From: betsyp@apollo.hp.com (Betsy Perry)
Subject: Re: SUMMARY: Nursing Bra FAQ
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 21:03:09 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Chelmsford, MA

Nursing Bras FAQ, part II:

Topics covered:
Brands
When did you buy bras post-partum?
Did you ever go braless? When did leaking stop?
What sort of nursing pads did you prefer?
Did your breasts change size while nursing? Did your bras
wear out?
Miscellaneous hints
Hints for the large-breasted
Hints for the small-breasted

________
Question 4:  What brand did you like?  Did you find any cheap
bras?

Almost everybody complained that nursing bras were extravagantly
expensive; the few people who had found cheap or reasonable bras had
bought them at factory outlets.  One resourceful mother had pointed
out that sports bras are cheaper and more durable than nursing bras,
and had worked well for her.  The brand that evoked the strongest
positive response for quality (but NOT for price) was Olga/Christina.


Japanese Weekend:
	"Very painful"
Walmart:
	"Cheap, and I thought they were so comfy I still wear them!"
Mothercare:
	"The best I have".
	"Plastic latches required two hands to operate."
Calvert's:
	"Inexpensive, quality was fine."
Mary Jane:
	"I don't like them much.  Being all cotton, they don't
	stay in fit-adjustment for more than a minute."
Sears: 
	lace ripped quickly
	"Held up well."
	"They're holding up fine for the second kid."
	"The quality was fine."
	paid $13-15, preferred the $15 model
	"Sears had a brand called Adonna which were
	mostly-cotton stretch-knit and had front snaps.  Very comfortable
	once I removed the underwires, and looked less like
	The Bra That Ate Cleveland than most.  
	Why, oh why, is nursing bra design stuck in the '50s?"
	"Hated the plastic latch; couldn't relatch one-handed."
	"I got some from Sears and some from a local Maternity shop.
	There wasn't that much difference and Sears was a lot cheaper.
	They're just a lot more limited in size and if you need something
	larger than a D cup good luck.  I figured that I wouldn't be 
	wearing them all that long so I didn't really worry about how
	long they'd hold up. "

Motherhood: liked
Playtex:
	"The best (and most expensive) was a Playtex
	bra -- a cross-your-heart nursing bra! "
Richman Cotton: 
	"Didn't like the hook closure at all; didn't wear more
	than a couple of times."
Olga:  "I really liked -- comfortable and easy to manipulate with one hand"
	"The only kind I genuinely liked was the Olga all-cotton,
	underwire, no seams bras.  The one with the lacy white cotton
	was the most comfortable and the most expensive.  Outrageously
	expensive. " 
	"I like the Olga which have a high cut and no seam."
	"I liked the Olga bras (they did run one "rib cage" size small,  
	though, so I needed a 38DD)." 
	"Very comfortable, but like I said, not too reliable, and it is
	now completely worn out."
	"Olga/Christina mechanism is very easy to use.  Underwires gave
	me plugged ducts, so I switched to soft cup at $30.00 each."
	"I really liked the underwire and cotton no lace.  $30.00 each."
	"I have one that has two layers, one cotton lace layer in
	front of a plain cotton layer.  This one is more durable
	than my other one that only has one plain cotton layer."
	"Too sheer, and underwire very uncomfortable."
	"Underwire *more* comfortable and easier to resnap"
	"not impressed with the quality - bought one under-wire type
	and the wire was always sticking me, one without wire and the
	side seams were so thick they caused dents in my skin (you know
	the kind when a piece of underwear is a little too snug
	at a point).  So, neither were that comfortable."
	"kinda pricey, but worth every penny."
	"It wore well, was worth the cost."
 
Leading Lady cotton 
       "...that everyone insists are so popular
       bombed with me. Mine stretched out too much after two hours and I
       returned it. I do like the Leading Lady polyester ones, even though
       they have the shoulder latches. None were cheap. All were overpriced."
       "These bras were expensive (about $32 as I recall), but they are all
        cotton and very comfortable.  I recommend them."

Penney's 
	"I'm convinced there is no "cheap" source.  I paid $18 a piece."
	"Inexpensive, and easy to get, lasted two years."

Mervyn's (SoCal discount store) $18.00, "Quality fine so far"

__________
Question 5:  If you waited to buy bras until after the pregnancy,
when did you buy them?

I did buy one while pregnant, but there was no way I would fit
into it after the milk came in.  I had my MIL go get a size larger
than I had already.  Still wasn't large enough but was fine
until I could get out and get fitted myself.

By my 6th month of my first pregnancy, I had stretched out and 
ruined some of my favorite non pregnancy bras!  Never again.

Dashed out to JCPenney's as soon as I got home from the hospital.

Bought on the way home from the hospital; fit fine.  During pregnancy,
used regular bras.

I bought mine a few days after my daughter is born.  This way
I could test out the size better.  I just used regular bras
before then.  My friend told me to go one size up in both the
chest size and cup size and that rule of thumb works out pretty
well for me.

I wore the stretchy leotardy ones.  One caveat about buying nursing bras
soon after giving birth.... I had a major leak while trying them on!  I
mean I squirted the mirror!  I couldn't make it stop!  Luckily, I did not
stain the bra, itself (I tried them on with pads).  It was very embarassing,
though.  After that, I didn't try on the bras, I just bought the size that
I fit that day.

_______________
Question 6:  Did you ever go braless?  If so, did you have any special
tricks?  When did you stop leaking?

