Bra question!

[NWmt_mama]

OK, I had to buy two new bras asap since I needed them the day I learned I was pg! When I was in the maternity section the other day I noticed nursing/pregnancy bras. Is it too early to buy them? I am about 12 wks, so I assume that I am going to get bigger so I didn't get them.

Any advise from you wise women would be appreciated! Thanks!

[happydoulamama]

I think you should buy them when you need them! I've always been between an A-B cup and today I noticed that I've outgrown my B! This didn't happen at all with dd. So I will have to buy something a little more roomy assuming they will keep getting bigger from here on out. Not to mention during nursing!

At least some part of me feels voluptuous! My tummy is so swollen looking and bloated feeling. I feel so icky lately- don't fit into anything!

Good luck,

[roomformore]

You could try bra extenders! They are much cheaper then buying a new bra every month. They hook onto the back of your bra and give you an extra inch or two. They are available at many stores. I've seen them at fabric shops even.

[treehugginmama]

I wouldn't by nursing bras yet. Actually I wouldn't buy any until 6 weeks postpartum when you milk is more stabalized. Bravados would be good now though because they do grow with you a bit.

[Mrs_Hos]

You can make your own bra extenders if you have a sewing machine and an old bra that you don't like/need anymore...
I agree with the other posters that I would NOT buy nursing bras yet...some people go from A to D...you just never know! Also...as 'weird' as this may sound to some...I got most of my nursing bras at a yard sale...it was a golden find for me! Happened to be the right size and I bought them for 50cents a piece! The mom 'tried' to nurse, but couldn't for whatever reason...so they were almost brand new! After my milk was established I would fluxuate a bit in size so some days the bras fit great and other times they were a bit small--but that is true with most bras even when NOT nursing! Anyways...you want a good fit because if they are too small and you are nursing, you may have a problem with plugged ducts. Especially if you have underwire pressing too hard on your milk ducts...
SO...maybe get some bravados or 'sport bras' that aren't too tight for now and for right after birth--then get the right bra for your new size after bfing is established!

Hope this helps!

[Sharlla]

I'd say I started wearing my nursing bras when I was about 20 weeks PG. I know some women get really large in their chest when their milk comes in, for me that really wasn't that big of a deal. I am still wearing the same bras. I just bought the $12 nursing bras at WM.

[miranda]

I'm holding off on buying any bras, although the ones I have barely fit. With both of my dds' pregnancies I went from a full B pre-pregnancy to upwards of DD once nursing was well established.

[Twilight]

I bought bravados last time
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/

They give you some room to grow and may not be a bad investment now! I'm probably going to order a few soon. My underwires are just getting really uncomfortable. Get a few that will fit now and a few that are a size up for when your milk comes in.

[NWmt_mama]

Thank you for all of your responses! I am going to look into bravados.I appreciate the link Twilight.

[Fuamami]

I was much, much larger with my first pregnancy. I normally am on the small end of a B, and by the time I had my dd I was in a D-cup. Then when my milk came in, I got even larger. This time my breasts haven't changed at all, but I'm still nursing.

So I guess I'd wait, especially if you have kind of stretchy skin.

[Twilight]

I am remembering now that normally, I'm a 34C (although after my last pregnancy I kind of went down to a 34B, sigh). The Bravado S+ was great for getting me through pregnancy and then for well after my milk was established and engorgement wasn't a big problem. The S++ was wonderful for early nursing when I was engorged a lot of the time. But, the S++ is also fine for those "smaller" days too, it is just a little heavy if you don't really need the extra support.

You could grow more or less than a cup size or two - I think what happened to me is pretty typical, I went up one cup size in pregnancy and another cup size in early nursing. But if you think you could grow even more than that, stock up on the ++ bras

[happydoulamama]

My bbs didn't change at all during my first pg- not even through nursing. I think I actually lost a little bit after weaning, too. I was between A-B the whole time. This pg is so different- I woke up today and definitely will need to go out and buy a C cup. I'm wondering how big they will get! I didn't estimate all these new bras into our pg budget since I never thought my breasts would EVER get any bigger than a B!

[Basylica]

my boobs jumped up 7 sizes during my pregnancy, which is high I gather from asking around. Usually 2-3 sizes is normal.

I was a 34DDD pre-DS (altho I found 36DD to be more comfy since I have wide boobs and easier to obtain, they were a tad loose in the band...grr...)

By er, 12w I was wearing a 36DDD, which I wore again around 9m postpartum.
(I nursed until he was 2)

before my son was born, I'd wager I was a 36H, and after he was born the 36J i'd bought was too small for a couple weeks.
The H fit me around 4-6w PP, until about 5m or so...then I dropped again...

I've been telling breastfeeding moms-to-be on my support group to buy nursing bras at 36+ weeks. Whatever size you are wearing just before birth will be the size you will probably need after and for several months.

Unfortunately for me, finding nursing bras AT ALL is a challenge. Things like bravado arn't supportive enough for me anyways (I have a very short torso and prefer to hike the girls up high!) but usually if they are big enough for the boobs, they are FAR too big in the band *sigh*

Anyways, buy REGULAR but stretchy bras (if you can bear it...lol...I can't!) NOW, and you will use them again much later on
I'd buy several nursing bras around 36+ weeks, the later the better
and ATLEAST one stretchy sleep/nursing bra type deal. For me I was actually able to wear a old navy/target maternity tank, which gave enough support and held in breastpads, but gave me the dreaded uniboob
Worked for sleeping though!

Personally, i'm praying like hell that they don't get THAT big again...
Any other nursing moms jump up crazy sizes with their first? hope??

[kalisis]

I started wearing nursing bras at about 25 weeks last time - I just thought they were more comfortable. And you know, I bought four of them on clearance at Walmart for $3 each and I'm actually still wearing them sometimes. They were a sports bra style that actually had a lot of give.

I personally like the Yes! bras from ebay for the early weeks/months. I had really good luck with them and they're a fraction of the cost of Bravado's.

The other brand I'm really loving now is the Blue Canoe Janes bras. The Jane's plus are too much fabric across my back, but the crossover style is really working for my sore nipples right now.

Good luck!