Thinking ahead to potential problem...

[nemrac917]

Heck, I'm not even pregnant, yet, but am really starting to think about some things.  One major one is in relation to a potential issue I may have with breastfeeding when I return to work.  Due to being very, VERY large chested and needing the support for my back/shoulders/neck, I wear a custom-made compressive sports bra (Enell) for what is now school and will soon be 12-hour shifts of work.

How could/would this affect me where breastfeeding will be concerned?

(Not returning to work around 3mo PP won't be an option as I will likely be the sole income, with hubby in school FT.)

Edited by nemrac917 - 4/12/11 at 5:05pm

[elluin]

Since your bras are custom made, they could probably be made as nursing bras with clasps in the front. I've seen directions online for converting regular bras to be nursing bras. This would allow access for nursing or pumping.

[nemrac917]

My concern is more with wearing a compression bra for 13-14 hours and its potential effects on supply and comfort than the nursability of the bra itself.

[Llyra]

I can't say that it would definitely be the same for you, but I do know that I had problems with plugged ducts when wearing more restrictive bras. I think that my problem was aggravated by my inability to pump very much, though-- I don't respond to the pump very well, and I was often pretty engorged by the end of a shirt. Heck, even the seatbelt in the car used to cause plugged ducts. So maybe I'm not a typical example. But it is worth watching-- whether the restriction will lead to clogs, or not, is probably a very individual thing.

One thing I did think of is that you may need a different size-- in fact, you almost definitely will. And it's difficult to say what that size will be, before your supply settles down, which is typically at around six weeks postpartum. So you'll maybe be looking at buying new bras, at around that time. It might be helpful to look specifically at nursing bras, not just because of the access, but also because those will be have been designed with lactating women in mind, and might be more comfortable and less likely to cause trouble. I'm not sure, again, because my bra needs are different from yours. But it seems reasonable.

[nemrac917]

You just touched on my exact concern - the pressure possibly causing clogged ducts and other issues.

Unfortunately nursing bras even on non-working days are likely not going to be possible for me, simply due to my chest size.  I've been reading and looking for a good 6mo or so and have only found ONE nursing option that goes big enough.  The sad part?  It's big enough for me NOW, but when my breasts get bigger, it'll be too small.  Not too many regular bras out there for a 40L chest, much less in the specialized nursing market.  (That's my current size... so I'd guess anywhere from a M to O if they get any bigger.)