Silly Breastfeeding Question?

Question

Okay so heres a question for you ladies, this isn't my first child, its my 4th to be exact, but I've never breastfed. I have decided to breastfeed this time and was curious, when should I buy my nursing bras? I mean should I wait, or just buy them now? Not sure what size i'll have to get, my normal?!? Any suggestions... any REAL suggestions would be VERY helpful! Thankyou!

Geez what are some peoples problems! I never breastfed before because I wasn't able to be home with my children and didn't want to have to worry about pumping all the time! I am now a stay at home mom and I love it. My children go everywhere with me all the time anyway... so whats the big deal!?! And as far as drinking, big deal, I'm not selfish, my kids come first!

Answer 1

There is NO SUCH THING as a silly breasfeeding question; breastfeeding is difficult and we all require support.

Anyway, buy a nursing bra whenever you're ready. You can get them now, to get used to wearing them if you like and so they will be ready when you want them. Or you can wait until you've tried breastfeeding for a few weeks to see if it's even going to work for you.

Find the contact information for your local La Leche League (lalecheleague.org) They are a wonderful non-religious, non-political group that will provide you with information and support with breastfeeding. Also, in the hospital, tell your nurse that you've never breastfed and you want to have the lactation consultant help you with the first few feedings. We nurses want to help you with things like that, but with a fourth time mom there is a tendency to assume (wrongfully) that she won't want any help so OB nurses may tend to concentrate more on first timers and forget that you might still have questions.

Answer 2

I am currently breastfeeding my 10 month old and did my other 3 as well. First congratulations on your decision. It is one you will not regret. I went from a size A to an C after I had the baby. Once my milk came in though I was a full B. I bought two that fit in my last month of pregnancy and buy one a size larger for when your milk comes in, you will be very large. After about two weeks you should have an idea of what size you will be and buy some accordingly. If you do decide to wear regular ones try and stay away from under wire. Trust me on that one. Just a warning it does hurt in the beginning until your nipples are conditioned. Buy some lanolin now or ask your DR for a sample and start applying and conditioning your nipples. If it is very painful just give yourself until your baby is two weeks old and you will be so happy you stuck it out, that was the best advice I got with my third and I am so happy I followed it. Good luck and if you need any help or info try to attend a breastfeeding class before your baby's born. Try a La Leche League or call your hospital to see if they offer any.

Answer 3

I bought mine when I was around 30 weeks are so pregnant and NONE of my bras would fit. I mean how much bigger could they get, right?

And, they did fit the whole time. When the milk came in it was a tighter squeeze. Hubby went out and bought me two new bigger ones. But, in a few weeks those were too big. And, my first two fit nicely.

I loved the nursing bra. They make night feeding a snap - literally. And, if you have to give a quick feed in the car or at mom's it's so nice not to have to pull your boob outta socket and handle a fussy hungry baby.

Good Luck!

Breastfeeding is difficult that first month or so. Make sure you have support from someone who's done it before - successfully. But, the rewards are amazing. And, the bond is so intense. Plus, they seem to develop faster too.

You can find a La Leache League in your area. They will come to your home when you need help. And, just be a great friend when you need it most. It's great to go before your due that way you can meet other pg women. And, develop more friendships and support each other.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I would get maybe 1-2 to use the first couple days and then figure out if they were the right size and buy more. Depending on what size you are currently - if you are plus sized with larger breasts you may have better luck with sports bras cause sometimes you will just pull your breast out over the top because it semi supports it - and wayyyy cheaper. I have 2 Bravado nursing bras which are probably some of the best bras out there for nursing - you get them in your prepreg size and they stretch and shrink with you... but I only use them when I'm in public. I use Bestform tagless sports bras frmo walmart the rest of the time... :)

bravado bras are about $35-40 a piece and bestforms are like $6-8

Oh and a word of caution - avoid underwire in a nursing bra - it can restrict milk flow and can be a cause in plugged ducts - which hurt. I made the mistake of wearing an older pre-preg smaller bra one day and the next day I had a plugged duct and OMG my breast was on fire.. so save your self the trouble and get well fitting ones with no underwire. Also- I know you didn't ask, but I highly recommend the book Complete Idiots Guide to Breastfeeding. It gives lots of info in a simple format and you can read it before the baby and then grab it if you need it while nursing,..