The answers to this question approached a consensus:  Most women were
able to sleep braless after six to eight weeks; few were comfortable
braless during the daytime.  (One commented "I was even uncomfortable
in the shower!"; others reported buying bathing suits with built-in
bras and being unable to sleep on their chests!)   
Many respondents were never able to sleep braless until they weaned.

Several people mentioned sleeping on towels; others suggested
sleeping naked to avoid fabric-friction stimulating letdown.
Everybody said they changed the sheets far more often than
before!

There was a wide range of answers to "When did leaking stop?", ranging
from 4 weeks to "Never"; I couldn't find any pattern in the answers.
It was not at all unusual for respondents still to be leaking
six to eight months post-partum.

__________
Question 7:  What sort of nursing pads did you prefer?

Again, the answers varied widely.  Some people loved
disposables, others hated them.


Responses:

I used disposable nursing pads and changed them when they 
got soaked through.  Sometimes, if I ran out, I would double 
2 used ones just until I could get fresh ones.  As long as I 
leaked (up to two-three months) I would remove the pad, nurse,
replace the pad and switch breasts.  So, the breast not in use
always had a pad over it.  If at the beginning, nipples are
sore and need to be air dried after use, place a cloth diaper/
towel underneath to catch the drips. 

I used men's handkerciefs and disposable.  The mens
handkerchiefs were really more comfortable but the
disposables were handy if I was going out (or to work) and
needed a change.  Sounds sort of like the diaper debate!

Glue helps.  :-)   Actually, if you have a well fit bra with a
lot of coverage, pads SHOULD stay in place all night.  I ended up using
2 pads per bra and 2 towels a night to keep dry at the beginning.
Towards the end, 1 pad per side was enough.

Washable.  Disposable ones would have been prohibitively expensive.
I think I had something like 36 pads.
For the first 4 - 6 months, I used 2 - 4 pads between nursings,
4 - 8 pads during nursings (for the un-nursed sides, if bath towels
were not available).  After that, 2 pads (one each side) between
nursings unless I was going for longer than 6 hours.
I changed pads when they got damp enough to threaten to leak onto
clothes, or when I took them off and didn't feel like putting a
cold, wet, and sticky one back on.  I "leaked" badly for the 1st 4-6
months, "occasionally" between 6 and 13 months, and "on unusual
occasions" from 13 - 15 months. 

The best nursing pad for me was to take a sanitary napkin and cut it in
half (one half for each breast).  These worked best for me.  The 'normal'
nursing pads I would leak through in 2 minutes.

I made some flannel cot sheets for Emily soon after she was born, and I used
the scraps for pads.  I also used a few disposables when going out.  I went
through a couple of small packages of disposables, and had maybe eight or ten
flannel ones.  Changed them when they got wet (once or twice daily) and washed
them with the baby load (almost once or twice daily).  Only really leaked from 
the nonnursing breast first thing in the morning, when I wasn't wearing a bra.

I used disposables, but they weren't too much needed, after the
first couple weeks.  In fact, I still have a box in the closet.
Keep it for #2, I suppose...

Disposable.  Did whatever I could to simplify my life back then.  I
wore them for about two weeks, changing them often.  HATED THEM.
Stopped leaking after about two or three weeks.  I meant to mark what
"side I was on" with a safety pin, but I kept forgetting to change the
safety pin to the other side!

I used 6 pairs
of non-disposable nursing pads, with backups of disposable ones for outings
and for emergencies. The non-disposables were just fine, better really than
the disposables which ocassionally bunched up. In retrospect, I might buy a 
few more non-disposables, and dispense with the throw-aways completely.

Nursing pads. I used disposable nursing pads, but I think next
time I will use cotton ones. But this time I didn't even know
they existed, and when I had known I wouldn't have known where to
find them. Now I have discovered that my local LLL leader sells
them. The first weeks I used menstrual pads at night, because
nursing pads didn't take enough milk to last a whole night. After
2 or 3 months I didn't use nursing pads anymore, because the
supply/demand was better matched.

I bought disposable - my favorite are the Curity; they've got the blue backing
to them.  I tried several, and these seemed to have a heavy enough backing
to keep me from leaking when I would first let down when the kids were just
a few weeks old.  I would change them whenever they got soaked; initially,
that meant every few hours, but later, I could go a couple of days, by which
point I would quit wearing them.  As I said before, I stopped leaking at
different times with the children.  However, I learned a trick that helped
when leaking without having pads around, or having soaked the pads so much
that you could wring them out.  Press hard against the nipple with the palm
of your hand; that would generally stop the let down.  This would help for
an hour or two.  This did, however, lead to a quicker engorgement if I didn't
get the milk expressed shortly after that.

Washable.  Had about 8.  Used them to keep track of which
side I started with last time (i.e. Between feedings, only the side
that was fed last (and likely to be fuller) had a pad.  At the beginning
of the feeding, I removed the pad from that side, put it on the other.
Changed them whenever there was a leak (approx. once a day).
I never really leaked a lot except when I missed a feeding,
or the baby slept a long time at night.

I bought cloth and was given some disposable ones for a shower present.  
HATED, HATED, HATED the disposable ones.  They weren't as absorbant and 
really felt wet when they got wet.  I loved the cloth.  I had only four
pairs of them, which were washed daily (along with daily washing of so 
much in the first weeks) early on.  The pads were usually not enough 
protection during feeding.  I often used a bottle (why waste?) or a 

Used a men's handkerchief for the first round of nursing
(six years ago) because I didn't know how to handle the
flow and was wearing fairly nice clothes every day.  Now
I'm more casual at work, and figured an easy way to stop
the flow when it happens unexpectedly (cross arms and
press) so I didn't use pads this time. 

