So many options...How's a girl supposed to know what she will like?? Ok, so I am planning to BF this baby, which means I need to buy myself a few nursing bras before she gets here I reckon. I wanna start out with as few as I can possibly get by with then order more once the baby gets here. I was looking on Motherhood Maternity because my sister gave me a gift certificate for my birthday. Anyways, I want to know which nursing bras you like and why... Also, how am I supposed to know which size to order?? (The main reason I want to wait to order them is so I can get the right size for sure...) TIA for all the advice!!
Also, any other advice you want to throw out there for a 1st time Mom and BFing would be greatly appreciated! My mom & sister both had mega issues with BFing and I'm scared that they'll talk me into giving up too soon... Is there anything I should be doing/taking in the last couple months before my baby gets here to help this go as well as possible? Thanks ladies!!

I love nursing tank tops. They cover your belly even when your nursing so I didn't feel like I was exposing myself and my floppy PP belly.

Advice my MIL gave me was the best. First breastfeeding hurts at first usually, so expect pain as you and your baby are figuring things out. 2nd, If bfing is seriously important to you, don't give up nusing for the first 3 months, push threw it, endure it. After 3 months then you can reevaluate your desire to BF. Usually by 3 months things are better. Aso if you can see a lactation consultant do it! My hospital has lactation consultant group sessions for free.

I agree with Becky! :)

Nursing tanks have been all I wear. I have them in multiple colors and just wear them as undershirts. They are so comfy and they help keep things covered up a bit more. I didn't buy any special nursing shirts either. Plus, I can find them at 'regular' stores too when I need a new one. I think we've gotten all of mine at Target for ~$15 each.

If you do get regular nursing bras, if I remember correctly, they do advise to wait until you've established your supply before getting one. You just never know what your size will do.

And as for BFing advice, I agree with Becky again! :)
Give yourself a do-able goal. I like 3 months. By then you should be well established and through the major struggles. After 3 months, shoot for 6+. My doc told me from the get-go that most babies will self-ween around 18 mo. Now whether or not most mamas on here can attest to that or not, I don't know. But that gave me enough encouragement to know I can make it to 12 mo and then even consider beyond that. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I was pg except I knew I wanted to BF.

The number 1 thing that has helped me though, was from my mama. Her advice to me was: RELAX!
I know, it sounds so simple. And sometimes it is. Other times it will be hard to relax. But try to not worry. Try to think of your body making milk and just enjoy it. Your body can do this! :D

Also, *if* you find you have supply issues then don't hesitate to ask for help and post about them here. There are bajillions of tricks and ways to help that all the mamas on here can pitch in about. I had latch issues where it just hurt SO bad. SO, SO bad to nurse her. This was in the first 2 weeks. I found a La Leche League meeting near me and I went. I didn't know a person there but they helped and I got MAJOR support that I still cherish today (even though I've been unable to attend a meeting since due to work). :)
The other thing I was able to do was to join a New Mommy Network through the hospital. The gal that leads the group is an LC and most of the mamas there were BFing. Actually, if you're in the Milwaukee area I can give you a few different locations where they have these support groups! I almost forgot you're in WI too. :) Don't know which part though. But if not in Milwaukee, definitely worth checking into your hospital about.

So yes, you'll have some difficulties at some point. But keep a positive attitude, seek out people who encourage you and BF, and relax. :)

I only do the nursing shirt route. It's the most comfortable. If you do buy a nursing bra I believe the general rule is get 2 in your current size and then wait until your milk is established before getting anymore.

The best BF advice I can give you is if you really want to do it, read up on the subject and join a LLL group near you. Also don't let any bottles, formula, or pacifiers into your house before hand. It just makes an easy way out and when you're tired and baby is hungry and you're just not getting it the first couple of weeks it's way too easy to give in and reach for that bottle and formula.

Choose a LC very carefully. At the hospital where I delivered the LC's pushed formula and nipple shields on me. Worst thing. Don't use a nipple shield. My 2nd was the one who breastfed the longest and suffered nipple confusion off the bat because they pushed me into using a nipple shield to pull my nipple out and after that I could never get her on the boob without it. :neutral: If you start before hand going to an LLL group you will have the support of the leaders and group members who can help you through all problems you may have with breastfeeding. All problems are fixable with the right support.

