Maternity bras?

[katemonster]

I desperately need new bras and just spent an hour trying on a million bras at a department store (none of them fit right). Does anyone have a maternity bra? Or are you just buying bigger sizes? Any suggestions? I'm pretty "full-figured" and at 20 weeks my belly and boobs are getting quite close to each other...

PS I also got major love handles/back fat this weekend. Not feeling like a very sexy valentine. 

[hearthands]

Pregnant Chicken to the rescue!!

www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/best-places-to-find-nursing-bras-in-larger-sizes

[IFinTN]

Honestly I gave up on "real" bras and wear sports bras pretty much exclusively right now...but I also work from home and pjs are acceptable 24/7. Hope you find something that works for you:)

[IFinTN]

hearthands what a great blog!!

[ProfessorChaos]

I've been trying to make sure that all my new bra-type purchases are nursing bras, otherwise I'm just wearing my older ones that still fit (not all of them do). I've also heard the tip that underwire bras can be harmful, but I can't remember why, nor can I remember where I read it.

Sigh.

[katemonster]

Feb 15, 2015 19:23:19 GMT -5 hearthands said:

Pregnant Chicken to the rescue!!

www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/best-places-to-find-nursing-bras-in-larger-sizes

That blog is so awesome - this is my favorite

www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/12/10/awkward-pregnancy-photos.html 

[katemonster]

Feb 15, 2015 20:04:42 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

I've been trying to make sure that all my new bra-type purchases are nursing bras, otherwise I'm just wearing my older ones that still fit (not all of them do). I've also heard the tip that underwire bras can be harmful, but I can't remember why, nor can I remember where I read it.

Sigh.

Underwires can clog your ducts. I was thinking it's too early for nursing bras, but maybe not?

[kmc84]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DZVSZYE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1424052004&sr=8-3&keywords=bravado+nursing+bra&dpPl=1&dpID=51YY0pBgnXL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

I just bought two of these and they are pretty comfy. I usually love underwires, but now my belly is big enough that it pushes up into the wires, and by the end of the day it hurts!

For nursing, I prefered bras without wires because it's more comfortable. I had two very structured underwire nursing bras for going out that were great for support, but not super comfy for all day wear.

For now, get what's comfy, and if it comes as a nursing bra, that you can use it for that too!

[nomnom]

kmc84 Just added to my Amazon wish lust for future reference. I have no hope of finding a nursing bra in my town when I only found one store that sells them. I asked a salesperson there if they have my size. She offered to measure me (no, I know my size) and suggested I go up in band size since they don't carry my size. Also no. I don't need my boobs falling out the bottom of my bra.

[kmc84]

Feb 15, 2015 22:23:32 GMT -5 nomnom said:

kmc84 Just added to my Amazon wish lust for future reference. I have no hope of finding a nursing bra in my town when I only found one store that sells them. I asked a salesperson there if they have my size. She offered to measure me (no, I know my size) and suggested I go up in band size since they don't carry my size. Also no. I don't need my boobs falling out the bottom of my bra.

What size are you wearing? I might have some more suggestions for you. Before I got pg with DD1 I was in a 34DD, now I'm in a 38F/G

The bras that I linked come with converter clips and bra extenders! That was a nice surprise. Once this kid pops out, if it goes like last time, my band size will go back to a 36, and the boobs do what they will until bfing is over

[luvboston]

I have huge boobs so a bra is a must. Best one for pregnancy was wacoal awarness bra shop around ESP Nordstrom rack. Also the wacoal simple shaping minimizer. As I get wider I just add a bra extender if need be.

[nomnom]

kmc84 Currently 32DD. Apparently that's not supposed to exist or something.

[lolasky]

nomnom I caved and moved to a 34D for now. There was just NO WAY I could continue wearing my regular 32B bras during this pregnancy. I'm holding off on nursing bras for a little bit more in case they change again--but maybe it's a good idea to have one on hand!

[nomnom]

lolasky I'm wearing my sports bras. They're the only ones that can handle the weight. DH and I estimated breast weight at 5 pounds total. That's a lot for Victoria's Secret, I guess.

[doves654]

I can't imagine getting by without underwire but it's nice to see some resources for larger busted ladies like myself. I can't imagine how hard it'll be to find a freaking swimming suit.

[kmc84]

nomnom the brand I was trying to remember is Le Mystere.  I was wearing the Dream Tisha (9955) until my belly got too high.  I also used their nursing bras.  They fit very well and have decent straps for larger breasts, which is something VS needs to get on board with! Not that they carry anything that fits me anymore....

[nomnom]

Feb 16, 2015 15:51:24 GMT -5 kmc84 said:

nomnom the brand I was trying to remember is Le Mystere.  I was wearing the Dream Tisha (9955) until my belly got too high.  I also used their nursing bras.  They fit very well and have decent straps for larger breasts, which is something VS needs to get on board with! Not that they carry anything that fits me anymore....

