The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Tops - YouLookFab Forum

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The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Tops

Thistle

Veteran

So, I started bringing out some pre-maternity clothes, and I am surprised how many fit. Being a pear, and having carried low, I had expected pants to be the last thing I fit. But, I already fit into almost all of them. Just not the same way.

But I digress. Tops have been much tougher. My nursing size has changed, and I have had to replace all my nursing bras. This has led to issues with tops. Many have become "cropped" which is not flattering on me and which I find fussy as I am constantly trying to tug them into place. I have a long torso to begin with, so that doesn't help.

Plans are to nurse at least the first year. I made it 19 months with the DD1.

So, should I:
1. start purging these tops
2. Should I save them and see what happens two winters hence?
3. Something else entirely? Maybe save the tees and light knits to layer under other clothes for warmth? And donate the rest?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Alassë

Sal

Veteran

I would keep a couple for layering and start replacing gradually. Nothing more annoying than a fussy top that needs adjusting. It does no sound like a fashion thing either do I doubt you would like these tops even if proportions in fashion changed.

Great aim for breast feeding!

Elle

Veteran

Save the ones you really like and/or ones that are classic styles. As I'm sure you remember, your body will continue to change the further away from the birth you get - and will change again once you stop nursing. So some of them may fit again sooner than you think. In the meantime, treat yourself to some nursing friendly but pretty tops.

Congratulations on breast feeding. I think that is wonderful!

catgirl

Veteran

This happens to me too - even a few pounds makes my tops shorter (and my pant hems). Could you find longer camis to layer under?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Makes sense that the increased bust size would 'pull up' the hems. I would keep some of them at least, in case they fit after you stop breastfeeding. You might be able to use them for layering until you find some longer tops.

(BTW, Old Navy has tall tops online in sizes up to XXL if you need a cheaper option for the interim.)

Suja

Veteran

I had this same issue with clothes fitting differently post maternity. I would gradually replace. The only tops I would keep are the super special, high-end ones.

unfrumped

Veteran

That's tough--so hard to predict.
You know your personality and shopping issues best--with other changes, have you really appreciated the "saved" items or found you'd moved on?
Even if you plan on a certain # of months, anything could change and then you might be off season from what you expected.
I'm with Suja that one strategy would be so save only high-end pieces (workwear types)--or rather, "high happiness" and a few favorite comfy items. To me one reason to save anything is that it's not always that easy to find a whole new wardrobe fast ( meaning if you stop breast feeding and pouf, a lot of things start not fitting right away, and you might feel pushed to buy not-great things just to get through a week. But you don't need a slew of such items--just enough to give you time to re-build.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Thistle, what about a belly band to tide you over for a bit?

Aziraphale

Veteran

This post made me giggle. I know what you mean about bigger nursing breasts and how your tops have suddenly become 'cropped'. I went up about sixteen bra sizes while I was nursing (OK, I exaggerate, but man, were they big).

Here's what I'd do: take all those tops you like, stick 'em in a box, tape it up, and put it away for as long as you're nursing (or at least as long as your breasts are much bigger than they were before). Pull them out again if/when your bustline diminishes, and see which ones are still relevant (i.e., that you still like and that fit you).

You never really know what a pregnancy and nursing is going to do to your body. And what happened to your body in the months/years after your first baby may not happen after this one. A few women go right back to their original shape and size, but most don't, and the changes are not always predictable. For example, I've heard many, many women complain about how their breasts are lower, smaller and saggier after they stopped nursing, but I also know a few whose breasts got much, much larger after pregnancy and stayed that way. It's a total dice roll.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I relate to non maternity tops becoming cropped during the nursing stage. However, I wish I weren't so quick to pass things on, even though they weren't making me feel fab at the time, since there's that random skirt that could use a shorter top, and anyway, I did return eventually to my previous size. I know to hang onto multiple sizes/fits for myself now as there are so many gradations in sizes/fits throughout the pregnancy, postpartum, and nursing. Maybe put the tops in a box in a holding zone for the year of nursing or so.

lady

I'm glad you asked this question. Im also nursing (plan to stop in 6 months) and have been frustrated with all my tops lately. Some extra pounds have not helped at all.
I like the idea of boxing them up and revisiting them after you're done nursing. I'm going to implement this strategy myself.

Thistle

Veteran

So, I think I will box them up, at least for now. We'll see in a bit what works and what doesn't. I want a tidy, organized wardrobe, but I think it is going to be closer to controlled chaos until A year or so after I am done nursing. And I am in no rush for that.

I just sort of feel like a pack rat. So many clothes boxed up for post partum. Nothing fits like it did. But, maybe it will. And, I keep packing up DD1s clothes and toys for DD2. Which has been nice to date, as I have not needed a lot for DD2.

Astrid

Veteran

That sounds like a good plan, Thistle.

lyn67

Veteran

I'm no help for the issue with your tops, but wanted to congratulate for your second baby!!! DD" is so sweet I want to cuddle her! Hugs:-))

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thistle, how old is your baby? No more than a couple months, right? If you're anything like me, it'll be quite a while before you're back to 'normal'. Don't worry that 'nothing fits like it did'.

Also, I didn't nurse for anywhere near as long as you, but I had quite a few friends who went for the whole year or more, and I most of them reverted back to their original shape within that time -- i.e. about 12 months -- and although their breasts were heavier than normal, the did decrease in size.

Thistle

Veteran

The honest truth is I didn't get a good bra fitting until after I quit nursing. So very hard to say.

Also, the first time around, I shed all my baby weight plus a lot more, when nursing. First time in my life weight just fell off. After I quit nursing, it came flying back. Sadly.

No idea how it will work this time around. But so far, the baby weight is almost gone. And DD is almost 4 weeks old.

Time will tell, and to be honest, not going to worry too much. I will eat healthy, exercise once given clearance (hopefully 6 weeks post partum), and try to take care of myself rather than fuss with a scale.

I just mostly worry about saving too much. I have to fight pack rat tendencies.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think you're doing the right thing by boxing most things up. It's so unpredictable what your body is going to do and I think this is the exception where pack-ratting can be the wise decision. I've had the same conundrum and have really had the urge to purge. Instead I've doing what you're doing; moving stuff out of my closet so it stays neat and organized and storing my non-fitting clothes elsewhere. Also, with my DD1 my nursing breasts shrunk at some point (I can't remember when) even while I was still nursing. So who knows what will happen..

Alassë

Veteran

Yes, do keep 6-12 months till you've normalized - 4 weeks is much too soon to evaluate!