My kingdom for a good nursing bra.
I want a sexy and supportive nursing bra. Unfortunately, my search to date has led me to fear that the entire sentence is an oxymoron.
I am in search of an undergarment that lifts! enhances! separates! (I’ve got more adjectives, but I think I’ve used up my quota of exclamation points for this entry)*
To fall back on an oft used cliché…my cups runneth over. I realize perky breasts are a thing of the past. Being big busted to start with, and having two children – I’m far closer to National Geographic than I am to Playboy. However, I remain hopeful that somewhere out in the wild blue yonder, there exists a nursing bra that can at least give me a decent approximation of what once was. As it is, my poor sagging bosoms are closer to my belt loops than they are to my neck. And that, my dears, is not a good thing.
It is difficult enough to find a normal bra in my size that doesn’t:
a) Cost a bazillion dollars
b) Make me feel as if I am trussed up like turkey ready for the thanksgiving feast / bound in whale-boned corsets like a modern day Scarlet O’Hara.
c) Look like it belongs to my grandmother
d) Some combination of the above.
Try to find sexy and supportive in a NURSING bra in a 34DD (or maybe more, I refuse to measure)? Fuggadaboutit.
My current selection of nursing bras includes the dingy once-white cotton sport-bra variety. These do a terrible job of lifting the girls to their rightful place, but are quite effective in promoting the not-so-attractive uniboob phenomenon that I’d rather like to avoid.
I’ve also got Motherhood Maternity’s unfortunate attempt at underwire. Do they do the job that underwire is meant to do? Not so much. These – the closest to my size that they carried - subject me not to the dreaded uniboob, but instead to the quadri-boob. You know – when they cup size just doesn’t contain that which it is meant to contain, so you get the nice overflow effect – leaving you looking as if you had four bosoms, not just two. Always makes for a lovely silhouette.
Lastly, I’ve got two “real” nursing bras, both of which fit category a. b. AND c. above. So – although I’m lifted, and even somewhat separated, I feel as if my breath is being forcibly squeezed from my lungs, I’m left with angry elastic marks across my skin whenever I wear the thing, I spent a bazillion dollars, AND I look like I’m 80 years old.
Yea – that’s the look I was going for.
There’s got to be something better out there.
As the mother of two young children, I have enough of a fight to rise above frumpy and dumpy. I don’t need to add saggy and baggy to the equation. At the very, very least, I’d like to be a frumpy and dumpy suburban mom with a nice rack.
Being the eternally optimistic gal that I am, I am holding out hope that you, my beloved internets, can point me in the right direction. Toward a bra that restores me to at least a shadow of my former glory, but still allows my wee one necessary access to the equipment. And if one doesn’t exist, why – we’ll just have to use our collective brain power and connections to design and market one. We’ve got to unite dear readers, and save breastfeeding mothers everywhere from years of unattractive, underperforming brassieres. I’m counting on you.
Make haste, dear ones – and go forth in your search. A reward for the first noble soul who is successful in this quest. **
Godspeed and good luck.
__________________
*In my ever-so-humble opinion, the overuse of the exclamation point is one of the worst grammatical crimes proliferating across cyberspace today. A fine punctuation tool – I feel it is subject to a bit of overkill when it is used! After! Almost! Every! Word! And! Four! Times! At! The! End! Of! A! sentence!!!!
Yes, I’m often guilty – but at least I’m aware of it.
**I’ve not yet decided on the award – but rest assured, it will be good.
You should check out Ce Ce’s Lingerie off of Thomas. I swear big boobs are their specialty. I think there is one in Sun City but the guy (yes, I said guy) at the one on Thomas is an EXPERT at fittings. I was shocked at how comfortable I felt when he was helping me. He kinda reminds one of Santa Claus.
Comment by Maisha — 02.01.06 @ 11:35:10
Do a google search for “Anita Nursing Bras. They are the absolute best. They sort of look llike something your grandma would wear though. They lift, though and don’t give you the “uni-boob” effect that sports bras do…
I’m a 34DD (or 34 E or 34F) when I’m nursing so I know what you’re experiencing!
I’ll write more later, but I must dash to get the preschooler from preschool now.
Comment by JK — 02.02.06 @ 12:08:11
Have you tried figleaves.com?
