Friday, October 5, 2007
Nursing Bras: The Bane of My Existance
I started to title this "Nursing Bras S*ck," but "s*ck" looks like "sick," and that's not what I mean. I mean that the darned things just don't fit. Why can't they size them the same as the bras everybody else wears? I mean it just doesn't make sense. Either the band size is too small, or the cup size is too big. I go up (or down) in one area, and the other area goes up or down too, even if I didn't change the other. It's really ridiculous. I would be more specific, but that's just more information about me than anyone out there needs. So let me just ask--any recommendations before I lose my mind? I can't get by with a non-nursing bra or a front-hook, I've tried Bravado & I don't like the style that's supposed to fit my size, and I prefer underwire. So please--give me your recommendations and share your stories! (As much as you feel like sharing, that is. . .)
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8 comments:
Wish I could help. I hate nursing bras, but like you I have to have them and they all stink.
Three kids and I still haven't found the magic one.
I do have a friend that swears by those super-padded formed kind. They act like more of a shelf than actual support which doesn't work for me but might for you!
I've had really good luck with the Medela "Softcup Seamless Bra." Here's an online link: http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/seambraspant.html. They come in underwire, which I love, but it is probably best to try one on before you buy because I don't think they'll let you return it. I have never found it at the stores listed on the "Where to Buy" page, though; I bought mine at a breastfeeding store.
I also like the nursing tanks they sell at Target. They're great for sleeping but I think you could wear them all day if you felt so inclined.
I just did try the underwire of the Medela you mention--same problem: band too tight, cup too loose. I could try the softcup, I guess, but my experience with softcups is that they have so little shape!! Either that, or they have a weird shape...
I have tried the ones with the cups that "stand up by themselves" as I like to say, and I do get the best fit, but I can still fit a wad of kleenex in the cup. :P It's the "your breasts will expand" theory. Well, gee, if they expand, I'll buy the next size, but in my experience, they don't!!! ;)
I had nursing bras I loved with my first, but they were discontinued and the imitations don't really come in my size...
And has anyone seen the PRICE of these things???
I hate nursing bras -- they have an ugly silhouette under clothes, offer no support, and I have to go online to order my size.
I bear with 'em for the early days when you have to nurse all the time, but as the baby got closer to weaning (after a year or so) I started wearing regular bras and just yanking them down to feed. Note: this is terrible for your bras, especially those formed ones; it will leave creases in them, eventually. Also, it works best with demi bras, and for those of us who are busty, you have to adjust all the time because otherwise you'll start mounding.
I swear by underwire. I don't know how anyone can not wear it. Ugh.
You know what? I told you the wrong one. The one I am wearing now and that I love is NOT the softcup seamless bra. It's the "Full Fit Seamless Bra." It is only available with underwire and it has been the only nursing bra that has given me good support. But you might experience the same problems as you did with the one you tried. I did go to Motherhood Maternity and did not like the nursing bras they had there; they didn't give me any support whatsover and I'm convinced they're made for smaller-chested women.
Now you've got me worried about shape. What do you mean by shape? I've tried some nursing bras that squeeze me in too much and make me look flat against my chest; and then there are the sports-type bras which just make me look droopy because they have no underwire. Is that what you mean by shape?
I guess I avoided the shape issue by sticking to oversized shirts and jackets over the dresses which is probably not the best approach. It just makes me feel dumpy. Let me know if you find one that works.
By "shape" I mean either the droopy-in-an-hour prolem, or the bulge out to the sides problem. Although I discovered last night that there are other interesting variations! Yeah. It's obvious. I'm not petite! ;) Not huge, but not petite.
The Motherhood selection does NOTHING--but I've got to say, they're cuter than they were 2 years ago. I've got some more on order, but the buy-return-buy cycle is frustrating.
Hey! I've got a suggestion! (Can you tell I'm excited to share this?)
I absolutely *love* BirthAndBaby.com
It has the most detailed fitting info (including shape of the breast, not just cup size or band length) I've ever found, they mail you stuff free to try on, and have loads of different types in-stock.
Go there. Read. You will find what you need.
At least, I totally expect you will.
The prices are normal-- which is to say, high, but really, I've gotten through all three of my kids with three bras (I bought thr 3rd when the second was born) so I think we've done well cost-wise.
Especially considering they fit and functioned well.
*Good luck!*
Thanks!! I visited & sent an email!
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