Custom Bras/large BB's thread.. advice?

[sonshine_rae]

Does anyone else require custom bras.. in pregnancy/while nursing?

I usually get mine from a local shop but lately I've had trouble with them digging into my rib cage (leaving a tender red mark that last for hrs/even overnight).  But cheaper store types (still have to purchase on-line) don't support enough for me (leaving me with back and shoulder pain!).

My issue is I'm only about a 32 band but get huge boobs for PG/nursing time.  I think the largest custom's I've owned have been 34kk or 32L somewhere in there. 

Just wondering who/where others get their custom bras.. and how good/bad they are?  It's nice that the custom ones I use can be used for nursing (though they aren't designed for it, it is designed to 'drop the cup' in order to better position yourself in it while putting it on, works well for nursing because of that), too.

I think I'm just about at the end of my stash for the largest bras I own.. unless I missed a set, and they are definitely not to big, and honestly not very comfortable (but way better then some cheaper ones I had tried earlier in my pregnancy).

It's hard to find small band/large cup sizes..... sigh  I have a small frame and need a strong bra to help 'hold' the ridiculous weight of these things.

[Ola_]

Is it possible you need to go up a band size because of your ribcage expanding in late pregnancy?

I've never gotten a custom bra (I'll be watching the responses in case I need to go that route!) but I've recently tried out Breakout Bras online and they seem to have a pretty good selection:

http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/cst.html

(check their Facebook page if you decide to get something from them, right now they have a 15% coupon code)

I'm currently wearing a 36K (normally a 34 band pre-pregnancy though) and I'm worried about what will happen when my milk comes in!  For everyday I like their Bravado original in the "custom sizes" - I have the J/K cup but they also have a K/L.  It's not like a structured bra but it's supportive and will be more size flexible while my size regulates after birth I hope.

I've been checking out their other selection to know what options there are if my size increases and so far my short list has the Panache "Sophie" and "Alisha" styles (which both go to an M cup).  I currently have a couple of the HOTmilk bras but they sadly only go up to a K.  Really it seems that after K the selection really disappears.  Anyway, you may have already tried these, sorry I can't answer your question better!

[elus0814]

I'm nursing and I measure as a 36G. I was fitted in a specialty shop that only sells nursing bras, pumps, etc.. They gave me several in that size to try on and both the women there said they fit perfectly and other sizes I tried on didn't fit correctly. I feel my size is actually a 38 or 40 DD. That's what is most comfortable. I have a couple bras in the 'correct' size and they're so uncomfortable. I personally feel that bra measurements give you a band that is too small and cups that are too much towards the center of your body because that is what conventional wisdom says is the most supportive. I would try to go to a shop where they have all kinds of unusual sizes (even call ahead) or order a bunch from a website with a good return policy and try on some in a size you don't think you are, like a 34 or 36 I/J.

[nadia105]

Another vote for www.breakoutbras.com here.  They are great, always have discount codes, free shipping and I think free returns too.  They do have LOTS of ranges in sizes, and like a pp mentioned, have the 'custom' sizes from Bravado that I haven't seen anywhere else.  That will be where I go as soon as the bbs settle down after this babe is born -- irl stores don't stand a chance at ahving something that will fit me.  At almost 34 weeks, I am measuring a 36G, I fear the size the milk will bring this time!  With all my others I was a 34F/G nursing, so to already be there....

[sonshine_rae]

Thanks girls,

I actually have used breakout bras in the past, but last I checked I am out of their size range (because of the small band, with large cup, I am a thin person so the band is pretty accurate), plus you 'have' to buy a nursing bra if you buy from a store.. instead of the customs I get.. and nursing bras are never supportive enough for the weight of these things on my small frame :(.

It may be time to bump to a 34 band for pregnancy, but even with that the issue is more of a cutting in type thing.. the design of my current bras is a very strong lace that can be a bit sharp.  I've had to put on a soft (but to small) bra I have from decentexposures.com today as I literally have a cut where my bra sits on my rib cage this morning.  I hate dealing with bras.. or boobs for that matter lol!

