Nursing Bra - Carpentersville,IL

N.,
I bought my nursing bras at a maternity store in the mall. I bought the size I was in by the end of my pregnancy. I really liked the all cotton bras that snap on each side. I also would use the cloth pads that they sell because they were way more comfortable than the disposable pads. Plus, you can wash them and reuse them and they stay in place.

Motherhood Maternity carries what they call a sleep bra...very comfortable and cheap. They only come in s, m, l, xl, and xxl so the exact size doesn't matter. I wore size xl at the hospital when my milk first came in then went down to L when my breasts weren't engorged. But I could have worn either size without much difference because they are so stretchy and comfy. The nice thing about those bras is they don't hurt your nipples as much as other bras can because they're so soft and not as tight. And, they're easy to take on and off, important if you're sore. They have room for a baby washcloth to be inserted to soak up any leakage too. (less abrasive than nursing pads) About a month before my son was born I went to a store called Firm Foundations and bought some more supportive high quality nursing bras. The owner fitted me and advised me what size I should buy to allow for my milk to come in. Those bras worked great too, but I did not wear them until my son was a month old. It's a good idea to keep the tags on them until you're sure you can wear them.

I went with my size when I was prego. You can get them at target. They are made to expand with you. Also ask your dr, I got my bra's there, but then went to target and got the same ones for a few dollars less... good luck. I just thought that you should definately get at least 2 before, cuz you don't want to have to send someone out for you to get you a bra ;)

i bought the original nursing bra from Bravado and it was perfect for the beginning. if you plan to nurse for a long time then invest in a really supportive nursing bras once your supply evens out. i went from a C to a DD and am now a D six months in.
you can find the company at http://www.bravadodesigns.com/

I got one size larger. I don't know about the other moms on here - but the last thing I wanted to do after giving birth was go bra shopping!!!! You could always buy a few sizes to keep at home and then return the ones that don't fit.

I would wait til about one week post-partum. that's after your milk has come in but past the engorgement phase and you are pretty much the size you'll be for a while. My son is 9 month old and I've gone down at least one size if not two.
I also started out a lot bigger with my first baby than with the second.

The Lactation Consultants at Evanston Hospital were wonderful! Don't know where you will be delivering, but if they have a breastfeeding program, they might possibly do some product sales as they do at Evanston. After I delivered my son, the LC fitted me for a bra, and I bought 2 on the spot. It was the Medela brand "seamless" bra...the cups look like they have a little lace pattern. I was concerned it would show under tshirts (I prefer as plain as possible bras, especially on cups, for a totally "invisible" look under clothes), and this one totally worked even though there was a slight pattern on them. And the best part is that the cups are nice and stretchy. You will find that your size can even change throughout the day! I tried shopping for more on my own, but none compared to the fit and support of the Medela. What I should have done was just order more through the Medela web site...or I even saw this style bra at GapMaternity and other web sites...good luck!

check out www.bravadodesigns.com for info on how to buy a nursing bra and what size to get. they are awesome and soooo worth the extra money. I wasted so much $ on multiple cheap ones. Good luck!

Go get measured the week after you have the baby... you may be surprised what size you end up needing.

Definitely, do not invest in too many bras before you give birth. I bought a bunch of bras in the same size I was wearing during pregnancy and they turned out to be too small. I have had several instances of plugged ducts, so it's important to wear the right size. Try the nursing tank tops in the beginning, and then find a good lingerie store and get a professional bra fitting.

Oh dear, I feel for you! I had such nightmares with nursing bras! It's so hard to tell what your body will do...my opinion is this: buy 1 or 2 nighttime nursing bras (basically sports bras) so you at least have something that will work the first few days. Once your milk comes in, then go try on and buy bras. I stress TRY ON, because at least for me, finding a good comfortable fit was difficult to say the least and many places don't let you return them. If you're feeling brave, go try some on and make note of the sizes that fit now in comparison to the bras you're wearing. That way you'll have a better idea of what size to get later by comparing to the fit of your normal bras.
It's complicated stuff and try to remember that a range of sizes might work best for you. I know in my first few months of nursing a particular bra would fit well in the morning, but by afternoon or evening when I was less "full" it would be a bit loose. You might be amazed at the changes your breasts go through in the course of a day or even a few hours!
Be patient and realize that throughout your "nursing career" you'll probably need several sizes and types to fit your needs.
Good luck!

Wait. I went up a couple sizes. Tina's Closet in Lisle is a good place to get measred, but a bit pricy (even to get measured). And the only place to get a padded bra is at motherhood places (or the places that carry that line).

I would do what the majority suggested and wait until your milk comes in. In the begining your size will really vary. I would suggest however to get a couple of the sleep nursing bars. This way you have something until you can get some regular bras and they are very comfy. Medela and motherhood makes some nice ones. There is a motherhood in hawthorn mall in vernon hills and the baby gap in deer park has a maternity section with the medela brand bras. You may be more comfy in the tanks though. They are great and keep your belly covered while you nurse. They might keep you a little warmer now that it is winter time also. They have them at motherhood, target, mimi(deerpark), babies r us in schaumburg to name a few. Good luck and congrats!

yeah always go up a size (cup) and defintely go ahead and buy it now that way youre prepared to relax at home with baby. and i bought the nursing tank top too, they are the best. it's a piece of clothing that doubles as a nursing bra. you can wear those anywhere

Yes - you should really wait until after the baby is born. I did find one good one at Target, but I've heard the best place to go now is Tina's Closet in Lisle. There used to be a place in Naperville that was fantastic called Transitions into Parenting, but they don't serve the public anymore, unfortunately. However, I did talk to a woman from there, and she recommends Tina's Closet now. Good luck.

Hi N.~
My suggestion would be to wait a little bit. I was much smaller pre-baby. I was regularly a 34B, then while nursing, I went up to a 34D. I would definitey give it until you start filling up then try them on at that point. Oh, and I bought all of my nursing bras from walmart--I bought the playtex brand & I loved them. They are pretty inexpensive, but very comfortable & easy to latch open & closed. They had quite a few color options too--I remember for sure seeing white, pink, cream and black.
Good luck!!
~J.~

Hi N.,

I would wait until your milk comes in. You really can't tell before then. I made the mistake of prematurely purchasing nursing bras the first time. In my last trimester of my first pregnancy I was a 38C and after my milk came in I was a DD. (I bought D)

With my second pregnancy I was a D when my milk came in, and with my third I was back to a DD. You just never know. The breasts take such a beating from pregnancy and nursing. Right now I've been nursing for 9 months with my third baby and my breasts are clearly two different sizes. I pray they go back to normal, whatever normal is, I don't even think I remember anymore.

I too purchased my nursing bras from Walmart or Target. They both have a great assortment of types and colors. (Target has more options) I was never fond of the underwire nursing bras. I was told by my laction consultant that they can cause blocked ducts and infections. Target has great tank nursing bras. I loved wearing those around the house. They also have nursing nightgowns which was great in the hospital when family/friends would visit. I didn't have to worry about exposing myself when nursing in the hospital.

Good Luck!