Nursing Bras ? - Centreville,VA

I absolutely love Mimi Maternity nursing bras without underwire. They are very supportive, nylon on the outside and fully cotton lined. I wore a 36E. You can buy them at Pea in the Pod or online. I also wore the extra large Bravado Bra which is comfortable, but not very shapely. The Fancee Free Seamless Soft Cup Plus Size Nursing Bras are good and you can order online. Target carries nursing bras and I was able to find one my in size for less than the bras mentioned above, but those are superior to Target's. Don't buy too many bacause your size will probably change soon. I started nursing at a 38F and at 12 months, I'm now in a 34D with an assortment of baggy nursing bras!

A great site for ordering nursing bras is breakoutbras.com. Each bra is reviewed by someone which is helpful, shipping is free, and they always send repeat customer coupons. Here's the link to the softcup nursing bras, which are all on sale now:
http://breakoutbras.stores.yahoo.net/leadinglady1.html

YOu can also try biggerbras.com:
http://www.biggerbras.com/fancee-free-plus-size-bras/fanc...

1 mom found this helpful

I can't advise specifically about plus-sized, but I have a collection of nursing bras.

Target is good for inexpensive nursing bras, as is the Playtex store. Motherhood Maternity's bras aren't very pretty, but they too were under $20.

On the more expensive side, I liked my Medela and Bravado nursing bras.

When I was originally in the market, I went to Dell's Bra Boutique and tried some on. They didn't have my size, but told me my size and I ordered it from JCPenney's catalog.

Dell's Bra Boutique
9858-A Main St
Fairfax, VA 22031
[ at Burke Station Rd ]

phone: ###-###-####

1 mom found this helpful

I just wear sports bras and they work great. I have a lot of experience nursing and I can tell you that nursing bras are a waste of money and uncomfortable to boot when all you need are a couple of comfy sports bras. Sports bras are quicker too. Just pull it up on the desired side and nurse.

I like Bravado bras and tanks, although I don't know about "plus sizes" especially, these companies all have web sites to give you some info. In my experience, lactation consultants do a great job fitting these (even if you aren't needing nursing consultation) and some are at a discounted price - generally Bravado and Medela. Once you have abra you like then you can often find even better bargins online.

The Lane Bryant and Nordstrom bras mentioned are VERY good. They offer a lot of support and fit true to size.

I used to work as a bra fitter in a major department store, and this is something that I learned:
- underwire offers more support.
- if the underwire pokes you, try on a different bra. Often the wires are cut differently from bra to bra (even the same style).
- most nursing bras do not offer enough support to a fuller-busted woman.
- you should actually rotate bras on a daily basis. Bras need about 24-48 hours to recover their shape, so wearing one bra back to back will wear out the bra in just a few months.

My suggestion to you is go to a department store and get fitted by someone who knows what she is doing. Try on several different styles to see what you like and what fits your frame well.

Targets bras should be good.
Motherhood stores their clothes seem to fall apart quickly.
Yeah I don't think underwire would be good for nursing mom's, haven't had one personally!!
You are doing so good by nursing!!!
I've had nursing bras given to me and I like them already broken in so then you know what they are really going to feel like!!

God Bless!

I just found out the JC Penney has several plus size bras for under $20. Check them out online at JCPenney.com.

K., I got mine at Target and was very pleased with them - no underwire and they were about $15! You cant beat that!
S.

I found a bra that I love (and still wear it even though I am no longer nursing). I got it on www.motherhood.com and it is called the double layer nursing bra. It is built like a jog bra so soft and flexible and comfortable enough to sleep in (which you need to do when you are nursing, especially if you have larger breasts like I do). And there are no snaps or hooks so you just pull aside a panel for easy access. It is only $15 so you could try one and no big loss if you don't really like it, but everyone I have introduced to this bra loves it. They have one advertised as a plus-size model as well that is just about the same design. Hope that helps.

I found a great one at motherhood.com. They carry plus sized nursing bras and you can usually find them in the clearnace section. I got one for myself about a year ago (I wear an E cup) for about $15, and no underwire! Good Luck on your search!

I went to www.motherwear.com and bought bras from the clearance/sale section.

