Nursing bras etc

[Linnis]

Hello Ladies

I have some breastfeeding questions so with me as I am a first time mum and haven't done this before.

What kind of nursing bra(if you used one) did you like best? Was it durable enough to stand up to lots of washing without worping(I have that problem with a lot of the bras I own.)? How do you feel about underwire and breastfeeding? Some books say it can lead to a blocked duct. Do you feel a nursing bra gives you more support than just pulling your breast out of a regular or sports style bra? I'm a smaller woman and thinking about if I could get away with using sports bras so I can have enough to wash and wear clean ones easier.

Where can I get cotton nursing pads?

I tried/been using the disposable ones but they don't feel the greatest and would much prefer having a couple sets of cotton ones I could just wash out and reuse.

I'll probably get more questions as I go but those are the ones I can think of for now.

 

[Leanna]

Good questions, all I can say is that I got cotton nursing pads at Walmart, but on really milky days I needed to use a disposable one beacuse I'd soak those cotton ones in seconds flat... and thats all I know

 

[giddybiscuit]

I tried several nursing bras and hated every single one of them. I just wear a soft bra or a camisole with a built-in shelf bra and either lift it up or pull it down when it's time to nurse. Works well for me, but I know lots of people much prefer nursing bras, especially those who need more support.

 

[RooMama]

The only nursing bra i could find in my size (38F) that didn't cost a million dollars was at Motherhood. I need the support, obviously, but even if you don't you will probably still want a nursing bra for convienence. It's going to be pretty hard to get a boob out of a regular or sports bra.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I liked zip cup nursing bras - these are much easier than drop cup, as you can undo them and redo them with one hand. I also liked sports bras, where you just lift the cup over.

I never bothered with pads. For me, leakage was such a short-lived thing that I could get by by simply wearing an extra tee-shirt. This would be enough to absorb any leaks. As a SAHM, a bit of leakage wasn't a disaster, and definitely preferable to having the nipple sitting in a wet wad.

 

[Linnis]

I plan on having a nursing bra or two for when going out, church etc. It'll help keep things as discreet as possible as I'm pretty shy.

Then using sports bras at home since I'll just be taking the whole thing off. My breasts are not large yet by any means so I don't think I'll have to worry too much about great amounts of support. Then again I could go up 2-3 cup sizes...

I already leak enough to go through my bra and shirt.

Is it true that at home one should go without being dressed on the upper half as much as possible to "air your nipples" and prevent yeast infections?

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Is it true that at home one should go without being dressed on the upper half as much as possible to "air your nipples" and prevent yeast infections?

Never heard of that. I think that if you feel comfortable going without a bra, then a loose-fitting tee-shirt or two is a good proposition. I know that before I discovered zip cups, and was in drop cups, the cups were dropped most of the time - so no support. It would have been easier and more comfortable going without.

The really good thing about being bra-less is that the baby has one less barrier from the breast.

 

[katelyn]

You might like the nursing bra tanks from Motherhood as they have the built-in bra thing going on. Glamourmom is similar but more pricey...I also feel like the openings are way bigger than they need to be.

I've never been a fan of underwire, but especially haven't worn them since I became a mama. I do love my nursing bras and have never tried just using a regular bra. Motherhood has a nice affordable variety of bras.

I used Bravado Breast Pads, which I liked but didn't need to use that much since I wasn't a leaker.

As far as needing to go topless, I think as long as you let them dry before you put them away , you're fine.

 

[giddybiscuit]

I like nursing tanks better than bras; you might find that you do, too, and they sell them inexpensively at Target and Motherhood. I don't like the ones from Target because they're really short and I'm tall. I haven't tried the ones from Motherhood; I've heard they're decent though. Everyone swears by Glamourmom tanks but they're pricey and I haven't tried one yet. I have one from Leading Lady that I have used a lot and it's okay.

Is it true that at home one should go without being dressed on the upper half as much as possible to "air your nipples" and prevent yeast infections?

That's not a bad idea! If you are comfortable with that, go for it; plus it makes nursing that much easier. But definitely let your nipples dry before covering them up again, wherever you are. You don't want thrush. You just don't.

 

[busybusymomma]

I really love Bravado nursing bras... they aren't especially pretty, but I think they are the most comfortable. They are similar to a sports bra but have nursing openings, they are my stand-by and my favorite after 4.5+ years of nursing). I had a Glamourmom nursing tank and it was super comfy but I felt the need to wear a shirt over it (which is odd because I'm not that modest) and that's too much to wear in the humidity and heat for me. I don't like wearing regular bras and pulling them aside, it's just awkward for me, but I have some friends who prefer that over nursing bras.


My favorite breastpads are LilyPadz, one pair is all you need and you don't have to worry about running out of disposable pads or keeping enough cloth pads washed.

 

[Linnis]

What I don't like about the two kinds of disposable nursing pads I've tried it they have nipple shapes so when I put them in a bra even through a tee shirt...I got nipples showing. I feel nakid when I can see nipples through my bra and shirt and they make it worse.

 

[Leanna]

I plan on having a nursing bra or two for when going out, church etc. It'll help keep things as discreet as possible as I'm pretty shy.

