Posted byJessica sent a question about nursing bras — where can she get one that fits without spending tons of money?
My nursing bras are making me miserable. My 32F bra is too loose in the band and too tight in the cups. I have found a few online that I think would be the correct size but are very expensive — we’re talking upwards of $70. Do I really have to suck it up and order the $70 bras without even trying them on?
Where are the bras for women who now have a huge rack due to pregnancy/breastfeeding? Or better yet — is there a creative DIY way to convert a regular bra into a nursing bra?
I haven’t worn a nursing bra in the 11.5 months I have been breastfeeding. I wear a normal bra with plunge cups so mt boobs just pops out pretty easily. I never found one that was totally comfortable for me so I gave up.
By the way, I have 38Fs.
I do the same! I have 34 DDs and it works for me. If I’m going out, I wear a spaghetti top under my t-shirt, so i pull up my t-shirt and pull down my spaghetti top and pop out my boob, that way my whole stomach isn’t showing.
And for bed time, I just use a sports bra (because that’s what I’ve always been comfortable in) and a tank top and just slip my arm out. The one nursing tank top that I did buy from Target ended up having a band that was really uncomfortable/painful. I guess the way I do it might be a bit of hassle, but I honestly don’t notice, because I’m so comfy!
I know, the nursing cami I bought from Target gives me what I refer to as a boob thong.
and I thought I was being original stylin my boob thong!
Yes, I think you have to suck it up and buy one good nursing bra, maybe two. I am more of a 36DD, but I’ve had very good luck with my Elomi bra. It is super high quality, very supportive, and comfortable (for what it is–it’s no sleeping bra!). I have a bunch of cheap ones that I wear around the house or even out when I’m being casual, but my Elomi is my go-to bra. I wear it almost everyday for at least part of the day, and, going on 9 months later, it’s still very supportive, in good shape.
BTW, on the “where to get them” question. I always use breakoutbras.com. They have a breastfeeding bra section and a section for busty mamas.
I’m cheap and was too cheap to ever buy an expensive supportive nursing bra. I was just droopy for a year.
Try herroom.com, they do free delivery and returns so you can order a bunch and return the ones that don’t work.
I’m huge. LIKE GIGANTIC. Plus, I’m overweight. I never found a nursing bra that I liked. I’ve been wearing the full cut, long tank from glamourmom every day for the last 10 months. I’ve recently tried their new bra since I liked the tank so much. But eh, it’s just okay.
The tanks are awesome, give me plenty of support and easy to wear under deep v-necks for easy on the go access.
I love love love the hot milk range. sexy and practical (and often available in the sale through 3rd partys)
I may only be a 40DD but I would not be without mine 🙂
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/braconvert.html
It gives step by step instructions on how to go from a normal bra to a nursing one!
YES! I totally used this to make some nursing bras for myself. I prefer the clips, so I scavenged them off of the nursing bras that I hated. The same theory can be used to convert thin strapped tanks/dresses into nursing clothes for much much cheaper. You can purchase the clips online too.
they also sell extra big hook and eyes at a craft or fabric store. i bet they would work well and maybe a little cheaper
Do you have Anita bra’s where you live? They’re incredible. I owned several Anita 5041 nursing bra’s (underwired) and they probably saved my E sized girls from drooping.
Good nursing bra’s don’t come cheap, I know. But it eased the pain a little if I told myself that one bra was only 4 weeks of formula 🙂
I would advise going to an actual shop & getting fitted. Then at least you know what size you are. I changed size about 5 times during pregnancy & 2.5yr of breastfeeding.
Mine are double d’s now so its not that hard to find a bra for me. I couldnt find a comfortable nursing bra so I bought the strapless w removeable straps.. Works just fine for me and only 12 bucks a pop at target
Can’t wait to hear the responses on this one. I was a 30G prepregnancy and am now a 34H at 9 months. I’m planning to order a couple from Bravissimo. Its in the UK so its a bit more expensive with shipping but their prices are cheaper than Nordstrom’s (the only place I’ve found you can actually try on my size). I’m haven’t ordered yet since I’m afraid they’ll get even bigger when my milk comes in.
I am similar sizing both pre-preg and at about 8 months. And even though I thought I could get no bigger – I did! Hold off!
I have no solid recommendations but can say that things have gone back to pretty much my normal size after breastfeeding ended.
I’m not a mom, so I dunno about an actual nursing bra. However, I do have a completely insane bra size: 34G. Lane Bryant doesn’t carry bands that small and Target, JC Penny, etc. don’t carry cups that high. I’ve found regular bras in my size at Macy’s and Von Maur, though my favorites are by Chantelle and tend to be very expensive- $80 to $90. Those stores might have nursing bras that will fit you- and if they don’t, the staff is usually very helpful and will order it for you.
Bravissimo should stock 34G! Based in the UK so there will be shipping costs, but they are good for women with small band sizes with big cup sizes. Also, have you tried figleaves.com?
I was going to post the jan andrea link too. <3 You can turn any bra into a nursing bra! Same goes for most cami-style tank tops into nursing tanks.
