inexpensive nursing bra - where to buy?

[5thAttempt]

I want to buy a couple of nursing bras before the baby comes since I will not feel like shopping right after delivery. I know that they might not fit properly since it is hard to predict the size. Thus, I do not want to spend a futune on it and I am looking for inexpensive staff. Where do I go: walmart, target, motherhoodmaternity, ????

Also, my regular size is 34B, I am 36C now, should I get 36D or stick with 36C? Or get 34DD?

[juliansmom]

I bought mine at Target (Liz Lange); they have a wide selection of styles and nursing camisoles also. As to the size, my due date is coming up, and the sizable increase in my breasts happened early on, so I got a bra with a slightly generous fit but not a full cup larger than what I am now.

The other plus is that Target has a good return policy (90 days), so you can always do an exchange for a larger size closer to your due date.

[Lilcrunchie]

I don't know about brick and mortar stores, but I used Elita bras last time (they are a cross over style, no cups to unsnap, and the cup size is very flexible). They run about 15ish online I believe.

I like these for postpartum especially since the cup size still works within a big range, provided you don't need a ton of support. Even if you like a lot of support, they work good as an overnight nursing bra (to hold nursing pads in place) in the early weeks if you are a leaker.

I have two of these on hand and once my cup size settles down I'll probably pick up one or two more other brands, like the Yes! bra. I'm also waiting on some Corsierre tanks to arrive from a co-op, although I don't think they'll fit for a few weeks anyway.

[carmel23]

I too at first used a bra similar to the one described by lilcrunchie above that was a cross over type, real minimum support... I got them from ebay, I think they were called the YES! bra. I still have them and plan to use them again--they are very comfortable for sleeping in, too--and the sizing is pretty flexible for when you are changing sizes up and down... I think that 15 bucks is a really great deal--when some of the other ones can go for as much as $40!

I am also pretty happy with the liz lange bras from target. I like the camisole a lot and the sports bra type one. The underwire bras are not all that comfy... I guess this is why women spend 40 dollars on a nice medela bra that LOOKS good too. I might have to get one of these when my size kind of evens out.

It is crazy how boobsize can fluctuate! I'm usually a B cup, now I'm like a D--and this is without milk! A good nursing bra can be a mama's best friend, though...

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by 5thAttempt

Also, my regular size is 34B, I am 36C now, should I get 36D or stick with 36C? Or get 34DD?

I would get a real soft cup type nursing bra now-- and then wait until after your milk comes in to get any real bras. Nothing is worse than a too tight nursing bra! Ouch! But then if it is too big then your tender boobs don't get the support they need...

this is the exact bra that I got for use when baby is first born (and I did get a lot uf use out of them, all through nursing!) but I didn't get it at this site:

http://www.hipbaby.com/index.php?mod...ils&content=76

I think I was a size 2+... and in my last preg. I was just like you34B, then 34C... I don't know what is going on with me now!

[Mamabug&co.]

Target--Liz Lange Line for me

[gaeasun]

Hi! I sell nursing bras in my store, so I feel I have some experience here. My recommendation to my clients is to start with something like a Bravado, that has give for the transition from maternity to nursing. These bras even have enough give for engorgement, if you have that. Once your milk is in, you can get a good, supportive bra. Now, since you don't want to spend $ and Bravados are $35, I would try the nursing tanks at Target, or a softcup. [I have never tried the Target tanks, have heard they aren't very supportive, but they should work in the interim.] Definitely no underwire until someone can fit you after your milk is in. Don't try to predict your size after your milk comes in. It doesn't work. There are rules of thumb, but they fail as much as work. If you have a bra store or a nursing store in town, I would highly recommend going there to be fit and find a bra that is right for you.

Since Target, Motherhood, etc don't have someone who can fit you, here is a way to find out your size. In my store, we use this as a starting point, but don't take this size as gospel. To figure out your current size, take 2 measurements. Make sure the measuring tape is level for both measurements.

1. Measure the area above your breasts and under your armpits.
2. Measure the area around your breasts.
3. Round up #1 to the nearest even number. This is your band size.
4. Subtract #1 from #2. The difference tells you your cup size:
1=A
2=B
3=C
4=D
5=E/DD
6=F
7=G
etc.

