Can you tell me about pregnancy and breastfeeding boobs?

[Bernadine]

I started this pregnancy at a G, and I'm currently fitting into the GGs that I was wearing before I lost weight. How many cup sizes did you go up? When were your boobs the biggest?

I plan on breastfeeding. Will my boobs stay the same size while I'm breastfeeding, or will they fluctuate? I'm wondering if they fluctuate, if I should go ahead and buy nursing bras now as they're getting bigger. Bras in my size are at least $60, so I'd rather not buy bigger regular bras, and then nursing bras too.

I'm not going to lie, I'm scared of how big they might get. And how saggy they'll be afterward.

[lilac05]

Wait to buy nursing bras.

My friend knew I was pregnant long before I announced (at 12 weeks!) or was showing at all. "Your boobs were pregnant!!"

When breastfeeding, the fullness fluctuates, but the same size bra fits. I waited until baby was a few weeks old to get fitted for a good nursing bra. That allowed the size to settle a little after engorgement.

[smock]

I gained about 2-3 cup sizes and one band size during pregnancy (and pretty much all in the first half of pregnancy; it seemed to level out in the second half). I soldiered on in my normal bras until it got ridiculous, and then bought 2 normal bras in the bigger size, and made those last until the end of pregnancy.

BF'ing boobs do fluctuate, but the best advice I've heard is to buy something stretchy for the first few weeks when you'll be engorged (Bravado makes good bras in larger sizes) and then by 3-4 weeks your boobs will mostly level out (at that point I bought some underwire nursing bras, because hell no I can't skip the underwire; I had zero problems with the underwire fortunately).

So it's probably not a good idea to buy nursing bras now, since you can't really predict what size they might be when you're bf'ing.

And yes, this is yet another area where having big boobs is ridiculously expensive.

[Deleted]

I went from a DD to an H+, settled at a G/H after nursing and had a reduction to a C/D in 2013 (whee!). From what I remember, they fluctuated more about a cup size or so at first, but then settled down after the first month or so once supply calmed down. Nursing camisoles are your friend, especially while on ML/at home. Also, I always had underwire nursing bras; as long as they are the proper size and not cutting into the breast tissue, they shouldn't cause clogged ducts or other issues. I had 3 camis (liked the ones at Sears best), and 2 nursing bras and just washed/alternated each day to keep the cost down.

[Deleted]

I went from a C to a DDD. And I agree to wait to buy nursing bras. I wore nursing tanks most of the time anyway because it was easier to gain access when I pumped at work. I couldn't get the nursing bras to lay right with my hands-free pumping bra.

[fluffernutter]

I went from a B/C to a DD. I'm now a C. I was not comfortable wearing normal bras for a long time after I was done breastfeeding.

[dottyblue]

Wait to buy nursing bras as long as you can. My size didn't regulate until 6-8 weeks post partum. I went up a full two band AND cup sizes. There was no way to foresee that. And my nursing bras cost $80 each. They have been worth every penny, but I couldn't find my size in cheap bras. You will most likely need to buy bras during pregnancy (late pregnancy), but hold off as long as you can.

I will warn you, with big boobs, nursing tanks provide NO support. I wasn't really presentable to be in public until I bought a real bra around 8 weeks PP, but I lived in nursing tanks and sleep bras at home until I felt confident my size wasn't going to change again.

[panicfoot]

I have pretty big boobs and mine didn't really get any bigger during or after pregnancy or while BF. I was an H before and stayed an H after. I just felt fuller sometimes, but my bras still fit.

I had two nursing bras, but for the most part, I just wore nursing tanks and layered with flowy shirts.

[cabbagecabbage]

They fluctuate a lot. Mine were biggest 6-8 weeks post partum and stayed that size, tapering down until I weaned. I started 36DD and ended up in a 38G nursing bra when I was fitted. I got back to 36D or DD before I got pregnant again but that was almost three years. I recommend waiting until a few weeks post partum and then being fitted at a store for a nice bra. I wore nursing tanks until then. Even very big, the new milk boobs are firm and not droopy, so while I'd never wear no bra now, it worked then. For pregnancy, I rely on sports bras and those no underwire "genie" style bras, although I bough mine at a store.