ahhhhBoobs!

[lightinmyhands]

I almost didn't want to get pregnant again because of the issues I have finding any sort of supportive nursing bras for my large chest (34DD currently, but with my last pregnancy I got as high as a 34H)... and now we are living 10 minutes away from a coastline and my search for a supportive swimsuit is making me long for the midwest.  I also should mention that my breasts leave much to be desired in their ability to stand alone, a bra with less than adequate support leaves them looking just awful and a swimsuit will do the same.  I was wondering if anyone knew of really good bras and/or really good supportive underwire maternity swimwear?  or any creative solutions for swimming.  I'm not much for the beach, but my kids love it and so I know that I must go as the summer months heat up.  I was thinking maybe some maternity swim shorts and a tank top with a sports bra? Thinking there must be something more flattering.  I was considering plus size swimwear but the smallest bust is just too big around for my smaller frame.  I don't want to be stuck on dry land when it begins to feel like the surface of the sun outside.  Any thoughts? Suggestions?  (oh yeah, and I'd also like to nurse a baby without the hassle of an expensive low quality not terribly supportive bra to struggle with)

Love & Light!

[Luvmykiddos03]

You need to find a professional bra maker in your area.  Get fitted properly and have one custom made!  Expensive, but worth it! 

As for swimwear, is this what you're looking for:

http://www.hydrochic.com/swbrbrtato.html

[lightinmyhands]

the swim bras only come in 36-388 DD and that will be that too big around problem that I have that leaves my boobs looking awful.  There's a really awesome looking sports bra with underwire on Amazon, it's sixty bucks and it's not made for swimming, but it's looking like a good option under a swim shirt (if i can find a maternity swim shirt).  As for the custom made bra, any idea how expensive?

[Luvmykiddos03]

Is that a style you are looking for, though?  If so, there are some stay at home Moms who will custom make swim sports bras for you.

However, I just remembered a sports bra that I have, which might be good for swimming, if you wear a maternity swim top that covers it.  It's very comfortable.  I haven't thought to swim in it, but I exercise and mow the lawn in it.  It's very comfortable!

http://www.enell.com/

Love this sports bra!!  Your girls are comfortable and they don't move! 

Would that work for you?

As for getting fitted, this varies, but it can be as "cheap" as $50 on upwards of $100.  Depends on what you're looking for.    But at whatever costs, I STRONGLY recommend it for well endowed women, especially!

HTH!

[lightinmyhands]

that bra looks amazing! certainly not very pretty, but amazing none the less!  I will definitely have to go to our local retailer and try one on.  You wouldn't happen to be harboring any supportive nursing bra secret treasures as well, would you? :)  Thanks so much for the bra info!

[tracymom1]

I have an Enell bra and while it is absolutely WONDERFUL for running and exercising when not pregnant, I cannot wear it once I get to about 20 weeks or so. The band on the bottom comes down just far enough that it rubs on my belly in a bad way. I have a very short torso so there is not a whole lot of room between my breasts and my belly - even in early pregnancy.

Oddly, the most comfortable bra I have found is this cheapie Champion at Target. Super, super soft, supportive and comfortable! [URL=http://www.target.com/C9-Champion-Seamless-Racerback-Bra/dp/B0031JDABS/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton[/URL]

[lightinmyhands]

i too have a short torso, and am just now at 20 weeks pregnant and so maybe the enell is not the bra for me at the moment, not to mention i am still nursing a toddler who nurses as often as some people's infants and so a bra that's locked up like fort knox might be annoying anyhow.  Though as soon as I'm not nursing I'm going to run out and get one!  My question about the champion, while it looks decent, with my large breasts that are certainly no longer firm, I tend to need sports bras that look like they have individual cups in them and not the kind that look like they plaster your boobs down..... this champion looks like the latter in the pic, am I wrong?

[lightinmyhands]

oh, and I forgot to mention that I've got dreadlocks down to the middle of my back and so pulling a tight sports bra over my head is often quite difficult.  .........  my boobs are my biggest annoyance :(... well, sometimes my hair too ;P

[tracymom1]

I have long hair but it hasn't been locked for years so it's hard for me to remember, but... I think the champion is stretchy enough to get over a mound of dreadlocks fairly easily. I am a 40DD and it does tend to flatten them out a little, but for what it is, it is so comfortable. I actually do think they make one with individual cups, too.

The other bra that I find most comfortable is the one from Motherhood maternity - it's a nursing sports bra and while I wouldn't use it for sports (not enough support for the impact) it is comfy for everyday use. I think it is around $15-$20.

I tend to shy away from the really expensive bras like the bravados and such - I have never found one that really lives up to it's price tag. I went and got fitted at a store that sells only nursing bras and walked out with a $50 reminder of the experience, but not a nice bra that I could wear all the time. The Enell is great for running - but in a category all its own.

[Luvmykiddos03]

I have a long torso and long legs, so I guess that's why the Enell works so well for me well into pregnancy.  However, towards the end, I do find the same issue you do, Tracymom1, but I solve that with just unhooking the bottom clips and it works fine for me.

