Nursing Bras, Fitting ...

[Mawood]

As I am gathering my postpartum supplies I went to a maternity store yesterday to get some nursing bras. Now in Germany, where I am from, they recommend to buy the nursing bras at the end of your pregnancy (I am due Jan. 24) and to still buy up to two cup sizes bigger. I think I even read that in the English books as well. Anyways the lady at the store wanted to sell me a bra that was just right fitting now including the nursing pads though and I just didn't think that was right. I didn't buy any because it turned out that they didn't have any bigger sizes in the store and I just got the impression she wanted to sell something. I admit I might have an unusual size. I have 34 D now and I guess 34 F is not a very common size.

Any advice, brand recommendation on this? I think I might go to Nordstrom this week because I know that they have qualified staff that measures you but I would have liked to not spend a fortune on bras as I just need them to be functional.

Thank You for your insights on this!!!

[is it puppies?]

sorry I can't help you, but I'm watching this one as I already need to buy a new bra (17weeks, and I'm in my bigger ones from before I lost 30lbs) and I also don't want to overspend, but surely I'll need a few before then, too, luckily they don't have to be nursing bras-- but I'm not sure about waiting till I give birth to make final bra purchases. TWO sizes bigger!? prob worth waiting.

[MegBoz]

www.birthandbaby.com
Excellent selection & tons of great advice!
Personally, I was about a 34A pre-pregnancy, went up to a B cup while PG & actually stayed about that while nursing! I never got any bigger.
If it had been a few hours since DS last BFed, I would be bigger, but that didn't happen often. (He nursed 13X per day!)

[rachel65655]

I usually go up a cup size when my milk comes in. If I were you, I would get a 34DD. I like the selection and quality of the bras from motherhood.com. And the price is really good too.

[Astraia]

I haven't found a comfy bra so I can't help you there, but I wanted to add my 2 cents on sizing.

Pre-pregnancy I was a B cup. I went up to a D with the pregnancy, and bought nursing bras in DD. They were great for the first month dealing with engorgement and oversupply, but once my supply regulated I went back down to a D cup and the DD were big and baggy and uncomfortable and I ended up buying more.

I wouldn't spend a lot on nursing bras (haven't bought any this time around, even though I only have 1 functional bra) until your supply regulates. One for wear, one for wash, and then buy more once you have a better idea of your more regular sizing.

[jeninejessica]

I used to work at a maternity store and the way we were told to size was to recommend coming in 38 weeks or further along, and then buy a bra that fits at that point on the middle hook, with a bit of room in the cups, but certainly not two cup sizes. That way when you're first engorged you're able to let the band out to account for the extra swelling, but once your initial engorgment goes down, you will still have a bra that fits, and then as your rib cage starts to shrink again, you can make the band tighter as well.

From what I've seen, no 34DD isn't common, but I've heard very good things about Bravado nursing bras from women that had similiar sizes to you.

I also wanted to add that like the PP mentioned if you can wait til after the baby comes, that's even better. If you're not doing a lot in the first few weeks consider getting just a nursing tank with a built in bra, or a soft stretchy yoga type bra, that way you don't have to worry about the engorgement.

[Mawood]

Thanks. I am probably doing all the first timer mistakes. I got two bras yesterday and got a nursing top too. I like your link to the website where you just order online, MegBoz. I just feel like I want to have basics at home so I can relax and focus on the baby, breastfeeding, ...

[mamakori]

I really like non-cup sized bras (like Bravado) for the early PP period. It's hard to predict how much bigger you'll get (though most likely your breasts will get bigger). A soft cup bra will allow for more variation and avoid the potential risks of plugged ducts from a bra that ends up being too tight. A few months PP, your ribcage will likely shrink down some and your breast size will be more stable, and that's a great time to buy more fitted nursing bras.

[GoldmanBaby09]

Originally Posted by MegBoz

www.birthandbaby.com
Excellent selection & tons of great advice!
Personally, I was about a 34A pre-pregnancy, went up to a B cup while PG & actually stayed about that while nursing! I never got any bigger.
If it had been a few hours since DS last BFed, I would be bigger, but that didn't happen often. (He nursed 13X per day!)

I second birthandbaby. I have a the Kati Rose sleep bra, and often wear it all day around the house since it is so comfortable Plus $1 shipping can't be beat.

I have always been an awkward size with a small band, 34, and a huge cup (H pre-pg and a K after). I hope to have them reduced to something more proportional when I'm done having kids.

[flapjack]

Within the EU, try www.figleaves.com and www.nctshop.co.uk (Both places stock the Royce Cherish, which is a great bra for your size, but figleaves have it in for £14.) I used to be a bra fitter for the NCT and we generally ordered in bras that were up both a band and cup size on pre-pregnancy for fittings if we didn't have them in stock- that would be my suggestion for you.
I'd hold on until after baby has dropped, if you can. For a nursing bra to be fitting you well at the end of pregnancy, you want it to be fastening on the loosest set of hooks, with the side seams straight and no wrinkling at the sides and no riding up. You should be able to slide your hand, flat, between the cups of the bra and your breast- and pads won't make a difference to this. Your breasts are going to get fullest 3-4" from your nipples, around, where there will be seams and lace and other funny stuff. Oh, and don't be afraid to rearrange the slides on your bra straps as your breasts fill and empty with milk in the course of a day.

HTH!