When I first got pregnant with Madelynn(my first child if you didn't know) I knew I would breastfeed. It's the way God made us. So it only seems right.
Well at about 6 months in the pregnancy I got on a popular maternity clothes website to buy some nursing bras. There were NONE in my exact size. So I went to another maternity site and another. No where had exactly what I needed. They were all one band size to small or one cup size to small. I finally just went with the bra that was one band size to small and the EXACT cup size I was right then. Because that's the biggest bra they carried. I got the bras and they fit. So I was fine with my purchase and looked forward to using them.
The day I gave birth to Madelynn I put on the bra. It still fit and nursing went great. I had no clue what I was in store for.
My milk came in when Madelynn was 3 days old. That on its own is uncomfortable. But add in a bra that fit perfect before the milk came in but is probably 4 cup sizes to small when fully engorged. And no. I'm not joking. I guarantee my boobs grew 4 cup sizes that day. Kinda like the grinch's heart.
After the engorgement went away my boobs still no longer fit into my bra. I needed one 2 cup sizes bigger. But I had just spent a bunch of money on the three bras that I had. I also knew I couldn't find a bra the proper size. I mean, I had spent hours online that one day searching and searching. So I just sucked it up and made it work.
Eventually the situation just got ridiculous. My breasts would fall out of the bra when I bent over. They had stretched out the straps so much that they wouldn't stay on my shoulder. It was just horrible. But I never stopped nursing my baby. I just dealt with it because I had to provide for my daughter and we just didn't have money in the budget to drop on some new bras.
After Madelynn stopped nursing at 15 months I threw those bras away. I really had the urge to burn them I hated them so much. But I settled with the trash can.
So 2 1/2 years after my first nursing bra purchase I was in the same boat. I knew I would nurse Hayleigh. It went so wonderfully with Madelynn aside from the bras. I still couldn't find bras in my size. NONE. So this time around I settled for sports bras. Another mistake. They were wonderful the whole time I was pregnant. They grew with my breasts and are so comfortable in a time when you just need comfort. They're even great in those first few days of nursing and engorgement. They give your breasts the support they need while engorged. And you're home during that time anyway so it doesn't matter if you have to pull up half your bra and then use both of your hands to adequately put yourself back into it.
Eventually those sports bras that were wonderful and grew with your breasts during pregnancy and supported you during engorgement become not so wonderful. After a point they no longer grow with you and you start hanging out the top or the bottom. At some point you decide that you're going to leave the house and you're going to have to nurse your baby in public. Therefore you will have to use 1 hand to balance baby and the other to get yourself out of that bra on only one side. Then you will only be able to use one hand to stuff yourself back in. Eventually your back starts to hurt from walking around without the proper support.
So what do you do?
You get your tush online and do more research. You find companies you have never heard of before. You do whatever you can to find a bra that fits and works for you. Don't settle for something to small. It will only cause you pain. Make sure you read the sizing charts. Make sure you measure yourself properly.
I don't want you to have to deal with the pain and struggle I've had to deal with. And that I still deal with. I have finally found some bras that will fit. Now I just have to wait for some money to open up in our budget for them.
What nursing bras did you use? What are your favorites? What are your least favorites? Help me help out other mommies that might not know where or how to find something that fits.
I feel blessed to be able to wear just about whatever! As I get older though I am noticing that I may need a little more support. After nursing 5 babies my boobs are beginning to wander, lol! So I am eager to hear what you find out.
ReplyDeleteAmy
I honestly don't remember what I did about the nursing bra issue when I had I oldest child. But, when I found out I was pregnant with #2, I went to JCPenney and had them measure me. They have a dressing room and it's very discreet and they are very professional. My mom, sister, and I all used to work there. The store even has an annual or semi-annual event encouraging women (pregnant or not) to come in and get measured. Wearing the wrong size bra is, unfortunately, something a lot of women do. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI wish that I would have had read this a year ago. I was not prepared with the right bra when Baby C. was born and then I never was able to find something comfortable, supportive and easy to use. Thanks for a great post :)
ReplyDeleteOh it has been so many years I can't really remember what I did during my nursing attempts.
ReplyDeleteSince my baby is now 17 years old, I can't remember what brand I used, but I had some that had a little hook at the top of a drop-down cup.
ReplyDeleteI never breastfed so I didn't have this struggle. Glad you found something that worked for you!
ReplyDelete