So, for example, I measure 35 1/2 above the breasts, and 44 around my breasts. My band size is 36, and my cup size is an H. Many factors affect how precise this measurement is, like how tight you hold the measuring tape, if you have a thick shirt on when measuring, if you have a supportive bra on, etc and so on. So use this as a starting point. Keep in mind, too, that a smaller band size with a larger cup size is more supportive then the other way around. Many women are embarassed by their large cup size and try to compensate for it with a larger band size instead. But your bra will be more supportive if you go in the other direction.

Good luck and sorry for the novel. I have a tendency to go on and on about things I think I know something about. Hope it helps!

[Amari's Mama]

bestform at walmart

I was a 34D before pregnancy, 36D at the end of pregnancy, 36DDD the first month, 36DD for the next two months, 34DD until weaning at 18 months.

[Lila]

I love my Motherwear bras. If you buy 2 of the same style (in some styles) you get a discount. They come out a couple of dollars more than Liz Lange bras, but in my experience they're more comfortable.

If you do a search online for coupon codes I think you can get free shipping, as well. I did with my order a few weeks ago.

Here- I found those coupon codes for you. Under the Merchants menu on the left you can find Motherwear.

[mumkimum]

Depending on what kind of bra style you prefer - one of my favorites for nursing (& the engorged boobs) are the sleep bras I got from motherhood maternity. Plus they're only $11 or so. It's a non-underwire style and if you do like lots of support, you may not like them. I wear them all the time and actually find them easiest to nurse discreetly in public in as opposed to some of the other bras I got that I'd thought would work better for that type of thing.
Motherhood maternity does, however, have that you can't return nursing bras policy though. So consider that.

[Lila]

Originally Posted by mumkimum

Motherhood maternity does, however, have that you can't return nursing bras policy though. So consider that.

You can't return much of anything there, can you? They have a no-sale-item return policy too, and usually EVERYTHING is on sale to some degree. Not to push Motherwear, but they will accept any retuns. I even returned a used swimsuit once because I discovered I didn't like how it felt wet. They didn't give me any trouble. Also, a friend of mine SWEARS that Kohl's has the greatest nursing bras. I haven't tried them, but if you have a Kohl's it might be worth trying.
Best of luck.

[JanetH]

have you tried Ebay?

They have everything on there and sometimes you can pick up things at rock bottom prices. Also I don't know how expensive/inexpensive they are but you can try motherhood too. I think most of the stores probably carry them, maybe even try walmart.

[Arts Therapist]

Wal-mart

[ILoveMySofie]

im eyeing the Gap nursing bra (the soft cup,not the underwire). I have a non-nursing bra from there that is very similar, and its just my favorite-simple,straps arent wide (unless you need that-i prefer them thinner) and I dont feel it on when Im wearing it. I had a Medela nursing bra once and i hated that thing with passion-i felt my skin couldnt breathe in it or something.
On the Gap site its $30 but I am going to get it on ebay for about 25 including shipping (and no tax :-)
Also the Elle Macpherson nursing bras look like they would be nice, and I saw them on ebay too.

[Pandora114]

http://www.yes!breastfeeding.com

$20 USD per bra

GOOD bras

expandable too. One size expands up to 3 cup sizes...it's teh awesome

[KrystalC]

I just bought a couple of camisoles from Target because I figured they'd be more forgiving than a regular bra when it came to size. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

[CTH3989]

I bought a nursing bra from Walmart and it fits comfortably and I really like it. It wasn't that expensive either. I was a 34B pre-pregnancy and by the end I was a 36C and I am still a C cup. I suggest buying just a few C cups to see if they will fit after baby. Good luck!

Chelci

[BunnyMcFluff]

I ditto the Target/Liz Lange suggestion.

[my_baby_love]

Originally Posted by BunnyMcFluff

I ditto the Target/Liz Lange suggestion.

Me too. I just bought a nursing bra and nursing camisole there, and I want to go get a couple more.