BC (before-children), I wrote a well-informed, yet strictly theoretical post about nursing bras. Fortunately for my fashion reputation, the theories still apply.
But this here post is a really-real, experiential review of mine and baby boyfriend’s top selections for a nursing layette.
Now not so fast my milk maid. First measure. Preferably after your milk has unpacked its suitcases. I’ve experienced first hand, the really-real reality of a three cup size increase in the lady eggs.
This requires an entirely new collection of nests, and if you plan to order online and enjoy the diversity of sizes and styles available to the informed shopper, not to mention the convenience of ordering at home in your postpartum stretchy pants, you must measure.
If you are shy of self applied measuring tape, go to a well-equipped department store or bra boutique and get a professional to calculate the nest size for you. However, I must warn you, my favorite department store only carried one style of nursing lingerie, and I had to button a pair of trousers and pack a double stroller to capacity to get there.
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| Elle Macpherson Intimates Maternelle Maternity Bra Comfort: 10, Flexibility: 10, Support: 6, Prettiness: 7 Fits True to Size In the first few weeks following your wee milk-a-tarian’s arrival, when your lactation officials are sucked sore, not to mention incessantly shifting, this is the balm I recommend. It offers an exceptionally soft cup and lace that ascends to a luxurious level of modesty, a strong contrast to the amount of exposure you currently endure. |
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| Bravado Bliss! Women’s Nursing Bra Comfort: 9, Flexibility: 8, Support: 8, Prettiness:8 Fits True to Size If I could recommend only one basket in which to place all nursing flowers, this would be it. Bravado offers a soft cup with the strength of seaming and underwire. It both calms and camouflages tender teats. |
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| Le Mystere Sexy Mama Underwire Comfort: 7, Flexibility: 6, Support: 10, Prettiness:10 Once your milk supply has stabilized and pretty become a primary consideration, test drive this Cadillac of the nursing kingdom. Whether you’re concerned with shape under a blouse or seduction sans buttons, both views are lovely. And right now it is on sale for 50% off at Zulily.
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 Comfort: 6, Flexibility: 6, Support: 9, Prettiness:8 |
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| Simple Wishes Hands Free Breast Pump Bustier Functionality: 10, Prettiness:0 While not even tangential to attractive, I adore the function of this nursing aid. My hands prefer several activities to the banality of nursing pump support. |
Pray tell, what succors your sucklings? Share your wisdom in the comments.
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Reachel,
I’m a soon to be mother of two who wasn’t able to nurse the first time around for medical reasons. I’ve been spending a lot of time mulling over nursing covers. Any one in particular that you recommend as both stylish and functional? They all seem to scream “LOOK AT ME I’M NURSING!”
Thanks!
Brenna,
My top pick for stylish and functional is Bebe a Laite. I like the rigid neckline that allows you to keep an eye on the little milk man and the pocket that keeps nursing necessities accessible. To avoid the all too prominent nursing label, opt for something neutral and discreet.
Here are two that fit the bill:
http://budurl.com/bebeIvory
http://budurl.com/itzyritzy
Best in your search. Let me know what you discover.
I second the Bravada nursing bras. I have two different styles and they are fabulous.
I also give my vote to bebe au lait. I love love love my cover. It has been my best friend over the past 10 months.
Kayla
Freckles in April | a modest clothing blog
I have the Le Mystere nursing bra you mention and I absolutely love it. So supportive and comfy and I don’t worry about nursing pads showing BUT the vertical seams along the cup of the bra show through anything fitted. It really disappoints me. I still haven’t been able to find a good supportive, seamless, non uniboob, underwire t-shirt bra for an E cup.
Thanks for the detailed info! I also have a question…do you know if any of the belly bands are effective for post-partum recovery? Also the hip squeeze things?
http://www.amazon.com/Nude-Original-Belly-Bandit-Medium/dp/B001LFP0EO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1297908055&sr=8-4
http://www.amazon.com/Shrinkx-Hips-UpSpring-Baby-Pre-Pregnancy/dp/B003Y0HTTI/ref=pd_sbs_a_5
Thanks!
I just recently purchased a Nummies bra.. I liked the idea of having a padded nursing bra to hide those unsightly nursing pads. It got good reviews..I’ll let you know how it works in June!