Then using sports bras at home since I'll just be taking the whole thing off. My breasts are not large yet by any means so I don't think I'll have to worry too much about great amounts of support. Then again I could go up 2-3 cup sizes...

I already leak enough to go through my bra and shirt.

Is it true that at home one should go without being dressed on the upper half as much as possible to "air your nipples" and prevent yeast infections?

I was a leaker even while pregnant. I don't think a sports bra is a good idea, but this is just my opinion. I don't know what kind of sports bra you use, but I've tried lots of different brands and they're all SO TIGHT and keeping breasts too tight makes milk supply diminish, that's what they tell you to do when you want your milk supply to go away-- wear a sports bra or two. Yes, the doctor told me this. Also these famed sports bras if you lift and try to put baby under the bra puts pressure on the top of the boob (not cool), or you'd have to take off your shirt just to get the darn thing off. If you like that kind of style, Motherhood Maternity sells some nursing bras they call "sleep bras" that are similar to a sports bra in their shape but you can open them easier and they don't bind the breast. They should give you the advantage you are looking for, and wash really well too.

 

[RooMama]

Oh, yeah, I loved Lansinoh brand disposable pads. They are very smooth and thin, no nipple impression and very absorbant. I hated the cotton reusable pads. They always stuck to my nipple and I was more sore when I used them.

 

[Linnis]

Thanks, Amy. Target sells them pretty cheap too.

So did any of you use nipple cream and if so, what kind? I heard using a bit of breastmilk to keep the nipples moist is better than the creams.

 

[RoseofLima]

I've always just expressed a litle milk and rubbed it in...that worked fine for me.

The main issue is being diligent about taking your baby off the breast and repositioning until they are latched on properly....then you often won't need cream or anything.

I never use nursing pads. I would just change my shirt if I needed to-- but I also didn't have leaking issues that some women have. I learned to press on my non-nursing breast with my elbow when I was nursing on the other side whenever I would feel my milk let down, and that minimized any leaking. I usually don't really go out of the house except to the doctor and to church for nearly six weeks- so by the time I can't change my clothes whenever I need to- most of the nursing issues have settled down for me and by that time I can feel the letdown.


Have you checked out Bravado bras? They are sports bra like- but are nursing bras. They are vey comfortable and easy to use, and come in many different colors. I also would stay away from sports bras, becuase that compression on your breasts can clog your milk ducts and lead to mastitis, a horror of a breast infection. I stay in my pajamas for the first two weeks (I shower and change jammies...but I don't get dressed)- as sort of a signal to myself and others that I am off duty, and that I am not in a position for entertaining--- So I don't even usually wear a bra around the house those first couple of weeks.

 

[jgonz]

My Favorite nursing bra was the Olga Christina. It was stretchy cotton, with a lace overlay (Very pretty), and was a center snap style. I haven't seen them in awhile though, so I'm not sure they're making them anymore. I hate ugly old nursing bras. bleck... I had to have something Pretty.

Motherwear http://www.motherwear.com/ has a Big selection of Pretty nursing bras. I've ordered a center snap bra from them too (http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/50/sid/6118 which is very similar to the Olga Christina).

I LOVE Motherwear nursing clothes too, by the way. Excellent quality, and Great sales. (In fact, they're having one right now... )

I'm one of those moms who leaked during pregnancy all the way through, so I used Danish woolen nursing pads. Extremely comfortable and Extremely soft. Motherwear sells them too, but here's the site that has the different sizes and shapes: http://www.danishwool.com/products/lana/bp_nurs_pads.htm
Two pairs will take you through your Entire nursing relationship with your baby.

 

[Athene]

Thanks, Amy. Target sells them pretty cheap too.

So did any of you use nipple cream and if so, what kind? I heard using a bit of breastmilk to keep the nipples moist is better than the creams.

I heard that one too - but it didn't really work for me because when my nipples were sore it hurt too much to try and express some milk to rub on my nipples.

I used a cream called lansinoh - it was excellent stuff, I'd apply it straight after feeding and it had an instant soothing effect.

 

[RoseofLima]

My Favorite nursing bra was the Olga Christina. It was stretchy cotton, with a lace overlay (Very pretty), and was a center snap style. I haven't seen them in awhile though, so I'm not sure they're making them anymore. I hate ugly old nursing bras. bleck... I had to have something Pretty.

Motherwear http://www.motherwear.com/ has a Big selection of Pretty nursing bras. I've ordered a center snap bra from them too (http://www.motherwear.com/prod.cfm/cid/50/sid/6118 which is very similar to the Olga Christina).

I LOVE Motherwear nursing clothes too, by the way. Excellent quality, and Great sales. (In fact, they're having one right now... )

I'm one of those moms who leaked during pregnancy all the way through, so I used Danish woolen nursing pads. Extremely comfortable and Extremely soft. Motherwear sells them too, but here's the site that has the different sizes and shapes: http://www.danishwool.com/products/lana/bp_nurs_pads.htm
Two pairs will take you through your Entire nursing relationship with your baby.

I also love, love, love Motherwear's clothes! I had some issues ordering bras from them, though- as the sizes fit differently with different styles. they are super awesome about returns and stuff though!