Big boobie mamas

alikatt17

So, my boobs have exploded up to a 44E, I went to Motherhood and bought a couple nursing bras because my regular ones were way too tight (holy crap, major rib expansion going on).  The effing underwire was digging into my bump.  The only option that isn't a sports bra or sleep bra is total crap.  Way less supportive than my beloved Lane Bryant bras, flimsy straps, small band in the back, underwire only, etc.  It seemed great in the store but after a few days, it sucks balls. 

Does anyone have suggestions for good decent nursing bras that actually have some support?  I can't find anything in stores that goes up that big so I think I'm stuck with ordering online-only, which is ok, it just means I get to order $500 worth of bras at once and then return.  

mrsconn23

I wore nursing tanks for the last 2 months of my pregnancy after the boobs, underwire, and baby didn't go together any more.   I didn't care if my boobs looked flopsy-mopsy, I just wanted to be comfortable.  I bought my nursing tanks from Target. 

alikatt17

The XXL nursing tanks from Target don't fit my boobs (fits my 8 month belly fine, but not the boobs, go figure).  No wonder people keep staring at them

hmonkey

mrsconn23

BOO!  That sucks.  Nursing tanks were my BFF's until I was done pumping.

I have to say that I am glad that my boobs didn't grow much during pregnancy or when I was nursing.  I only went up to a 42DD. 

alikatt17

Mine didn't actually start growing until 3rd tri.  They shrank 1st tri when I lost 20 pounds.

tawillers

I had to settle for the Motherhood underwire nursing bras.  I had gone up to a 42F and I needed 3 - 4 bras because I knew they'd get dirty quicker than if I wasn't nursing (milk or lansinoh got on them).

They were just ok and I wore them for 13 months (twice).  Make sure you do not dry them in the dryer.  The underwire popped out of one of mine after one wash and dry so I returned it.  They did the exchange with no problem but told me that the dryer will do that.  So yeah, they aren't great, but it was the best I could find.

PMeg819

I have heard that Nordstrom will convert any bra to a nursing bra for like $10. It may be worth looking into there or at a tailor (maybe find one non nursing bra that fits well, get it converted and then do more). I also hate to break it to you, but your cup size may change after your milk comes in and they might get bigger.

alikatt17

That's definitely something to look into.

I think my cup size has already changed since last week, honestly.

PirateBarbie

It would depend on the style of bra that you normally wear, but since i like demi-cups, I just kept wearing regular bras when I left the house and pushed them out of the way as needed. (However, I normally pumped in public rather than breastfeeding, and this  bra hack actually helped hold the pump in place. If you prefer something full coverage, this wouldn't work as well . 

like @PMeg819 said, you may get bigger when your milk comes in, so you may not want to invest too much until you have a better idea of how your body will react, and you settle on your nursing/pumping/feeding plan.

AuntFlo

Reason 1,280,652 that I hated pregnancy.  I must've bought a couple dozen bras between 12 weeks and 12 weeks postpartum.

GBCK

If you find a 'normal' bra that works, a tailor can make them into a nursing bra by adding a hook for pretty damn cheap.

(Me, i lived in nursing tanks for 2 years and gave up on supoprt--but I"m with Barbie in the 'generally I'm pumping not feeding' camp)

alikatt17

Dude, my mom could totally do this, I just found a tutorial.  I think I'll try finding a nursing bra that I like and if not, finding a regular bra and have my mom change it for me.  Good ideas, dudes!

My friend suggested Bravado bras too.  I'll start there.

PMeg819

I've heard good things about Bravado and Hot Milk. I ended up wearing mostly nursing tanks and sleep bra style ones and thankfully I was able to fit in the Target ones.

Also- I know the hospital I'm delivering at has a lactation boutique that sells bras. Maybe check there (or any place that rents breast pumps) or go to an independent bra shop (like not Macy's or wherever).

6fsn

I hated nursing tanks.  I splurged on a Bravado this time and it's ok.  My favorite was a Medela bra I bought in the medical supply store.  I waited until shortly after 6let was born and went in and tried on a bunch to get the right fit.

GBCK

I did sew hooks on one of mine.  It was rather 'meh', but it was meh BEFORE the nursing hooks got sewn on--so it was the same meh as before, but with clippy openings