Breastfeeding Products

[TreeRose]

Hello,
I'm a new mom of a 5 week old and happy to say breastfeeding is going well. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding a comfortable bra. We are on a tight budget and I don't want to spend a lot of money, nor do I think we have a lot of stores at our fingertips. I was a 32D when I got pregnant and went up to a 34 while pregnant. I got a 34D at Target (nursing bra) and the cup is just too small. I really need a 34DD and I can't find one. I tried Kohl's on-line... I'm not sure if there are good places to look / affordable and am looking for some suggestions?

Also, if you have suggestions for affordable nursing tops, that would be great too...

And nursing pads for leaks - any loved brands ? Hated brands?

Thanks!

[Quinalla]

Hmm, maybe JC Penney? I have a couple from there that aren't my favorite, but they work and have held up so far. That is a more "unusual" size, so it may be hard to find unfortunately. I have the opposite unusual problem, large band size and small cup size, so I feel your pain!

For cheap nursing tops though, consignment stores or just skip them and do tank tops or camis under another shirt. Pull up the top shirt, pull down the tank/cami, same coverage as nursing wear and really just as fast or faster since you aren't dealing with buttons or other fasteners.

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,
My fave bra is a Bravado one... very comfy an easy to use, but more expensive than the Target ones..... http://www.bravadodesigns.com/
Lillypadz are great for leaks.....http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Padz-Reus.../dp/B000YOUIN6
~maddymama

[kriket]

Originally Posted by Quinalla

For cheap nursing tops though, consignment stores or just skip them and do tank tops or camis under another shirt. Pull up the top shirt, pull down the tank/cami, same coverage as nursing wear and really just as fast or faster since you aren't dealing with buttons or other fasteners.

This is what I do. I'm not a 34DD, and I can see where you would need more support than just a cami could offer! Otherwise, you really can't beat a cami and a tee shirt. You don't look goofy wearing some elaborate nursing get-up. You can wear what you already have and save money too.

If you have a bra that fits, but isn't for nursing, I have seen some tutorials online about how to modify them to make nursing bras. I have never tried one, but they seem logical.

If I had it to do over again, I would spend the money to get at least one really good nursing bra. After nursing for 17m, I regret not just spending the money on one nice thing for myself

[texmati]

belive it or not, I was able to find 10 dollar nursing motherhood bras at baby's r us. I'd keep an eye out over there, and maybe try to use the coupons?

la leche league also has a site. bali/hanes outlets also carry a limited selection.

I'd stay away from Penny's and the like, I have couple of bras from there, but the construction on their nursing bras is horrible.

[texmati]

oh! and I never was able to find nursing tops that I liked and were affordable. I did use those scoop neck or overly wide or low cut tops with a tank underneath.

[TreeRose]

Thank you all for the replies! I'm so hesitant to purchase on-line and find out it doesn't fit, but I think I'm getting desperate enough. I appreciate the cheap Target bras but I just got back from being out of town and just struggled to find shirts that would work with them and not expose me too much, or be able to nurse while still wearing my baby-wrap. I also don't feel entirely comfortable having my breasts slightly smashed all the time. Need more room! I really appreciate all the suggestions! I'm going to try all the sites mentioned and see what I come up with!

[faeriecurls]

I'm around the same size as you (32D pre-pregnancy, around 34D or DD right now) and I bought a few of the Bravado Bras that are S,M, L - the medium fits me and is pretty comfortable. I also sleep in the nursing tanks from target, I fit in a M or L.

[Mom2M]

The only store I found 34 DD was at Motherhood Maternity...I was desperate!
Online the bravado bras were reliable too as long as you follow their sizing measuring accurately. I just needed one fast one day and had to go to
MM.

[neonalee]

I haven't figured out the bra part myself yet, but I love the target nursing tanks for home and for sleeping. It's just so much easier when I'm nursing on demand. I went from 32 A/B to 34 DD. For leaking I use the Lansinoh disposable pads. I tried really hard to find something reusable but I leak a lot and none were sufficient (even the expensive wool ones ).

[JudiAU]

I think I have a new bravado bra still in the package in that size. Let me look...

I particularly like the Elle McPherson one in that size but it is quite expensive.

[Quinalla]

And just to clarify, I do a nursing bra with a tank/cami on top with another shirt that I can pull up on top of that. I have a bunch of hand-me-down nursing tops, but this way works so much better for me.

[TreeRose]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I also use the disposable pads - I haven't tried other ones but love these because they stick inside and I can visibly see when they're "done" - they turn yellow and clumpy and sometimes I don't leak at all but when I do it's significant.

I ordered a Bravado! Just told DH I have to. I'm going to BF most likely for at least a year right? And this is just LO #1 and we'd like another so I deserve at least ONE good bra. I hope it fits well. I was excited to see good sizes! If it fits well I will buy another. Thank you!

I've heard of the Elle McPhearson ones too... but expensive, yes! So glad to see I'm not the only one out there struggling with this!

As for the tanks / camis, that makes sense. I'm struggling or learning through public nursing (or even in front of family). Getting my shirt up over my bra, pulling my bra down, and getting baby latched can potentially result in a lot of unwanted exposure. I am grateful that most people just avert their stares during this process. Once I'm settled, it's fine and I feel more covered but if DD is off and on fussing, it can once again get a little exposing.

A friend just sent me a "hooter hiders" thing. I think I like it! Haven't used it yet but it's cute. Like a little shower curtain. It hangs around the neck and drapes over the chest, all the way to the lap. By the chin / neck, though it has a stiff ridge that pushes out so you can see down onto your baby and your boob. I think it might help a lot for public BF.

[TreeRose]

LOVE the Bravado... a note: the 34 fits but on the tightest setting so I ordered a 32 on Amazon. Hopefully I love it just as much. Thanks for the suggestions! Such a good investment!