Talk to me about nursing tanks...

kdhuling · January 2015

...and bras for that matter. I like the idea of them, I live in AZ and love tanks for around the house in general. My MIL was out shopping with me and basically told me they are dumb and pointless and so are nursing bras. She said just whip up your shirt and whip down your normal bra and it works fine. Not going to lie though that sounds uncomfortable and like a lot of work compared to just unhinging a hook and whipping a boob out. But I'm a FTM so ultimately I have no clue.

**I'm sorry if this has already been asked, I'm mobile so searching is difficult. I don't remember seeing anything recently...**

krispy83 · January 2015

In my experienced opinion (16 months of BFing) nursing tanks/bras are essential.

I live in CA and loved nursing tanks for my mat leave with DS. If I was just hanging around the house, I would wear just the tank. If we were out or people were over, I would wear the nursing tank with a regular shirt over it. Then when he was hungry I would pull the shirt up and the flap of the tank down so I could BF without having my stomach exposed. If I wasn't wearing a nursing tank, I was usually wearing a nursing bra with a light tank over it.

Honestly, I can't imagine nursing with a regular bra on... I'm sure I could figure it out if I had to, but it does not sound the slightest bit comfortable.

ETA: I like the Gilligan & O'Malley nursing bras from Target. I've heard the Target tanks are decent, though I don't have personal experience with them. My tanks are Bravado. They're pricey, but BabySteals runs them on 50% off sales pretty frequently and I think other places do as well.

AnotherSun · January 2015

I think nursing bras are essential. I like nursing tanks because then your belly isn't exposed to nurse (and it's not something I want to show off postpartum) I got a bunch of undercover mama tanks this time. They hook onto the bra and are really comfy.

krysmill · January 2015

FTM here. I have bought a couple tanks and shirts. It just seems so much easier and that's what I'm looking for. BBB has a great clearance section for shirts but they didn't have tanks on sale. I have purchased a bra from Target but plan on getting a couple more. From previous posts on here I hear the Bravado bra is real great. But it's pricey. If you buy your bras from VS it's not anymore then that.

aetg · January 2015

I think whipping out your boob depends on how long and flexible your boobs are.....

kdhuling · January 2015

Thanks ladies! You are basically just confirming what I already thought. The idea of having my stomach exposed even if I'm throwing a blanket/cover over myself in public just didn't sound appealing. Plus I have D's right now and I am thinking that once my milk comes in they may be closer to DD's so that's a lot of bra to try and just tug down when nursing. I'll definitely look into the Bravado and Gillian & O'Mally brands. I looked at the motherhood ones but they seemed short I like my tanks on the longer side.

misshart00 · January 2015

I definitely consider nursing bras a necessity. However, I've never owned a nursing tank. I just have regular ones that have the adjustable strap and loosen it to pull it down. I wore it under regular shirts.

kdhuling · January 2015

@misshart00‌ I thought about that too. Some of the prepregnancy ones I have now still fit and are super stretchy so tugging it down doesn't seem like it would be too bad in conjunction with a nursing bra.

magsame · January 2015

I just purchased 3 tanks and 1 bra from BBB today. They are destination maternity brand I think that BBB carries. As a FTM I have no idea if that is enough but I plan on wearing the tanks while I'm home on maternity leave. I'm thinking I may need one or two more bras for when I go back to work so I could pump easily on my lunch break. I was confused when you unhook the clasp on the front, there is this smaller triangle piece of fabric that still hangs there...lol I'll have to try them on and figure it out!

krispy83 · January 2015

misshart00 said:

I definitely consider nursing bras a necessity. However, I've never owned a nursing tank. I just have regular ones that have the adjustable strap and loosen it to pull it down. I wore it under regular shirts.

I did this when nursing DS too and it worked well. Definitely a good alternate to buying both tanks and bras.

mamabisme · January 2015

Definitely essential! I have breastfed both of my previous kids. I just purchased a few nursing tanks while pregnant (I like Gillian & O'Malley as well) and wore those with a regular shirt over for the first week or so PP. Once my milk came in I went out and purchased the actual nursing bras. I still preferred to just wear the tanks when I was at home but I do think bras are necessary as well...assuming you do plan to go back in to public at some point.

thejollyrancher · January 2015

I agree with all who said nursing bras are essential! I didn't get a nursing tank last time but will definitely be getting one (at least) this time because I hated having my belly show. I also really like the idea of just wearing the tank around the house.

CatLadyTX · January 2015

I practically lived in my nursing tank last time. I felt a lot more comfortable NIP if I had something covering my belly.

lromeo1 · January 2015

@gator26‌

I am in the same boat as you. For nursing bras, I bought cake brand "plus size" (I am a size 6 and 32g when not pregnant, so ignore the "plus size" in the name) bra. It is a little pricey but awesome https://www.amazon.com/Cake-Lingerie-Maternity-Nursing-Non-Wire/dp/B00D833NOG

It does run small, so if you have been fit for bravado or Anita nursing bras, go up a cup size in Cake.

For tanks, I ordered a bravado tank that is a little snug but would look OK in public. I also got a Glamourmom tank, which is much more comfortable, but I might only wear it around the house.

misshart00 · January 2015

gator26 said:
Has anyone had luck finding supportive tanks for larger cup sizes? I am a G cup when I'm NOT pregnant, so I am a little terrified of how big the girls are going to get. All of the tanks I have tried would definitely need to be worn with a bra for me, which kind of defeats the purpose. Any brand suggestions?

I get mine from a boutique that specializes in bras for mastectomy patients. They have helped me tremendously. I'm a 30F.

SNail312` · January 2015

Another FTM question- do you all recommend padded or are the unpadded bras ok? I feel like I'm "standing at attention" ALL of the time and an unpadded bra seems iffy. Would anyone even notice if you have the nursing pads in the unpadded ones? Thanks!

