Bras - blah

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Here I am 25 weeks, and my ribcage is definitely expanding. I'm usually a 34B (ish) and my 38s are not comfortable any more - I can feel little feet or something near my breastbone.

My Bravado size Large fits, but it's not very shaping! Any suggestions for comfy bras that might work for nursing - any favourites out there?

I'm trying not to complain TOO much that there are baby limbs in my ribcage ALREADY....

[HappiLeigh]

No suggestions, but I'm going to read. I'm also having bra problems. My biggest issue right now seems to be that I'm carrying so high, there is no room for the lower part of the bra (whether that is an underwire of just soft elastic) to to sit comfortably, so anything I put on sort of chafes or is uncomfortable under my boobs.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Yep, exactly. Everything seems to cut in.

What drives me crazy is that I know that since this is ribcage size rather than actual boob size, I'm going to get 3 months use out of them.. and as soon as the baby is born, they'll just hang loosely and be no use whatsoever. Oh well, better than 2 or 1 months' use I guess...

[Nicole730]

If you don't mind being saggy and not fully supported, could you try some of the nursing tanks? I live in these things. They are quite comfortable. I'm a 36C before pregnancy and who knows what I am now...but huge would be a good description. I don't mind not being fully supported though, saggy breasts don't really bother me. I got my nursing tanks at Target.

[lunita1]

For an expanding rib cage, check motherhood maternity for bra extenders. They won't work on a bravado, but on a traditional back-closing bra, they give you a couple of extra inches of room.

[HappiLeigh]

Originally Posted by lunita1

For an expanding rib cage, check motherhood maternity for bra extenders. They won't work on a bravado, but on a traditional back-closing bra, they give you a couple of extra inches of room.

D'oh! Good idea! I bought some of those with first pregnancy, and forgot all about them. Now I'm going to go see if I can find them.

[NicoleS]

Have you gone and gotten measured? A properly fitting bra is always best. Other than that, I usually end up just going to Walmart/Target, finding every style of bra they carry in my size, and spending an hour in the dressing room trying them on to see which ones are the most comfortable.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Measured - yes just before I got pregnant. But my shape is changing weekly, it seems, so those measurements are outdated!

I hadn't thought of the bra extender thing - and it's so obvious. I'm going to take a trip to Motherhood to see if I can pick some up. Thanks for the suggestion

[NicoleS]

See if they can measure you too while you are there. Because the cup size goes up as the band size does (a C cup on a 38 band is bigger than a C cup on a 34 band usually) so instead of a 38B you might be something like a 36C...

[Salihah]

I breastfed 7 years straight (through 3 kiddos) I've tried a lot and loved some, hated some, and just blah on others. This one became my standby and it is so affordable. Granny white and doesn't even register on the sexy scale, but comfortable and I have some that have lasted for a couple years and are still like new. So well made and underwire support without the underwire. You can also unhook them with one hand. I am wearing them already again for the same issue you mentioned, rib cage expansion.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ci_sku=5026122

They do sell them at other places than Walmart, that was just the first google link that came up.

I'm tempted to tie dye them, though.

I keep a couple in a much larger cup size for those first few days after birth when I get really engorged and need the support but can't fit into anything I own, lol.

[kgrfcharlton]

Now I am a 38F when my milk comes in, so I know this is research from a big breasted mama, but I love love love my Medela Seamless Underwire Nursing Bra. It is comfortable & it supports the "girls" beautifully. After my trying different bras since '04, no other bra even comes close.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Thanks for the bra suggestions - I will have a look for those. I cracked out my 38D nursing bra yesterday and my god, it fits. I wonder if this means I'll be a DD when my milk comes in? Eeek.

Ah well, it's quite a nice bra, so I may get a couple more if they still make them.

Sadly, my belly is outpacing my boobs, so I don't have a chance to feel buxom!

[busymama77]

I'm going to purchase some new bras today because a) one of my broke in half in the washing machine last night b) my 34C's are just not doing my girls justice anymore - digging in to my skin and I'm about to fall out of the C's!! So, I'm going to try a 34D and a 36D to see how much of a difference they are going to be. Kind of excited - I feel like this is sort of a treat to myself.

[busymama77]

I'm officially a 36D! I can't believe it. I tried on a 36C and my boobs were still overflowing. I cannot WAIT to take off this 34C that I'm wearing now and let my girls breathe. It's really digging and soooo uncomfortable!

The only bad thing is that I could find ONE bra in my size. I may have to check out the Medela ones or try out JC Penney.

[NicoleS]

I'm a 36D now also and also have a hard time finding that size. At home I have 34D (too tight) and 36DD (too big in the cup) and 36C (some are manageable but tight) and one lonely 36D. So I've been wearing my sleep/nursing bras around the house.