With #1 I used the pads with adhesive to stick to your bra,
but they don't really tend to slip, so with #2 I used Curity
brand pads which absorb the best.  I also tried some flannel
pads (washable), but they can absorb as much as the Curity
pads.  In the first few weeks I go through the pads quickly,
about one every 4 hours or so (on each breast).  I usually
leave one on the other side while nursing since I would leak
when I had a letdown.  I always have a letdown on both sides
simultaneously.  I definately stop leaking by 6 weeks, even
during a letdown.

I only leaked when I was engorged, though it took a few weeks
for the leakage to start.  I was engorged, on and off, until [baby] was 
weaned to formula at 3 1/2 months. 
I used disposable nursing pads, the kind with no plastic leak barrier.  
Before I started using pads at about 6 weeks, I had 3 breast infections.  I
used disposables because I was worried that reusables wouldn't get clean
enough.  

I preferred disposable pads only because they stayed put.  I used
washable ones, too, but they seemed to float around inside my bra,
get bunched up off-center, and nullify their usefulness.  The disposables
I used had the adhesive strip to stick to the bra.

I bought several packages of the washable kind.  I must have about 2 dozen.
I wash them with the baby's laundry (baby laundry gets done most often in
our home - every day or every other day).  I *generally* change them once
a day. At least, now that just hearing a crying baby in the supermarket
doesn't make me letdown and leak!  I keep an extra pair in our diaper bag,
too.  Some of the pads are thin, some are thicker.  I prefer the thicker ones,
but I didn't realize when I was buying them that they were different.

Washable 100% better than disposable.  12-18 is a good number.  Generally
three a feeding is the usual number I use.  When I'm at work and not
nursing, just expressing, 5 is the typical number for an 8 hour day.
My kid is 4 mon and I still leak, and I vaguely remember leaking for
most of 9 months with kid one.

I found that I leak less if I turn my nipple upwards when
wearing a pad.  When I leak a lot, I would use a cloth diaper
instead of the pad.

I use the disposable ones.  A friend of mine uses the washable
ones which she claims work much better because they absorb
more.  While nursing, I usually keep the bra on the un-nursing
side close, slip in part of a cloth diaper and turn the nipple
upwards.  If not at home, I'll use a pad instead.

My baby is 7 mo and I still leak once in a while, especially
before the first feeding in the morning

Washable, washable, washable.  Those paper jobbies really hurt me.  I had
a dozen, changed them every day, left one in on the otherside.  At around
four months I started using pads only at night and just stuffed a tissue in
the other side while nursing.  At six months I quit leaking and quit using
pads at all.

I used the washable ones most of the time for comfort.  Same as for
diapers in the first few months - disposable when going out for
lengthy periods of time, cloth otherwise.  As I got more into a
routine and quit leaking unexpectedly, I stuck to the cloth.  I had a
couple of dozen of the round ones that I got from Baby Super Discount
in San Jose, Ca.  I don't remember when I stopped leaking, but it was
probably about 2.5 months.  I changed them whenever they felt slightly
damp (from the outside).  The cloth were definitely more comfortable
and less bulkey.  The disposables that held as much were huge.

I used disposables and went through HUNDREDS of them (30/box).
I'll probably use washable cotton pads this time. I changed them
as needed. Sometimes I'd use four a day per side and later only
one or two per side per day. One side leaked while nursing on
the other side so I HAD to use one breast at a time and keep the
other covered. I stopped leaking after maybe 6 or 8 months--
I don't really remember.

Pads: I hate the disposable ones, they were really thick and bulky and
had sharp edges.  the ones I liked best were shaped like a an
upside-down U, and had a split for overlapping.  Made a nice cone that
usually stayed in place.

I got cotton nursing pads with nylon backing - 6 pairs.
If I had a breast infection or a plugged duct, I changed
pads after every nursing.  Otherwise, once-a-day.
I definitely left one on the other side while nursing,
because the other side would leak.  This leaking continued
the whole 18-1/2 months of nursing.

12 washable.  Leave one on non-nursing breast; use one
to catch drips under nursing baby.  Change once per day or sooner as
necessary.

I started out with the paper (disposable) nursing pads, but I hated the
    waste and never knew if I would be able to find the brand I preferred
    (Curity, I think).  I hated Evenflo.  So, I found some cloth pads, and I
    bought two packages of them, therefore ensuring me of an ample supply
    (should I find it impossible to do the laundry in a timely manner).  They
    launder fine; I put them in a net, zippered bag, with my hose and my bras,
    and wash/dry with the rest of the clothes.
    When I was actively nursing/pumping, I'd have to change the disposable
    pads about twice a day; however, Iremember wearing cloth pads for a whole
    day (perhaps that was after the nursing slowed down?).  If I was not
    pumping while I nursed, I kept the pad in the (closed) bra flap.  I usually
    leaked on the other side if I nursed (common "let-down" reflex); this
    lasted from 12 mos. to 18 mos.

Almost never leaked; disposable pads very uncomfortable, and not
very absorbent.

I never stopped leaking from the breast not immediately in use.  As
soon as the sucking started and the milk let down, it flowed from
both sides.  In the early days I used to sit with a jar under the
free nipple and collect the milk for later use.  Later on, although
the leaking continued, it was in quantities too small to make
collection really practical.