I have really big boobs and they got up to a size F (!?!?!) late in the pregnancy and for the first few months after my son was born -- I really loved Bravado. None of the bras I bought had underwire -- They were sort or designed like sports bras.

I don't know how close you are to downtown DC, but the Breastfeeding center (by Foggy Bottom/Faragut North) has a great selection and they are really helpful in finding the right fit for you.

I had a hard time finding a 36DD anywhere but online, and I really don't like to buy that kind of thing online, so I ended up making my own out of my favorite regular bra. Ok, my husband actually did the sewing, so that tells you how easy it is. Here are the directions I used
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/braconvert.html

I got some great ones from Walmart. Very comfy, wide straps, and no underwires. You can even order online if they don't have them in the store. Oh, and they were all $15 or less!

I LOVE Target's nursing bra...looks like a sport bra 14.99...can't be beat and NO wires! I have been nursing for 14 months now and only had to buy 2 more after my originals just got washed too many times! For sleep bras you can't beat Motherhood's sleep bras! comfy! 11.99 each!
enjoy your nursing!
T.

K.,

I also had some issue finding plus-size bras. Most stores quit at size 40DD. I found this bra at Nordstroms. I am sure you can find it cheaper, but I have been tossing this in the washing machine and dryer and it has held up wonderfully for 8 months and counting. Here is the link:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2959431/0~###-###-####~###-##...

I know that Lane Bryant has nursing bras, too. They are only available online that I have found:

http://www.lanebryant.com/pagebuilder/product_thumbnail_i...

I am not sure where you are located, but the Arundel Mills Mall has a Leggs, Hanes, etc. store with some nursing bras up to size 44DDD. They were very inexpensive, but not as comfortable.

Good luck,
J.

I have a Target one that doesn't work very well in supporting the girls. The fabric tends to stretch out. I am a 40DD when not pregnant and breastfeeding. I also got a Bravado bra that is a 40H and I love it. No underwire, fabric doesn't stretch out, big comfortable straps and ugly as sin, but it's a great bra.

I tried a Bravda also and was not happy with it... and thought it was pricey at about $40. (Could be the woman in the store didn't size me properly though.) But anyway, found a bra with no underwire- very soft but supportive- at Target and then got the extenders and sewed them on so I didn't have to mess with all the fasteners each time. (Target sold the bra extenders, too. the bra was about 15 and the extenders were a couple bucks for 3 in the pack.)

Hi, K..

The good news is--you really shouldn't wear an underwire bra while you are nursing so most nursing bras don't have them. I particularly liked the Playtex nursing bras. They were easy to find and fit really well. The material was a soft, breathable cotton that didn't irritate when rubbing against your nipples or skin. They were comfortable enough to wear day and night--another must while nursing.

I would suggest going to a baby store or a department store and trying a few on to ensure a good fit and to test for comfort. Every woman is so different that what feels good for one might really be irritating to another.

Good luck with your nursing.

Bravada bras are great, I think I got mine at breakoutbras.com. There is another company out of Canada I think it was the WOW bra, but I can't seem to find their website. I loved theirs, better than bravada and half the price.
K.

Hey,

I am a 44I/J. I found a few places that can get good bras. First in Richmond there is a store called Blythe. This is the only place where I found bras that fit as good when I got home as in the store. Their website it http://www.shopatblythe.com/. Also I shope online at breakoutbras.com. They have a good selection of bigger bras. If you need help with sizing then just email the store and they will assist you.

I hope this helps.

I am also a plus-sized woman and, believe it or not, I bought all of my nursing bras at Wal-Mart! I don't know how big your chest size is, but I am a 42 C if that helps you any. Good luck!

victorias secret sells them now and i think lane bryant does. i love lane bryant prices especially during sale. i got mine for free from WIC if you are on that.

i ordered nursing bras thru Jc penney. I used a catalouge then(5yrs ago), but I'm sure you can find it online. They were very reasonable in comparison to the 'boutique' Maternity stores. Really- god forbid you be pregnant and bigger than a standard large or even extra large! Seems to give the stores reason to quadruple the price times ten! Robbery for sure! Anyway, also try asking on Freecycle- you may just find a sympathetic ear in another plus size woman that is ready to gift down some plus sized gear at no cost at all. Go to Freecycle.org and join the group that goes with your living area-fabuous and 'green' organization! I also found, late in my pregnancy, that the Motherhood store in the Owning Mill Mall(only) carried plus sized clothes- got some reasonable stuff on the clearance rack. Good luck!