Love,
I am at a loss for words (which is hard for me). That last picture is beyond comprehension:)
I’m not a mother nor am I pregnant, but I read every word (hopefully this information will serve me well in the future). The line “what succors your sucklings?” made me giggle.
Ashlee,
I believe there is power in compression therapy, especially in the first initial weeks following delivery when your body is ridding itself of excess fluids and your uterus is shrinking. However, beware if you have a noticeably short torso. The solution may not fit you correctly.
Also, if you are more than six weeks postpartum, I would recommend an all-in-one such as this: http://budurl.com/squeem
I’d love to hear the opinions of others as well.
While i think you listed some great bras…none of them are going to be comfortable for the mama who was large chested before she gave birth. The thin straps most of these have will kill the shoulders. Trust me. I have a 4 month old and my nursing cup size is an H….i didn’t know that was possible!! So for the mama who needs a lot of extra support, the “anita” brand of nursing bras are lovely with very supportive cups and wide padded straps. They sell online and at nordstroms
The Bravado Essential camis have been my go-to for the last 7 months. They go up to a 40 G (my size) so are wonderful for the overful mama fronts. My favorite part is that they are supportive while providing belly coverage, so even when lifting your shirt to nurse/pump, your squishy middle is covered. I wear these pretty much every day, under all types of clothes. They are too low cut to wear alone, but are nice and long for layering.
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/shop/the-essential-nursing-tank
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For the really well endowed (which, as a 34H, I believe that I am) nothing beats the Elomi smoothing underwire. It hikes the girls up high enough that I can even wear empire waist tops.
It also took me 4 children and 8 years of nursing to discover that with a few dollars and teeny weeny bit of sewing ANY bra can become a nursing bra.
Nursing clasps are here:
http://www.sewsassy.com/BraProducts/nursingbraclasps.html
And a tutorial is here:
http://www.mamasworldwide.com/2009/02/07/how-to-make-a-regular-bra-into-a-nursing-bra/
Some of my favorite nursing bras this last time around have been converted Panache SuperBras.
PS Sorry about the deleted comment. I’m not sure what went wrong.
Thanks goodness for this post. My first baby was born a little over a year ago and i chose to forgo the nursing bra…. big mistake. It makes nursing a chore (more than it already is). I will take your reccommendations and hope they work for me too now that i am expecting number two.
also, for Brenna. I have a friend who wears scarves when she know she might be nursing in public. They are fashionable and good nursing hiders.
I have to agree with Bethany…if you were a large chested gal before your milk came in you will want nursing bras that have large straps. I also have a small waist so I appreciate not only large shoulder straps, but a large strap in the back that secures tightly but comfortably. This last time around I loved the Anita brand as well.
LOVE Bravado bras as well as Bebe A Lait nursing cover. Two things I’ve used for my 2nd and 3rd nurslings–wish I’d had them with my first!
I also used a Belly Bandit for the first time and LOVED it. I am short-waisted, but found that I could just wrap it a little looser at the bottom and it fit a little over the tops of my hips.
My current conundrum is proper layering while nursing. I would LOVE a cami that works well for nursing. I’ve used Glamourmom for all three nurslings and Bravados cami for the last two. Both are compromise and don’t quite fit the bill. Glamourmom does not offer much support and looks awful under a lot of tops…especially with the circle cut out…ugh. Bravado tanks offered better support and smoother under tops but the length is a tad short and they are too low cut to use with something over the neckline.
The closest I’ve found to answering my problems is the Undercover Mama cami which I used for a wedding recently. Problem with this is that the little bra clasp that hooks on to the bra is not big enough to hook on to my favorite bra (the Bravado Bliss) and is starting to destroy my bra because I’ve attempted to force it a few times. 🙁
Looking forward to any other ideas people have!!
Re:Camis
I haven’t found a perfect cami solution, but under tops with sleeves the merrow edged under-tees from places like downeastbasics.com work beautifully. The merrow edging is stretchy enough that I can just pull the neckline down to nurse and it snaps right back when I’m done.
@Sally: Oooh!! Never thought of that! I’m excited to try that option.
@Sally
Ok…you have totally rocked my nursing world!!! I pulled out an old Shade shirt to give it a try and it worked like a dream!! Can’t wait to expand all of my layering options!!!!! Thanks a million!!
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