           I like washable pads.  I only have 6 so i sometimes rinsed them
    out by hand between wash loads.  I tried to keep them clean - very
    early in the baby's life I would sometimes take my bra off to
    nurse (at home, obviously) and put a towel on my lap to catch leaks.
    When I leaked alot I needed to change them twice a day.  (One of my
    breasts leaks alot more than the other, so I would usually move the
    more dry pad to the leaky breast and let the other breast go free...)
    I had a pack of disposable pads but I hate them.  I'm too cheap to
    change them frequently and they end up shredding and lumping and sticking
    semi-permanently to my bra.  They're overpriced, uncomfortable and
    yucky.  My advice is to buy washables or to make your own (wish I had
    thought of that option earlier - oh well, perhaps I will have occasion
    to require nursing pads again yet.)  Finally, sometimes I would leak 
    through the pad, and the bra, and onto my shirt.  

18 washable, washed with diapers.  Put a diaper in "off-side" ....
"no poor little pad could handle that, and even if it could it would
be drenched and I'd need a new one"

Don't bother buying pads until you're familiar with nursing.  "Some
people just don't leak".

Used home-made pads; first 2 months changed 5x/day; now only once per
day.  "The paper pads stuck to my nipples.  I'm still leaking and my
son is 8 months old."

Washable all-cotton from Richman Cotton Co. "wonderful" and
cotton-polyester pads locally.  Used difference between pads to
remember which breast nursed on last.  Stopped leaking at 3 months.

"I started with disposable, switched to washable in the second month  
when my nursing pad expenditures topped our grocery bills. I bought 5  
pairs of disposables and changed them after each nursing. I stopped  
leaking in the eighth month."

Again, if memory serves me correctly the leaking is only a problem
until the milk supply stabilizes  6 weeks for the lucky moms-3 months
for the rest of us.

Washables MUCH more comfortable.  Stopped leaking after 2 months with
first child, 1 month with second.

I used thin disposable pads that didn't have the plastic on
the back during the first time, but couldn't locate them the second
time.  At night, I used the big disposables without the plastic on
the back--the kind that look like you stuffed a gym sock into your
bra. Washables too bulky.

I think I wore pads for less than 2 months. Stopped wearing pads when
my baby was about 4 months. (Disposables)

I used disposable.  Used about 4-6 a day.  I didn't leak much at all
so only had to change them every 5 or 6 hours.	I did leave one on the
other side while nursing.  I stopped leaking about 3 months after be-
ginning to breastfeed.	Jini continued to breastfeed until 8-9 mos old.

I started off with disposables, but after a few (expensive) boxes, switched
to washables, which kept the breast drier, as the moisture could evaporate,
but didn't contain leaking much, except for very minor leaks, which
were rare! I had about 6-ish pairs of washables (or was it 8? I kept
losing them!), so I'd still wear disposables a bit. Disposables were
changed more often than washables, but I really can't remember how
often.  Never entirely stopped leaking.

I have always used disposable, but would consider washable
next time.  I go thru about 6 boxes of 60 in about 3 months,
after which I really dont need them anymore.  I used breast
shields for about the first 2 weeks with each baby  (because
I have flat nipples), and those cause the milk to drip more.  
I end up replacing the pad about every 3 or 4 hours when 
I am wearing those (I stuff the pad inside the shield).

________
Question 8:  Changes in fit and function


I have nursing bras that went through 3 children (nursing
each kid 6-8 months).  I never found that a single nursing
pad meant needing a larger size bra.  I wear nursing bras
from early in the pregnancy until weaning.  (In pregnancy
you can pin/stitch them closed to prevent inadvertant opening).

I used size H most of the time I was nursing (about 10 months) but the
last couple months I was wearing size DD, I'd also just use regular
bras and lift it up without unfastening it.  I didn't wear out my
nursing bras and have since loaned them out to a friend.

Yes, by 12 months, (1) nursing bras were pretty well worn out, and
(2) I seemed to have shrunk back to my "normal" size.  So I went and
got properly fitted.  Boy, a properly fitted bra makes a world of
difference!  Also, when nursing only 3 times a day at home, a regular
bra isn't that inconvenient.

It all depends on how much weight you gain and manage to lose.  I
finally gave up and a just went out and bought new bras because I
couldn't stand to wear them one more day.

My breasts are smaller (yay!) after seventeen months of nursing than
they were at first; I haven't needed to replace nonfitting bras, though.  One
bra is entirely worn out, and another is on its way.  Now, the dilemna is 
whether to go out and buy more -- how much longer will [baby] want to nurse?
Actually, I think it would be a pretty good idea, as she still really enjoys
nursing.

No, I'm back to the same size.  They seem to sag more now;
I guess I'm going to look like those native women on National
Geographic covers now :-).

The pads fit in the bras I had.  I did not wear out the bras.  I do
recall needing a bigger size while I was nursing.  It was only a few
months into the nursing when I realized this.

No way did the bras get worn out. They can be packed away for the next child.

My baby is now 8mo and I'm still nursing but I think my breast
have become smaller. I didn't buy new bras when I stopped putting
pads in them or now my breasts are smaller. My bras are a little
too large right now, but it's not really a problem.

I was much more efficient in terms of milk production with my second than
with my first.  It would take me a few days to adjust to a change in habit
with my first, but a day at the most with my second.  So, I did change size
over the course of the 16 months I nursed my first - went from a 38D to a 36C.
With my second, I started at and stayed at a 36C; I was wearing that during
the pregnancy, as well.  Pads didn't make a difference with bra size.  Hm,
maybe this says something about the quality of an Olga bra:  I broke an under-
wire on one of my nursing bras, and so gave it up.  Gee, maybe it just says
something about my ability to gauge the size I wear!