Mommalawyer · January 2015

I had great luck with the Bravado nursing tanks. I am bigger endowed and they did a great job support wise and were very easy to use. I would highly recommend those. They also come in larger sizes! Good luck!

jdzevans · January 2015

FTM here and living in AZ also. I've been told nursing tanks are a must have and are a comfy alternative to sleeping in a bra as well. Since it's so hot here over the summer, I'm also going to try to find a few strapless sundresses with built in shelf bras and will just add disposable bra pads if I'm leaky. Layering bras and tanks and shirts just doesn't work when it's 115 outside, it would be way too hot. I'm hoping this plan works out... we'll see. Like PP said, I've heard the Target tanks are good and plan on ordering a few.

twinklymama · January 2015

I was given the recommendation of the Rumina hands-free Pumping and Nursing tanks. I ordered it from Amazon. Mainly, I bought it for hands-free pumping, but they are for nursing, too, with the opening under the breast. It was pricey ($48), but this mom raved about it and I trusted her opinion. It also seems to have kind of a Spanx-y feel to it, maybe for smoothing and supporting those fresh postpartum bellies.

loriann091 · January 2015

magsame said:
I just purchased 3 tanks and 1 bra from BBB today. They are destination maternity brand I think that BBB carries. As a FTM I have no idea if that is enough but I plan on wearing the tanks while I'm home on maternity leave. I'm thinking I may need one or two more bras for when I go back to work so I could pump easily on my lunch break. I was confused when you unhook the clasp on the front, there is this smaller triangle piece of fabric that still hangs there...lol I'll have to try them on and figure it out!

Yes, what is that extra fabric for? And may I ask a dumb question .... but what store is BBB?

tee18 · January 2015

SNail312` said:

Another FTM question- do you all recommend padded or are the unpadded bras ok? I feel like I'm "standing at attention" ALL of the time and an unpadded bra seems iffy. Would anyone even notice if you have the nursing pads in the unpadded ones? Thanks!

I have yet to find a good balance for this. The padded ones are more difficult to maneuver when nursing, but I feel like you can see the nursing pads (although I use cotton ones so maybe it's different with the disposable pads) in the unpadded kind under snug shirts (especially solid colors). I have some of each and wear them for different occasions - padded for out with people for a while, unpadded for around the house, running quick errands.

krysmill · January 2015

@loriann091‌ BBB is BuyBuyBaby!

michelle142 · January 2015

I lived in nursing tanks for 15 months. Even when I went back to work I wore them under my work shirts. I preferred the Target ones.

misshart00 · January 2015

AprilRose1 said:
I've heard that wireless is MUST because underwire can cause blocked ducts, can anyone comment on this?

I've heard this too and I've never had a problem with my underwire. But I also can't imagine a wireless bra actually holding me in.

michelle142 · January 2015

AprilRose1 said:

I've heard that wireless is MUST because underwire can cause blocked ducts, can anyone comment on this?

Wired nursing bras DID cause blocked ducks for me. However, like with anything else, this may not be the case for everyone.

I would encourage everyone to go in to get properly fitted for a nursing bra, because that can make a world of difference.

misshart00 · January 2015

I definitely agree with getting fitted properly.

I also think my lack of plugged ducts was the exception and not the rule.

schnitz9 · January 2015

I just got 2 nursing tanks at walmart last week. They were really comfy and will work great around the house with yoga or sweat pants. I have them in my hospital bag to bring with me. I'm large chested (34 G) so finding something was tough and I was amazed at how well they fit and they were only $15. Having a tough time finding nursing bras. Most of the ones I see are wireless and I def need an underwire. So my search for them continues.....

samantha.grimm · January 2015

I bought a few nursing bras at pea in the pod along with some tanks. They are currently doing a buy 3 get 1 free sale on nursing items. I am just not sure about what size to get the bras. Something that is stretchy but fits now? Any STMs have suggestions?

kdhuling · January 2015

Oh man, you ladies are such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you! So a couple of you mentioned getting fitted properly. Where might one go to do that?

mamabisme · January 2015

AprilRose1 said:
I've heard that wireless is MUST because underwire can cause blocked ducts, can anyone comment on this?

I always wore underwire with my previous kids and have never had a blocked duct. I actually never even heard that they could be caused by underwire until now. I guess I lucked out.

misshart00 · January 2015

kdhuling said:
Oh man, you ladies are such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you! So a couple of you mentioned getting fitted properly. Where might one go to do that?

I think I said this earlier or on another post, but I buy all my bras at a boutique that specializes in bras for mastectomy patients. They are very well trained in proper fit and I've had so much better luck in bras since buying from there.

bhjones1980 · January 2015

Bravado nursing tanks! I can not recomend them enough, I am pretty well endowed, 36 DD before pregnancy, nursing I was bigger and I could wear them in the summer as an only shirt and not be obscene and be supported.

they are a little pricey but WORTH IT, I still wear them (well not now since my stomach is too big) but did even after nursing as undershirts for extra support.

bhjones1980 · January 2015

AprilRose1 said:

I've heard that wireless is MUST because underwire can cause blocked ducts, can anyone comment on this?

I always bought wireless bras for this reason when nursing, never had issues with a blocked duct and didn't want to risk it.

I paired a non-wired nursing bra with the Bravado nursing tanks under clothes and was VERY supported (I have issues with not feeling supported). I wore that combo under my normal clothes.

Angeldcf · January 2015

Nordstrom is also good at bra fitting. Avoid Victoria's Secret.

I bought more nursing bras & camis at Walmart and Target this time. I lived in them w/DS and it made BF easier. That extra triangular fabric will fit around/under your breast when they're fuller.

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