With my first born, there was major breastfeeding issues and I ended up having to pump only, so nursing tops were not an issue for me because I never really pumped in public. Even though I lost all of my baby weight from #1 and then some, my chest never dwindled down, so I have a large chest for a petite height. At 5'1'' My prepregnancy bra size was 34DD, and while pregnant I have grown to a 36DD or F depending on the shape. If the past is to be repeated, my bra size will increase when my milk comes in and not go down until after I stop nursing (and even then, not very much).
Walmart and Target have nursing bras and tanks, but none of them fit my bust size as is . . . all too small, yet I am sure an XL tank would be too big everywhere else except too small in the bust. I have not driven the hour to go to the Motherhood Maternity store yet, but figure I will go once the baby comes and I feel up to it. I actually even have problems finding maternity tops that fit properly because they will fit in the bust, but be too large everywhere else! I thought that it was normal for a full bust during pregnancy and nursing, but the way clothes fit make me feel like I am some kind of disfigured woman!.
If you have a large bust, but are no necessarily large everywhere else, where do you get your nursing tops, tanks and bras? I would like to avoid online shopping if possible, because I feel that things are so hard to fit me for, but I am thinking I might not have many options. Also, please let me know if you have any suggestions for places to go that are not too expensive. Thanks!
Get a couple of the Undercover Mama camis, they can make any of your existing clothing into nursing tops. I bought some on Amazon but I think Babies R Us has them now too.
There really weren't any nursing apparel available when I had my babies. Except for nursing nities with long slits in front hidden by pleats. Those were great made the nighttime feedings easy.
During the day it is easy to just pull up a tee shirt to nurse. You are a lot more covered with a tee shirt pulled up than a blouse that buttons and you unbutton to nurse.
I'm a very average bust size, but I will say my breasts did not get any bigger after the first pregnancy (now pregnant with #3 and actually smaller than with 1st pregnancy though weight is the same. I also nursed both #1 and #2 through first trimester though if that made a difference).
I also prefer to nurse without lifting my shirt cause I hate my back hanging out. I did get the target tanks (and love them!) but for shirts just bought normal shirts that fit that either have buttons, cross front or deep v. If you can find every day clothes that fit it hopefully shouldn't be a problem to find styles you can nurse in. Motherhood Maternity used to have t-back bras that looked like a tank when worn underneath things so might be worth the trip. Could also look online before making to drive to see if they even have anything that might suit.
I have the same problem (which becomes even more apparent when nursing). I skipped the 'nursing' bras. They were far too uncomfortable and I tried a few but they never had enough support...so if I wanted to leave the house I just looked like soupy sails if ya know what I mean.
I ended up just buying from walmart.com (since they weren't in stock in the store) Playtex - 18-Hour Active Lifestyle Full Coverage Wire-Free Bra, Style 4159; Color: Light Beige;
For wire-free they still had a really good lift and were comfortable, and when I needed to nurse I just pulled it up over my boob...that easy.
I don't really find need for tanks either...I think they're a waste of money. Just bought comfy tanks and tees for night time nursing.
The only thing I really used for nursing in public was a lightweight baby blanket. No need to spend $$ on extra things that you won't use in a few months, but that's just my opinion.
Good luck!
I know you said not online but motherwear.com really is the holy grail of nursing wear, especially when it comes to the widest selection of sizes available.
It's true you don't "need" nursing clothes but believe me it's really nice to have a few basic pieces that help you nurse easily and comfortably, especially in mixed company :-)
I was huge, when I had my kids. I am 5'1.
Top, nuring tops /tanks a I got from the maternity store and they stretch. I will say this when I left the hospital I had purchased one of those hands free brizeere, it was XL, buy the time my daughter was one and I was dwindling down nursing, it was huge on me me. and almost would not work because it was soo loose.
You can not really guess how it is going to go, as each kid pregnancy is different.
Good Luck and congratulations.
ETA.. Here is the tanks that I used. I slept in them even.. I had several since my son's nick name was sir pukes a lot, and I was constantly washing them. I wore these aroung the house and for sleeping. When I went in public, I just had a nursing bra, I would go into a "nursing" room at the mall, or another room if at somones house. http://www.motherhood.com/Product.asp?Product_Id=93312036... I loved these and they came in several colors.
I tried a couple of nursing tops, but I preferred just to wear a regular t-shirt and pull it up. I would jsut worry about finding a nursing bra and forget the tops.
I like the bravado nursing tank. I get them from www.breakoutbras.com though I have seen them at Buy Buy baby and babies r us.
I'm the same height as you and similar chest size and I lived in them.
A friend of mine runs the online (and retail store) a Mother's Boutique. Check out her website. She has a very large selection and could probably answer your questions. http://www.mothersboutique.com/
Bravissimo.com. This is a british site, but their bras are awesome, return policy is great, and no american company caters to the well endowed. Prepregnancy I was a 30-H, while lactating, I am a 30-M. americans think a DD is HUGE and think anyone as well endowed as me *must* have had an enhancement. Very frustrating!!!! mamawear.com also has the best selection of shirts! I hate online shopping for clothes, but these are the best 2 sources for the little but well endowed mama!
Good luck!
You don't have to wear nursing tops. I have 3 kids that I nursed for some time each. When I had my first I owned exactly 2 nursing tops. I never wore them, found them annoying, and because I am a 36E I found that the openings always pulled open as I went about my day lugging a child around even if I got the XL. I donated them out long before I had my second child. I didn't want to buy a whole new wardrobe of nursing tops anyway, I wanted to wear the clothes I already had and liked.
I just wear tops I can lift from the bottom. Some women will lift out from the top but I never like doing that, it stretches out the neckline and I don't like having so much of my breast out.
I had the same problem!! And everything was low cut and sleeves really long grrrr. I ended up getting the Motherhood tanks (wide straps and longer) I've actually been wearing them since pregnant with my second 8 years ago. I pull my shirt up (usually Motherhood t) and pulled the top of the tank down under my boob to nurse. I have older kids so i didn't feel so exposed that way.
Have you considered just layering what fits? Wearing a tank or just a belly band over your middle and then a lose shirt? Other than the target tanks, I never really fussed with "nursing" clothes. My swimsuit was a tank top where I could pull to one side (I also used a nursing cover in public, personal preference). A lot of larger busted women wear sort of cross over clothing or wrap dresses and that might give you what you need. I also wore a "majamas" nightgown to a wedding - and everyone loved my "dress". Nobody knew it was a nursing top dress. Super comfy, too. Check them out.
I am very large breasted and became bigger with nursing. I'm probably a 38G or H, I have one 38DDD. But I'm almost 5'7".
The maternity stores back 10 years ago had fantastic supportive and adjustable bras. I picked out ones that had a series of hooks to accomodate more engorged breasts and used them for a couple of years as I recall.
I also never wore specific nursing clothes. Well, I tried a couple but rarely used them. Just nice knit tops that could comfortably be stretched and pulled up were my favorites. Pockets were great as they hid any leakage.
GL!
