Motherwear is a GREAT nursing resource. After you see what they have it might help you decide what you might like/need. They send out catalogs and have a website. www.motherwear.com Hope that helps a little. Have FUN! Take care! Angie
I had the same situation when I was pregnant. If you read the any tag on maternity clothes it usually states to buy the size you were pre-pregnancy. I found a comfortable and inexpensive nursing bra at Kohl's. I didn't buy my pre-pregnancy size cause I knew it wasn't going to fit. I ended up go up like 2 sizes on the bra. As far as nightgown, it really does come in handy - especially when you're half asleep during those middle of the night and early morning feedings. I even got my gown from Kohl's. The gown has openings on each breast side. The one I got came with a matching robe, which was also nice.
Congrats and good luck!!
Hi Marantha, The only thing that I found that was good was a custom made bra. They are a little pricey, but very well worth it! I see your from St. Louis so that is great! I found Ann's bra shop and was custom fitted there. They have great maternity bra's and they are very comfortable! Good luck with your soon to be born baby! I can't begin to tell you how great being a mom is (well, most of the time!! LOL) Good luck!!
I'll tell you what I did. I went to places like Marshalls & TJ Maxx for nightgowns. I looked for sleepwear that would easily open in the front (button down or v-neck). Since you're not due until May, you could get nightgowns or tops that are sleeveless. I found the sleepwear especially made for nursing either ugly or expensive. I found my nursing bra's at Target. They have held up very well & were inexpensive. Not all Target stores have the nursing line, but the one by the Galleria Mall does. The bras are stretchy enough that you don't need to be exact with size. Target's nursing line has multiple bras, underwires, jogging nursing bras, sleep bras & tank tops w/nursing flaps. Other friends have tried specialty stores but I about had a heart attack when I saw how much they cost.
hello - are you getting excited or what :)
my hospital (st. lukes) had a nursing store in it. i purchased a medela nursing bra while i was in the hospital with help from the lactation consultant. i too am a c that went up to a d while pg. the bras come in s,m,l size. i also purchased a nursing tank top. great around the house or for the summer. you could try kangaroo kids on manchester. they are very helpful in bf department. i do find using a nursing bra is easier than a conventional one. plus they are more comfortable. i love my hooter hider!
good luck- sorry about the typos, i am trying to bf and type!
Marantha,
I found that the best nursing bra in the beginning is a sports style nursing bra. You can get them at Target or Kohl's. The first couple of weeks I was in bed a lot with my newborn nursing and did not want to wear those uncomfortable bras. You will also see that you may be engorged and then have let down so your breast size will go up and down. I would suggest looking for the sports bra nursing bra.
Good luck! Nursing is a wonderful thing that you can do for your child.
Hi Marantha! I have to say that I'm one of the crazy ones that never got bigger boobs. At the same time I was pregnant, I also had several friends that were pregnant. It was the biggest (no pun intended) thing I was looking forward to...bigger boobs! It happened to all my friends, but never to me. I was talked into getting a nursing bra one cup bigger than I normally wear and I never got to use it (and it was an expensive one from Motherhood Maternity!). I think I used Wal-Mart nursing bras and I LIVED in them night and day. And used the Lansonal (SP??) nursing pads. The only time my boobs got bigger was when I was engorged, and even then my bras still fit. I nursed for 13 months and now AFTER the fact....ugh! I KNOW they say that nursing doesn't make you saggy and smaller, but it did me! I was always a size B and now I'm a size A. Had to buy all new bras after I was done nursing. But again, I think I'm kind of the exception (I have to assume there are a FEW more out there like me, though!) when it came to not getting bigger boobs during/after pregnancy and going down a size from my original size after all was said and done. But I must also say, I don't regret my decision to nurse just because my boobs changed so much. I wouldn't change that special time I had with him in a heartbeat! Oh yeah....I never messed with nursing shirts. I was too poor to buy any and I found it just as easy to lift my shirt. In the beginning I used a blanket, but later he didn't want his face covered so I didn't use anything. And I nursed anywhere and everywhere and I can honestly say that hardly anyone noticed!
Good luck, chick!
I just had my first in March and I wish I would have gotten nursing tanks. They would be great to wear around the house instead of having to wear my nursing bras all the time. Plus then it doesn't look like you've been in your PJ's all day! Also I always would that nursing gowns were expensive so I just got button down PJ's instead, plus I'd rather wear pants or shorts than a gown (that's personally preference). I'd usually end up wearing at least my PJ top all day because it was easier access than a regular T-shirt when nursing.