Jerks.

ETA: Oh, and that Le Mystere bra stays where it is supposed to? That'd be damned near a miracle in my experience!

[kmc84]

Feb 16, 2015 16:53:20 GMT -5 nomnom said:

Feb 16, 2015 15:51:24 GMT -5 kmc84 said:

nomnom the brand I was trying to remember is Le Mystere.  I was wearing the Dream Tisha (9955) until my belly got too high.  I also used their nursing bras.  They fit very well and have decent straps for larger breasts, which is something VS needs to get on board with! Not that they carry anything that fits me anymore....

Jerks.

ETA: Oh, and that Le Mystere bra stays where it is supposed to? That'd be damned near a miracle in my experience!

In my experience, yes.  It did actually stay put.

[hearthands]

Welp. Put on my running bra this morning & discovered the girls have outgrown my favorite Moving Comfort (Fiona) 38 DD bra.

A quick search of www.herroom.com/ located a range of bras from Freya in my anticipated new cup size. Found one on sale for $45 (versus full price at $60).

Hilariously, HerRoom provides video of a "bounce test" with some of their sports bras. The Freya model I checked out had an Enya soundtrack...

Will provide updates on fit/comfort once the new bra arrives.

[kmc84]

Feb 16, 2015 19:12:34 GMT -5 hearthands said:

Welp. Put on my running bra this morning & discovered the girls have outgrown my favorite Moving Comfort (Fiona) 38 DD bra.

A quick search of www.herroom.com/ located a range of bras from Freya in my anticipated new cup size. Found one on sale for $45 (versus full price at $60).

Hilariously, HerRoom provides video of a "bounce test" with some of their sports bras. The Freya model I checked out had an Enya soundtrack...

Will provide updates on fit/comfort once the new bra arrives.

I ride horses and moving comfort Fiona was the only sports bra I found that could tame the girls from doing anything unthinkable

[gsancho]

I've been living in sports bras and one old regular bra that barely fits me...but that one is starting to fall apart. I need to reference that link to go find nursing bras!

[vballbaby]

I don't really have anything to add to this thread other than this: I freaking love having boobs! I'm normally a small 34B and don't even fill up my cups, but now I not only fill them but they are tight! I think I could buy a small C cup and be legit. My husband keeps saying he wishes my boobs were like this all the time....and I do to! I actually feel "proportionate" now, haha. Maybe after breastfeeding a "little" boob job will be in order.

[hearthands]

vballbaby, just remember that with great boobs comes great responsibility (& backaches...)

[vballbaby]

@heartlands, I know....and part of me is happy I'm small because my boobs don't get in the way when I play volleyball. I'm just going to enjoy it while I can!

[katemonster]

Sorry to resurrect. I finally got my Bravado's in the mail last night. I tried two styles, including the one kmc84 linked above. According to their measurement system, I'm now 36d/e, which I ordered. It just barely closes with the extender and is borderline tight. kmc84, did your bravado stretch over time? I'm thinking I may need a bigger band size. I'm only 22 weeks, so I'm expecting to get bigger.

Also, is it normal to have red marks when you take off a bra? Is that just thre pregnancy norm and I'm a wimp about it?

Thanks!

[kmc84]

Well poo

Mine stretched after the first wear/wash, but I didn't need the extender at all. I always have red marks under my boobs at this point from my stomach pushing the band up and things being sweatier than usual... That gets much better after the belly goes away!

Can you exchange for a bigger band size?

[katemonster]

Feb 26, 2015 15:58:59 GMT -5 kmc84 said:

Well poo

Mine stretched after the first wear/wash, but I didn't need the extender at all. I always have red marks under my boobs at this point from my stomach pushing the band up and things being sweatier than usual... That gets much better after the belly goes away!

Can you exchange for a bigger band size?


i think so, just worry about the cup getting too big if I go up in band...

[kmc84]

Feb 26, 2015 16:05:07 GMT -5 katemonster said:

Feb 26, 2015 15:58:59 GMT -5 kmc84 said:

Well poo

Mine stretched after the first wear/wash, but I didn't need the extender at all. I always have red marks under my boobs at this point from my stomach pushing the band up and things being sweatier than usual... That gets much better after the belly goes away!

Can you exchange for a bigger band size?


i think so, just worry about the cup getting too big if I go up in band...

Well, your boobs aren't getting any smaller, lol

The first time I wore mine I had it on the loosest setting, now it on the second tightest, for reference.

[astop87]

My sisters both buy their maternity bras at the hospital where they delivered. My younger sis is actually an l/d nurse and swears they're the best. Expensive but really nice. I wish I knew the brand but the hospital has a whole breastfeeding mini store.

[ProfessorChaos]

Just a note to say that you may need another round of bras later. As this baby gets higher and higher my ribs have expanded quite a bit. None of the bras I bought early on are comfortable any more.