I loved the Elle Macpherson nursing bra. If it’s good enough for a supermodel & Gwyneth Paltrow(supposedly it’s her fave nursing bra)it’s good enough for me!
Even w/o underwire, I felt it had enough support. At my largest I was a 34D.
Good luck!
Comment by Tamara — 02.02.06 @ 12:42:06
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/product.asp?ID=4
It is a and c, but it is really great. I thought it was an Anita… I have 2 that are Anita bras and this one… This one is the one I can do high impact aerobics in and I barely move.
Comment by JK — 02.02.06 @ 2:38:08
errrr… I mean “the girls” barely move. I move a lot–that is the point of aerobics.
Comment by JK — 02.02.06 @ 2:43:31
Darn, someone already stepped in with the Elle Macpherson suggestion - and I was so looking forward to the reward. I haven’t tried one myself, but I hear they are good. I am in much the same predicament (only, ahem, bigger) and I’ve pretty much given up. I’ve got a uniboob bra that also now gives me a quadriboob look (so would that give me three boobs then??). The moral of that story is, wait until your milk comes in before trying to estimate how much bigger your already massive mammaries will get. I’ve got one that makes me feel trussed, and look very granny-like. And while I don’t spill out the top, I noticed in the mirror the other day, while applying deoderant, that I do spill out the bottom of that one. So obviously I am in denial about what cup size I really should be wearing at this point. I’m scared to see, when weaning happens, the effects of deflation and gravity. I think after all is said and done, “the girls” will be treated to a reduction and lift when they’re completely retired. Anyway, sorry not much help but good luck with your search.
Oh, and I am definitely guilty of too many exclamation points, but I too am aware of it so perhaps I can be forgiven.
Comment by Jen H. — 02.02.06 @ 3:55:52
I am a small women, with big breasts (weight 130, bra size 32DDD) and I swear by the brand Lunaire. Good bras, relatively inexpensive. Nordstroms carries the brand. I wore their nursing bras with both of my kids - I must have owned 8 of them of the years (nursed both for a year ++)! I found it online here:
http://store.yahoo.com/choochoobaby/luunlanubras.html
PS to Jen H. I’ve wanted a breast reduction since I was 16 (I’m now 30) - I am getting one this year! =)
Comment by Bethany — 02.02.06 @ 5:47:20
Not much advice here … I unfortunately used Bravado’s soft nursing bra’s when I was breastfeeding Aidan and they did NOT give me enough support. I blame a good part of my “saggage” on them (yeah, like the fact that I have 5 lb boobies has nothing to do with it!) Still, if you have to wear a bra at night, like I had to, they’re very soft and comfortable for then.
Comment by Rebekah — 02.02.06 @ 6:41:58
Alright I am normally just a lurker but did de-lurk a few weeks ago and am now compelled to post again.
I was dreaming of a post like this one. I thought I might start one on one of the boards but alas here we are.
I have absolutely no suggestions but am craving information. I will look into the Elle Macpherson idea. (JenH - can I get them in Toronto?) I don’t even care about cost at this point. I do not want to look frumpy and the Bravado’s aren’t helping me in my tight turtlenecks. (OK - I have somewhat of the opposite problem - I am normally fairly ‘normal’ sized and am quite happy with my largeness. The girls make the rest of me look thin.)
So - ladies, keep posting. I want to look pretty!
Ann
PS - JenH - I plan to begin budgeting for my reconstruction post all these kiddos - belly tuck, breast something or other. You always have to have goals.
PS(2) - I too am guilty of the !!!!, the … and the ‘-’ but did try to keep them to a minimum here.
Comment by Ann — 02.02.06 @ 2:12:46
Target has an underwire one that isn’t bad. As you know I am a larger cup size too - it fits me pretty well, and is nice enough to wear even when I’m not nursing.
Comment by Melinda — 02.02.06 @ 2:25:26
I wish I had posted this 8 or so months ago. I HATE my maternity bras. They actually fit well, do not give uniboob and they aren’t that huge looking (I am a 36DD). But they are from my last pregnancy and they are so ratty. But with three months to go I can’t justify that Elle one although I crave it. I am so excited about buying pretty bras when I wean — I literally dream about it!