HTH!
Lindsay
I see you have plenty of responses, so I'll keep this short...Pretty much any shirt that isn't a fitted "skinny" shirt will be easy enough to nurse in without exposing yourself. Here's some advice that you didn't ask for: during the first few weeks, use the disposible nursing pads that go inside your bra, because you will leak so much more while your body is trying to regulate your milk flow. Once you feel like your body and your baby are on the same supply/demand schedule, you can switch to the washable pads. It will save you a lot of laundry in the beginning if you use the disposible ones! Also, when you buy the washable ones, make sure the seams don't come together right in the middle-looks like constant THO! Best of luck with your new beautiful bundle!
I think everyone is different when it comes to changes in bra size. I've had friends who went up 2 sizes, but I've only went up 1 (borderline B/C cup to a C/D cup) The only advice I can give you on that is I was the same size when I breastfed as I was towards the end of my pregnancy.
The clothing situation~ I had no need for the special nursing tops. The only "nursing" clothing I had was a nightgown because my mom in law gave it to me as a shower gift, and it was pretty convenient. I would've loved to have one of those nursing shawls because it would've been a lot cooler that the blanket I draped myself with LOL. I also LOVE wearing tanks and if I could have afforded it I would have bought a couple nursing tanks, but that would've been about it. We couldn't afford a new nursing wardrobe, so I compromised with easy access clothing~ mainly button up shirts. I hope this helps you out, and enjoy becoming a Mommy!
The nursing tanks (I got mine from Target) are awesome!!!! You can wear them under shirts so that when you do nurse you are only exposing your breast area and your stomach is covered. I loved them at night too! I wouldn't buy too many nursing bras until after you have the baby. Maybe just one or two to get you buy until your breasts adjust sizes and then get some so they fit well!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!
Marantha,
At eight months pregnant, you should size your bra now. I doubt you will change much from here. I mean your boobs will be heavier but the size won't change much. My favorite place to get my bras was at the Leggs/Haynes/Bali/Playtex Outlet store. I have had four children and nursed them all. I never had to buy formula! I wish you luck because it's so cool! I did, however, purchase maternity PJ's which already had the nursing slots in them. I also purchased several nursing shirts at Motherhood (at the mall) and at Motherhood.com on-line. What also works is layering, like wearing a simple top and having a jacket or twinset top over it. I even nursed in my sling at Chucky Cheese and no one could tell.
My favorite place to nurse (other than home) was actually in my van. My other kids were in control (watching tv) and I could nurse in quiet instead of the loudness of the store. I was really good at changing diapers on my lap! Also, most malls have nursing rooms and they are usually very nice. I just stopped nursing my fourth child a couple of months ago and I miss it already.
Another piece of advise is to locate your nearest La Leache League Leader and get a number at hand. You don't have to attend any meetings if you don't want to (however I met some good friends through the group) but if you have a number you can call if you run into any trouble. If you get sick or hurt yourself the doctor that fixes you could prescribe something and tell you that you can't nurse while taking it. That's just to cover their own butt. They don't know for sure unless they have a certain book to look drugs up. It happened to me and my leader looked it up and said that I could continue to nurse. I don't know what I would have done without her. Good Luck to you, it's a really cool experience. No one has ever regretted nursing, but many have regretted stopping! God Bless you and your Baby!
This may already be in your advice list, but I'll add my two cents. I purchased a really expensive nursing bra and then added to it with some nursing tanks and bras from Target. (Target has a maternity/nursing line). I used the Target ones all of the time and they were half of the cost!
I went to a maternity shop and they measured me then were able to help me find the size I would need, it was wonderful. Also I highly recomend sleep bras, or any bra without an underwire, as well as nursing tanks (I completely understand about being exposed in public!). You may be suprised when you are nursing in public. People do stare, but not for the reasons you may think. So many people have come up to me ( I am currently nursing my 11 month old), and say how happy they are to see a mother nursing her baby in public, that it is a great thing!!! So good luck to you and I hope you enjoy it!
With my son I waiting until after my milk came in to get nursing bras. Because your breasts will get larger than they are know and it's hard to know exactly what size you need. I got mine at Motherhood Maternity. I had one of the cheaper ones so it wasn't super comfortable. I'm pregnant again and I think this time I'll try to spend a little more on a better nursing bra though.
