Ok, so on another pregnancy related clothing issue, I need nursing bra info.
WIth my son (now 5 1/2), I was such a novice at breastfeeding, and at mothering in general, that I didn't have a clear picture in my mind of how things 'should' look, or what I wanted... so I got basic, cheap nursing bras from walmart, and was actually quite happy with them at the time. They were basic cotton with a little stretch, with wide straps. At the time, they did have a size big enough for me... but my breasts are quite a bit larger this time around, and I don't think they'll have any to fit me... It seems that these days, to get the cup size I need (at least DD, probably bigger now), the bands get too big... As in, the only DD's they carry are like a 40 or 42, and I need a 38, max. Plus, I'm pickier this time around, and I don't want those el-cheapo, bottom of the barrel bras... So I'm stuck with finding some others I like, and as we all know, bra shopping ain't easy!!
Where do I go to get nursing bras that I like, that will fit my size? I mean, it's not unusual for women's breasts to grow exponentially when pregnant/breastfeeding, so shouldn't stores carry sizes that are much bigger than 'regular' bras to accommodate this growth? But it seems they don't... they still have the regular old sizes... sigh.
I don't even know where to look for nice nursing bras in my size... and size is another issue. I really don't even know what size I'll need... where can I get a good measurement? I've heard Nordstroms is great, but we don't have one anywhere near us... Where else can I look? I hate the thought of ordering online because I'm so picky, and I don't really know my size, so chances are extremely slim that I'd get something that I actually like, that actually fits...
So what do I do?
ETA - I can't JUST wear nursing tanks... they don't offer NEAR enough support. I can't wear camis now without a bra under them. I do prefer to wear a tank or cami while bf'ing because I like my stomach covered... in fact, I wear them just about every day under my shirts now, like a little girl wearing an undershirt - lol - just because it's comfy for me! But as far as bf'ing,I'll always also have a bra on... so that prohibits me from using a sports bra, as well, as I need to be able to unlatch the bra from the top, instead of picking it up from the bottom... and I would not enjoy trying to heave my breast up and over the top of the sports bra... not fun! So I am definitely looking for a traditional nursing bra... Thanks for the suggestions so far!
I wasn't DD but I;ll tell you I HATE nursing bras.
What I did was get sports bras the second time around and just pull them up, they are strechy , and supportive , and comfortable.
I did what Beth did!
What about http://www.bravadodesigns.com/? I have one of theirs in pink because I wanted something girly. Go for the snaps that are kind of L shaped vs tabs (Medela does tabs, Target tanks do the more L shaped ones). I thought I would be bigger than I was so the first nursing bra I bought at JC Penny's was too big. I'd start with one at the size you are near delivery and see if you really do go up or not. Not sure if Target's nursing tanks would fit you, but I found them comfortable and stretchy. A nursing tank in general might be nice for sleepwear and for those initial days when your body is trying to feed quadruplets.
Bravado makes tanks with bras built in. Real bras. FYI.
I'm not as large on top as you; but I've been using nursing tanks. I always hate my stomach or back being exposed while nursing, so these work really well for me. I got mine at Target.
I asked a question maybe a month ago about where to find nursing bras too, you should check it out. If I remember right I was told more than once to NOT get bras from Motherhood. Bravado was recommended to me more than once too. I was HUGE after my daughter, like a 44 band and a DDD cup if I remember right. Ugh. I also got my nursing bras at Wal-Mart. Nope, not this time. I refuse. Good luck!
Medela makes nice nursing bras -- in DD also. They definitely have 38DD (I am a 36DD). They also have some with underwire and some without.
Babies R Us has some, and so does Buy Buy Baby. You can order online as well from just about anywhere.
They cost at $42 but many are more in price and not as good. I have only one, and I wash and dry it very often (since it only one) -- they quality is almost as good as new (except for just a little pilling, but the stretch is still there). The DD also has nice wide straps for comfort.
Finally, it looks like an actual bra under your clothes, so you won't be flopping all over the place like with the cheaper bras.
Order from Bravado.
They have a great return policy.
And as AV said-their nursing tanks have a real bra not just a elastic band.
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/shop/the-essential-nursing-...
ETA: Get yourself on their email list-they send out 20% off coupons every once in a while. I'm sure there will be one before Feb.. ;)
I think this size calculator is fairly accurate: http://brasizecalculator.net/bra_size_calculator.html. You do still need to try them on and be prepared to send them back or return them, though. I was a 38G with my first and could only order online, so I ordered Medela bras from JC Penney and really liked them. I also found myself liking their Duo bras in the smaller sizes once I lost weight. I have the same problem with band/cup size since I'm a 34D not nursing and it is a little hard to find.
LaLecheLeague has some pretty bras and I know people who really like Motherwear products (only online, sorry), and they sell nursing bras. With my third boy (6 months old now) I bought some gently used bras on ebay (gross for some, I didn't care, and they were in great shape) to get me through the maternity leave, then when those started to get too big with the weight coming off, I tried on my pregnancy bras (regular bras, but bigger than my usual) and found that the cups were stretchy enough that I can nurse with them on. I'm just going to do that to get me through the next six or seven months if I can.
Very few stores I've found carry a cup size bigger than a DD in a nursing bra, and as you've found most of those are with a larger band size. Good luck!!
Motherhood Maternity had a nice selection of different styles and types of nursing bras. Bravado Designs seems to have a nice comfy looking one. Really, just google "nursing bras" and you'll get about a million hits, and I'm sure you'll find something you like.
As for size, it's hard to tell. Some women hardly change at all. Some do a lot. I know that I was HUGE (not small to start -- DD before pregnancy) for the first few weeks after birth, but then I've been slowly getting smaller. I find that after about 2 years (I do extended nursing -- not for everyone), I'm close to my pre-pregnancy size, but not quite there.
I could never find a nursing bra with enough padding. I know you have big girls, but try to find one with padding, because I was hello nipples all the time and thats just ridiculous!
