So... I had a large chest before nursing... Now that I am breastfeeding, I really need a bra that is supportive both normally, but also while I am nuesing. Currently, when nursing, I have to hold my breast in place or the weight of it simply makes it fall out of reach of the baby? No matter how I position my body or my arm, I end up with shoulder, arm, and wrist stress. I am using a nursing pillow, but that doesn't really help support me, just the baby. Ideally, the bra Would have a better cup support when "opened" so my breast is better supported. Anyone see one of these?
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have several avenues to explore!
I always used a small pillow, laid him on it in front of me just in position so he could eat. My kids were larger so I had a hard time holding them in place, plus I was larger so I had better control of myself as well.
Not a bra, but the BEST $15 I EVER spent. The Cushie Pushie. I'm a BIG girl-- I was wearing a 50I after I delivered, but this did the trick! I didn't nurse without it for the first 3 months or so!
http://www.cushiepushie.com/buy.htm
Sounds like you have gotten some great suggestions already. I also highly recommend the Maddox Shop in CasaLinda in Dallas for bra fittings. I just guessed when I was nursing my first baby and ended up with several bras that were slipping around all the time. With my second, I went and the bra fitter was WONDERFUL and found several bras for me that fit perfectly. They also do bra alterations. Its a truly special bra shop and didnt seem any more expensive than anyplace else.
They keep your info on little index cards, so the next time you come in, they are better equipped to help!
I had a similar problem with my first child, so I did some research before my second was born and ended up using an Utterly Yours breast pillow. It is a small wedge shaped pillow that fits under your breast to hold your breast in the best position for nursing with out having to use your hands. It worked well for me and kept me from having wrist pain all the time.
GOOD LUCK! I was a bra fitter for almost 20 years, last job as instructor/coordinator for a major retailer. I had this discussion with more than one bra manufacturer's execs and got nowhere! Why? Because the persons in the decision making are MEN! They have no clue! It was like talking to posts! They just keep producing wimpy nursing bras. At one point Playtex gave me a prototype and asked for my written critique. I looked at that 100% cotton rag with no real support and wrote a scathing criticism. It made no difference. They produced it anyway! I always said that if jock straps were as necessary as bras, you'd see an engineering miracle!
Hope you get some great suggesstions. Nursing laying down might help on occassion.
I had this problem as well. A rolled up washcloth placed under your breast helps a lot! Good luck!
I had this same problem. The best one I bought, hands down, was the Medela Full Fit Underwire nursing bra.
http://www.selfexpressions.com/mefuseunnubr.html
This has a nice panel for support and it was my favorite out of all the nursing bras I tried. I loved this bra with my first baby, where I only ballooned to an H cup. However, I was a 36L with my second, and they didn't make this bra in my size. :(
Elle Macpherson Intimates nursing bras from Nordstrom provided a little. I'd also roll the cup down and put it under my breast. It provided a little bit of support and kept the fabric out of the way.
Try the football hold- it is much better since the baby is lower than cradle/cross cradle. Can't really help you in bra area...we just deal w it this way. Good luck!
I also had the same problem when I was nursing. I read you should not wear underwire nursing bras because they can cause clogged ducts, but I had no other choice. I found that the underwires provided more support when opened for nursing as well as closed. I never had any problems with closed ducts or infection either. We large busted women sometimes just have to do what is necessary to support our "assets".
