What is your favorite nursing bra?

[tracymom1]

My nursing bras have now been in constant rotation for almost 4 years and they are misshapen, threadbare and downright uncomfortable because I have grown in size since they were originally purchased.

Any recommendations? I can't spend more than around $30 a bra and would really prefer cotton without any lace or trimmings. Motherhood used to have some inexpensive and comfortable nursing bras but I went to the store the other day and EVERY one of them was the padded/molded cup variety and I HATE that!! I know a lot of people wear those because they eliminate the nipples peeking through, but they just are not comfortable for me.

Plain, simple, cotton and supportive enough for a 40D/DD. Any suggestions, mamas?

[kawa kamuri]

I have never worn a nursing bra that I liked. I eventually settled on wearing non-nursing bras and haven't looked back. This isn't for everyone, of course. 

[BHappy]

I've worn and loved Bravado nursing bras for god knows how long. They tend to run a bit more than $30 for their basic cotton version. But they might have one on sale. I also recently bought one of their nursing tank tops and I love it, too. Well made, super comfy cotton, one-handed clasps. Love.

ETA: Heres their original cotton bra I'm talking about. Just checked and they're $35 full price. Not bad! http://www.bravadodesigns.com/shop/the-original-nursing-bra-plus-style
Edited by BHappy - 7/4/11 at 1:32pm

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by BHappy  I also recently bought one of their nursing tank tops and I love it, too. Well made, super comfy cotton, one-handed clasps. Love.

How supportive are these? I had a Glamourmom tank and disliked it - too droopy 

[kawa kamuri]

Also! I just remembered that Bravado is selling a line at Target now - not cotton but stretchy. May be be worth a look. 

[Janae]

Kawa... I think I read that you usually just stick to a tank and just flop the boob over.  Any particular tank??  I feel like my milk-full boobs are ginormous and too heavy.  But I don't really like nursing bras either.

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by Janae 

Kawa... I think I read that you usually just stick to a tank and just flop the boob over.  Any particular tank??  I feel like my milk-full boobs are ginormous and too heavy.  But I don't really like nursing bras either.

Yes! This isn't exactly the kind I wear since I bought mine a pregnancy or two ago. The tummy area isn't maternity but longer than many tanks, adjustable straps, snug fitting, cotton, shelf bra. I have a stack and that's pretty well what I'll wear for the 1st year. I like the shelf bra on top of the bra because I'm apparently really into support  I'm probably a 36DD at this point which isn't ginormous as some but my breasts are by no means young and perky, I def feel full and heavy so I appreciate the containment. 

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=7275&vid=1&pid=761563 

[tracymom1]

I had a few of the Bravado tanks with my first baby. I was working at the time and they were great to wear under my scrubs so I could just lift my shirt to pump and still be covered. My boobs were a 36DD at the time and I felt pretty supported wearing the tank. I found one today and tried it on, and though it is way too small everywhere else, the bust fits nicely, lol!

I had a Bravado bra that was okay... not great... but maybe I had the wrong size or something. There is a fancy pregnancy/nursing shop over here by my house where they will size you, but there bras are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive! Last time I was in there I almost snort-laughed in the clerk's face when I looked at the price tags. I think there were actually a few around the $100 mark! Yikes!!

I may try Target again. I looked but didn't try on last time I was there.

[Janae]

Originally Posted by kawa kamuri 

Yes! This isn't exactly the kind I wear since I bought mine a pregnancy or two ago. The tummy area isn't maternity but longer than many tanks, adjustable straps, snug fitting, cotton, shelf bra. I have a stack and that's pretty well what I'll wear for the 1st year. I like the shelf bra on top of the bra because I'm apparently really into support  I'm probably a 36DD at this point which isn't ginormous as some but my breasts are by no means young and perky, I def feel full and heavy so I appreciate the containment. 