Last but not least be confident in yourself. You can do this and don't let anyone try and convince you otherwise. I have heard lots of moms who try and convince me that they just couldn't do it and what it really comes down to is that they feel guilty that they couldn't/wouldn't do it and dislike seeing others who have succeeded. You can do this. :-D

I was checking into the LLL thing this morning, but apparently there is none in my area. So I guess I will depend on all you lovely ladies for my support group:mrgreen: I do have friends around here who will be very supportive of my BFing efforts too which will help a lot I'm sure!
"melloyellochelle"- I'm about an hr east of LaCrosse...so sadly, I'm nowhere close to you. There's like about 4 LLL groups in the Milwaukee area I think so I'd have LOTS of options down that way!
I think I'll try out a few nursing tanks and maybe buy a "cheap" bra or 2 to start with. Then once I figure out what I really need I can go buy myself whatever I decide is comfy and fits me. Thanks for all the advice!!

My doc told me from the get-go that most babies will self-ween around 18 mo.


I don't think that is generally the case, if the babies nurse on demand and start solids gradually.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/babyselfwean.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/how_weaning_happens.html

I think that in our society, where we really push early independence, sleeping through the night as early as possible, and eating a lot of solids, using pacifiers constantly and lots oof time away from mom, it may be common for babies to appear to self-wean, but generally they are doing so because of other factors that are in place, IMO.

In countries where babies tend to nurse in a more natural way, they usually nurse anywhere from 2-4 years.

I know, personally, my daughter is almost 4 and *still* asks to nurse occasionally. My baby is 16 months and isn't as big of a nurser as his sister was at that age, but I expect that we will probably go to at least 2.

So, in other words, I think that the doctor who told you that was both correct and incorrect.

Does that make sense?

I always bought nursing bras to wear already the last few months of pregnancy. I bought them around 7 months and yes, I still wear them! It saved me buying several different sets as I grew. :) I personally like underwire so I have ones from Motherhood Maternity that are underwire and not really padded but a little thicker to hide "nipple-itis" and leakage issues. :D

As far as breastfeeding advice... With my first I was kinda grossed out by the whole idea and only lasted 2.5 weeks. It was the most painful weeks of my life. With #2 I lasted 3 months and only quit because I was still feeding every 1.5 hours 24/7 and I was exhausted beyond imagination (I have fatigue issues normally), but he was a dream nurser, never had any latch/pain problems. Now with #3 I knew I wanted to b/feed and was SO determined and that is the ONLY thing that got me through those first 2 weeks. It was so incredibly painful; I kept thinking I wanted to quit and I just had to push through. Now it's a breeze... Just keep that in mind, it may not be pleasant for the first week or two but it passes! I agree with the thought of setting small goals. I told myself, 'Just 3 months - you can do this!' and now it's 3 months and bfing is just way too easy & natural to think of quitting!

I love any type of nursing tank/top. But my favorite bra that I have is my night time nursing bra. It has no clasps to deal with and mine is a one-size fits all type. It's the most comfortable nursing bra I have and I still enjoy wearing it outside of bed.

I love any type of nursing tank/top. But my favorite bra that I have is my night time nursing bra. It has no clasps to deal with and mine is a one-size fits all type. It's the most comfortable nursing bra I have and I still enjoy wearing it outside of bed.


Yes, the nighttime ones were the only ones I wore while breastfeeding! the "real" bras with clasps and junk were just too much trouble for me.

Oh, just wanted to add, my favorite nursing bras are some sexy ones that I got from passionspice.com. My fave was the black Elle bra. They have matching panties available as well.

Oh, just wanted to add, my favorite nursing bras are some sexy ones that I got from passionspice.com. My fave was the black Elle bra. They have matching panties available as well.

Thanks, Ruth!!! I already love this site:

1. Awesome sexy stuff even if you're nursing!
2. Great prices
3. They ship to Canada!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited?!!!!
:D

Thanks, Ruth!!! I already love this site:

1. Awesome sexy stuff even if you're nursing!
2. Great prices
3. They ship to Canada!!!!

Can you tell I'm excited?!!!!
:D

Yay! I'm glad that they'll work out for you. :D One word, is that the aqua elle bra doesn't look like the picture. It's more like a sea green color. Once I got used to it, it was fine, (and kind of like mermaid underwear :D ) but it sure didn't look like they pictured. They will exchange bras, though, if you aren't happy with it or don't fit it.

