks really comfortable.

roadrunner

11-08-2006, 06:50 AM

I have the 'Lifestyle' bra from Bravado. I have to say that I hate it. This is my second size and neither fits me properly. I followed their website sizing instructions and ordered the 34A. It was really small. (I'm normally barely a 34A). I sent it back and got the 34B. I suppose it technically fits, but it's not to my liking. The cups are all saggy and bumpy in the front, but the outside of the cup does not fit around my whole breast.

Anyway, just thought I'd post a review of it, in case anyone is interested. I spent a ton on this bra ($60 + shipping) and I'm so disappointed.

I'm 10 weeks PP now, don't leak at all, and rarely wear a bra anyway. I forgot that I was the same way after DD#1. I only ended up using the nursing bras for the first 2 months. When I do wear bras now, I just wear my regular ones (not underwire) and pull it up to nurse. But, of course, my breasts are seriously tiny, so that's probably why the nursing bras don't really fit me anyway.

kimthebride

11-08-2006, 07:50 AM

Kimthebride, do you still recommend the Medela sleep bra? That looks really comfortable.

Yep!
i was 2 months PP when I posted my recc, and now I am expecting #2 in April. I pulled out these bras from storage to have in my hospital bag (my milk came in with DS while I was recovering, and I am so glad I had them with me!) and plan on wearing them again for the first few weeks. Then of course to sleep in.

I was all for comfort in the beginning, since that milk comes in with a vengence and it takes some time for it to level off before you know what size to buy a "cup size" bra in.

I was happy with those front-snap bras as well, though make absolutely sure you get the right size because during weaning I bought a size down and I was still too big so they'd pop open. A little embarassing!

Just as a heads-up, for those of you who want pretty nursing bras check out Elle Macpherson's line on www.FigLeaves.com. They have recieved very good reviews in the past, and I plan on trying one this time. Here are pics of a couple of them:
http://images.figleaves.com/product/220x308/pcm_emi-e71-196_pearl.jpg
http://images.figleaves.com/product/220x308/r443-p27292-front.jpg

ihearttx

11-08-2006, 08:46 AM

Wrighty26

11-08-2006, 08:54 AM

Those of you who have Bravados - How stretchy are they in the band? I am considering ordering the "Plus" Bra in a Large, but I'm concerned it's going to be too tight around my monstrous rib cage. If it's pretty stretchy I should be OK. My current 40D that cuts into me by the end of the night is not very stretchy in the band, whereas I can still wear my 38C Body By Victoria bras in a pinch because they're very stretchy. I hate to go to XL because I have a feeling the cups will be way too big.

I find that they are pretty stretchy. I wish I had thought to buy these while I was pregnant! I have "shrunk" from a 38DD to a 34DD in the past 4 months and I comfortably wear a Medium Plus. I also have a Small Plus and it is a little too snug, but I wear it on days I need the girls to be extra perky :D

I just wanted to say that I wore these bras and loved them! I am bigger, though..a 36D, so perhaps that makes a difference? I bought them in every color and wore them every day.

I guess it just depends on the body type, like you said. But I didn't want people to think the bras sucked.

I agree! I tried the Medela bras and hated them, so everyone is different.

As for buying bras online - I highly recommend breakoutbras.com (http://www.breakoutbras.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y). They have free shipping, they send you a 10% coupon for all repeat business, and they are having a sale right now :)

booksie

11-08-2006, 01:19 PM

dana b

11-08-2006, 02:47 PM

booksie i use the glamourmom tanks, i'm not sure if they're good at lifting and separating as i don't have much to lift and separate -- the target tanks were not flattering at all though. for covering my tummy -- i wear my old bella bands with a regular nursing bra and that works great.

ihearttx

11-08-2006, 04:33 PM

Anyone know of a nursing tank that doesn't cause uni-boob??? I'd like something like a regular soft-cup, supportive bra with a bottom part to cover my tummy when I lift my shirt to nurse. I like the nursing tanks from Target, but I'm searching for something that's more supportive and "lifts & separates". *grin*

The new Bravado tank is awesome! It has rouching in the middle so it doesn't give you the uniboob. I wish they made a non nursing version!

Wrighty26

11-15-2006, 07:02 PM

I love love LOVE my Bravado nursing bras-- but I think I need to buy a bra or two that's a bit more "sexy." Any recommendations? I'm a 34DD - so I'm looking for something to tame the girls (they are way bigger than I'm used to still!), but still be able to nurse in. Oh- and I'm not sure I'm ready for an underwire nursing bra -- so something that offers good support without that underwire.

