How Bad is Underwire Really?

[lifeguard]

So I have only 1.5 nursing bras. I say 1.5 because one of them I really don't like & so I only wear it when the good one is being washed. I would really like to have at least one more but at my size (G cup) the only bras I can find here that are decently supportive are $80!!! But I have 2 perfectly good fitting bras from before I gave birth that I could easily turn into a nursing bra - but they have underwire (good luck finding a G cup that's supportive without underwire).

So, would it really be that bad to wear underwire?

[ZoeyZoo]

I was in a similar boat since I am the same size. What I understand the issue many people have is clogged ducts. If this is not an effect for you then I wouldn't worry. The Bravada or something like that is the only one I could find without an underwire but I didn't find it supportive at all.

[Twinklefae]

I wore underwire and never had a problem. : If you get a plugged duct you may need to re-evaluate, but I would give it a try.

[allisonrose]

I switching to underwire about 8 or 9 months into BFing. An LC I knew recommended Medela and sold them at cost. She ordered me two with no obligation (if I had decided I didn't like them, she could have returned them without a cent out of my pocket). I have been wearing them for 3 or 4 months now with zero problems.

[woodchick]

I've been wearing underwire nursing bras for over three years now without incident. I know that isn't the case for everyone, but that has been my experience. I'm not as large as you (DD) but can't imagine wearing anything other than an underwire for daily use.

[lifeguard]

Thank you so much! I'm definitely going to adapt my old bras & give it a go!

[LemonPie]

The underwire thing is based on the old belief that milk ducts went up into the chest wall and even as far as the armpits. Newer research (Google Peter Hartmann) indicates that they're actually clustered under the areola for the most part.

[tanyam926]

Originally Posted by LemonPie

The underwire thing is based on the old belief that milk ducts went up into the chest wall and even as far as the armpits. Newer research (Google Peter Hartmann) indicates that they're actually clustered under the areola for the most part.

That's interesting, I'm going to check that out, thanks for posting this.

I have worn underwires for years while nursing and have never had a problem. I think an ill fitting bra of any kind would be more of a problem than a well fitting underwire bra. Plus, like pp mentioned some women do have problems w/them. Give it a try and see what happens.

BTW, I wear reg underwire bras, not nursing bras, but I have also worn underwire nursing bras.

[Comtessa]

I only wear underwire. And reg. bras work fine for me - I think if you're large-chested enough to flip one breast up & over the bra cup, you don't really need to bother with the expensive (and, IMO, awfully ugly) nursing bras.

[pinky]

just FYI, a couple of really great non-underwire large cup, very supportive nursing bras. I'm a HH, so I know what I'm talking about!

Sadie nursing bra by Royce

NCT comfort nursing bra

(and yes, you do have to order these from England, but these are so much better than ANYTHING I could find stateside. for both of these, the shipping was very reasonable, as they ship free within the UK--maybe $6-7?)

[Elowyn]

I wear the Medela underwire (40H) and haven't had clogged duct/mastitis issues with it except one wearing when I wore a bra for ~24 h straight. Bad idea, that. Otherwise, no problems, and the girls are well-supported.

[alegna]

Many many women, maybe even most, have no problems with underwires while nursing.

I am not one of those women I can not wear any underwire while lactating- no matter how perfectly fitting- I get plugged ducts.

good luck!

-Angela

[Tofu the Geek]

Bravado now makes underwire nursing bras that they apparently have designed for "breast health" and they appear to come in your bup size (check both out as it seems one goes up to H/I cup and the other to F/G cup. http://www.bravadodesigns.com/

[baglady]

I'm a 44 F and like you didn't want to spend a fortune on wireless bras with decent support. I had no problem with underwire thankfully. The only thing you can do is try. I did wear a cheap non underwire bra to sleep and to bum around the house. It was not very supportive. I would have been pretty uncomfortable leaving the house in it, because it gave me what I call jiggly uniboob. So yeah, underwire all the way here.

[zensven42]

I have worn underwire bras for years nursing with no trouble. I fact, I hate nursing bras at all because they have such soft cups so I wear Lane Bryant strapless bras and just fold the cup down and pop my breast over the top to nurse. They used to make an awesome front hook strapless that was even easier for nursing but discontinued it for some reason darnit. Anyway, the Lane Bryant strapless bras give great support and shaping for large nursies

[sewmom]

I only wear underwires because I need the support and they have never given me a problem. Softcup bras just don't support larger breasts as well as underwires so they are really are best.

Just make sure the bra is not too small or the wires can dig into your breasts and put pressure on milk ducts (softcups can do this too if they are not the right size).

[thixle]

I've been wearing them for almost 5 years with no problems.
I'm not super big chested (C-DD depending on pregnancy, weight loss, cut of bra, etc) but I am quite "floppy" lol. Non-underwire does nothing for lift

Just make sure to get a fitting-- and try them on! I swear there is vanity sizing in bras, too.

[itsajenism]

I didn't have any problems wearing underwire at any stage (from 34F to 32B) while nursing.

The first few months I strictly wore nursing tanktops with the shelf bra just because it was easiest for me. Finally got measured and was at 34F and gradually got back down to 32B.

[kbins]

I wear underwire bras for day, have done so for all 4 babies, never had a plugged duct or other problem. I really wouldn't get the support or shape for day without them.