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=7275&vid=1&pid=761563 

Wonderful. Thanks.  I have yet to find a shelf tank that I feel like it 'contains' me.    I am a 36DD also once my milk regulates.  But I remember that first month I feel like they are out of control.  But I will check the Gap ones out.  Thanks! :)
 

[BHappy]

Originally Posted by kawa kamuri 

How supportive are these? I had a Glamourmom tank and disliked it - too droopy 

i find the original nursing bra and the nursing tank to be perfect support-wise. i'm not sayin i'd go jogging in it, but for everyday wear, it is perfect. i'm a 40dd/e. ;)

[naturals]

I have always worn the nursing bras from Target, both camisoles and bras. I prefer the camis more as I can use it to nurse even outside without worrying about exposing the tummy area, and they are always less than 30$.

[swimming-duck]

Originally Posted by kawa kamuri 

I have never worn a nursing bra that I liked. I eventually settled on wearing non-nursing bras and haven't looked back. This isn't for everyone, of course. 

Well, I don't have to worry about this yet as I'm still not part of the postpartum club yet, but I'm highly considering this approach this time around. I did buy a couple of sleeping nursing bras and I've pretty much been wearing them during the day - they've been comfy for maternity and my daycare days. They don't clip up or anything - they just pull over. But I know that once I have the full weight of milk and am out and about more I'm going to want something more supportive. Problem is that I'm anticipating being an F cup probably - basing on what I currently am and what I was when DS was an infant. It's HARD to find an affordable nursing bra that doesn't just suck royally in this size. And what's with nursing bras saying "Easy one hand operation" and yet I'm fumbling with clips that don't want to unclip and/or clip back in?? I did finally find some that I liked last time, but they were super expensive. So I'm giving serious thought to just buying normal bras (which is still not cheap in that size, but a little cheaper anyways) and not worrying about nursing bras.

Anyways, I am interested to hear all of the recommendations though in case I do decide to go the nursing bra route.

Kawa - I admit I'm a bit self-conscious when it comes to showing in public while nursing. One thing I've wondered is if it would be harder to be discreet with a regular bra vs. a nursing bra. Any thoughts on this?

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by swimming-duck 

Kawa - I admit I'm a bit self-conscious when it comes to showing in public while nursing. One thing I've wondered is if it would be harder to be discreet with a regular bra vs. a nursing bra. Any thoughts on this?

I think it depends on what you like in a nursing bra. I'm especially not a fan of the kind with the nipple cutout so if I'm going to wear a nursing bra it's going to be the kind designed so the whole cup pulls away - like with the Bravados. I assume the bras with the cutout design give more coverage. I don't expose my entire breast when using a regular bra but only take out the useful bits and above - this requires a moderately flexible cup. I don't know that it's the best route for someone who doesn't care for that kind of expose. I don't feel like I'm all out there flapping in the wind nipples and boobies everywhere but I will say an entire family was gawking at me nursing rather than fireworks last night. Anyhow, I had to do a lot of experimenting with different bras and tops and such to come to my comfort level. 

Originally Posted by Janae 

Wonderful. Thanks.  I have yet to find a shelf tank that I feel like it 'contains' me.    I am a 36DD also once my milk regulates.  But I remember that first month I feel like they are out of control.  But I will check the Gap ones out.  Thanks! :)
 

Oh no I didn't mean the tank on its own but that I like the support of wearing a bra AND a tank with a shelf bra. 

[Mommy2Austin]

I bought soft cup (read: no molded cups) non-nursing bras. I just slide the strap off my shoulder and pop out the boob. I also bought shelf bra tanks to cover my tummy. Works well for my 44DDD and flucuating!

[springbride]

I came to ask this same question today.  Last time I mostly wore the target nursing camis, I don't think I bought a real nursing bra until DD was 3 months old.  But I'm already not liking this set up. I tried on my nursing bras from DD and they are all really uncomfortable and I feel like I spend more time trying to get in and out of it than actually nursing.  I don't like the full coverage bras because my ribs are so wide I end up looking like my boobs were put on sideways.  

