Okay, Bras!!! So a wise friend of mine told me before I was even pregnant, "You can't go cheap on nursing bras." She was right. I got a couple of underwire (no no!) bras from one of those convenient maternity chains in the mall, and they suck. Uncomfortable, unflattering, just un. Plus, I've since learned, underwire bras can cause mastitis. Ugh.
One notch up would be Medela. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing Medela - they made my dear Bessie, after all. But two things. One, they run WAY SMALL. In everything - I've tried a post-partum tummy support, bras, and the bamboo nursing cami (which is really soft but the openings for the breasts are too small), and I would warn everyone, buy at LEAST one size larger than you normally do. So, one size larger than you are buying now, not one size larger than your pre-baby size. So I don't currently own any of their bras. The sleep bra was very soft and nice, and would have been great, if it wasn't tiny. And since I've been struggling with thrush, I couldn't even donate that sucker - had to trash it. And the second thing, and really this is the case for most companies - their nursing tanks are very loose. If you want a tight one for layering, so far as I can tell, you have to find a Noppies cami. But that is a topic for another post.
Next notch up is Bravado. I have two different styles of bra from them. I have one Microfiber Nursing Bra. This is great if your nipples don't like to get mooshed, because the cups are really soft. The downside of that is they aren't very smooth, so you won't want to wear it under a sheer or silky top, or even a tight t-shirt. Or maybe you will, if you're not as "no details showing" obsessed as I am. I find that the band has become tighter over time, or else I've just started noticing it more, so if I got another one I'd get a size larger on the band than I measure. This may be due to the several times I've had to nuke my bras in hot water and dryer, again, due to thrush. I also have their Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra. I have two of these- soooo comfy. Also the most discreet, with the slide in padding for smoothness. A little bit of a nipple-masher, but okay if you're not at the very beginning of things, or not having any latching problems. With the inserts in, it's not the most breathable thing in the world, but if you go braless around the house it's not so bad.
Then there are the uber-princess bras, Bella Materna. I got these from my lactation consultant, who measured me and had me try them on carefully with nursing pads, which is probably part of why they fit so well. Soft, microfiber, breathable, no nipple mashing. Also nothing left to the imagination, be that you or your nursing pads. But under a lot of tops it doesn't matter. I have the Women's Adjustable Anytime Nursing Bralet (Okay, women's? Who else would be nursing, or wearing a bra for that matter? And why is it a Bralet and not a whole bra?). This one is great with a Boob Designs top (a review for another post but I LOVE my Boob Designs shirt and dress) because you just sort of yank all the fabric out of the way, totally minimal fuss with kiddo in public. Sometimes I feel like the bra(let) encroaches on Kiddo's activities a bit, but I can just re-yank and it's fine. On the bra(let), not Kiddo.
I also have a Bella Materna Women's Ruched Clip Nursing Bralet. (Again, looks like a whole bra to me, and they didn't have one for the husband...) This one is great because the whole cup really gets out of your way easily to nurse or pump, and it works well under my noppies nursing tank (again, another post!). Otherwise, same comments as for the other Bralet - soft, breathable, comfortable, doesn't conceal well but doesn't mash nipples either.
Both the Bravado Seamless and the Bella Maternas have fared very well through repeated hot water washings and a few machine dryings as part of the anti-thrush protocol. After a few goes in this hot wash routine, the inserts for the Bravado Seamless started to come apart a bit, but to be fair, they really aren't meant to be treated that way.
I would caution you all, as you likely have already observed, that most retailers will NOT accept returns on anything that says "nursing" on it, because they are assuming that you have deliberately squirted milk all over it and sent it back out of malice. Okay, okay, they have some valid reasoning here. But my point is, get measured by a real professional (many lactation consultants do this) if at all possible and buy one or two at a time and see how you like them.
One last warning. These non-underwire, well-made, comfortable, expensive bras have spoiled me and the girls, and we aren't going to be able to go back to the underwire, mass produced, cheaper stuff I used to wear. We've been promoted to Queen and Ladies in Waiting, and we're going to demand the best. So hopefully some of these brands make regular bras...
My absolute all purpose favorite for us big boobed gals is the DecentExposures.com bras in lined lycra with the hook/eye closures (velcro closure is easy one handed but noisy in meetings etc). Custom made so expect a few weeks to arrive, many colors, racer or regular back, no mono-boob look. Underlayer holds boob well enough so you don't have to. Comfly enough to sleep in if you need to (on call etc.)
ReplyDeleteThe other brands you mention are fabulous, but won't fit someone who starts out D or above. I'm a 34J. I've been living in these (except for lingerie moments and outfits that need deep cleavage) for the last 9 years.