Nursing bra question and breast size concerns...

[brittone2]

Hi ladies,
I pop in here from time to time...not sure if any of you remember me. Anyway, we're due Feb. 21st w/ our first baby (a boy), so we're working on those last trimester preparations right now...trying to get ready!!

I know that every single BFing book says that breast size is not a predictor of what your supply will be like. I'm a 34A, and so far in my pregnancy (I'm 29+ weeks now) my breasts really haven't grown!! They have gotten a tad fuller, but I'm still wearing my sad little 34A bras:( Areolas have darkened and enlarged a tiny bit, but that's about it. I don't leak at all...occasionally if I touch my breast I can express a few drops of colostrum, that's about it.
I'm sure I'm just being paranoid, but shouldn't my breasts be at least growing by now? Everyone seems to go up at least a cup size in pregnancy, and my little girls just aren't growing!!

I also want to start looking more at nursing bras (I've read a bunch of the reviews). I won't buy until closer to my EDD *in case* my breasts eventually grow, but if they don't, should I just size up one cup size to a 34 B or so and just buy one bra before the baby? After my milk comes in I guess I could see what my needs are. They don't even make nursing bras in an A cup, so let's hope my breasts grow at least a little bit!!

Sorry if I sound like a typical paranoid first time mom to be. I do have some concerns about BFing as I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and there are indications that some women w/ pcos have supply issues, although most do not (and the jury is still out about this officially). I have started going to LLL (have been to two already) meetings so that I have a good support system in place before the baby arrives.

Thanks!
Beth

[momma_boo]

Hi Beth,

Just wanted to provide some reassurance. My breasts didn't really grow until after my milk came in. They definitely became more "fuller" but I was able to continue wearing my regular bras (I was 36B) to the end. Also, I never leaked anything. I was shocked the first time I nursed DD, I never felt like there was anything to come out.

I don't have much advice on nursing bras. On the advice from the salesclerk at Motherhood Maternity, I picked one up a week or two before my due date. I tried on a few different sizes and got one that was comfortable, but had a little room to account for some growth.
In all honesty, since I stayed home most of the time for the first few weeks, I hardly ever wore the bra. Most of the time I wore fitted tank tops (fitted meaning tight so that it would hold a nursing pad). Besides, b/c I was so engorged, I kept getting the bra wet whenever I nursed. These days, I just wear a regular non-underwire bra.

I think it's wonderful that you've already gone to LLL meetings.

Good luck!!

[hez]

Beth-- I don't know all the 'right' answers, but I was a 34A, too, pre-baby. During pregnancy I crept up to a 34B according to the Vicky's lady who measured me. It was so exciting :) Now I'm hanging around at a 36C, though I may have gone back to the 34-- I'd need to get remeasured to be sure.

I bought one 34B nursing bra pre-delivery, and after the first week discovered I should have bought the 36C's. I was so glad I'd only bought one bra ahead of time.

Anyway, just wanted to give my support. Being small-breasted has its advantages (it's great if you're a runner!), and it's nice to know, first-hand in my case, that the baby really will get you to make what he needs. I've never had a problem with supply, and in prep for going back to work I'm getting 7-10 ounces a day thanks to some of Karen's (stillplayswithbarbies) suggestions about pumping in the AM.

Good luck!

I can only say that I started getting bigger in my 7-8 month. I think you might try to buy a few bras, if you buy from a place that will take them back if they are unused. Right after you have the baby you won't really want to run around getting fitted for a bra. At least I didn't! There are some online stores that do have a great return policy. I was a huge online shopper for bras. Here are some sites you might like.

www.bravadodesigns.com
www.breakoutbras.com
www.decentexposures.com
www.elizabethlee.com/clothing/bras.htm
www.herroom.com
www.maternitymall.com/home.asp
www.mothersbest.com
http://www.birthandbaby.com/shop/categories/Home.shtml
http://www.sierrablue.com/
http://www.essentialapparel.com

[brittone2]

Thanks for the reassurance ladies. I think I'm just being overly paranoid, but you've all helped ease my mind a bit. Hopefully before my delivery date I'll experience some growth...my one shot at bigger breasts short of implants LOL;)
I appreicate the links and the advice. Thanks so much:)

Beth

My bra size did not increase until my milk came in (and I was a D cup) - about 2-3 days after DD was born. I am glad that I waited to try and buy a fitted bra until then - I took a comfy bravado to the hospital and was glad that I had it.
Best of luck to you!!!

Kelley
DD born 7/03

[stillplayswithbarbies]

another thing to consider is that your band size may go down after you have the baby. Your ribcage is expanded while the baby is in there, so measuring while pregnant may result in a bra that is too big. That happened to me.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[alkagift]

Ditto to Karen's note about the band size. I was up to a 38 or so and was wearing a M Bravado at the end of my pregnancy and completely miserable--I thought it would cut me in two.

However, right after the pregnancy I was a 36 and a month later I'm back to a 34. I would say, if you have to buy something, get a Bravado for the hospital since it's flexible in the cup size and comfy enough.

Allison
Mom to Matthew Clayton, 5/19/03

Definitely go with a Bravado to get you started. I started out as a 32D and was around the last 4 weeks I jumped up to a 34D; however, after my milk came in, I was incredibly engorged...I was a 34F/G. So I would suggest waiting a couple of months until thing level out before investing in a more standard type of nursing bra.

I too went to LLL meetings before have DD and I am so thankful I did. LLL is an awesome resource :-)

I had to giggle a bit about your comments on your size...I was hoping nursing would make me smaller (I am back to a 32D and still nursing) because I think being the size I am makes my upper body look thick when the rest of me is small.

Happy BF!!!
~Tricia