Bra shopping woes...maybe someone can help.

Cilleena

I'm needing some new bras in a bad way around here. I just got my order of 5 new nursing bras and not one of them fits. Actually, they all fit completely horribly. I followed the measuring guidelines and ordered what I thought was my size. Well, no way. I am spilling out of the cups of these bras in a big way. I took my measurements with my existing bra on. Could it be that my current bra is flattening my measurements and throwing things off? According to size charts and measurements, I should be a 36C. The band size is ok, but I need a bigger cup. If I'm totally pouring out the top and the underwire is jabbing into my ribcage would that mean I need 2 cup sizes bigger? 36DD, unimaginable for me. I don't think I look that big. I'm baffled. Could all 5 bras be sized wrong in the cups?

15 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Barbara

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I hate bra shopping as well Cilleena, and I don't even have to worry about nursing! Once I find one I like, I just stick with it! Are there any stores you can go to around? I think with so many different brands out there, all with bras that fit differently even if they are the same size, you are better off hitting a store rather than ordering if that is an option. Not sure if you have a Nordstrom around you, but this is by far the best place I have been to find bras, even if they are a little pricey. If they bother you at all or aren't totally comfortable after a day, you can just return. But to answer your question directly, it does sound as if you are at least 2 sizes too small right now in the cup, but be sure the band is pretty tight, if not maybe you want to try a 34DD? I know DD sounds big, but I swear I think bra cups are becoming smaller and smaller - I had a reduction a few years back and don't think I am all that big now, but still wearing a 32DD - you don't even want to know what it was like trying to find bras before my reduction! : ) good luck!!

15 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

Thanks Amy. No Nordies, not even any nursing bras around here that I've found. Hmm, the band isn't very tight, just comfortable. Maybe I'll try the 34DD and the 36DD. I'm still amazed I could be wearing a DD. I was an A cup before this last baby.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chances are very high you were in the wrong bra size before your baby. You were probably not an A cup at all - more like a C! 60% of all American women are in the wrong bra size - going too loose on the band and too small in the cup.

When you've stopped nursing, you'll get a professional bra fitting. It will be an *amazing* feeling to wear the correct bra size. I'm already excited for you

15 years ago

jen321

Active Member

ugh that stinks! I am so sorry! All I know is my expierence. I went and I was wearing a 36C and had lost weight. My bra felt loose. They fitted me and I was now a 34D. (smaller band, bigger cup). That size fit me well. So eventhough I was still a C I had to go to a D because I was going down in band size. Strange I know, hope that can help some. Maybe you are right with a 36DD? If any of my measurements would help you figure it out let me know! Hope the next time is right for you!

15 years ago

HeleenH

Veteran

I would get a professional bra fitting today and buy a good fitting bra and alter it to be a nursing bra: http://www.xs4all.nl/~hhayes/N.....ngbra.html
I find nursing bras in general are not as supportive as normal bras. Probably fine if you nurse for 3 months, but not if you nurse for a long time.

15 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

As others have said, the #1 mistake women make is an overly large band and an overly small cup. I agree try a size 34DD first.

I agree with Amy that cup sizes might be getting smaller. I used to wear a 34B (when I lost weight) or 34C (regular weight) but finally discovered my true size last year which is 32DD. The bra should encompass the entire breast tissue. And I thought we SHOULD spill out because that's the way Victoria's Secret models looked! : )

I am going to recommend my favorite bra here, which is available at Nordstrom on line:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/na.....ltback=425

It is a Natori bra. The first one I got I happened to luck out and found it at Marshalls. I now don't mind paying full price for a great-fitting, pretty bra. I prefer cups with a little padding (the padding here is thin) because I wear thin knits and t-shirts often. I also have a few Calvin Klein bras I like, they are a little cheaper than Natori.

Have you read Maya's bra fitting thread? Great advice!

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ead/page/5

15 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

Such kind advice. Thanks a lot everyone. I think I am going to just have to deal with the bras I have for now. I am at an awkward stage nursing at the moment. We've started dropping a nursing session in the am and my body seems all confused. I'm big, big in the afternoon, especially on my right side (that breast has always made more milk for some weird reason), then by the morning (little guy is nursing all night still, ugh!)I am smaller again. It's as much as 2 cup sizes difference.

The one redeeming factor of my current bras is that they are very stretchy and can accomodate the sizing awkwardness. These bras don't give me much lift and shaping, but I haven't gotten mastitis or blocked ducts wearing them yet (problems I've had in the past while nursing). Maybe I should just get a couple of new ones in this same style...
http://www.barenecessities.com.....38;search=
It's amazing how unstructured these bras are compared to the new bras. There's nothing stiff and inflexible about them...but not much support either.

I don't know. I want to look better, but I don't know if it's possible right now. It's very difficult to find a supportive, lifting bra that can accomodate 2 cup size changes.

I did read Maya's thread, many times actually.

15 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Good for you for nursing your baby! Although definitely small-busted, I somehow managed to produce enough milk for my son, who was ravenous from birth!

It's one of the most difficult AND rewarding things you'll ever do. I nursed my son every two hours for seven months. The bonding was incredible. He's 25 now and is NEVER sick - the immunity he received from nursing lasts a lifetime.

Congratulations and hang in there (no pun intended).

PS. Your breasts will eventually even out. Mine were a bit lop-sided when I began nursing.

15 years ago

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