Hi there! I am expecting in the next two weeks and seeking recommendations for nursing bras. Currently, I am a size 36 G and know they will even get bigger. Thanks for any tips.
B.
These are fantastic! I am a 36 DD before baby and a 38 F after! good luck!
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/product.asp?ID=4
If you go to a specialty store, where they have people trained to fit you, they can definitely help find the correct size for you. Take it from someone who has bought nursing bras at every kind of a store (from discount to specialty): get fitted and spend the money on a good bra, it will make all the difference! My favorite, after MANY YEARS of nursing bras is a Goddess, and it comes in my H (with milk) size, so they definitely make one that will fit you, too. That's so great that you will be nursing, what a gift you'll be giving your baby! Best of luck!
Bras for Body and Soul is located in Fremont at Washington Hospital. They have really wonderful bras (but a bit pricy - $50+, but you really DO get what you pay for here.) They have a fitter there as well.
Check your local hospital. They might have suggestions that are a bit closer to home.
One thing you want to be sure of is that you don't get a day time bra that is stretchy. They just don't provide enough support. You want one that has good structural support even when the front is open for nursing. (For night time, a bit stretchy is fine, and more comfortable.)
Another thing you really want to keep in mind is ease of opening your bra.
You want something that can be easily opened with one hand.
Trust me, when you have a squirming, hungry, wailing baby on your hands, having to put baby down to use both hands to open your bra sends them into howling fits.
In addition, invest in some washable cotton bra pads. You WILL leak, and these will save your bras (and the front of your shirt) from becomming a sticky wet mess.
Hi B., I was in the same boat when my kids were born! I was normally a 36D but went all the way up to a 40I (seriously, I was HUGE). My boobs were bigger than my newborn's head. It was like my body thought I should be feeding 8 babies or something.
I found that Motherhood does not carry bras that big. Neither do most other maternity stores. I would have them measure you in the hospital (many hospitals have that service if you ask) and then order a nursing bra online. Trying to cram your I-sized boobs into an F-sized bra just doesn't work, I'm here to tell you!
For the meantime, you may be able to buy a nursing jog-bra to get you through the first couple of days since they are not quite so size-specific. Also keep in mind that after the first few days when your milk comes in, you may actually get a bit smaller after that, as your body adjusts to the amount of milk it needs to produce. So... don't buy 17 bras in the first couple of days. Just buy 2 - one to wash and one to wear - and then later if you need to buy a different size, you can.
Best of luck with your labor, delivery, and new baby!!
B.,
I found motherhood maternity to be very helpful depending upon who was working. I liked it because their bras are really affordable and comfortable so I was able to buy quite a few. between all of the leaking and spit-up I really needed to have extras.
D. and Layla
I am a member of the Day One in San Francisco. I think there is one in Palo Alto also. But anyways, I went there to get sized and they were so wonderful. I got a bra that fit me well and helped with the nursing. I don't recommend going to Motherhood Maternity because they don't know anything about sizing you. At Day One, there are lactation consultants that work there and are able to help. So before you just go out and buy just anyone, go get sized. That's just my opinion. That way, you won't waste money on a bra that doesn't fit and is hindering your milk ducks.
B.,
Bravado bras have been good to me. I think you can find them online. Also, if you are close to sonoma county, there is a store in windsor called Chanelle Em Moi Lingerie- The best bra specialist that I have found is the owner- very great service, bras and quality. The price was high- I paid $80 for one bra~! But it has lasted me through a whole year of breastfeeding! Good luck!
Molly
