Maternity Bra?

sarawifenow · October 2015

Hey all,

I wasn't sure if this would go under the symptoms thread or not, but I wanted to see if anyone in our group here has a maternity bra they would recommend? Where did you/do you plan on getting yours?

My breasts have grown to the point that I can barely get my bra on. They are so tender that wearing a bra hurts but I cannot go without.

TIA!

lionstigersbears · October 2015

I just size up and hold onto smaller sizes as I stop wearing them. I've been able to rotate them back in as I've cut back on nursing DS and the ladies have shrunk again!

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

Yup. I just go up a band size, no special bra. I need to go buy another one as apparently, I only have one packed away from my last pregnancy, not two like I thought. I typically a Maiden Form girl but that one was just from Kohl's. Vanity Fair, I think.

kbrands7 · October 2015

lionstigersbears said:

I just size up and hold onto smaller sizes as I stop wearing them. I've been able to rotate them back in as I've cut back on nursing DS and the ladies have shrunk again!

This.

Everyone is a little different with how they grow and change, but I just bought a bra for each new cup size, then a few once my nursing supply was stable. (I never used an actual nursing bra because I found them to be too cumbersome, I just folded down the cup.) When I weaned more significantly, I went down a cup size again so I just pulled the new correct size out of storage. I have some from pre-pregnancy that I'm holding onto still...but I doubt at this point that I'll go down 4 sizes... : /

LondonToSavannah · October 2015

If you have one in your area, Nordstrom is the best place to buy a bra. You get a proper fitting, but even better they will convert any bra to a nursing bra!

As for post-pregnancy/bf-ing...my boobs stayed big. No going back to my old bras for me, bummer.

Cassandramariec · October 2015

Right now I have these sports bra-esque "comfort bras" by coobie that are not terribly fancy (sorry husband) but are working well enough. They are not as compressing as a sports bra, but more support than the bralette things some camisoles have. They also have a foam cup insert that smooths things for a bit of discretion. Granted, I'm not terribly big through the chest, so I don't know if they would work for larger ladies or not. I ordered them on Zulily thinking they would at least be a good transition or if I found myself ever needing support while in lounge clothes-- not the case yet, but more comfy than my underwired pre-pregnancy bras.

lalala2004 · October 2015

I went ahead and bought nursing bras at Motherhood Maternity. Just don't buy too many as you may continue to increase in size.

rachie487 · October 2015

I think i'm at the point where I have to purchase some new bras. Washhh! My cups are still fitting in my normal size but the band size is definitely getting too tight. I think I might be okay to just purchase the next band size up. Glad to see that this is what others are doing!

Dasha420 · October 2015

I don't see a huge change yet but I noticed it gets harder to breath with my regular bras. I went on Amazon and found a few that are my size with the latch for nursing for around $13 each in all sorts of colors. I will be receiving it soon.
I've been small my whole life so I'm wondering just how much will I grow.

sillyfox · October 2015

In addition to what everyone else has said, for pregnancy I would recommend no underwires or side wires. They're incredibly uncomfortable come third trimester.

I wish I had hung on to my smaller size bras, I got rid of them all after having DD and nursing for 6 months. I went from a 34C to a 36DD/E. It was depressing to look at all my cute little VS bras and I just gave them to goodwill, mostly brand new! Now, my boobs shrank once I finally weaned her (last Christmas) and I'm at this awkward stage where my bras are fine around but the cups are too big. Guess it's only a matter of time before I fill them out again!

LemmyRN · October 2015

I definitely had to ditch underwrites. I found some great everyday bras at Walmart from fruit of the loom. For about $5 each they remind me of nursing bras without the release latch and they are so comfortable. When breastfeeding time comes I'll be able to use these bras because they will be easy to maneuver. I bought about 5 of them so far. I suggest going one size up than what the fit guide shows cause with the growth, I've almost outgrown the first couple.

Knottie75019262 · October 2015

is anyone out there saying that you don't HAVE to give up underwires? I keep hearing everyone switching to soft bras but I don't like how they look. I never understood why my mom only wore those white playtex 18 hour wireless bras -- is this why?! do we only get to wear cute bras until we get pregnant and then that's it forever?!