I love, love, love the black Elle bra, though! Also, word of caution on the Amor bra, it tends to run a little small. So if you are large chested, I would suggest going up a cup size. I had to return that one because it didn't fit right. (too small)

I didn't read the other posts, so forgive if I say the same thing...(ok I read where Becky said tank tops) I LOVE the nursing camisoles. I wear them even today when I am not nursing. they are so very comfortable, and I like having my belly covered...especially when pg. I would literally walk around with just the camisole on top and nurse Mak when she was first born. I felt somewhat covered, but able to nurse whereever.
I also like the soft almost sportsbra like nursing bras, but look more like a real bra from Target. I have only found like one bra (the actual nursing sports bra) from Target that I don't like.
Honestly, I mostly wear nursing bras now....even though Mak is done. I think I only have three or four bras that are not nursing. LOL

I also say watch for the clasp. the nursing bras that have a clasp like the loop thing in the back of a bra is soooo very hard to open with one hand. I only used the one bra I had like this if EVERY other one was dirty. Nice bra...horrible hook.

Nursing is awesome..and having an awesome bra really can make or break a nursing session!

Blessings,
Amber

I had latch issues where it just hurt SO bad. SO, SO bad to nurse her. This was in the first 2 weeks. I found a La Leche League meeting near me and I went. I didn't know a person there but they helped and I got MAJOR support that I still cherish today (even though I've been unable to attend a meeting since due to work). :)
The other thing I was able to do was to join a New Mommy Network through the hospital. The gal that leads the group is an LC and most of the mamas there were BFing.

We have a great LC at our local hospital who led a free class I attended. She said getting the proper latch in the beginning is really important, KEY, for getting started well. I can see how you'd have to be careful though, about LCs... because just like every other type professional you will have such differences between them. Our hospital has a great reputation for being supportive from nurses to the LCs there (I think there are 2) in helping moms get the breastfeeding started off well. I'm sure there still are issues, and they actually have a support group that meets there weekly also. But the LC said if any of us had trouble and it was before that group met NOT to hesitate to call her and she would do whatever she needed to do to help with the issues.

Personally, I most likely will not go the LLL route. I'm sure I should not generalize, but I have a friend who totally changed her parenting philosophy in what I feel has been a very unhealthy extreme due to influences from her involvement in LLL. I just got turned off from it because of that, so I'm thankful for the resources and support available at our local hospital. I know not everyone has that and probably has had wonderful experiences with LLL...

I have no idea about bras and obviously cannot speak from experience here, since this is my first time doing this also. But I have bought some natural nipple cream I found on Amazon with great customer reviews and also some gel pads to help with soreness. I did read somewhere to apply the cream after every feeding in the beginning and that might help prevent or help with the pain.... but not sure if it's true.

Lanisoh. I used it and helps cut the soreness. And put it on a few times a day before giving birth. You can put it on before feeding too. It saved me the second time around.

I have yet to find a good bra, sorry I can't help there.

But do push through the first several months. You can do it.

I got my black Elle bra from passionspice.com and love love LOVE it!!! It is so comfy and has awesome stretch, the straps stay in place and oh yeah, it's gorgeous and sexy and I feel kinda pretty again! :D Hubs doesn't mind either! :D

Thanks Ruth!

I have several types of nursing bras, and I wear them all depending on the shirt I am wearing...

I have black, 2 nude, light pink, purple, and orange
and sleep bras - I have 2 nude and 1 white

all I wore for the first couple weeks was sleep bras... also a couple of cross wrap tanks to hold the pads on. I leak.

I ordered my pre-preggo size, and got some with underwire, some without, some with a triangle-shaped opening, some that totally just fold down, I wear them all like I said, depending on the shirt.

I have some shirts from Motherwear and also some Bella Bands and some of
these bands (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230442699614&var=530002092487&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
they are not as nice and would not have worked well during pregnancy but for nursing they rock!

I got my black Elle bra from passionspice.com and love love LOVE it!!! It is so comfy and has awesome stretch, the straps stay in place and oh yeah, it's gorgeous and sexy and I feel kinda pretty again! :D Hubs doesn't mind either! :D

Thanks Ruth!

You're welcome! :D I'm glad that you like it. The black Elle bra is my favorite too. [thumbsup]

The LC at my hospital carries Medela products and sells them at 20% less than retail, I think. She lets mothers try on bras while in the hospital to purchase if needed. She brought me one called the Medela Comfort nursing bra and said it was a favorite of many nursing moms. Well, I was unsure about it because it seemed to fit pretty snug when I first tried it on and I hadn't gotten bigger yet from the milk coming in.

I noticed the packaging said it was made to expand as your breast size would for nursing. I talked to her about it and she agreed it should and the sizing (they're sized s, m, l) seemed to allow room to go up from where I was. It also was no underwire, which I was a little leary of too because I've never been able to wear a no underwire bra that I felt supported enough in. Well, after wearing it for a day or two, I knew I wanted to get another one and plan to continue wearing it even when no longer nursing! I found them on eBay for even cheaper.