A coule of days ago I went online and ordered a bunch of bras from target ($50 order gets free shipping) and I figure I'll try them on and just take back the ones I don't like.  

 

[lithigin]

I loved my Glamourmom nursing tank (I think technically they call it a "top", which has different clasps than their "tank") and just ordered another one, although with a 41w belly, it doesn't fit just yet. :)

FWIW, I was at Target last week and thought their regular bras were not very impressive. There was a denim colored cotton one that just seemed like the straps weren't very well built and the cup style was all wrong for me personally. I did buy two of their cotton sleep-style bras, and plan to wear those and the Glamourmoms until my milk comes in, then go shopping. I'll be back to work while pumping in a few months, so I do think it's important for me to spend some bucks to get something supportive and comfortable. I happen to like molded cups, and plan to try on a bunch at Motherhood and Pea in the Pod (only buy there if it's on sale!!). I bought a Majamas sleep bra online last week in their "new" organic silky material, and it was dreadful. I don't even have milky boobs yet and literally the underside of my boob was at exactly the same place with it on or off. Which is frustrating, since I had a Majamas plain cotton one from last time and it still gives reasonable support. Same size, different material, not adequate. I had to beg the seller to take the return!

Personally, I could never have nursed with #1 in regular bras. Not a modesty issue, but again, with molded cups, you'd either be hoisting your boob way up and over or mashing the bra down, which will ruin it quickly, or slipping the strap off of your shoulder, which isn't a look I like in the summer. I'm only a 36D or so, but I like supportive underwire bras and never really liked the all-stretchy cup ones. I leaked through quickly and always felt droopy.

[ellepenguin]

Slightly off topic. Without a doubt, I like my Anita bras the best. I was able to get one on clearance for $40 once. I also like Condessa but it is another pretty, and expensive brand. The Glamourmoms never fit me right. The Yummy tummy maternity tank would always ride up over the pudge.

I have some target ones (gilligan and malley) that I started using once I started coming down in size. But I don't think a mother designed them. The inner lining for nipple cutouts or breast scaffolding always poke out above the cotton breast cover. They are square neckline and stick out of my V-neck or non-crew neck tops. I find that target does not have anything over a D cup. I was a 34DD initially and don't think they would have been comfortable at all at full milk.

For what you are looking for, basic cotton, inexpensive. You should try a CozyBra. It worked fine when I was DD and is still fine now that I'm a C/D though its a little loose in the "cup" area so I don't wear them as much now. I loved how comfortable it is, no chafing, could totally double as a sleep bra, breast definition (no uni-boob), no clips, V-neck for the lowcut tops when I wanted a little oomph, center-ish snaps which I seem to remember preferring though I cannot remember why. I got mine from

http://www.birthandbaby.com/shop/products/76

This shop also carries La Leche League bras which now come in larger cup sizes. Didn't use to when I was needing it. Click on the Sports bra category, there are a lot of affordable, comfortable bras. I mean $14.50 for a LLL nursing bra? How awesome is that? You could get two!

http://www.birthandbaby.com/shop/categories/1022

Edited by ellepenguin - 7/5/11 at 4:31pm

[KeanusMomma]

i'm not in your DDC but I wanted to throw an idea out there--if you have non-nursing bras you like (or can find some for a good deal), you can always do a little diy and convert to nursing. I haven't done this yet, but I know i've seen online tutorials. I don't remember where, but just google diy nursing bra and I bet you'll find plenty.

[mad4mady]

I am in love with the bella materna non wire nursing bra. They are expensive but worth it!

  http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/Ruched-Clip-Bralet-at-PID5799-1152.aspx

[kawa kamuri]

Originally Posted by mad4mady 

I am in love with the bella materna non wire nursing bra. They are expensive but worth it!

  http://www.bellamaterna.com/shop/Ruched-Clip-Bralet-at-PID5799-1152.aspx

Those are really pretty! I noticed that certain colours are 50% off but they don't offers returns on those so picky me would hesitate to buy untried. Anyway, $30!