After [baby] dropped to one feed a day, I dropped in size; down to a single D
from a DDDD.  I had been a 34 C before I got pregnant. Since I had the 34D
underwire bras from before he was born, I have just been using them.  I'm
not sure if the extra size is from nursing, or because I'm still 10 pounds
over my pre-pregnancy weight.

Size remained constant during 3 months of nursing.

As mentioned above, my breasts did get much smaller towards the end.  
I should have bought new nursing bras, but was lazy/cost concious and 
didn't.  At the end I was working and feeding my son once in the morning,
sometimes pumping at lunch, twice in the evening.  I often got by with a 
regular bra.  It was fine at home (just pulled the whole thing up at home), 
but difficult out or for pumping.  On a second child I think the purchase 
of the smaller size would be a wise investment for me.

The bras I used seemed to compensate for the change in
size.  Especially the Olga Christina without the under-wire.
It's very flexible to fit a wide range of breast sizes.
I wore them both out, long before I stopped nursing (as
mentioned above), but I'm still using them (one of the
snaps broke, so that side is pinned now! - I refuse to
spend another $15.00 on a nursing bra!)  The previous
nursing stint with my first child I also wore the bras
out - nursed him for 11 months (they're no doubt designed
for the average nursing time  - what is it about 3 months?)

I nursed #1 for 5 months (#2 is 4 months old and is still
nursing) and I used the same bras during the entire time.
Since the Olgas are stretching they stretch to fit with pads
and regain their shape when I wash them.  BTW I put them in
the dryer with everything else.  I didn't wear out any of
the 4 bras I had with #1 yet, and I bought 2 more this time.

As time passed, my breast size decreased, but I didn't bother
purchasing new nursing bras.  Had we continued nursing beyond
the 14 months, however, I suspect I would have needed to get
some in a smaller size.

I haven't yet weaned, but my breasts seem to change size quite often,
just during the day!  Especially if I miss a pumping session.  Like I
said before, the bra fabric is stretchy enough to grow/shrink with my
daily changes.  While I haven't, per se, *worn out* my bras, the under-
wires started poking holes in the bras.  The ends of the underwires
are covered with a blob of plastic, so it didn't hurt.  I ended up just
pulling out both sides of underwire and wearing the bra without them.
I might have complained to the company, but I don't think I'm supposed
to be putting them in the dryer (it probably wouldn't take any longer
to air dry them, but I'm lazy).

    Yes, when I stopped leaking my breasts probably shrank about a half cup
    size.  I probably could have used a smaller size bra but didn't bother 
    getting them.

Didn't change size, didn't wear bras out.

Nursing bra can wear out since it does get leak on and wash quite
a bit.  So have a few extras can prolong one's usage.

My breasts didn't change size until I weaned my son.  I'm using the same ones now in
my second pregnancy.  I stopped putting pads in after I finished weaning my son.

Wore out after a year to eighteen months; expect to buy new ones for
next child. 

No size changes until 4 weeks after weaning at 9 months.

Size decreased gradually, but didnt' buy new bras.
Expect to reuse bras from first pregnancy.

I wore nursing bras for
    about 1 year with my first born, and for 15 months (so far) with my
    second born.  The bras are kind of worn out but I don't feel like
    getting new ones just now, so I (and they) just have to keep on
    trucking.

Breast size eventually returned to pre-pregnancy.  Wore out two
nursing bras.

Nursing bras don't seem to be designed for two+ years of use.

Probably will be worn out by weaning

No.  But normal bras never fit properly after weaning -- rib cage
permanently enlarged, so wore nursing bras after weaning.

13 mo postpartum, still haven't returned to original bra size.,

Did wear out a nursing bra.

Nursing bras tended to last about 7 months.

Baby number 2, still nursing at bedtime, has sucked me down from a 38 C
to a 36 A.  Try to find a 36 A of ANY kind, let alone an underwired
one (yeah, they sag now, too)!

I didn't change size enough before weaning to need new bras.  For
that matter, it has been 12 months since the last weaning and I still
haven't changed cup sizes.  The nursing bras were getting in pretty
bad shape after 51 months of use.  The fabric was coming off of the
ridge seams between the cup and the side of the bra. 

I can't remember the brand names now; but I bought two cheap (about
$10), and two about $20. I like the $20 ones 'cos of the hooks. They
are also prettier. The straps of the cheaper ones frayed after about 5
months (still usable though). The cheaper ones also seem to shrink a
little, making it a bit tight. Function wise, they're both ok.

Size decreased somewhat after 9 months, but they still fit.  I don't
think they'll survive past one baby...

By the time I weaned, my breasts certainly were quite a bit smaller, and
I was just getting to the point at which new nursing bras were about
to become necessary (due to fit). I managed to use the same bras
throughout.

    Quality on the Mothercare has been pretty good, considering I've worn
    them for 2 out of the last 3 years; washed each ~70 times, and they're
    still in one piece.  They don't look very appealing to me anymore,
    though.  

My breasts did not change enough to require a new bra, but
the cups were a bit looser.  The pads did not change much--
they really dont take up much room.  I nursed about 13 months 
with my first, and the 2 cotton bras were pretty sorry when 
I was done.