Jenn
Comment by Jenn — 02.02.06 @ 7:13:58
Well, you know from my previous laments that I have this problem as well. First of all, I really cannot say enough about doing a true measurement and knowing what size you really are. It is frightening but necessary. The best sizing advice I’ve ever gotten is from http://store.yahoo.com/breakoutbras/noname1.html She is very helpful as well.
That being said, after nearly 4 years of breastfeeding I have acquired a large variety of nursing bras, from the $10 Walmart bra to a $14 Yes! bra to a $20 Motherhood bra to a $35 Bravado bra to a $56 Anita bra. My favorite, honestly, for all the criteria except looks is the $10 Walmart Bestform molded softcup nursing bra. It’s comfortable and is the one that makes me look like I’ve got the nicest, perkiest rack, LOL. I like the Yes! bras (like a cheaper, nicer Bravado) too but can’t stand the 2 Anita bras I have.
It is so hard to find a truly great nursing bra. Good luck!
Comment by Tara — 02.02.06 @ 7:20:02
These are SASSY! http://www.condessa.us/home.htm
Unfortunately, sassy doesn’t come cheap.
Comment by Steph — 02.02.06 @ 8:26:08
Jeanette, I wish I could be of as much help as previous commenters seem to have been but I’ll throw in my two cents anyway.
I agree with Tara about needing an accurate measurement and fit. That is always important and more so when you are supporting the “extra” that comes along with nursing.
With Callie, I just bought some cheapy bras and never liked them. When Preston came along, I knew I needed better and money was no object. I was NOT going to be ugly and uncomfortable for the entire time I was nursing.
I found a really nice bra at Mimi Maternity. Kinda pricey, but worth it. was a soft cup bra–I love underwires when I’m not nursing but absolutely CANNOT wear them when I am! It was pretty enough, and came in white, beige, and BLACK, but best of all it was so, so, so comfortable.
Really, there should be a Victoria’s Secret of Nursing Bras out there!!! Just because the boobs are functional doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look nice!
Good luck!
Comment by Lisa P — 02.02.06 @ 8:33:01
I have an Anita and love it. I actually went to a place and got measured and fitted, and it turns out I was WAY off in sizing. The bra I got is a 32DD, and it cost me $35. After wearing Target’s sports bra style nursing bras for over a year, the new bra was like an instant boob job!
Comment by Sarah — 02.02.06 @ 8:47:59
Hi J
I hated nursing bras. OH, how I hated them. I was a D at the end of Iain’s pg, as I am now. Did decrease briefly to a C at end of weaning, initial TTC and first 8 weeks of PG. I went up to an F for most of the EPing (exclusive pumping for lurkers), and did go down to a DD/E when 10/14oz emptier. So, I needed one with a lot of flexability in terms of fitting me at various points in the day.
I found it at Thyme Maternity. Ack. Yeah. I HATE their mat clothes - they are nasty and expensive, but their bras. Or, rather one of their bras. I tried it on at 39 Weeks, and was actually so impressed with the look of the girls that I wanted to buy it then. It was underwire, which I can wear nursing, and gives help to the ladies, had lace on it, feminizing the rack, the detachable cup thing was great, and it came in black and white, hooray! I had problems with the wire wearing thru and coming out, and did “patch” sewing jobs which corrected that problem. But, I wore them every. single. day. for 18 months. Had to buy a new pair halfway inbetween and at the end thru them out, but I will be buying them again. The had the flexibility of containing and not pushing over the girls as they expanded from DD to F at pumping time, which was clearly critical for me. I wore a non-underwire for sleeping, can’t even remember what brand it was. Didn’t really matter, I was only sleeping in the thing.
The other reason I liked ‘em was it was always get the 2nd half price. Made the $42 CDN price worthwhile.
Laura, Iain and Little One 2.0
Comment by Laura, Iain & Little One 2.0 — 02.03.06 @ 4:24:31
This is so funny: I have been in the middle of writing a piece called: A Good Bra Is Hard to Find… or something like that. I basically bought a very serious push up bra, very sexy and it lifts my boobs up so high that my nipple practically sticks out of the top it so it’s very easy to latch Sula on. But I am a 36 C, so it may be easier to get away with. I am going to look into those Elle McPherson bras that somebody suggested. I have seen her non-maternity and they are so pretty.
Comment by marybeth — 02.13.06 @ 5:52:05