When to get a nursing bra?

[JenChaffee]

I have never done this before, so it may seem like a silly question, but I have no idea! I have two months left. My dilemma is this:

I don't know how big I will get, so I am hesitant to invest in a bra until I know. On the other hand, I fear that the last thing I am going to want to take time to do shortly after giving birth is shop for bras.

Does anyone have any good suggestions? Are there stretchy things that I could buy now that would accomodate me for a little while as I adjust to my BFing lifestyle? How much and how fast should I expect them to increase in size?

[Beauchamp]

Yes. Get a few nursing tanks. I got one at first, and then added two more once DD was born. I rotated those for 3-4 weeks until we had BFing under control and were over the initial engorgement issues.

I bought the Gilligan & O'Malley ones from Target because they're a good deal. FWIW, I was a 36C pre-baby (thin and tall). My tanks are size XL, my first set of nursing bras were 38DD, and now (after dropping some pregnancy weight) I'm back to a 36DD nursing bra, and two 36D sleep nursing bras (they are stretchier, so I don't need the DD)

[ewe+lamb]

I went and got fitted for a nursing bra about 2 weeks before the birth, you will normally go up one cup size and decrease around the chest - I personally recommend getting fitted by someone who knows what they are talking about with nursing mothers.

[ps4624]

I was fitted at Motherhood about 2 weeks before I gave birth. I plunked down some good $$ for those bras and never wore them - they didn't fit right and were hard to maneuver. Motherhood doesn't allow returns on bras, so they live in my dresser drawer.

My suggestion is to get buy several sizes from Target. Keep the tags on and try them on after you give birth. I ended up wearing the stretchy sport bras from Target for about 6 weeks. After that, I transitioned to the Gillian O Malley padded nursing bra from Target because it is the only bra I can wear that doesn't show my nursing pads (which I also bought from Target - the Gerber washable ones).

I guess I am extremely dedicated to Target

[BoogarBeansMom]

I purchased a couple of Bravado nursing tanks shortly before I gave birth, but had previously purchased 2 bras from Motherhood/Pea in the Pod. One of them was awesome because it was stretchy and has seen me through every size bra, the other one kind of sucked.

My recommendation is to get measured when you're in your 8th month or so, maybe even later. Don't get underwires to start - can be very uncomfortable for you when you're engorged.

Just so you have a frame of reference on potential growth to expect - I was a 34B before I got pregnant, then was up to a 36C by the end of my pregnancy. The nursing bras I bought were all 36C, though I probably could have gone up to a D at times. That is why it's important to get a stretchy bra, also for sleeping. Bravado makes great bras - I bought three of the tanks and the original bra (I forget what it's called) which looks like a sports bra, BUT IS NOT! Bravado bras are a bit pricey, but IMO, worth every penny. I'm still wearing the tanks...it's been almost every day since January.

[mambera]

I'd just buy a couple of Bravados.

They are stretchy, wire-free, amazingly comfortable and supportive, and they come in S-M-L-XL so you don't need to know your exact size. You may be fluctuating cup sizes day by day anyhow, once the milk comes in.

[mommybritt]

Yep - get some transition bras (bravado is a great brand with many to choose from) about 35-36 weeks pregnant. Have someone who knows nursing breasts/bras measure you so you have the right starting point and have them help you find a few transtition bras/tanks (3 is what we recommend) that allow growth. About 4-6 weeks postpartum, you'll likely notice that your size has stabilized and then you can go back in and get fitted for a more structured bra, if you'd like. Your transition bras and tanks can continue to be worn (and many people prefer them) but you do have the option of adding the more structured stuff at 4-6 weeks.

[coldandsleepy]

I was fitted at my birth center's lactation center about three weeks before my due date (and a month before I actually had the little guy). They let me try on a bunch of stuff in the sizes they measured then, and then put the things I wanted aside for me to pick up again after giving birth. In my case, I got a little bit fuller when my milk started coming in but stayed in the same cup size. (Three up from my non-pregnancy size, sigh. I feel like a cartoon character.)

Personally, I absolutely hated the Bravado bras I tried on. Hated the design (hello uni-boob with a weird keyhole in the middle), didn't find them supportive. Yuck. AND I found I never ever wear the nursing tank I got. But I think this is mostly due to the fact that I'm a larger size-- a 40 F or G right now-- and the tank just wasn't supportive enough for me.

The only bras I ended up liking are the Medela nursing bras... especially the underwire (!) one.

So my advice is that if you have a chance to actually try on the bras, do it! You may be really surprised by what you end up liking. I think it's definitely a safe gamble to try them on before you give birth... you should be able to tell whether or not you at least like the design of a particular bra that way.

[Funny Face]

Gosh, I have been ALL OVER THE PLACE in regards to size while breastfeeding. I agree that getting a few tanks to start is good (they are very forgiving in size) and then see how it goes from there.

I had one nightime nursing bra and my boobs were absolutely spilling out of them but it worked for being at home and holding my nursing pads on. With dd I went from a 34C pre-pregnancy to a 36E right after she was born, and then back down to a 36D for most of her nursing time. Similar with ds.


You're in for a lot of fun!

[JenChaffee]

Thanks! Maybe this weekend, I will start taking a look. I am guessing that I will want something structured and supportive at some point, but nursing tanks sound good for the first few weeks during which I expect to be mostly at home.