Well, indirectly; when I weaned at 13-14 months, almost none
of my old bras fit.  (Miss Scarlett, you ain't never gonna
be no 36 C no more!)  Just what I always wanted, big
limp tits.  ;-(  Much though I'd like to back up the hype,
my breasts got a LOT flabbier after nursing, and the
stretch marks got worse during the nursing year.  Nursing
is worth it, but I really believe my figure would have been
more elegant if I'd never done it.  

wonderful fit is not something I ever seem to get from a nursing bra.
_________________
General comments and hints from people who have been there:

-By the time pregnant breasts start to swell, start sleeping in
a bra.  
-Sometimes by going up in bra (base) size (32-> 34, etc) but in the 
same cup size, you gain a little extra room or higher cut.
-Different brands also have very different cuts and the size may
vary.
-It is likely that one breast will be more productive than the 
other.  Therefore, it will get fuller and leak more.  You may
need to use a pad or two only in that side (you can put a pad
in the other side any way to even things out.)
-Don't plan on using low cut bras if you are well endowed.  You will 
just bubble over the side.
-If you use lanolin on your nipples, it can stain bra cups.
-Sheer lacy cup designs don't look too nice under a blouse when using 
nursing pads.
-Nursing bras should hold you high and firm (not low and 
floppy).  This is especially important early on when you are swollen
to prevent blocked ducts.  If you are well endowed, look for bras with 
three or more hooks in the back (wider base provides better support)

I also bought good quality non nursing bras (I wanted underwire) and
converted them.  I attached a hook to the front of each strap and
tightened the hook end to make it harder to slip out.  This way I
could have the color/style/shape I preferred.  I like the Olga which
have a high cut and no seam.  And Warners.  Don't buy large quantities
without trying them (e.g. from a catalog).  Try the lingerie
department of a good department store.

Converted bras which hook in front from the strap have a few disadvantages
which make them less ideal to a new/inexperienced nurser:
1) The straps fall behind your back.  (If you use a safety pin to mark 
which side you last fed from, you can pin the strap to your shirt.)
2) You can't just leave the flap down to air dry your nipples, as
there is sometimes no bra base to hold the breast up.  (Use a bra
with 3-4 hooks/underwire which will stay in place or wait until your
nipples no longer need airing dry to use bras with front hooks.)

I guess I'd like to stress staying away from underwires if you're on the
larger side.

Important things to look for:
(1)  Large enough to not cause pain - this can also cause infection.
(2)  One handed ability if you are going to nurse in public (or a
     restroom, etc). 
(3)  More than 2 hooks in the back (the more the better, they will be
     wider and more comfortable, esp. if you sleep in them).
(4)  Washable pads are cheaper, softer, and more comfy - but washing and
     ironing can be a hassle.


BE PATIENT: it takes a lot of shopping to find one that fits
Can't mail-order because fit so idiosyncratic
Wait till baby comes -- you won't know what size till then.

I was depressed by how unattractive most were (AMEN!)

Don't buy front hook non-nursing bras because they won't stay in place
on the unused breast (or hold a nursing pad against it.)

Since I have gone my entire life bra-less, comfort was the major
factor as far as I was concerned.  I was very happy with the Olga
bra, and would definitely buy it again.  It's not all-cotton, but it
wasn't as bulky as the all-cotton bra I had tried.

I bought one toward the end of my first pregnancy.  The price made me
gasp and I decided to buy the rest when I knew what size I would be.
If memory serves me correctly it was a back closer with the unhooking
cups.  Ugliest piece of underwear I have ever owned.  I could not get
the hang of unhooking and reconnecting the cups.

Preferred non-nursing bra: I found it was a whole lot more convenient
to just pull my bra up over my breast and pull it back down again when
I was finished. 

A friend taught me the trick of holding my wrist firmly over the
unused breast during the let down to keep milk from flowing out.

I am not comfortable exposing any part of my torso in public, but did
need to nurse in public sometimes.  What worked for me was to wear
a loose T-shirt and a light weight jacket.  The T-shirt covered most
of what the baby didn't.  The only area I had exposure problems with
was a side view of the breast being nursed.  The jacket covered this
area.  I made a lightweight casual jacket out of T-shirt material
that worked well for this (was also handy as a light weight jacket,
too :-) ) 

Advice for pregnant women? Buy bras when you're 7-8 months pregnant.
Get a range of sizes if you're picky, just make sure that they can be
returned if the labels are still attached. When you give birth, you
can use whichever that fit best. Also, don't buy those with zippers
for the front flaps. Make sure you can detach and reattach the flaps
with *one* hand.

I normally have large breasts (C cup), so when I am nursing,
I really need support.  Most "normal" nursing bras run about 
$18-$20.  With that price range in mind, I pay attention to support, 
and comfort.  The important thing is to try on several differnt 
styles, and decide what feels best and looks best on you.  If
one store does not have anything you are comfortable with,
go somewhere else.

Buy your bra as late in your pregnancy as possible.  Perhaps
you should buy only one, then go and buy a second bra, if
needed, after the baby is born. 

I did not get any bigger after the baby was born.  My cup size
was the same  as at the end of my pregnacy, and my girth went
down.  When you buy your bra, make sure you are not buying it
so that it fits on the smallest setting,  especially if you
are currently retaining fluid.

I wished I'd access to something like this when I'd gone 
shopping. I did know enough to buy larger, but felt really
stupid in the store trying to find one my size and the
staff wasn't much help. If there are bras that open and
close easier than the "traditional" ones (I call it
traditional as I have NEVER seen any that open any
other way) then go for it. It will make nursing in
public a lot easier and would be worth the extra money
if they are more expensive.

I never used nursing bras, even though I nursed my son for
15 months.  I am *very* small-breasted, and so I just wore
those stretch-cotton bras that cost about $2 each.  They
hooked in the front, but I never unhooked them, just pulled
it down.  I bought them while pregnant but didn't wear them
until after he was born.  After the first couple of days 
(when the soreness was gone) I only wore a bra during the day.  
I never leaked, so I didn't need pads or towels.

