When to buy nursing bras

narabug · August 2014

So, I'm about to need new bras again. Probably before the end of the month. I'm not due until Oct 22nd. Would it be reasonable at all to get nursing bras now and think that I'll still be able to wear the same size when the time comes? Or should I expect a lot more growth, either before the baby arrives or when my milk comes in? For a little bg info, I grew super fast during first tri and early second tri, but it's slowed down a lot.

SCMomma · August 2014

I'm waiting until a few weeks after the babe comes to buy nursing bras. My boobs got MASSIVE right after birth but then seemed to settle a good bit.

If you need new bras right now, I don't think nursing/non nursing type is a big deal as long as they fit well. If you can use them later on, super. If not, you still need new ones now anyways, right?

MsMacual · August 2014

I didn't really see a lot of breast growth during my third tri with my first and it seems to be the same this time around. I used nursing tanks and bras that were sized s, m, l, etc exclusively at first. I definitely got bigger when my milk came in and then settled into a size for a while (I'd say 2-3 week PP). My milk finally evenend out around 3-4 mo and I found that I was pretty close to my pp bra size. To answer your quesiton of when- it's tricky bc you won't know until your milk comes in how much bigger you are going to get. I went up one cup size after my milk came in, my sister went up like 3. Could you buy like 2 cheaper regular bras to get you through until you deliver? I found some maidenform ones at Target that are pretty comfortable and weren't terribly expensive (like $16 each).

narabug · August 2014

SCMomma said:

I'm waiting until a few weeks after the babe comes to buy nursing bras. My boobs got MASSIVE right after birth but then seemed to settle a good bit. If you need new bras right now, I don't think nursing/non nursing type is a big deal as long as they fit well. If you can use them later on, super. If not, you still need new ones now anyways, right?

Good point. I guess it just depends on cost differences. I haven't actually gone looking for nursing bras yet so I don't know if they'll cost me a lot more than I'd spend on normal ones.

beachbumsc · August 2014

I bought a couple on sale a few weeks ago. They are "sports bra" style except they clasp in the back like a regular bra. They came in s, m, l, etc. I would typically buy small, but I went ahead and got M so I would have some room to grow.

MsMacual · August 2014

narabug said:

SCMomma said:

I'm waiting until a few weeks after the babe comes to buy nursing bras. My boobs got MASSIVE right after birth but then seemed to settle a good bit. If you need new bras right now, I don't think nursing/non nursing type is a big deal as long as they fit well. If you can use them later on, super. If not, you still need new ones now anyways, right?

Good point. I guess it just depends on cost differences. I haven't actually gone looking for nursing bras yet so I don't know if they'll cost me a lot more than I'd spend on normal ones.

Nursing bras will be more expensive if you want really nice ones (Bravado nursing bras are $50ish each). Regular bras always seem to be on sale somewhere.

DaniGrace89 · August 2014

I'm sporting my regular bras despite my boobs spilling out of every part of them.

The next bras I buy will be nursing bras, probably sports bras ones. (With cups in them). I'll probably be buying these within a month.

andrieya · August 2014

Mine haven't really grown in the third trimester. I just got an email from Ingrid and Isabel about nursing bras. I'll probably order a couple of these and a couple cheaper options from target. https://www.ingridandisabel.com/shop/nursing/1270-seamless-drop-cup-nursing-bra

vrj0522 · August 2014

I suggest buying 1-2 bras right now and buying some nursing camis so that you don't end up with bras that don't fit well. And then buying more after you have the baby. The size of your breasts is an individual thing after birth. They could grow or stay the same size (likely to grow at least a bit though).

pinkshades05 · August 2014

I'm waiting to buy nursing bras until closer to my EDD (Oct 9). I'm thinking probably early September to get sized and then order them online. I have ridiculous chest size so that makes a difference for me.

aminalex · August 2014

Oh ladies.. it's nice to know that this is an issue on your minds as well. I went up a band size and 3 cup sizes since i got pregnant. Le sigh... my due date is also 10/22, so i'm freaking out a little about how many more bras to get and how much money to spend. i have been wearing non-underwire nursing bras exclusively for the past month (underwire anything is just too painful

).

i've been meaning to order a couple more to tide me over until baby comes. This have been a life saver! it's a little pricey, but i live in it. https://www.destinationmaternity.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=192510361&MasterCategory_Id=MC29

i've heard from the ladies in the club that nursing camis are definitely the way to go once baby arrives so i'm definitely going to invest in some soon to have in my arsenal.

NatalieJoy09 · August 2014

I bought a larger wireless bra from VS during the first tri. It started getting tight so I bought a bra extender from target so I can keep wearing it til the very end.
Nursing Camis are your best bet to buy before baby to be prepared for nursing. The store I bought my more "regular" looking nursing bra from last time told me to not buy regular nursing bras until close to the three month mark after everything has settled. I love the bravado brand. I got one "sleeping" bra before baby came last time, too.
Oh & keep in mind your rib cage is expanding right now along with your boobs, but you're likely to loose some of that rib cage expansion after baby is here.

Saragoeswest · August 2014

I read somewhere that you should wait to be measured for nursing bras until three weeks before your EDD at the soonest.

LightBright515 · August 2014

I just bought a seemingly nice one off of Zulilly because I needed something new as well. The bra featured an adjustable bust line to accommodate breast size fluctuations.

I've been eyeing some nursing bras at target as well. Well priced.

Dani0329 · August 2014

I just bought 2 sports nursing bras and 2 regular nursing. I am nervous I will have to go up another size, but I'm up 2 cup sizes and praying no bigger.

AppleGrapeMSTK · August 2014

I read that once your reach your 8th month, your breasts have grown all they will grow (due to pregnancy), and you can then be fitted for and purchase nursing bras. Your breasts will fluctuate significantly until your milk supply regulates, which is about 8 weeks post partum. So you can buy your bras up to 8 weeks before your due date, but not for another 8 weeks after delivery.

I second the nursing camisoles and also recommend some nursing sleep bras. Both will keep the girls comfortable during those 8 weeks after delivery where they can grow three cup sizes overnight.

slsl509 · August 2014

Wait until you have your nursing boobs. I was a 36c pre- baby, 38d during pregnancy and a 38dd after delivery.

I bought some stretchy Bali bras this time that should expand. I don't think nursing bras are necessary; you can pull down or up with a regular bra. For pumping, I just tucked those sassy cones into a normal bra for hands free operation.

Justabean3 · August 2014

I read this the other day from here as a suggested article

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2013/11/7/five-biggest-mistakes-women-make-when-buying-a-nursing-bra

It's really good info on purchasing

turtlewifey · August 2014

If you want to get a few bras to make it through the first few weeks post partum, I'd look into nursing sleep bras, sports bras or tanks since none of them need to be sized perfectly and your boobs will fluctuate. If you need nicer, more supportive bras (say, for going back to work), I'd wait until closer to when your maternity leave ends and by then your boobs should level off at whatever size they will be until you are done nursing.

miss.brittany · August 2014

I would strongly recommend purchasing them a few weeks after the birth. With my first I bought 2 about 3 weeks before her birth. Once I was nursing they didn't fit at all and I never wore them!! Such a waste. If you really want to get one in advance, I'd recommend you buy a nursing bra that comes in like a small/medium/large type size with limited padding and a very neutral shape. More like a nursing sleep bra or something; that way it's more likely to still fit.

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