I guess I need to contact my local shop and see if we can put a stretchy/wider band on the next set.. sigh 

But I honestly have no time or money for this right now (moving to a new home in ONE week!) ...... so it just frustrates me that it's even needed at all :(.

I don't know if a photo would help or not, but this was taken about a week ago (26.5 w), just to try to explain the balance issue.. I've put on about 11-12 inches on my waist and around 4 inches on my bust since the start of this pregnancy:  http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o78/sonshine_rae/odds%20and%20ends/IMG_8937.jpg

[Ola_]

Owie!  I hope your ribcage feels better soon!

The Bravado custom bra is more of a sports-style and the part under the breasts is a wide elastic band (about an inch or so I'd guess?) so it may be more comfy anyway, but yeah it's not a super supportive and lifting bra.  I actually have a Bella Materna bra that has a really comfy band, the problem is that they don't come in very large sizes (the one I have is a G from when I got fitted in the first trimester and I think I only saw them up to I or J on their website).  But maybe that's what they could model your bra after, it's basically an elastic band that is then also encased in fabric (about an inch wide again).

[Nicole730]

I bought a Bravado nursing bra in 36G, not sure if they have smaller band sizes though.  I recently lost weight and am now a 34I (usually a 34D when not pregnant/nursing).  It's so frustrating to not be able to go to the store and buy a bra.

[crazyms]

I like the Bravado bras for pregnancy and nursing because of the size range on the original fits through the swelling. I'm usually a very full 34DD but do go to a 36 band in pregnancy for comfort. With ds I had a bravado M++ (I think the range on it was 36-40 band and DD-I cup?) and it was pretty comfortable. I just ordered another one of those for this time and a large Medela comfort nursing bra to try. I have trouble finding the 34 band in large sizes and usually end up getting the 36 and just tightening to the first hook.

[Lousli]

Try these:

http://www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/nursing-bras

http://www.barenecessities.com/

http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/maternitybras.html

Keep in mind that UK has a different sizing system thank the US, so it may say it only goes up to an H or a K, but they size like this:

D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ, K

The US generally sizes like this:

D, DD, DDD(E), F, G, H, I, J, K

So I'm wearing a size 32GG in one of the UK bras, a Hotmilk.   I should say I was wearing it before my milk came in completely, (today, 4 days after giving birth, I'm very engorged.)  This would be a 32I in US sizes and I still could go up 5 more cup sizes if needed.  Try bras by Penache, Hotmilk, Royce, or the Bravado custom sizes bra:

http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/brormabracus.html

[sonshine_rae]

Thanks Lousli, a couple of those might even do the trick.  I'll have to come back to it another day when I have more time (and after I've re-measured myself again).  :)

[sonshine_rae]

Okay here's hoping these fit/I like them.. I just ordered two bras in 32 J from breakoutbras.com .... I really don't have time to go to the custom shop right now so this was the best I can do.  According to my at home measuring I'm still a 32 band, but have jumped in the cup size a bit (I was wearing a H!).

[Lousli]

I hope they work out for you!  I had to do some guesswork with sizing as well.  I went from a 32D to a 32H during pregnancy, and now that my milk has come in, if I'm not engorged I seem to be doing okay in a 32I.  But I only have one bra in that size.  I'm hoping my breasts settle down a little after they get adjusted in the next few weeks, otherwise I'm going to have to buy more bras.  I've probably spent $300 on bras during this pregnancy, having gone through 6 cup sizes. :(

[Lauren82]

I went from a 34 H to a 38 J so far during this pregnancy. Since my breasts are saggy on their own and the bra has to do a lot of work, there really is no way around the digging in the rib cage problem. :(

I have been fitted at 3 different places and tried on bras until I was ready to cry. Let me know if you find something that works!