BTDT Mamas - The Bra Situation

spacepotatoes · September 2013

My bras are starting to get uncomfortably tight and I am actually spilling out of a couple. I'm wondering what to do about bra shopping. Is it best to get measured (I'm kind of afraid that it's going to be uncomfortable/painful) or trial and error? How many should I get at this point? I was thinking maybe just 2 for now. Those of you who have done this before, how many times did you have to go out and get new bras?

I hate bra shopping as it is so I'm not looking forward to the constantly changing boob situation!

sopsongbird · September 2013

I purposefully did NOT go bra shopping this weekend because I don't want to have to go out and buy more after just buying one. I'm glad you asked this question because I'm interested as well!

danabsd · September 2013

I went to the Intimacy store, got measured and got two really nice new ones last time around. They lasted my whole pregnancy and were totally worth it.

ns1 · September 2013

With #1 I went to Motherhood Mat. begging them to help me when all my bras were super uncomfortable. After trying on practically everything in the store with no luck they suggested a nursing tank. I tried it on and loved it. I wore those for at least half my pregnancy and well after I had DD.

busterbeagle · September 2013

I sized up in 2nd tri. I got one stretchy nursing bra that was just sized SML and another cheap wireless minimizer bra. This time I've just gone back to my Bravado nursing bras, which have plenty of room but still are very comfy and not horribly frumpy. You can get away with rocking uniboob or other less shapely variations once you have a bump, so that is something to look forward to!

spacepotatoes · September 2013

Thanks, ladies! I didn't think of going to a maternity store. Also a good idea not to spend too much this early.

@mattsgirl2004 - I live in sports bras at home normally too, even when not pregnant! I think I am going to need to switch to more supportive ones, though. My current ones are comfy but won't last.

MrsT2008 · September 2013

I'd go out and get fitted for one - I wouldn't buy more than one in case they're not done growing and I also wouldn't really bother with a "maternity" one either at this point (my boobs grew more after I gave birth when my milk came in).

getitdone · September 2013

I went to Motherhood Maternity earlier this week and the lady was very helpful. I usually wear a 34DD. She found me some 36Es to try on and they fit, but didn't leave me any room to grow, so she brought me some 38Es. They were perfect and left me some room to grow. Since they had a lot of bras on clearance, I bought 2 bras for less than $35. The clerk told me, just remember, your boobs will grow, but will go down again at some point.

Soupy84 · September 2013

I am a FTM but wanted to pop in here. I work in women's fashion and have to do daily bra fittings for clients. I ALWAYS recommend the following:

Get a fitting done every time you are purchasing a new bra (your BBs can change for a number of reasons)
Always have a bare minimum of 3 supportive bras: One you are wearing today, One for tomorrow & One you are washing.
Never wear the same bra more than one day in a row (the spandex needs a full day of rest between wears).

Any ladies (in particular plus ladies) that are looking for an incredibly comfortable bra - I recommend the Contour made by Addition Elle. I absolutely love these bras and have been wearing the same style for 6 years.

LindsayB0505 · September 2013

I ended up buying new bra's twice last time around and needed new ones by the end but just lived bra free as much as possible since I was off work for the summer. I'd reccomend just getting cheap ones if you need to buy new ones already because you will probably need to size up again at least once.

NoVacancy · September 2013

I've been surviving with sports bras- they've been there for the ups and downs of my boobies and end up carrying them around like a champ!

Love love love them! Someday I'll be back in big girl bras!

jesstellina · September 2013

I only changed sizes once in my first pregnancy, around 12 weeks. I didn't know how long I'd stay in that size, so I just took a guess, tried them on at Target and bought 3. My nursing bras were quite a bit bigger, but after a while of nursing and after some of that pregnancy weight was off, I was back into those 3 bras again.

pistolpackinmomma · September 2013

I went up 3 cup sizes total. 2 in pregnancy and another when my milk came in. I only lost one cup size after stopping bfing and I've already gained that back. I'm kinda fearful of what my 34DD will settle out to after this one. The DD was hard enough to find cute bras and shirts I didn't spill out of! My husband is excited though...

sopsongbird · September 2013

mattsgirl2004 said:

Also, when I'm not out in public, I live in my sports bras. They are much more comfortable.