Kurrant · October 2015

I don't have any suggestions on brands since the Brands here in NZ are different from USA but I wanted to share my bra story anyways...

12 weeks here and I went out the other day to buy some new bras. I am normally a C-D and my breasts are already an E... in some brands, like Heidi Klum, an F. I was so sad to see the ugly maternity bras! They squish and flatten my boobs at the top! Before anyone says I'm not wearing the right size I spent over an hour of this woman's time getting properly fitted and looked at in every darn style, brand and size they had that came in jumbo-jet size.

I prefer under wires and even now they aren't bothering me but the standard material that bras are made from is killing my nipples so I had to change to the ugly, soft, wireless bras.

LadySamLady · October 2015

I lived in Genie bras until last week. They're super comfortable and look better than a sports bra, but don't quite have the same support as a real bra. I'm still wearing them to sleep and on weekends around the house but not during the work week or when I go out. I wish I felt more comfortable without underwire but I just feel so dumpy and miss the extra support. Has anyone found anything without underwire that gives the same amount of support? If so, please let me know!!

dsmith211 · October 2015

Knottie75019262 said:
is anyone out there saying that you don't HAVE to give up underwires? I keep hearing everyone switching to soft bras but I don't like how they look. I never understood why my mom only wore those white playtex 18 hour wireless bras -- is this why?! do we only get to wear cute bras until we get pregnant and then that's it forever?!

I forget where I was looking online (I think motherhood maternity bc they were having a sale) and they had underwire nursing bras that I saw. I'm pretty sure it's just a comfort issue for most people though. I'm still wearing one of my larger underwire bras and it's not uncomfortable for me at all right now. As a matter of fact the ones I have without are not comfortable at all to me right now. Of course that could always change as things progress too so idk.

1mae2016 · October 2015

I just bought one over the weekend. I have a place called Motherhood Maternity at the mall near my house and bought an underwire free bra with nursing straps for $23. it is so super comfy and has four prongs rather than three so that I have room to grow a little more before I would need to get a new one, if I would even need to. I think it's just their brand but they also had a Jessica Simpson brand that was reasonably priced and comfortable.

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

Knottie75019262 said:
is anyone out there saying that you don't HAVE to give up underwires? I keep hearing everyone switching to soft bras but I don't like how they look. I never understood why my mom only wore those white playtex 18 hour wireless bras -- is this why?! do we only get to wear cute bras until we get pregnant and then that's it forever?!

There are a ton of wirefree bras that are cute. I have always despised underwires. I actually will cut the underwires out if I find a bra that I like that isn't wirefree. I've never had issues with them not being supportive enough.

kbrands7 · October 2015

I have a few wireless, but I mostly still wear wires and have through nursing too. I love the vs t shirt bras for their softness and support.

LondonToSavannah · October 2015

Knottie75019262 said:

is anyone out there saying that you don't HAVE to give up underwires? I keep hearing everyone switching to soft bras but I don't like how they look. I never understood why my mom only wore those white playtex 18 hour wireless bras -- is this why?! do we only get to wear cute bras until we get pregnant and then that's it forever?!

I never ever gave up underwire. I have big boobs, I like underwire...as long as you have a proper fitting bra it will be perfectly comfortable!

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

LondonToSavannah said:

I never ever gave up underwire. I have big boobs, I like underwire...as long as you have a proper fitting bra it will be perfectly comfortable!

I actually don't find this to be true. I've been fitted more than once. Always the same size (38D so not exactly small). But underwires always hurt me, especially when leaning forward. Maybe I have an odd body type? Don't know. Thankfully, wireless bras are getting more supportive and prettier.

It does kinda bug me that the bigger you are, the less options there are for pretty bras. But that is a different topic.

LondonToSavannah · October 2015

countrygrl5533 said:

I never ever gave up underwire. I have big boobs, I like underwire...as long as you have a proper fitting bra it will be perfectly comfortable!
I actually don't find this to be true. I've been fitted more than once. Always the same size (38D so not exactly small). But underwires always hurt me, especially when leaning forward. Maybe I have an odd body type? Don't know. Thankfully, wireless bras are getting more supportive and prettier. It does kinda bug me that the bigger you are, the less options there are for pretty bras. But that is a different topic.

