Nursing Bras 101

[shmee]

My nursing bras don't have underwire. I got mine from Target but I can't remember the brand right now. For me, a tank would not have been supportive enough unless it was just for bedtime or something

[robotpcr]

A friend who has a 1 year old recommended nursing bras under nursing tanks. This is probably what I will be doing. I know she loved the Target nursing tanks.

[viola]

I want to use nursing tanks but I have a long torso and all the ones I'm finding would only come to my belly button. Any suggestions for long nursing tanks?


Please?

[scattered]

The nursing tanks with the shelf style are far superior, IME, to the ones that have the like hole cut out thing. Those choked my boobs. I like the underwire for day wear and the sleeping nursing bras for nights. I slept in the tanks in the beginning, but I can't comfortably wear a nursing tank and bra at once.

[jenari]

I went from a 32C to a 32F/G with DD. I was told to get Bravado bras and I now swear by them. They have less supportive version (similar to a sports bra) that I slept in. It was so comfy! Then they have another more structured one (not underwire though) that I wore out and about. Love them both!

[mlbrooks]

I recently bought a target nursing bra and I love it. It's kind of like a sports bra more than a real bra but it is so comfy. No underwire.

[Poppy]

I have no idea what to even look for or where to begin. I know nothing about nursing bras. The only thing I've been told is by MIL and she insisted I get fit for a good nursing bra. Whatever that means.

[jenari]

Feb 1, 2015 13:46:34 GMT -5 @kendra1992 said:

Well I'm behind... I haven't even thought about this. It may be a dumb question... But It is Sunday. Do nursing bras have padding so I can like wear them to work and not look like I'm wearing my grandmas bra?

I wear the more supportive Bravado bra I mentioned daily now. It's the only bra big enough that I find comfortable for 8+ hours of wear. I asked DH and he said the tatas don't look grandmotherly if that's worth anything to ya!

[Starbuck128]

I don't find nursing tanks supportive enough for leaving the house, but they are comfortable. I get the ones at Target. The henley style is really flowy and even fit over my 41 week bump. They are great for when the milk supply is still adjusting and cup size is all over the place from week to week. I think they generally recommend waiting a couple of months PP before fitting for a nursing bra.

[smilz4782]

Feb 1, 2015 13:20:55 GMT -5 robotpcr said:

A friend who has a 1 year old recommended nursing bras under nursing tanks. This is probably what I will be doing. I know she loved the Target nursing tanks.

Yes to this for my big huge BFing boobs (normal size now for me, but right away I was huuuuuuge)

[yianna]

When I was home with YDS, I only wore wireless/soft bras and tanks from Bravado - they sold a line at Target then, not sure about now.

I plan on doing the same this go around, but I'l need new ones as I wore the heck out of them last time.

When I go back to work, I switch to underwire but I take off my entire bra to pump and put on my simple wishes pumping bra. I never had any duct issues doing this and part of it is when pumping I made sure i was empty.

If you SAH, I would invest on some good tanks/wireless bras and skip the underwires unless it's for date night or girls night, etc. Around the 4-6 month mark, when supply is super regulated, you can try underwire and see how it goes.


I will say, SOMA has amazing underwired nursing bras. Super supportive and lined so the headlights don't show!

[hellok2010]

I found underwires horribly uncomfortable. I used nursing tanks from target when at home and a nursing bra and tank when I left the house. Most of my bras came from motherhood maternity but I had 2 bravado bras that were my favorites.

[mpiemont]

In my experience (nursing 2 babies 13ish months each), nursing tanks were definitely the most comfortable. I wore tanks 80% of the time- sleep, at home, going out nowhere special. I had a few underwire nursing bras that I wore when I got dressed up a little nicer and needed the support, but found myself wearing a cami type tank over them for coverage when I lifted my shirt. The Gilligan & Omalley from Target were my all the time tanks. I had a few from Motherhood Materniry that were a bit better for going out in public (better shaping). For reference- I'm a 36D not pregnant and was a 38E at my biggest. I also liked the tanks because they didn't make my boobs look like basketballs.

[purpleroses]

I tried out several kinds with DS, but the ones I like best are all Bravado. I actually wear them now since my second pregnancy boobs are already as big as what I needed while nursing. I had read not to get underwire to prevent clogged ducts, so I don't have any of those (even though that's what I wear when not pregnant or nursing).

Last time I had some nursing tanks with built in bras that I liked. I think I had a couple made by Medela/Bravado (they are the same company now) and some from Pea in the Pod that were buy one get one free. I didn't feel comfortable wearing them outside of the house because they did not provide a whole lot more coverage than a sports bra, but they were fine for sitting around at home. I was up to a DD cup when nursing last time, for ladies wondering about tanks and larger boobs.

[smontz]

Feb 1, 2015 13:46:34 GMT -5 @kendra1992 said:

Well I'm behind... I haven't even thought about this. It may be a dumb question... But It is Sunday. Do nursing bras have padding so I can like wear them to work and not look like I'm wearing my grandmas bra?

The Bravado ones I bought from Target didn't have any padding, so I bought some of the Bamboobies washable nursing pads on Amazon to use as some type of pad during the day. I shove those in there and it works like a charm! I also found a Motherhood Maternity bra at Macy's that does have padding and is super comfy without an underwire. Hope this helps a little! 

[smile55k]

Nursing tanks: Gilligan and Omally Target ones are long, thick material, and have the shelf bra support. I never wore one without a bra underneath out in public but the tank alone was ok for at home. Loved them! In fact I just bought 2 more to pack in my hospital bag, since mine from last time the built in shelf are a little tight in the rib age area.