I found some good, plus-sized, non-underwire ones by Playtex, I think I got them at Walmart or the Navy Exchange. Good luck! S.

Hi K.,

The La Leche League might have some resources for you.

www.lllusa.org/VA/WebTidewaterVA

Good luck. D.

If you are in VB, try out "The Full Cup" near Hilltop at the Beach (actually, think it's on the corner of Great Neck and Laskin). They are a little pricey but offer a GREAT variety of bras for the fuller figure (it's the only place I buy because all of the bras last a long time and I need special sizing). They are hassle free - so you could even just set up an appt to get correctly measured and check it out yourself.

Hope that helps!

By the way - despite buying a nursing bra, I was so large that I ended up just using a sport tank top that fit pretty tight - it worked for me and is a much cheaper option alltogether. The downside was not having any flip latches for easy access.

Define fortune! I had a bra that I absolutely loved. It was called J'unique and I bought it online from www.birthandbaby.com. It was not an underwire, it was comfortable, and it provided tremendous support. The only downside was that it could give you "Madonna Boobs" from her "Truth or Dare" video. But, really, it depends on your outfit I think. I paid 50 bucks for mine...and, at the time, I felt like that was a fortune. But, I ended up buying three more...and I still wear them four years later (and I'm not even nursing!)

That website has a ton of bras in a huge variety of sizes. And, if you call, they are very helpful. If you give them your measurements (following their instructions)and what you are looking for, they will recommend something for you. Good luck!

I see you have received a TON of advice. I am a 44F when nursing and constantly leak even though my kids both nursed about every 1 1/2 hrs. I found that the "love at first sight" bra available from JCPenney was great. they are $29 but worth every penny. They cup is double layered, so if you leak-like I do-through your nursing pads, the bra still holds most of the moisture until you can get a change somewhere. The shoulder straps are supporting and the bra doesn't cut into your sides, back or shoulders like other bras for large women do. I swear, this being my 3rd child I'm going to start a "plus size" maternity line. I hate shopping plus and pregnant. NOTHING fits or is fashionable!! LOL

JC Penney online has some good ones. I am also plus size and that is where I got mine from. Hope this helps!!

Bravada Nursing bras are the absolute best...do a search online and order away. I bought so many different kinds and this was the BEST!

K.,

I am also a plus sized woman. I have a small selection of bras, but I hate not having underwire. Most of my bras are not underwire. If you would like, I can give them to you, if they are your size, and you can see if you like them. Like I said, I love underwire & do not wear the bras I have without underwire. I will be happy to mail them to you. Let me know if you are interested.

God Bless! J.

Hi,
I wear a 44DDD when I am nursing and have found that Playtex are the best. They are easy to use and comfy. They cost about $35 but if you live near an outlet you can get 2 for 1. Kohls does this too but I am not sure about their size range. I know that I also called Playtex when I couldn't find them and they can be ordered direct at full price. They sell both underwire and regular. I too don't like the wires either.
hope this helps.
L. (38) mother to Isabel 4, Giulia 2, Abigail 3 months

The absolutely best nursing bra is the Hanes™ All Over Comfort Convertible Strap Wirefree Bra (or wired). It is NOT a nursing bra, it has snaps at the end of the straps at your chest so that you can just unsnap and flap. It is snapped like that so that you can criscross the back, but I used it for nursing my 2nd and 3rd and would never use anything else. In addition, you can use them still when you finished.

I bought several at Motherhood Maternity that I love! I actually still wear them around the house if I'm in my jammies and don't feel like wearing an underwire bra. They're the soft, non-underwire nursing "bras" intended for night time wear and they go up to size XXL. They cross over in the front so you can pull one side down at a time and very comfortable!

I got mine from Target online, brand name O'Malley. I don't know why they even make nursing bras with underwire as they can contibute to blocked ducts and mastisis. Happy shopping!

I am also plus size and needed a nursing bra, and of course stores do not carry my size. I shop online at www.biggerbras.com they are reasonable in price and they have a great selection. I bought mine there, and I'm a 46G. They should have wireless for you. Good Luck!!