Countrygirl, there is a specialty bra story near me that will cut the wire so that it fits you perfectly, like if it is poking under your arm, or pinching between your boobs or something, that place is wonderful! And yes, big boob bras are hideous.

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

LondonToSavannah said:

Countrygirl, there is a specialty bra story near me that will cut the wire so that it fits you perfectly, like if it is poking under your arm, or pinching between your boobs or something, that place is wonderful! And yes, big boob bras are hideous.

That's actually pretty cool. I live rurally so Maidenform is about as "specialty" as it gets and even that is 1.5 hour drive.

Photoslave · October 2015

Great tips gals! Has anyone seen silicone nipple covers for breastfeeding? I'm a photographer and one of my clients had them but I haven't seen them since. They were like milk stopper pasties!

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

@Photoslave... Are these what you are talking about? https://www.walmart.com/ip/LilyPadz-Reusable-Silicone-Nursing-Pads/13445711

scbonnell04 · October 2015

I have a set of these. They work well for short term use depending on how much leakage you have. I only wore them when heading out for date night or something more formal to allow me to skip the bulky pads. They can only hold so much fluid before it starts to spill out so I saved them for when I felt more comfortable nursing. Once I got the hang of what my letdown felt like it was much easier to not be paranoid.

Photoslave · October 2015

countrygrl5533 said:
@Photoslave... Are these what you are talking about? https://www.walmart.com/ip/LilyPadz-Reusable-Silicone-Nursing-Pads/13445711

Yes. Thank you! Now to looks to how safe silicone is.

GemLei · October 2015

I just purchase larger bras, nothing special. Usually get underwire/padded bras from VS and find them extremely comfortable.

wamam027 · October 2015

@LadySamLady I went to Target and bought a few different maternity/nursing bras. I bought one soft bra and two bras with no underwire that still had some cup shape and enough fabric to hide my constantly hard nips. I absolutely love the shaped bras and am so glad that I was smart enough to buy one in tan and one in black. I bought them big so I can grow into them and they are so comfy and don't look TOTALLY frumpy. They are Gilligan O'malley brand.

https://m.target.com/p/women-s-nursing-seamless-bra-gilligan-o-malley/-/A-14923182

lionstigersbears · October 2015

@photoslave I got a pair with DS to wear to a wedding. You can use them a few times I think but it's definitely a special occasion thing in my experience, but then again I was leaking like crazy!

saraleigh2 · October 2015

I had a great experience at destination maternity!!! The women were knowledgeable, measured me and pulled a few different brands and styles for me to try! I found 4 nursing/ maternity bras that are both comfortable and attractive, they were pricy but they were well worth the money IMO. I felt so taken care of! I also got these nifty button expander for my pants that are working out great! I'm so going back there first for the rest of my maternity clothing needs!!!

proudparent2b · November 2015

I am a larger bust size to begin with- prepregnancy a 36H. At that size, I have to go to speciality stores to be fitted/buy bras. When I bought my first pregnancy bras recently, here was the advice I got:

1. Buy soft with underwire
2. Buy so it fits well on the tightest setting (ribcage expands during pregnancy, so you may have to loosen the setting over time)
3. Start a cup size up- the soft ones will give you more flexibility to stay in it longer

pelicanesque · November 2015

At 13 weeks, the biggest body change for me has definitely been boobs getting bigger!
I was a 32D and had to start wearing my Coobies on a regular basis, so much so that they've stretched out too much.
I went to a maternity boutique and the salesperson said, "it's not your boobs getting bigger, it's your ribcage" which is weird and wrong in my case at least. I know I must have gone up a full cup size at least, which makes me worried how much bigger I'm going to get!
But she had some great advice: buy some bra extenders (package is labeled "bra back extenders") and keep wearing your old bras! So I got those for $5, in addition to a new bra that is a nursing bra that will grow with me, a Bravado that has removable pads in it or something. When I tried it on, it didn't look/feel frumpy.
Also, everything is underwire-free, as that's what I've been for years anyways.
Bottom line, find those extenders!

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