I’m a bit preoccupied with babies as I sit and wait for number three to make her big debut. I don’t really need much at all for this little one, but I am thinking of finally investing in a few nice nursing bras. I’ve nursed two kids for almost two years each and I’m about to add another child to my nursing résumé, so I think it’s time I splurge on a bra that doesn’t come from Wal-Mart or Target. I’ve bought all my previous nursing bras for under 20 bucks, but even el cheapo me is ready and willing to fork out a little more cash this time.
This is where my fellow nursing moms come in. Do you have any recommendations? I’ve heard good things about Motherwear (and I love their breastfeeding blog) as well as Bravado. Just today I noticed that GAP now sells nursing bras and tops. I have a few GAP gift certificates, so I was thinking of maybe ordering a bra from there.
Now just to get something off my chest (cut me some slack for the terrible pun; I’m getting a little stir crazy reclining on my bed and am finding an increasing need to be silly). Even when I’m pregnant and nursing I’m not exactly what you’d describe as voluptuous. Perky, maybe, but my duo only grows in size immediately after my milk comes in and then – poof! – objects are smaller than they should appear.
True story: I had to shop for a new strapless bra a few months after I had Rae that I needed for a dress I was planning to wear to an event for my husband’s work. I walked into the lingerie store and the salesperson asked me what I was looking for and what size I thought I might need. I stood up straight and maybe I jutted out my chest just a bit.
“I need a strapless bra. I’m a nursing mom, so I think I need at least a B-cup.”
The salesperson kindly smiled at me. “Let’s try an A-cup first.” Ugh. The nerve of her. An A-cup? Ha! I’ll show her.
The only thing I showed her was that even breastfeeding wasn’t going to allow me to fill out a B-cup. The A-cup fit just fine, and that left me wondering what size my twins were when I wasn’t nursing. A negative A?
Oh well. That’s neither here nor there. I only share this background information with you in case certain nursing bras are better for different body types.
Anyway, if you have a specific brand or style you’re crazy about, let me know! I’m eager to make my big purchase.
I know you said no Walmart or Target, but honestly I get my favorite nursing tops there. They are nursing tanktops, not sure of the brand, but they are fabulous for sleeping in, hanging around the house in, or pairing underneath another top for easy and discreet breastfeeding while you’re out and about. Good luck!
obviously the brands we have here in Australia are going to be different to there but I have had both expensive triumph bras and the el cheapo name no one can remember bras and I really cannot tell you much difference between them. One I got that was only about $15.00 was the best bra because it was so easy to undo and do up after feeding. I like to have one that you can undo with one hand because usually when you are undoing them, you are holding baby.
I had that bra for number 4 and haven’t seen anything like it since. I really regretted not buying a heap of them when I knew they were so easy to use.
Your story reminds me of my sister. She also is breastfeeding at the moment. I don’t know what size she is but I remember when we took a sewing course together and we were in pairs to measure body measurements. The girl that measured her was sure she had the breast measurement wrong because it was just 2 cm bigger then her waist measurement. My sister was so embarrassed but said no thats right.
I would be no help on this one. I’m nursing #5 now and haven’t had a nursing bra since #1. Isn’t it funny how we number our children?
I just think it’s too much fumbling (especially in public). I think it’s easier just to pull up and pull down a regular bra. Then again, maybe I’m not wearing a bra that is snug enough if I’m able to do that. Sports bras work well, too, but I don’t actually have one of those right now. I usually get my bras at Wal-mart, too. Although I think I do have one from Victoria’s secret. I don’t know if they sell nursing bras or not, though.
Mimi Maternity.
I’ve tried them from Wal-Mart, Target, and Motherhood. They all are terrible compared to the one I bought at Mimi.
Grant it, it costs $40 in 2007, but I still wear it and it’s worth every penny. The most durable and comfortable.
OOPS!!!
I didn’t see my dh was signed in. Sorry about that.
PB was me.
Great question! I look forward to reading others’ comments. I have only bought bras and tanks from Target, but have been happy with them so far. And I actually broke down with this baby and bought some nursing tops to try out and see if they ease my “public” nursing issues.
While I’m enormous and can’t recommend a bra to you based on size and support, I can say I am really happy with the mechanics of the Bravado bras. The snaps are easy to undo/do with one hand. Nursing bras I had with my son had hooks that sometimes took two hands to secure. Also, the ones I have hold up to frequent washings and abuse. I must also say that while at first I thought the leopard print one was silly, it is now my favorite.
I have had bras from Motherhood and from Target, and I really preferred the Target brand ones. They held up to washing and didn’t ever stretch or change size. My only problem was finding the right size – you really have to search and there is no guarantee. I feel you pain on the “size” issue – I’m right there with you!! And just wait until you hit your 40’s and you’ve nursed more kids! “Saggy, baggy” takes on a whole new meaning!!
I stopped wearing all my nursing bras a few months ago, when my previous nicely rounded size became too small for thos bras. I’m trying not to spend money on bras right now, so I pulled out some nursing tanks.
