[jensma]

Did you buy bras before you had your baby or wait until later...how do you know what size to buy?? So far i haven't gotten too much bigger since the initial influx!! Thank God...but i'm afraid they might? What would you do?

[mlyster]

I have been thinking the exact same thing. Found this site http://www.bravadodesigns.com/page.asp?ID=506 (bra sales site) that helped a little but I still have not felt comfortable making any sort of decision on what to do. So far for me my rib cage has expanded but my cup size is not much different. I am pretty sure that will change!

[chrisam143]

Thanks for posting this Kate and thanks for the link Michelle. I've been wondering too. I actually bought one last week, almost by mistake. I needed a new bra and picked out one at Maternity Motherhood and didn't realize until I tried it that it was a nursing one It was really nice, so I bought it. The sales lady there said it should still fit later if I could slide my hand into the cup. She said they also sell extenders which could be used if you need a higher # (around ribs).

I'm thinking I'll wait to buy more until October, hopefully they'll be closer to the size they will be afterwards. Not sure! Hopefully a BTDT mom will respond with good advice for us first time gals!!

[hearts.0nfire]

Thank you so much for posting this and posting that link! I posted in my DDC about how just a few weeks later I already need another bra. It helped me realize that i'm probably now a DD and not a D. Even though I have no idea what i'll do by my third trimester i'll keep this post in mind and take the advice from it.

[MommyPoky]

I didn't start needing new bras until close to the end, and I went up a cup size and a band size from where I started pre pregnancy. I bought nursing bras because I didn't see the point in getting non-nursing ones for only a month or two. My boobs did get bigger when my milk first came in, but then they went down to my pregnancy size, so the bras I bought fit perfectly. I do have some motherhood ones and they are okay, but some of them are not very supportive. My favorite is an Anita Maternity brand, it's non-underwire but super supportive, and comfortable. They're expensive though - I got mine from my aunt who is a LC and has a business and is getting rid of her bras, so I only paid $10.

[Dóchas]

Ladies hope you don't mind me giving my
I work in Mothercare and I measure pregnant ladies for bra's all the time. We tell them not to get your nursing bra untill 2 weeks before your due date. As in the last few weeks your cup size will change.
My advice would be wait and then go and get fitted in a store.

[KCMomma]

I would agree with the above post for sure. I waited until the end to get actually nursing bras as your boobs will most likely grow a lot at the end and especially when the milk comes in! I absolutely loved the sleep bras from Motherhood Maternity...they were soooooooo comfy and at the beginning I had to sleep in the them so that really helpd too. Also, I got the nursing tanks with bras built in from Target and lived in them for like the first few months. I'm not a big person so it worked for me. Just my thoughts!

[LoLo'sMama]

Great link and info ladies!

[ca_dawson]

I initially went up to a C, but towards the end of pregnancy ended up in a D. My nursing bras are D's and fit well. I didn't buy mine until towards the end as well. I got mine from target and really like them.

[MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy]

I didn't get a nursing bra until my milk came in. I was really glad I waited because they got so much larger than I expected. They didn't grow at all while I was prego but after my milk, YOWZERS!

[jensma]

yeah i'm a 38DD now and that's scary enough!!

[mlyster]

I am right there with you Kate at a 38D so I can't imagine what will happen when they get bigger!!

[karenwalter]

I got mine after Connor was born. That way I didn't spend a bunch of money and end of needing a different size once my milk came in.

I did buy 1 or 2 cheap ones to fit me throughout the pregnancy (I think from Target).

I second Gwen's comment about sleep bras from Motherhood. I needed a sleep bra because I would leak all night long and had to wear nursing pads. It was great to have sleep bras and not have to sleep with an underwire or anything. Way more comfortable!

[fromustobaby]

I live in sports bras and nursing tank tops...it makes for easy access...I was an A cup, and went up to a C when my milk first came in, and then down to a B once my body adjusted...

I used to not wear a bra at night, but now I have to, or else I get a milk bath - and nursing pads, at least for me, are a must!

[MommyPoky]

I third the comments about the sleep bras, they're the best! I will probably wear them even when I'm not nursing anymore. So comfy.

[KCMomma]

I also wanted to add that I made my own hands free pumping bra....may sound a little ghetto...however it saved me some money and it worked!! Anyway, I took an old sports bra that was a little tight and cut a small slit in by the nipple area then I would wear that and put the pump in there and BAM...I was hands free!!!! It was nice to be able to type or search the internet hands free!!!!! I was EP for several months so this was super helpful for me. Just a thought!!

[Celry]

I know lots of people who made their own hands free bra like Gwen.

I bought 3 Fruit of the Loom sports bras at Walmart. They came in a 3 pack and were pretty cheap. I used those for sleeping during pregnancy and still use them now. They have really thin straps and are super comfortable. I bought other bras after the kids were born.

[Jodi0804]

I also love the sleep bras! I have one from motherhood but also found some at walmart (and they were very reasonable)!! I waited until after I had the baby to get some nursing bras and glad I did!! I also have a nursing tank from target that I wear a lot around the house.