^THIS LOL

Allibob · September 2013

I had to size up again late in 2nd Tri because the band got too tight around my ribs. It's probably a good idea to get sized, but then I went to Marshall's/Ross and got a couple cheap bras and a few soft stretchy bras. I went up another cup size after I delivered, but just wore nursing tanks until things settled down. I waited to buy sized nursing bras until about 3 mo in. I was back in my pre-preg bras after about a year. I hate to waste money on "good bras" for an awkward in-between size that I'll never revisit again. That shit is expensive.

alysie89 · September 2013

I bought bras at 12 weeks, then nursing bras ( sleeping ones with lots of give) just before dd was born and good ones when she was 6 weeks old and my supply levelled out. I recommend always getting fitted. Also if you have bigger breasts (I'm a 34 DDD) spend the money on the quality bras otherwise the girls are going to hurt without enough support! There is a good chance you will wear these bras more than once if you are planning to have more babies in the future.

caroline824 · September 2013

I'm a 38DDD normally. Any tips on places that carry good bras (hopefully not too expensive) in E's and larger? I'm about to fall out of mine. I don't want to go maternity yet if I don't have to but will if that's the best option. (Kinda scared at how big they might get.)

alysie89 · September 2013

Motherhood maternity or a specialty bra shop. Sometimes they have cute reasonably priced ones that fit awesome! There's nothing worse than an uncomfortable bra!

sopsongbird · September 2013

It made me feel sad that I went to Motherhood Mat. and asked for a transitional sports bra, and the highest they went was an XL (the band didn't even go over my shoulders). Going to Wal-Mart tomorrow to get me one.

Soupy84 · September 2013

caroline824 said:

I'm a 38DDD normally. Any tips on places that carry good bras (hopefully not too expensive) in E's and larger? I'm about to fall out of mine. I don't want to go maternity yet if I don't have to but will if that's the best option. (Kinda scared at how big they might get.)

@Caroline824

Define expensive. Bras in a box are rarely good quality (I would say NEVER for a bigger busted gal), but you can get them at a decent price.

I love my bras and I wear a 40DD (I was a 40D a few weeks ago...). I get mine from Addition Elle and they are $49.99 a piece (there are some other styles that can go up to $59.99). They are excellent quality and hold my puppies in place! They start at 36C (some styles) and go up to 44DDD. If you are a G or H, which you likely will grow into, the Contour line carries these cup sizes. (You mentioned E or larger. For ladies confused by European sizing, a DD is an E and a DDD is an F).

If you live in Canada/US, they ship. If you live in Canada, go to one of their stores if possible. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and they usually have a sale on bras. In stores, the sale is October 5-10th and is $20 off each bra.

chargers32 · September 2013

I just wana say i'm so jealous of all you ladies with growing boob issues

Mine have gone through the wringer breastfeeding two kiddos, i am currently having no issues with my bras

munsterdani · September 2013

GET MEASURED!!! My boobs have already gone up 2 cup sizes with this pregnancy to a 34 DDD and I was miserable in my 34 D bras so I wend to Victoria's Secret and got fitted. I now have new bras that feel amazing!

Also, don't just buy a bra because they told you that's what size you are. Try a bunch on and find the one that feels best. I think I tried on every style of 34 DDD bras as VS before I decided on one. It was time consuming but worth it. My boobs and my back are thanking me!

munsterdani · September 2013

caroline824 said:

I'm a 38DDD normally. Any tips on places that carry good bras (hopefully not too expensive) in E's and larger? I'm about to fall out of mine. I don't want to go maternity yet if I don't have to but will if that's the best option. (Kinda scared at how big they might get.)

My sister is an E cup and buys her bras at Lane Bryant. She loves them. I may have to go there if mine keep growing. DDD is the biggest size Victoria's Secret has

pandadair · September 2013

To second @Soupy84, it is really important to get re-fitted. I would go somewhere like Nordstrom, though (for US people). Not Victoria's Secret, as they are generally not properly trained. If Nordstrom isn't having a sale when you're there, you can always check out websites like Freshpair.com or Lindasonline.com. Caveat, I guess, is that I have slightly lopsided boobs and refuse to wear bras that don't fit like a glove (also wear 32DD, which is fun to find), so I don't mine spending $50 - $70+ for a high-quality bra.

frasey · September 2013

I didnt' read all the responses, but here's wht I recommend - get fitted at a place that sells maternity bras. I have a bra that is very stretchy at the sides and cups so that it works with any changes in size! It wasn't cheap, but it was better than buying a whole bunch of different ones.

ckandi007 · September 2013

I bought 4 new bras while I was pregnant and then I had to get a bigger size once my milk came in.

ehowa499 · September 2013

Ugh I have really small boobs but they are so tender that most of my bras are uncomfortable. Right now I only have 2 that I like to wear... And both are dirty. So I'm wearing a thin bra with no padding, and it is not going well. The worst thing is that I look like I could cut glass.... The nips are CONSTANTLY at attention regardless of the temp. I wore a track jacket today to cover up, but you can even see them through that... (Crossing my arms over my chest right now).

spacepotatoes · October 2013

Thanks again, ladies! There are some really good suggestions here and you've given me some things to consider that I hadn't even thought of.

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