Nursing bra sizing--pregnant & nursing

[konayossie]

Multiply-experienced mamas,
I am currently 16 w pregnant and still bfing my 2 yr old. I recently snagged a Hotmilk bra for $25, which I ordered in my current size (sort of--actually 1 size up bandsize at rec of pro fitters). Now i'm wondering if that was a bad move.
So I hadn't really noticed any real changes in my boobs this pregnancy until the last couple days when they suddenly seem to be stretching the limits of my bravado bras. For mamas who nursed thru pregnancy, what happened to your bra sizing? Am I going to have to invest in some new sizes? I hate to since the nice comfy bras that actually come in my bizarre size are the pricier ones. Oh, and I work in a professional setting ft, so going with just nursing tanks isn't an option for me at this point.

[lunarlady]

I nursed my toddler through my last pregnancy. My cup size stayed the same until about 30 weeks, when it went up one, then another one when my milk came in after the birth. It stayed larger until about two months post partum, then slowly went back down. I'm still one cup size up from my nursing toddler size, which I suspect I will stay at until this little on starts eating more solids. My band size also went up around 25 weeks, but dropped back down about three months PP, so my band size is back where I started. If the band size is too large, it is pretty easy to have a friend with sewing skills take a little tuck in the back. And, of course, there are always band expanders to go the other way.

[Marissamom]

my first pregnancy I started at a 34 A, went up to a 34 B during pregnancy, 34 D right after. by the time DD was 13 month, when I got pregnant again, I was back down to a 34 B. by the end of my second pregnancy I was up to a 36 D. I'm now tandeming my 22 month old and my 2.5 week old. and I know I'm  at least a 36DD (I haven't gotten new bras yet). 

[konayossie]

Eek--well, sounds like I'm gonna have to move up in size at some point...I guess I'll put it off as long as possible, but go with a nursing bra when I do change, even if ds isn't still nursing. I looked in a dept store today and they had nothing even close to just my current size (34f), so I'd probably have to buy an expensive specialty bra anyway....might as well get one with extra utility.

[ibusymomto5]

I'm close to your size, 34DD when not nursing, 34E-F mid pregnancy, and 34G-H while nursing during the early months. I gradually go back down after a few months to a 34F-G and eventually to a 34DD by the time baby is close to weaning. So, I have a variety of sizes and brands, especially after nursing so many babies. Right now my favorites for going out are the Elomi 3912, the Bravado Bliss, and the Goddess Comfort Zone. Favorites for around the house, super comfy even for sleeping in but still okay support are Bravado Original and Melinda G T-Shirt bra. Both of those have stretch to them and are good for when milk comes in/size fluctuation.

ETA - Oh, and my pregnancies where I nursed my toddler most of the way through I still did the same sizing fluctuation towards the end of pregnancy and once my milk came in with the new baby.

[konayossie]

Originally Posted by ibusymomto5 

I'm close to your size, 34DD when not nursing, 34E-F mid pregnancy, and 34G-H while nursing during the early months. I gradually go back down after a few months to a 34F-G and eventually to a 34DD by the time baby is close to weaning. So, I have a variety of sizes and brands, especially after nursing so many babies. Right now my favorites for going out are the Elomi 3912, the Bravado Bliss, and the Goddess Comfort Zone. Favorites for around the house, super comfy even for sleeping in but still okay support are Bravado Original and Melinda G T-Shirt bra. Both of those have stretch to them and are good for when milk comes in/size fluctuation.

Thanks for The brand recs! I currently have 3 bravado bliss that I live in. I have never heard of the elomi--will def check these out!

[averlee]

This is my bra parade:

Not pregnant, 34C

Early pregnancy, 36C

Mid pregnancy, 38D

Right before delivery, 40D

Right after delivery, 38DD

3 months postpartum, 36D

12 months postpartum, 36C

24 months postpartum, 34C

I think a lot of change in size is normal. Finding bras with "forgiving" sizing, stretchy fabric, and more adjusters in back than usual helped with the constant changes. Lots of women have great luck with bra expanders to get more wear out of each size.