Good luck :)

Answer 5

You are asking a very good question. I suggest that you try to find a good support bra that is comfortable. If you prefer, get fitted by a professional. Otherwise you can search some websites for tips on how to measure. Shortly before you're due (like the week before) try to find some nursing bras. You will get a better idea of your size and keep in mind that your breasts will get even bigger so look for something with a little "give". I bought some that I had a very hard time unsnapping when it was feeding time. I ended up tossing them and finding some a little different. So, practice unsnapping and snapping the closure a few times to see if it works for you. I didn't have any help so it was all trial-and-error. I would have loved some pointers. Good luck to you!

Answer 6

You should buy one now, at the size you are now. Buy it fitting the last clasp so that if you decrease an inch or so you can still manage to wear that bra. You will want support throughout pregnancy and nursing. Helps you avoid sagging when your breasts go back to 'normal'.
Another option: Buy one the cupsize you are now, but the bandsize a size or two smaller, then you can buy the 'extender' piece for the bra for a couple dollars. You can use the extender to make your bra fit now, but when you have your baby and your body and ribs aren't so pushed out, you can probably get a couple months out of it.
This may just all be wrong or gibberish, but I hope i've helped you out.
Don't just go to the store and 'buy your size' you should always try it on for comfort.
Another tidbit: There are stretchy nursing bras and ones made of more cotton. I found the cotton ones a little more supportive and kept shaper better.

Answer 7

I didn't know what I needed for breastfeeding as essentials. So Literally had to have my mother run to Kmart and get me some. You will need 1 or 2 for the time being until you know your size pack one for the hospital stay. But some breastpads and pack some in your bag as well. The ones I liked since I have overly sensative nipples where the Johnson and johnson. The hopital does have some but they are ruff. Also get some lanolin (dont need to pack any the hospitals have some so ask for some samples at teh hopital). Youw ill also need a good pump go withe madela or ameda. Trust me it makes the diffrence in the world. Yea you will be a SAHM however incase you decided to go away for an hour or so OR what to have a drink or two after baby is born you will need to pump also to build up milk supply. I breastfed my 1st child 9 months and my 2nd 26 months. Best of luck and CONGRATS!!!

Answer 8

You can buy them at the end of your pregnancy.....your breast won't get much bigger after you have the baby and your milk comes in.....they will a little but not much.....you begin producing milk the last tremester even though it dosen't come in till about a week after you have the baby....so wait until prolly the month before you are due and it should be pretty acurate....if you go to babysrus they have a good selection and you can try them on.....i bought my normal size but i went up a cup size, nursing bra's also size differently than normal bra's......like a C in a normal bra would prolly be a D in nursing.....so just go to a store and make sure to try it on....you can buy at least one now to use right away and get more after you have the baby.

Answer 9

Two children latter and this is what I have found, nursing bras are way overrated, the velcro is impossible, and the hooking ones are worse. You can buy a sports bra two cup sizes larger and it is much simpler. They are much easier to manuver when the baby is hungry!! Good luck, and congrats on your choice. Its sooo much better for baby. I would reccomend when your in the hospital to have a meeting with the lactation consultutant. Also, it can take up to 2-3 months for a perfect breast-feeding relationship to form. No pacifiers, period, it causes nipple confusion and hinders the process. Don't give up, after the hospital you can call on the la leche legue as well. Also, inform the nurses that no supplementation is to be given and of your choice to breast feed, they are generally very helpful.

Answer 10

I would wait until you are closer to the birth or when your breast start to get too big for your current bra. I would also were a bra 24/7, you're going to need the extra support. Congrats on the decision to breastfeed, I found it to be the best decision I ever made and the bond with the children much stronger. Also, as a bonus, your uterus goes back to normal size faster.