Contrary to manufacturer hype, you *can* machine-wash them.
Get cotton if you possibly can; it's much more comfortable.
And buy yourself something pretty/sexy when you wean; after
a year of white cotton, you'll deserve it!  (My husband and
I took a celebratory trip to Victoria's Secret.  I kept joking
that I wished they made black lace nursing bras...)  

I was glad that I had several sizes of nursing bras to wear, as my
breasts became engorged and then less so.  If I had it to do over
again (and I hope to, perhaps in '93), I would buy two more nursing
bras of the same size as the ones that wore out, and I *wouldn't* buy
anything while pregnant for the first time.  I think I wasted money on
that very first one, because I didn't know what to expect.  And I
really liked the convenience of having the snap at the bottom, too.

I was told to buy one or two for the month or so before birth and then
buy more later if required - I thought this was good advice.

Overall, the biggest factor for me was the one-handed ease
of use. The hook and eye was great. Wide shoulder straps are
nice if possible. Forget underwires. Try washable pads but
have some disposables on hand anyway. If you work outside
the home, keep extra disposable pads in your desk for "let
down accidents" when you think about the baby (this happened
to me often and was pretty amusing once I got used to it)!

"Get one during pregnancy.  If it fits post-partum, send hubby out to
get more; otherwise, go out yourself!"

Try to find a retailer that knows something about sizing a nursing bra
for a pregnant woman (they have charts that help).  The average
department store doesn't have the knwoledge and not all maternity
stores.  Seek out the help if you have the time and energy.

With my first, I needed a bra that was approximately one size bigger than
what I word during the pregnancy.  With my second, I needed approximately
the same size as during the pregnancy.  I don't know whether all women
adjust like that; it certainly was easier to wait until I could actually
see what I would be needing before going out and buying a whole bunch of
useless underwear... I would *strongly* recommend the snap closing type -
the one-handed convenience is worth the cost.

I ordered bras through a catalog, the name of which I forget.  (It's
the catalog that advertises the nursing nightgown with the bra built
in - I see their advertisement in Mothering.)  The bras I ordered from
this company last about a year, but for most people that's probably
long enough.  For people who live in the San Jose, CA area, a there's
a new store called The Lactation Network that stocks bras which
satisfy my exacting (:=) specifications.  JCPenney's had a variety of
styles but none of the kind I like.

I went braless a couple times while prego to bed and after baby came
a couple times to bed.	I hated wearing a bra constantly while prego
and till I stopped leaking a few months after baby's birth but I'd heard
it would give added support to keep you from stretch marks and sagging
after I stopped breastfeeding.	I think something helped.  I stopped
breastfeeding at about 8-9 months of babies age that was 2 months ago
and have found few marks and no more sagging than usual.  I do however
feel I am a tiny bit smaller than before pregnancy and that is even with
a weight increase. (eg I am heavier now than before I got prego) UGH!

If you can, buy three or four different styles so you can figure out what
works best for you.  Waiting until after the baby was born to buy worked
fine for me.  And I have a friend who just went braless until she went
back to work four months after the baby was born.

Ah, nursing.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it was
a tad painful (letdown was excruciating at times, but I gritted
my teeth).  And it was the only time in my now 41 years of life
that I ACTUALLY HAD CLEAVAGE!

When in public and nursing, I like to be able to do the bra back up
easily with one hand -- the two handed grope feels a bit embarassing.
So, I would advise a pregnant woman to check the cup closure and make
sure it's reasonably easy to operate with one hand.  Also, I really find
the cotton bras more comfortable than the synthetic ones.  It's worth 
spending the money for a good quality cotton one -- it will last much
longer.

You haven't mentioned clothes for nursing, but it seems like it belongs here.
I wore pull-up sweaters, cotton ones in summer and wool in winter. They are
standard clothes that I continue to wear and were very discrete and 
comfortable. I also had one nice center buttoning dress for parties. This 
required a more privacy for nursing, but my baby generally needed a little
quiet to settle down to nursing anyway. I had bought a couple of "nursing
blouses" with side opening, but they tended to show leaking much more throughly
than the sweaters and were less discrete also. They were not worth purchasing.

If someone has trouble finding a particular brand, they should try
going to a lingerie shop -- they will probably be able to place a
special order (this seems obvious, but it didn't occur to me because
most lingerie shops don't even carry nursing bras).

______________
Buying tips for the differently-cleavaged:
Finally, comments from two special-interest groups ;-):  the
large-breasted, and the small-breasted.

____________
LARGE BREASTS:

What I want to know is:  If you were large to begin with (D or DD)  cup, 
where do you go to find a nursing bra to fit?  The maternity stores here in
Boston have bras that go up to Size H, but their G size is actually the
same as a DD, so an H just isn't going to be big enough for me.  And I 
need to get some of these suckers soon.  Does anyone know of a catalog
where I can order the big ones!  (Gosh, this is embarassing!)

LARGE BREAST RESPONSES:
I'm usually a DD, and a DD cup nursing bra fit me fine postpartum.

The bigger cup size you normally wear, the more important it is to have a
well fitting bra, and, in my experience, the more you'll balloon during
the first several weeks.  Learn about bra sizes and fit before you go shopping.
If you don't find one you REALLY find comfortable, don't just settle for
whatever you can get, look into specialty shops and mail order.

I know underwire bras are bad for you, but since my non-nursing
size is a 38B, I couldn't find non-underwire; I had to pull the underwires
out of "normal" (i.e. "Your breasts are too big, lady") nursing
bras.  Sigh.

