I'm due in 10 days and just realized I still need to get nursing bras! I need 40 or 42 "F" (I think - I'm leaking out the top, but on the smallest back hook, of my 42DDD!), pref underwire for day and soft cup/no hooks for sleeping, and I need FAST shipping.

Suggestions???

i just bought a couple of cheapies at wal-mart. they go up to a 46DDD.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5026122

Right now get a sports style cupless nursing bra like medela or bravado. You absolutely can not judge at this point what your long term size is going to be and it is going to fluctuate WILDLY over the first few weeks. I think I went from a 36H to a 36J to a 34G in a period of 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after. These will be good for sleeping in later if you decide to sleep with a bra.

OK its called the medela comfort http://www.medela.com/NEWFILES/seamb...ml#comfortline

or
The bravado original double plus
http://www.bravadodesigns.com/category.asp?ID=7

The bravado has more support, the medela is more lightweight

After baby is born wait 2-3 weeks before getting fitted for a fitted nursing bra. Underwire is not recommended but a lot of women wear them. If you get underwire, get professionally fitted to make sure the wire does not impinge on breast tissue or plugged duct = OUCH

Your breasts take 6-8 weeks to settle down to supply usually and can change 1-2 cup sizes from day to day until they do. (Engorged one day, empty the next...) so soft works better during this insane period!

I have the bravado, medela (I'm not sure what style, but soft cup, no underwire) cheap-o Wal-Mart, Target and Target nursing tanks. I'm a 40C-DD (depending on if the twins are having a growth spurt or not!).

The Medela is the best for support and looks good under your clothing. It's a basic bra, back closures, pretty easy nursing "flaps". (I've never tried their sportsbra style, so I can't speak to that.)

The Bravado pulls over your head, is SO comfy for sleeping, has snaps for the flaps - not as easy to do one-handed. However, I have found that at night, I can just pull the bra down without undoing the snap.

The wal-mart bra is lacking in support, but for $6, what do you expect? It's fine for around the house.

The Target nursing bra is more supportive than the Wal-Mart, but the one I have in a synthetic blend.

The Target nursing tanks are great - about $18. The material is thicker, not like an undershirt. It is not that supportive, but again, for around the house is perfect. I also use those tanks over a regular nursing bra for belly coverage when nursing in public. Heck, I walk around most days with both the flaps down and am clueless....but the babies are always in a wrap or mei-tai, so no one can see that I'm sagging a bit.

Buy cheap ones now because you have no idea how large you can be! I saw that Wal-Mart had the sportsbra style nursing bras, so you could do those for nighttime. I've never used underwire because of the plugged duct potential and comfort. If you want to do underwire, I agree with ennay that you should wait until 6 weeks PP and your milk supply is established.

The Medela is expensive (mine was about $40, I think) but it is SO durable and very supportive. It looks much better under clothing than other bras, especially noncup ones like the Bravado. (But I love my Bravado for sleeping and around the house, and do wear it in public unless I have a more form-fitting/huggy shirt.

Happy breastfeeding.....it is such a beautiful thing! Maybe you'll be one of those mommas who sheds the pounds like crazy when breastfeeding. Either way, it will be worth it.

Thanks ennay and Carrie! I'm used to spending $30-40 per bra anyway, so I'm not afraid of a little investment. I also found out that the lactation services dept at my hospital sells both the medela and the bravado lines, so I think I'm going to start there!

I have Anita nursing bras (and regular bras too). I love them. They are a German bra, so can be more expensive then others, but totally worth it, IMO.

As for the underwire, it's not really recommended while BFing, as it can cause a plugged duct. I have one that I wear for special occassions (when I need a lift) , but other than that, I wear a seamless microfiber one that does the job (though, I do need to go down a band size now and it would do even better!).

I have a medela softcup (not sports style) now and it is REALLY supportive for a non underwire. The double wall helps.

Oh...and since you are also large breasted.... I am uncomfortable without a bra most of the time, I wore one of the medelas sports while I was in labor. It really helped me to not be flopping around. They are so lightweight they didnt constrict, but i was more comfortable. FWIW

I wore my Bravado sport while in "labor" with my twins! It gave me the support I needed, but was soft and comfy.

I like the Medela softcup bras because they have FOUR (4) hook options on the back. I wish the shoulder straps were a little wider though.....

I like Bravado for the first few weeks...and after that I love the Medela underwire-great built up, cushioned straps in the D and above cups.