In order to know the size for the bra, go about 2 weeks before your due date and get measured. Your size should not change much even when your milk comes in. To be honest, Target has the best selection and very good nursing bra's. I personally don't think you need nursing night gowns or nursing tanks. I just wore pull over shirts all of the time. Since you are a planner, check out the book Baby Wise at the library. Great - nursing and sleeping advise. I used it with both my children. Both slept thru the night 8 weeks and 10 weeks. I nursed both of them until they were 10 months old. Good Luck nursing! I am not going to lie - It is difficult the first time around - but stick with it. If you need any advise let me know.
Good luck and congrats! - Leanna
Congratulations! And good job getting prepared for nursing! Breastfeeding can be difficult at first but give yourself and your baby at least 6 weeks to get into the swing of things. Many women quit before then and it's unfortunate b/c mother and baby don't have a chance to get good at it, i.e. comfortable, relaxed, etc. About your questions: I was a C cup before my first. Became a D cup during pregnancy and wore an F cup when my milk came in after delivering! I would wait and get a good fitting nursing bra from a specialty store like Ann's Bra shop after you deliver. So for now I would get a nursing tank--great investment. Target has some awesome ones. That way you'll have something right away after you deliver and you can use it throughout nursing. Nursing shirts and gowns can be convenient but not necessary. Some moms swear by them but I'm not too often impressed by the quality or fit and I've tried several brands. If you have the Hooter Hider you really won't need them. I love my HH and use it ALL the time. Practice at home before you go out so you don't feel clumsy. Don't get the Target version of the HH! The ugly black drape doesn't even work. Hopefully you have a HH with the boning in the top so you can see your baby while you nurse--they're the best.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask me. I have nursed two babies through the first year and am currently nursing our third daughter who is almost 8 months! I like to think I'm just a practical mom, not a granola type! I just like to do the best for baby and me! Take care!
God bless you as you start your family!
I breast fed 4 children and have used it all. The best for me in the end was just a t-shirt and comfortable sports bra. Not too tight that is uncomfortable. Just lift the shirt and bra up and there you go!! I wasted a lot of money for no reason. You can even put the cloth breast pads in there. The disposable ones left lint and I had to clean it off before the baby could nurse. With my fourth one, my mom was freaking out that I would walk thru a store with my shirt pulled up on the nursing side and the baby attached. No one could see anything I made sure of that, and no one even looked my way. I got tired of hiding in bathrooms when I had soooo much to do. Good luck!
Joni
Hi Marantha, the only comment I didn't notice yet was to be prepared for your little one not wanting to be covered up when you nurse. I had one and so I had to make sure to go somewhere like a restroom or dressing room to nurse until I became not so modest. Remember the laws in IL, at least, protect you from being kicked out of public establishments for breast feeding. So, don't ever be worried about nursing in a store or restaurant, the kid has to eat, too.
On the bra note, I think I went from 32B to 34D then back to 34C after 2 kids. I did buy my bras ahead of time and got them at Motherhood as well. I bought two white and one black. I believe they were called Eternity and had a plastic hook that hooked on top which was really easy to do with one hand. They had underwires, but didn't bother me. I had another bra that I wore at night that didn't have a wire, but don't know where it is and can't remember the brand. Yes, breast pads are a must. I used disposables mostly because the wasable ones got misshaped and soaked quickly and thus I had to wash frequently.
Enjoy every moment. They are so precious, especially when they are young.
rumbamel in Swansea, IL
I don't think you need the nursing nightgown, but I would definitely purchase a nursing sleep bra. It's nice to have a little support, but not so much that you're uncomfortable. The tanks are nice so your stomach doesn't show when you lift your shirt up, but may be unnecessary if you use your hooter hider, although there will maybe still be a little of your side that might show. My hospital has lactation consultants that do bra-fittings and even sell them, so I met with her before I was due, now would be a good time for you--- you never know if you will go early. The lactation consultant will have a pretty good idea of what size you will need while engorged and after the engorgement goes down. You don't want to get the bra while you're engorged--- your breasts won't stay that big for long!! Even while continuing to nurse, they will not stay as big as when the milk first comes in. I would definitely ask your doctor if your hospital has lactation consultants and you can get the phone number from them.