If you are big, get 2 bras before hand, 1 one cup size larger and 1 two cup
sizes larger.  Worst comes to worst, you'll have a "spare" bra that's a bit
too big.  Better than all of them being too tight.  Too tight is painful,
not to mention potentially causing problems.

And lastly, just because you're a large cup size doesn't mean breastfeeding
will be easier or more successful.  In fact, too large a breast makes it
hard for tiny mouths to latch on to.

SUMMARY FROM ORIGINAL POSTER:
For all you full-figured gals like me, the news isn't overwhelmingly great.
I did receive a few helpful responses, which I'll summerise below:

The number one suggestion was to find a Motherwear catalog, as they had
some large sizes.  Nobody had the address/phone number but I tracked it
down and sent away for the catalog, which hasn't arrived yet.  Their number
is 1-800-950-2500.

Other suggestions said to call your local nursing mothers council for help,
or to contact the local LLL.  Both good suggestions.

In Boston, Lady Grace shops (I don't know if they are nationwide) have some
larger sizes, but they are underwire and not cotton.  Not what I was looking
for, but investigate.

Another person told me that Sears Catalog had a bra that went up to 44H by
a company called Goddess.  I haven't checked that out yet.

Another person told me about a shot in Marlton NJ called the Bra and Girdle
shop that carries large sizes and custom-made bras.  This is a possibility.

And lastly, and not particularly helpful for me, several people recommended
making your own nursing bras out of your regular bras.  This is only helpful
if you can find a regular bra in a large size (not possible so far for me),
and have a sewing machine.

Sorry there isn't much more to tell you.  But I will keep looking and
will definately post if I do find a good source.

___________
SMALL BREASTS:

I want to know is, if you were very
*small* to begin with (like maybe a AA on a PMS day), did you bother
with nursing bras?  where did you find them?  what size?  (Fortunately,
I _don't_ need any of these in the forseeable future....but someday,
hopefully).

REPLIES: 

Well, since it is probably obvious from a few previous posts
that I'm on the very small end of the scale, even those of us on the
IBTC (Itty Bitty Titty Committee) get a bit bigger when we are
breastfeeding.  When my milk first came in, I went all the way up to
almost a C.  After a few months, everything stabilized, and I spent
the duration at a B.  Yes, I bought nursing bras - I needed something
to hold those nursing pads on so that I wouldn't be cruising around
with perpetually wet shirts.  As long as you get up to a B, you can
find them in most stores that carry nursing bras.  The selection isn't
as great, since next to nobody is that tiny when breastfeeding, but
they are available.

Well ... I will be brave and admit that I fall into this category.
One place I went only started with B-cup sizes.  When I asked for an
A, the clerk said, "Honey, when you're full of milk you'll need at
least a B."  Wrong.  I did manage to find an A-cup one and only barely
managed to fill it out when full of milk.  For my second child I
rarely leaked, except when nursing, so I skipped the nursing bra and
pads altogether and went with my normal stretchy one (and kept my
wrist pressed against the breast not currently in use to prevent
leakage).  Those stretchy deals slide up quite easily (too easily, in
fact - those of you who don't fit into the pancake category will never
know the joy of raising your arm and having your bra slide up off of
what it is supposed to be covering - and no, a tighter band around the
bottom isn't a good solution because it just hurts...).  Anyway,
that's my 2 cents worth.  By the way, in case there are any rumors
running around that flat folks won't have enough milk - bunk.  I
nursed both my kids and they did just fine.


P.S.  For those of you who are curious why some of us bother with bras at all,
      the answer is we don't when we can get away with it.  Support is
      obviously not an issue, however white blouses and thin T-shirts look
      pretty tacky without something under them.  Fortunately in the last
      few years they have started making decent undershirts and lycra crop
      top things that solve the decency problem without the discomfort of a
      piece of clothing that can't seem to stay where it belongs...

CONTRIBUTORS:

"Christine A. Quinn" <quinn@ee-cf.stanford.edu>
"S. Meikle" <sian@utcs.utoronto.ca>
Audrey Ishizaki <ishizaki@hplabsz.hpl.hp.com>
Karen Plomp <Sander.Plomp@cwi.nl>
M16585@mwvm.mitre.org
Mary Curtis <anasaz!misty!mary@enuucp.eas.asu.edu>
Pat Hoyt <pahoyt@neumann.waterloo.edu>
Paula Burch <pburch@mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu>
Stephanie Winner <winner@apple.com>
Sue McPherson <sue@ariel.ucs.unimelb.EDU.AU>
Traci@ami.spacecoast.org (Traci)
alli@baba.HQ.Ileaf.COM (Allison Caron)
betsyp@apollo.hp.com (Betsy Perry)
bloch@vault.WUstl.EDU (Charlene Bloch Abrams)
cathe@ece.ucsb.edu (Cathe Gordon)
co2@prism.gatech.edu (OLIVE,CAROLYN C)
csh@leland.stanford.edu
day_kevran@tandem.com (Kevran Day )
dkaplan@aecmail.Prime.COM (Debbie Kaplan {x6084})
dlin@weber.ucsd.edu (Diane Lin)
dresser@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Debra Dresser)
gorman@acsu.buffalo.edu (Anne-Marie K. Gorman)
hydra!sj@uu2.psi.com (Suzanne)
jbd@cs.duke.edu (Joanne Bechta Dugan)
judi@laplace.biology.YALE.EDU (Judith S. Janette)
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lewis@linac.fnal.gov (June Cummins Lewis)
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xtkmg (Kate Gregory)
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Betsy Hanes Perry   (note P in userid)     betsyp@apollo.hp.com
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