Bras: For early nursing, something stretchy and soft without padding/shaping is best since your size is constantly changing. I haven't found a great one yet, I had the G&O Target sleep bras but I hated the crossover front type and the clip down sleep bra was a little scratchy.

Once your supply regulates or for going out/to work I LOVED Bravado Bliss. It is lightly padded so no nip show thru. It is wireless but still supportive/not flimsy. I didn't really want to spend the $$ for them, but once I did, it was SO worth it and i ended up buying 3.

I also just bought a wireless slightly padded G&O nursing bra that I think will be great, but i will let you know once I use it!

[smontz]

Feb 1, 2015 18:37:49 GMT -5 @kendra1992 said:

Feb 1, 2015 18:18:54 GMT -5 smontz said:

The Bravado ones I bought from Target didn't have any padding, so I bought some of the Bamboobies washable nursing pads on Amazon to use as some type of pad during the day. I shove those in there and it works like a charm! I also found a Motherhood Maternity bra at Macy's that does have padding and is super comfy without an underwire. Hope this helps a little! 

Yes thank you. I guess I'll have to look into these things soon.


So how do I or when do I buy nursing bras. My boobs have already grow a ton. Will they grow more after I start nursing? Am I safe to get them now?

I only bought them recently because my normal bras were getting to be so uncomfortable. I wanted something I could possibly use after the baby was born, so I ended up with nursing bras that currently fit. If my boobs grow a lot more I may be screwed and have to buy bigger sizes later. All of the advice I got was along the lines of "everyone is different." They may just stay this size and all of the bras will still work later? Fingers crossed. 

[hellok2010]

So how do I or when do I buy nursing bras. My boobs have already grow a ton. Will they grow more after I start nursing? Am I safe to get them now?

Personally I would wait until your milk comes in. I started with just a nursing tank then I went and got nursing bras about a week or so later. I went from a D to an E in that time. If you do go ahead and get some to wear now I wouldn't get many and plan on the possibility of needing to get a bigger size. I nursed for 2 weeks shy of 2 years and had to downsize my bra a couple times during that time frame. Of course everyone is different.

[Starbuck128]

Feb 1, 2015 18:37:49 GMT -5 @kendra1992 said:

So how do I or when do I buy nursing bras. My boobs have already grow a ton. Will they grow more after I start nursing? Am I safe to get them now?

Boobs at 40 weeks:


Boobs at 1 week post partum:

[Cornflakegirl]

I haven't even thought about nursing bras yet so I'm glad this thread was started. I've always wore underwire so that would have been my go to with nursing, now after reading all your responses I think I'll start without underwire first.

[robotpcr]

Feb 1, 2015 21:56:20 GMT -5 Cornflakegirl said:

I haven't even thought about nursing bras yet so I'm glad this thread was started. I've always wore underwire so that would have been my go to with nursing, now after reading all your responses I think I'll start without underwire first.

Yeah, same.  I didn't realize about the underwire until a thread on TD.

[soyboy]

I guess I'm the odd man out, but I hated my target G&O nursing bras and tanks! This time I will be going with Bravado or going to Motherhood to check out their entire selection of bras and tanks. I also liked underwire after the first 2-3 weeks. I hate leaving my house without an underwire bra.

[pinkbarebear]

I wore under wire bras while nursing DD1 without any problems. I was unaware of any side effects until reading this thread. This time I'll be at home most of the time so I will try non under wire to start.

[limad]

Feb 1, 2015 18:42:47 GMT -5 smile55k said:

Nursing tanks: Gilligan and Omally Target ones are long, thick material, and have the shelf bra support. I never wore one without a bra underneath out in public but the tank alone was ok for at home. Loved them! In fact I just bought 2 more to pack in my hospital bag, since mine from last time the built in shelf are a little tight in the rib age area.

Bras: For early nursing, something stretchy and soft without padding/shaping is best since your size is constantly changing. I haven't found a great one yet, I had the G&O Target sleep bras but I hated the crossover front type and the clip down sleep bra was a little scratchy.

Once your supply regulates or for going out/to work I LOVED Bravado Bliss. It is lightly padded so no nip show thru. It is wireless but still supportive/not flimsy. I didn't really want to spend the $$ for them, but once I did, it was SO worth it and i ended up buying 3.

I also just bought a wireless slightly padded G&O nursing bra that I think will be great, but i will let you know once I use it!

Thanks for all of these recommendations!! 

[smile55k]

Feb 1, 2015 22:45:20 GMT -5 limad said:

Feb 1, 2015 18:42:47 GMT -5 smile55k said:

Nursing tanks: Gilligan and Omally Target ones are long, thick material, and have the shelf bra support. I never wore one without a bra underneath out in public but the tank alone was ok for at home. Loved them! In fact I just bought 2 more to pack in my hospital bag, since mine from last time the built in shelf are a little tight in the rib age area.

Bras: For early nursing, something stretchy and soft without padding/shaping is best since your size is constantly changing. I haven't found a great one yet, I had the G&O Target sleep bras but I hated the crossover front type and the clip down sleep bra was a little scratchy.

Once your supply regulates or for going out/to work I LOVED Bravado Bliss. It is lightly padded so no nip show thru. It is wireless but still supportive/not flimsy. I didn't really want to spend the $$ for them, but once I did, it was SO worth it and i ended up buying 3.

I also just bought a wireless slightly padded G&O nursing bra that I think will be great, but i will let you know once I use it!

Thanks for all of these recommendations!! 

You're welcome! I'm kinda obsessed with finding good nursing bras, and want to share my research!