Tips on Buying a Nursing Bra?

I bought my nursing bras at the size I was during pregnancy, but then after I bought them I was told that I should have gotten them a cup size bigger. I didn't actually listen to that advice until I was about six months in to nursing and I needed new nursing bras so I bought a size bigger and it really helped. It didn't do anything but make me look a little better in my t-shirts, but it was still nice! Good luck!

I recommend getting one that's a little padded or lined. That way you can't see the outline of the nursing pad through your clothes. Not pretty.

Personally, I think they all suck! I bought 3 with my first (a boy) pregnancy and they were sooooo uncomfortable I did not use them. I ended up using plain cotton triangle bras (no underwire) and just pulled them down. I put a burb cloth there to catch the falling milk that leaks out when the baby is eating so the bra does not get wet. Actually that is exactly what I am doing now with my second (a girl).

Maybe someone else had better luck than me, but all the ones I found were big, bulky and tight, just super uncomfortable.
But that was a couple years ago, maybe something better is out there now. I did not even look this time around, just used my trusty triangle ones. So comfortable and it takes 3 seconds to pull them down and put the burb cloth.

Good luck!

Hello-

When I was pregnant with my daughter and throughout the entire two years I nursed her, I went up a full cup size. I normally wear a 32B but wore a 32C while I was breastfeeding. I wore Medela's nursing bras and liked them. I am now pregnant with my second baby due in January and have already starting wearing my C bras again. I know that some women go up even more than one cup size, but that wasn't the case with me. We'll see what happens with this baby! I hope that this helps you out a little. Best of luck! And by the way, if you can make it through the first four or five days with breastfeeding, (they were the toughest for me) you'll be home free! It's a piece of cake from there.

I nursed both of my sons for over a year each. They are now almost 5 and almost 2. I too am "small" chested and never got fuller until weeks after my milk came in. Its long gone now :-( I would recommend NOT getting one with underwire. I liked having a hook up near my shoulder. I got comfy cotton ones that were like sports bras. I slept in them and wore them constantly. I also swore by nursing pads (the disposable ones didn't work for me... I got cotton washables) Good for you for planning on nursing your son. Its truly the single best thing you can do for him and you. For me, it was tough for the first 6 weeks and then smooth and easy sailing the rest of the way. Good luck to you and your little boy!

Hi, I just went to Wal-Mart in the bra's section and I got it one cup bigger than what I was at the time, if you don't know, by this time I would suggest you almost 2 times bigger that what you were before getting pregnant. Believe you are going to be so swelled up that you need to be comfy!!

Hi
I nursed my daughter for 13 months, so I know a thing or two about nursing bras. I found ones that I liked at target. You could buy them now, buy a few because they will get dirty more than your regular bras. I thought that the thicker ones were better for me, they held up better in the wash, hide some leaks that were unexpected, and your nipples get really long and are constantly hard. The thicker bras cover them better. your breast won't get much bigger so I would suggest getting them now because your husband will not know what to get. Try them on and make sure that they are on the tighter side because they will stretch a bit from pulling them up and down. I would get some of the tanks that are for nursing also, I used them all the time so that it was easier to nurse. I thought that the best deals were also at target. The maternity stores have more of a variety but are more expensive.
hope this helps.
Congrats on the new baby!
E..

I just went to the Mimi Maternity in the Garden's Mall and they were so nice to help me pick the right size. Be careful b/c they can get pricey! Good Luck.

I bought nursing bras that were "sport bras". They were great for around the house, easy to take up & down and easy for the baby. No padding though. For regular nursing bras to wear to work, etc., I liked the ones with some padding in case of "accident". They have those at Target.

Congrats on your little one. When I went to buy a nursing bra it was 1 band size bigger and 1 cup size bigger than what you currently wear. I would suggest to buy one or two for now and then when everything else settles down buy a couple in your new size. Don't get one with undear wire it can lead to clogged ducts. Even though I'm a small size, 34 B, I want more support from a nursing bra..... I guess you can't win them all.
Good luck...

after your milk comes in, etc head to Mimi maternity & invest in 2 nursing bras- one 'nude' and one black'
I did this for each baby (2) and I can't tell you how AMAZING they hold up!!! these are so worth the investment in my opinion!! make sure you don't get any underwire, because this can lead to plugged ducts...