In the beginning, while your breasts are tender and fluctuating a lot in size, you’re going to want a bra that is soft and stretchy. Many, many moms swear by the Bravado Original Nursing Bra, but for me, with my broad chest and wider than average shoulders, the Original Nursing Bra did not fit at all. Generally, I think if you sometimes have problems getting wrap tops to fit properly, you may want to steer clear of this style. My favorite early post-natal bra, which was also great for sleeping in, was the Medela Comfort Maternity Nursing Bra. Other bras I liked were the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra and the 
Elle Macpherson Intimates Maternelle Feeding Bra, but I must warn that this has faded through repeated washings from pretty pink to dusty gray-pink. I still like it, it’s just not quite as pretty as it used to be.
As your nursing relationship matures, you may find that your size has stabilized and you are yearning to get back into your underwire bras (not recommended if you have problems with mastitis). I hit this point around the time that my son was 7 months old. Since I liked the Medela Comfort bra, I thought I’d try the Medela Seamless Underwire Maternity Nursing Bra. It isn’t available in Europe, and it didn’t have the best reviews, but neither did the Comfort bra, so I went ahead and took the plunge, buying it to ship to a relative, who mailed it to me, knowing that by the time I got it, returning wouldn’t be an option. Well, it ends up the reviews on the web were right about this one. The straps are funny and I think they would only sit right on petite women. The wide part of the strap that should sit at the top of the shoulder, sits on my chest, and the bra rides up a lot.
I really like Anita Maternity style 5041. It has a nice amount of stretch, is pretty-ish and supportive. Feeling encouraged by this, I tried Anita Maternity styles 5031, 5035 and 5075, but was unable to find the proper fit in any of these styles. Also, a bra fitter told me that Anita runs big. I normally wear a 38C and my Anita size is 36C.
I guess the moral of the story is: just because you do/don’t fit in one style, doesn’t mean you will/won’t fit in another style from the same brand. You really have to try nursing bras on and if you order them online, make sure you’ll be able to return them.
My final advice, is that if you have a regular bra that you love, you can take it to a seamstress and have them make it into a nursing bra. I can’t say for sure how much this might cost you, as I had a friend do mine for 5 Euro a piece, but I’m seriously loving my new collection of Body by Victoria’s Secret nursing bras! (If you’d like to help me in my mission to get Victoria’s Secret to sell nursing bras, send them a suggestion to that fact)
Note: None of the websites listed offer worldwide shipping on their products. You can search for international stockists through the Anita website. The Bravado online shop currently ships to the US and Canada only, but their bras and tops can be found in online shops located in countries worldwide (it would be nice if these were listed on the Bravado website - hint hint!); the same is true of the Medela and Elle Macpherson bras.
Have you found a nursing bra you love?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I used Anita while I was in Germany and loved them. I do not remember the exact models, but one was microfiber and the other lace (I didn’t have 2 bras– 2 styles). I also had brought over some Liz Lange for Target nursing tanks. I consider those to be invaluable.
In the US, I use bras from mimi maternity– no underwire, cotton comfort– and the nursing tanks.
My bra advice– recognize when they are getting worn out and replace them.
I began wearing my original Bravado bras while I was pregnant, and wore them until they were practically falling off my body when T was eight months old. I am normally an A cup so size wasn’t a problem, though it was an adjustment for me to wear wide straps and need more coverage. But I never felt like the Bravado bras were too bulky, which I felt with some other brands.
The Target nursing tank tops were my secret weapons. I’ll second Maria’s endorsement – I wore them almost every day. I wore them at the hospital, I wore them to bed, I wore them under button-down shirts and dresses, they were awesome. I wasn’t always comfortable breaking out the boob in public (all those years in a conservative Christian hometown apparently stuck with my subconscious!) and the tank allowed for more coverage when I wanted it. They were Liz Lange brand when I bought them, but I think they’ve switched the brand to Gilligan & O’Malley and changed the cut a bit (they’re slightly wider and longer now).
http://www.target.com/Gilligan-OMalley-Nursing-Tank-White/dp/B000KLVH56/qid=1217951408/ref=br_1_2/601-5155517-6457709?ie=UTF8&node=13767731&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1
Blythes last blog post..Well! That was fun.
@maria: The Anita model I like is the lace one. The microfiber one doesn’t fit me properly. And that’s good advice. I better go chuck some of my bras that are getting worn out!
@blythe: When I was in the US last Christmas, I went to Target and grabbed every piece of nursing apparel and headed for the changing room. Nothing worked! I was so bummed. I think I must have some strangely shaped body that is different from the majority of women.
I absolutely swear by Japanese Weekend crossover bra. It isn’t all cotton (only drawback) but it is amazingly comfy and holds up well to washing. It is great for those of us whose breasts aren’t huge (I am a C cup now, I believe, but maybe D) and who want a non-fussy opening for nursing (no clips, just pull aside). At approx. $36 each, they aren’t cheap. But man are they worth it to me. http://shop.nurturecenter.com/japweekhugnu.html to see one. I found one at my local maternity store. Hope it helps someone!
ravyns last blog post..makin’ noise!
After several failed attempts with motherhood maternity bras and medela, I found bravada and nummies. I’m still BFing Bubba Joe @ 27 months (and just found out that I’m prego with #2). Coverage and support (as well as sexiness) are important to me.
I just found Nummies during our last trip to the states on zappos.com. Very comfie bra and very flattering to my figure. (I no longer have the boy look – look ma! I’ve got curves!)
And Bravada – well, I’ve just never gone wrong with just about anything from them. My fav is in the wash (or downstairs drying) … I’ll try to remember to figure out which model it is because I am in love with it right now!
Alices last blog post..Sweet dreams are made of this …
I noticed this article when I was reading about converting bras into nursing bras. Besides actually buying a nursing bra, why not stick with the bra you like and convert it into a nursing bra. This site converts ANY bra they sell into a nursing bra, check it out: http://www.brasnyc.com/webpage.asp?id=19
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