TIA!

mkvh

11-16-2006, 09:38 AM

If you want something sexier, try Luminere (I think that's how it's spelled.) I have a VS-like lace on on right now! As for underwire, give it a try. I've been wearing underwire out of the house since DD was born.

Oh--and Luminere's sizing is weird. I took a 38DDD in some while in others I was a 34G.

mel7dog

11-20-2006, 04:48 PM

SQ2

10-31-2007, 08:42 AM

bump

catmom

10-31-2007, 07:02 PM

Okay, ladies, I need some serious advice. I would like to go ahead and buy some nursing bras now because the bands on my current bras are getting tight. I am currently wearing a 30G (yeah, you read that right- things never went back down after I weaned DD). I am hoping to heaven that they don't get much bigger, or I will have to finance DD's preschool by joining the local carnival (or renting myself out as a flotation device).

Anyway, I had mastitis over and over and over with DD- I think 4 or 5 times, so I am super-paranoid about that. I am thinking about trying the bravado supreme- any other suggestions? I need something that comes in very large cup sizes and is very, very supportive without being constricting. Thanks!

Rosebud

01-16-2008, 03:12 PM

Bumping this up. I'm thinking about purchasing some nursing bras/tanks soon and would love to hear which brands you particularly like & recommend. Also, where did you purchase them and how was the customer service (did they measure you, know a lot about the brands, etc.)?

I may wait until after the baby actually arrives to do this, as recommeded earlier in the thread. Just trying to get some feedback beforehand. TIA!

LRL

01-16-2008, 03:18 PM

Rosebud- You can try getting some tank bras from Target until you know what your nursing bra size is going to be (the quality of the bras now is much nicer now than they were a few years ago). I would hesitate to buy any really good bras until after you deliver.

I am going to buy some Bravado body silk bras which I have heard are absolutely the best design-wise and comfort-wise after DS is born- even though I know my size from last time. I am thinking my size may change with this baby.

Natrat80

01-16-2008, 10:10 PM

I bought one nursing bra from Target and 2 nursing tanks prior to giving birth. Those got me through the first week. Once my milk came in I went to a boutique and got 2 nicer nursing bras. One is bravado brand and one is anita maternity brand. I'd recommend buying a few cheap ones to use the firs week or so and then buying nicer ones once your milk is in and you know what size to buy.

twainny

01-17-2008, 01:52 AM

Rosebud - If you plan on nursing, you will need it the first day in the hospital! If nothing else, you need to protect your nipples from the scratchy sheets! with my 1st I bought the tank tops from Target, that is pretty much the only thing I wore all summer! They were great. I also found that I liked the nursing bras from Kohl's the best. Good Luck!

jimmysgirl424

01-17-2008, 06:35 AM

Rosebud, I've never personally tried them but have heard great things about the glamourmom nursing tanks. You can buy them here: http://www.glamourmom.com/ or I found them on eBay as well:http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=Glamourmom+&category0=

Jenzen01

01-17-2008, 07:18 AM

I bought a couple of sleeping nursing bras from Mimi that I LOVED. I do not like hooks or anything like that for the first few months because you have to nurse so often. With these, you just slide them over your breast and nurse. I'll see if I can find a picture.

Even though these were supposed to be for sleeping, I wore them all the time while on maternity leave. The nursing is just so frequent at that time that you have be functional.

jenjunum

01-18-2008, 05:30 PM

Are you all referring to this one from Target:
http://www.target.com/Gilligan-OMalley-Long-Nursing-Tank/dp/B0010WEU8K/qid=1200702535/ref=br_1_1/602-5498546-1901456?ie=UTF8&node=13768381&frombrowse=1&rh=tgt%5F1%3ANursing%20%2B%20Maternity%20Bras&page=1

It's the only one listed on their website.

Thanks.

Rosebud

01-18-2008, 05:38 PM

Thank you all very much! I will make a Target run before the baby is born and wait to buy fancier bras until after he arrives. Thanks for all the recommendations on brands, as well!

yby1

01-18-2008, 05:45 PM

My favorite nursing bras were the Elle Macpherson Maternelle and Le Mere bras (especially the Maternelle - it seriously rocks!). They provided the best support and were the most comfortable. They held up really well even after tons of washing. I can't recommend them enough.

glamourmom tanks are also great, they make nursing easier. You can layer them under a t-shirt or a hoody and the are very comfortable. :)