I skipped nursing bras completely and lived in my Glamourmom nursing tanks. I wore those things EVERY SINGLE DAY. Bonus: they make models for extra-large breasted mamas!
(Side note: if you’re in the 36D range, I’m selling off my stash of nursing tanks.)
What ends up getting me about most tank tops with “built in” bras is that there is an elastic band which runs around the entire circumference of the tank top. For whatever reason, having that kind of pressure run across my back will cause the muscles to seize up. I have managed to find a(n extremely) few supportive tanks that don’t have this elastic strap in the back – just cups in the front or a back that’s fully elastic (allowing the pressure to be evenly dispersed.
I can’t tell from their website whether these tanks have the traditional, circle of elastic style of built in bra, or just cups in the front support. Can you tell me?
Yep: it’s the circle of elastic.
breakoutbras.com is awesome. I was a 32G while nursing, which is an impossible size to find. Their customer service helped me find some great bras. I ended up with Anita bras. I don’t think they come in that exact size, but I believe they run a little small, so they helped me figure out what size to get, and they were great.
Definitely watching this thread. I was a 34F before pregnancy and trying to find maternity bras was a waste of time. I bought a Medela Comfort Bra at BabiesRUs for about 40$. It’s one of those “this size will fit all of these band sizes and cup sizes” bras. It sort of works except that it smushes my boobs together and is not all that flattering or supportive. But it’s a whole hell of a lot more comfortable than my too small underwire bras while I’m shopping around for something better.
The only bras that have ever really worked for me were Empreinte balconette bras. The underwire support comes up high enough in the middle to keep my boobs from smushing together. Ideally, I’d be able to find something that would work like that for nursing, but I have no idea where to start searching.
really really, the best nursing bras i have found so far are sleep bras. they spread so well across the back and shoulders- distributing the weight. the easiest access to feed baby quickly. no fuss. so lovely
I’ve been wearing Glamourmom nursing tanks since about 2 months after giving birth. The other brands of nursing bras never fit right. Either they made me have madonna cone boob syndrome or they were just too tight with teensy tiny shoulder straps and bands that were uncomfortable.
Glamourmom tanks fit really well, though now that they are 16 months old I find that they are a bit worn out and don’t support as well.
Where even are the bras for less than $70 for the women who wear 30Hs anyway? That extra cloth isn’t that damn expensive!
I was a 32 H while nursing, and I LOVED my Medela bra. It was the seamless underwire one. So, so comfy. And the cups are super stretchy, yet they totally shape you, as opposed to letting you droop like some stretch bras. Most of us in the F, G, H, range (even in a small band size) CANNOT get away with going cami-only or the like. Ugh, the thought of it makes me cringe!
I didn’t even realize there was an underwire one until I was on the Medela website. I’ll have to see about ordering one once I start nursing. They seem to only sell the non-underwire versions in the stores here, and those things aren’t very supportive at all. I’m really glad to hear your opinion on it, as they are much cheaper than some of the other nursing bras that I was looking at.
Hotmilk! I am a 36GG and got mine in a sale for about $NZ30 which is about $US20. Most comfortable bras I’ve ever owned! Got mine at bellybeyond.co.nz
I’ve been breastfeeding for the past 4 years thanks to some bad timing. The best bra I found but finally died and I can’t find anywhere was a random one I’d found at Walmart, I think Announcements was the brand. I just started using a Bravado original nursing bra which are about 30$ each and they seem to be holding up well after a couple of washings. They’re fairly comfortable and breathe well even though they’re very supportive. I measure to a 38G and am wearing a Large in the double plus style.
Feel ya’ sister! I too am a member of the big ol’ titty committee! I’m a 40F. When I was still breastfeeding my son I wore sports bras that were one size too small for support. If I needed to wear a normal bra I would wear one that had a plunging line so that the girls could be sprung free more easily.
So many good ideas! I had the original question, and I noticed in some other threads that others were in a similar situation. small ribcage, but larger bust. I actually don’t think I *look* very busty, but because my ribcage is small (28-29 inches) the cup size has to be like a F or G, or bigger.
I’ve been living in my sleeping bras, (Bravado) so I try not to jog up the stairs too much. When I was fitted at the dept store for a work-type bra, It seemed ok at the time, but the band rides up after a couple hours. I actually caught myself tugging on it in front of my coworkers who are all men! ugh.
I LOVE my Bravado Body Silk seamless bras and I am 36/38 F and wear an XL in that bra. I also recommend getting fitted. Nordstrom does a great job if they are in your area. They did sell me some underwire ones that were a disaster. They took them back almost a year later after I wore them a few times though.
Second the Bravado Body Silk! Amazing and I hate wearing bras. I’m a 36D ish, I bought a Large, and this bra fit through the crazy changes of size from late pregnancy through birth and still at 10 months breastfeeding.
The Body Silk has no underwire, which is good, but it’s actually supportive…something I’ve never had in an underwire before. It really will fit you though multiple body and breast changes and be so stupid comfortable. It looks kind of matronly in the photos online but in person, looks just fine.
I’m going to have to nurse this baby until he’s at least 10 to have an excuse to keep wearing this style of bra. I really can’t recommend this one enough.