I got them at Target, and I love them. They make for discreet nursing since your tummy stays covered. I sleep in them and layer them under tops that are too low cut or sheer. Or really under anything at all. I love them.
The only drawback I’ve found is that they offer no, um, enhancement, and you end up with uniboob. Flat uniboob in my case! But I found some nice, shapely nursing pads to help that out a bit…
TMI?
Hope it helps! And let us know what you find, I know I’ll need to invest in a better set of nursing bras by the time another baby rolls around.
I love the Gillian Anderson nursing bras at Target. I don’t get very busty, even when pregnant and nursing, so support isn’t as much of an issue. They seem durable – I’m on my 3rd baby with this set (I wear them while pregnant, too, because they are more “adjustable” than regular bras.)
My next top choice is a regular bra with a front closure! A sports bra with a front closure is wonderful for the first few weeks when the milk comes in and everything is “getting settled”, if you KWIM.
I dislike the Playtex and WalMart store brands, they just aren’t comfy for me.
My other tip is to try every single one on. My white one and my tan one are different sizes, even though they have the same model #!
I’m the same as you Katie (although not pregnant with my 3rd yet!). I only have nice breasts when I’m pregnant and immediately after nursing. Then I’m a big fat A cup. Droopy A cup, to be exact. Not fun or fair, but whatever :) I’ve only bought cheap nursing bras so you’ll have to let me know what you buy!
I loved my bella materna bras and camisoles. The fabric felt so gorgeous and I loved the colours also. As for size, I am (post-nursing) 34AAA!!!
I got mine at Motherhood and they were just the cheapest ones they had and I have been wearing them for over seven years straight.
I love my Bravado bra — comfy, no underwire, easy to open/close. I bought it at the breastfeeding clinic at the hospital I delivered at, but I noticed Target sells them online. I’ve also bought some underwire/no padding and underwire with padding from Motherhood. Both are good and after a year they are getting worn. I see a difference between the chepo ones from Motherhood (less than 20) and the Bravado (more than 40) in the comfort and wear.
Happy shopping!
Wow! Thank you all for the helpful comments and suggestions. I didn’t realize Target even sold nursing tanks. I do love Target. I just haven’t had much luck in the nursing bra department. I think more than anything I need a retailer that has more of a selection. I’d like one pretty bra that still provides support because even we A-cuppers need a little help! :)
Thanks to all of you!!! Now I have to make my big decision, although I’ll probably wait until Baby arrives and see how my body changes this time.
Blessings!
I spent $45 on a nursing bra from a special boob shop. And it sucks at support (I don’t want my boobs all they way down THERE!). So I just bought a regular bra and I pull it up when I pull up my shirt. However, this might be easier with my D cup Over the Shoulder Boulder Holder.
Blessings!
A little late, but I am totally and utterly sold on Bella Materna’s. Pricey, yes. So comfortable I still use them, though I stopped nursing 6 months ago? Yes. Worth every penny, and make me feel like a rock star? Yes.
Good luck!
Hi Kate,
I got mine 6 years ago at JCPenney. They are Playtex and the Alternative to Underwire kind, so support but not an uncomfortable wire. I remember they were a little over $20, but I got them buy two, get one free. I really like the clasp which is super easy to do with one hand. Let me tell you, I put that to work when I nursed the twins. Finally after 4 kids and 6 years, they are starting to wear out a bit. For night time I like the sleep bras at Motherhood Maternity. So comfy but still some support and a place to put pads if you are leaky.
I'm catching up on old feeds and thought I'd throw a few names out there just in case. I've had 3 little girls in the last 3 1/2 years and nursed them all so mine nursing bras have seen ALOT of use lately! I really like my Medela & Anita bras that I purchased at a little specialty nursing & maternity botique here in Austin, but they have an on-line store, too (www.maternityandnursing.com). The best thing about them was that they had expert fittings that made sure I was making a good investment. I would say that I was always a little surprised at how snug they felt when they were the right size (apparently I had never really worn a bra in the right size before!). And I agree with those who mentioned before that the MOST important feature is the ease with which you can unhook the cup to feed your baby using only one hand. That is a big reason I like my two brands. Oh, and just for randomness, I read recently that bras last longer if you rotate them and don't wear the same one day after day, but alternate so the elastic has a chance to rest. That was news to me! If you're going to invest in good nursing bras, you'll want them to last!! Hope that helps!
I am cracking up! I am in need of some new nursing bras and the ones at target and motherhood are (sadly) too big, even for my milk-filled jugs. So, I googled “size A nursing bras” and this post was one of the first links! Did you ever find a good one?! ~Jennifer Groves
Oh my. That’s hilarious! I actually ended up just using GAP body bras. They’re not nursing bras, but I just lift them over and they’ve been super comfy. And amazingly with Thomas, I’ve moved up a cup size. :-)
Here’s my favorite GAP Body bra. It’s super comfy and thick enough that if you leak a little, it won’t go through.
Thank you! Do you know if they sell this one in the stores. I’d really like to be able to try it on first. I have a phobia of buying clothing online. :)
Jen, I’m honestly not sure. I ordered them online on an obviously lucky whim. Good luck!