I did not have an expensive experience by getting fitted.  Did you go to some place that specifically tailors and makes bras for women ONLY or did you get it from some place like a large department store?  Large department stores staff are hardly trained to do the job correctly.  If you did go to a store that specifically makes custom bras only, then I'm sorry you had such an expensive experience.    It could also be the style of bra you purchased was not really what you liked, perhaps?  I know several women who don't wear bras any other way than custom made and love them.  So I guess it depends on the woman.

As for nursing bras, Lightinmyhands, I could never be a 34, as my build only goes to 36 before I look anorexic.  So I don't know if I can be of any help to you, but I know Lane Bryant carries 36 sizes in a very large bust.  I have some bras that are several years old, but I take very good care of them, so they are as good as new.  They have a stretchable band around your rib cage and cotton stretchable cups that easily allow for me to give access for nursing!  They are the best nursing bras I've ever owned and I have tried way too many to count.  They aren't nursing bras as advertised, but they work far better, in my experience!  To boot, it's a lot easier to transition from finishing the nursing session and quickly getting everything back in place!    No clips or anything to wrestle with.

http://www.lanebryant.com/cotton-no-wire-bra/p31347/index.pro

Even if this wouldn't work for you, perhaps you can start looking for bras that are similar?  I really love these bras, nursing or not!  Besides being fitted specifically for my body type, these are very much the next best thing for me!  I love them!

HTH! 

**Edited to say, you did say which kind of store you went to, Tracymom1!    Sorry about that.

[lightinmyhands]

Tracy, I'm with you on the bra store experience.  I've gotten fitted and been very annoyed by pushy bra saleswoman several times in custom bra shops and bought countless bras ranging from $40-$80 in price and none have them have fit exceptionally well and all of them have started falling apart (wires poking out) within just a few weeks (the bra I'm currently wearing I've sewn 5 times since I bought it)... and I take very good care of my bras, hand was, line dry.  I've got a $20 bra (not nursing) that I bought at Penny's years ago that I've never not once had to sew and fits me better than any of the nursing bras I've been "fitted" for.  I've recently switched to using mostly that one, and I'm thinking of just going back to Penny's and not buying nursing bras anymore.  I just pull my breasts out over the top of my bra and shirt, and Luv, you're right, no clasps has been making it easier.  

[tracymom1]

Originally Posted by Luvmykiddos03 

I have a long torso and long legs, so I guess that's why the Enell works so well for me well into pregnancy.  However, towards the end, I do find the same issue you do, Tracymom1, but I solve that with just unhooking the bottom clips and it works fine for me.

I did not have an expensive experience by getting fitted.  Did you go to some place that specifically tailors and makes bras for women ONLY or did you get it from some place like a large department store?  Large department stores staff are hardly trained to do the job correctly.  If you did go to a store that specifically makes custom bras only, then I'm sorry you had such an expensive experience.    It could also be the style of bra you purchased was not really what you liked, perhaps?  I know several women who don't wear bras any other way than custom made and love them.  So I guess it depends on the woman.

As for nursing bras, Lightinmyhands, I could never be a 34, as my build only goes to 36 before I look anorexic.  So I don't know if I can be of any help to you, but I know Lane Bryant carries 36 sizes in a very large bust.  I have some bras that are several years old, but I take very good care of them, so they are as good as new.  They have a stretchable band around your rib cage and cotton stretchable cups that easily allow for me to give access for nursing!  They are the best nursing bras I've ever owned and I have tried way too many to count.  They aren't nursing bras as advertised, but they work far better, in my experience!  To boot, it's a lot easier to transition from finishing the nursing session and quickly getting everything back in place!    No clips or anything to wrestle with.

http://www.lanebryant.com/cotton-no-wire-bra/p31347/index.pro

Even if this wouldn't work for you, perhaps you can start looking for bras that are similar?  I really love these bras, nursing or not!  Besides being fitted specifically for my body type, these are very much the next best thing for me!  I love them!

HTH! 

**Edited to say, you did say which kind of store you went to, Tracymom1!    Sorry about that.

My experience was with a very pushy saleswoman. I went to a store that only carries nursing bras and natural-minded baby and mama products. They actually have a sign in the fitting room that says something like "If you get fitted for a bra, please buy one" I was pretty shocked. But I did get fitted and I bought a $50 dollar bra that seemed comfortable enough in the fitting room but just did not live up to extended comfort in daily life. I have always had such trouble finding bras. If I wasn't so top heavy (before babies I was a 34D and have just gotten bigger and bigger as the years have gone on) I would just go braless! But lactation makes that kind of uncomfortable, too!

[lightinmyhands]

Tracymom--- me too, me too.  In fact I even went to a store that charged $10 for fitting that they took off the price of your bra when and if you bought one, spent nearly a hundred dollars on two bras that never were again as comfortable as they were in the fitting room.  If I were not so top heavy, i'd go braless as well! :)