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mary
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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i've got less than 40 days until my due date, and i'm looking for nursing bras. in the past, i've used a bravado and loved the comfort but not so much the uniboob look. i wish i had a smaller chest and could wear the nursing tanks i've seen at target, but they don't go past a D size and i'm a DD prior to nursing.
any suggestions for a good nursing bra for the large busted? i'd like some decent support, easy one handed opening, and comfort. is there a nursing bra that can do all of that?
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Rachel May
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 3:06pm | IP Logged
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I just bought a goddess nursing bra in a 36 DD. Opening it is fine. I have some trouble closing it with one hand, but I have to use 2 hands get the nursing pad where it goes anyway.
We had a some trouble measuring me because I didn't have a bra on so I think the underbust is too small. Sometimes I feel sore after I've worn it all day, but not as often as I did at first. I like it, especially because it gives support and definition. It doesn't have underwire.
Also, I just ordered a nursing cami from glamourmom.com today. When it comes I'll add a review.
Here's a link to the goddess bra I have. You have to scroll down to see it.
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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LisaD
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 3:18pm | IP Logged
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My favorites are this one by Bravado, which is very supportive and easy to open and close one-handed. The other is this one by Anita. The Anita bra is extremely comfortable and also very easy to open and close with one hand.
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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SaraP
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 3:57pm | IP Logged
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I second the recommendation for the Goddess bras. They have been my favorites since my first baby and they hold up really well (even in the washing machine).
The sizing is a little funny, though, so plan on ordering a couple of different sizes and seeing which works best.
I have the Anita one LisaD linked, too, and it's nice, but not as supportive as the Goddess.
I recently tried the Glamour Mom cami and it didn't work for me, but I'm fussy and I am a 38G so I'm pretty hard to fit.
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amyable
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 8:45pm | IP Logged
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I'm so glad this thread was started - I am in need of more nursing bras... I lost one  and the others are wearing out fast and just not supportive anymore. I use the Bravado, which I liked enough to use through two years of nursing (this baby so far and the last one). I know what you mean about the uniboob look- I'm kind of tiring of that myself.
I have a crazy sizing question now after measuring myself to buy a new one: They say measure yourself right under your arms. That gave me 32-33", which makes sense with the bra sizes I've worn. Then I measured around the fullest part. It was only one inch more! There is NO WAY I'm an A or B cup. I'm pretty, um, *blessed* when nursing. 
So I measured the band around under my bust. THAT measurement was 28", giving me what I think is a more accurate cup difference of 5 or so inches.
Am I the only person who is strangely built like this that I can't get an accurage bra measurement? It's no wonder I've never really been satisfied with any bra (other than the traditional Bravado one that fits several different cup sizes.)
I'm not sure what to order now...
ETA: Nevermind, at least about part of it - I found a different site with better measuring instructions. It's typical to have a five inch difference between the band measurement and the underarm measurement.
I'm still totally shocked though that my "cup" measurement was only one inch different. I think it must be because I'm wearing an unsupportive uniboob Bravado bra.
Which doesn't help my new bra search any! 
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Amy
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The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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LisaD
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| Posted: May 22 2006 at 9:25pm | IP Logged
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Amy,
When I went to a custom bra shop to be fitted, I was astounded at what size I wore. They fitted me in a 34H, when for years I was wearing a 38D. Anyhow...they *only* measured the under the bust around the ribcage for band size, then around the fullest part of the bustline for cup size. Honestly, the band felt more than a little snug until I got used to it. The fitter told me that the support should come from the band, not from the shoulder straps. It is well worth it to get a good fitting by a professional, imo. My clothes fit so much better, and I look like I have more waist than I used to. So, if think you are a D cup or bigger, I wouldn't bother getting fitted at a department store, because they will just try to adjust your size to get you into something they sell. I highly recommend that you find a bra shop (I'm not talking Victoria's Secret), that specializes in hard-to-fit sizes.
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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amyable
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| Posted: May 23 2006 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
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I found some helpful links -
bra fitting room - has links for buying tips, company specific sizing issues, a size calculator, and my favorite, "shape codes" - i.e. whether you are shaped like a grapefruit or a sock with rocks in the bottom. She then uses those codes (i.e SR for soft round) throughout the site for each individual bra she sells.
Each bra on the site is rated for trueness of sizing and whether it fits the different "shapes" well. 
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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LisaD
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| Posted: May 24 2006 at 1:11pm | IP Logged
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Amy,
I've ordered nursing bras from that website several times! They have a great selection and excellent customer service.
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~Lisa
Mama to dd(99), ds(01), ds(03) and ds(06)
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MEBarrett
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| Posted: May 26 2006 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
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I am on the hunt for new nursing bras as well, I'm going to check all these sites out, thanks for those who posted.
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Mary Ellen
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mary
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| Posted: May 31 2006 at 10:28pm | IP Logged
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thanks amy for that bra fitting link!
at long last, i'm getting a free moment to check these out. i'm between that new bravado and the goddess. has anyone used both and prefered one to the other?
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 01 2006 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
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I bought the Bravado Mary and am waiting for it to arrive. It looks good though as I am a DD even after a year and will remain so until either another baby comes along or gravity finally takes over
Thanks for all the links, it's so nice to have a comfortable bra even after a year!!
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Meredith
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mary
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| Posted: June 01 2006 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
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meredith, i hear ya! i'm a DD now and those boobs are resting on that 9mo preggo belly. on amy's bra fitting link, i read the word 'pendulous' and got a wee bit depressed. i need to just keep repeating - "they churn cream, they churn cream. . . " 
my DD and i will be waiting for a full bra report. 
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Kathryn UK
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| Posted: June 02 2006 at 2:09am | IP Logged
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I used to have wonderful, supportive, front opening nursing bras that I loved. They don't make them any more  . I managed to find one place online that still had a few in stock, but it turned out the only size they had left was a 40B. Not much use when you need a 40F . I wondered about a couple of the Bravado bras, but they were beyond my budget, so I ended up with these.
Mary, hope you are doing OK in late pregnancy (and Erin, and anyone else due in June). Not long now 
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mary
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| Posted: June 02 2006 at 6:34am | IP Logged
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kathryn, i have used bravados in the past and i think they can't be beat for comfort. however, i think you end up with a uniboob so there is little lift and separation. probably at the begining of nursing, i prefer the comfort, but eventually vanity kicks in and i'd like a different bra. that bra you linked was beautiful and cheap! i'm always shocked that nursing bras cost $50.
kathyrn, good wishes back at ya! i think you are leading our June pack aren't you? 
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MicheleQ
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Personally I don't like Bravados. They really don't give very good support, especially in the larger sizes. Plus the band always ended up rolling and being uncomfortable on me. I didn't like the snaps either because I couldnh't work them with one hand (a must for me in nursing).
BTW, in regards to nursing, if you tend to leak (and I do . . A LOT) I can't recommend highly enough these wool nursing pads! I used them nursing my youngest and I so wish I had had them with previous babies. They are the most comfortable, form fitting and leak proof pads I have ever used. Yes they are pricey but you really only need two pair. I absolutley LOVE these. In the winter they are warm and in the summer they are cool.
God bless!
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Michele Quigley
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mary
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| Posted: June 02 2006 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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michele, thanks - would like to try those. anything else you recommend at that site?
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MicheleQ
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mary wrote:
| michele, thanks - would like to try those. anything else you recommend at that site? |
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Mary,
I haven't ordered anything else from them so I don't know. I will tell you that the pads are rather big. I ordered the small originally and it was huge! The mini is more to my liking as it about the size of a regular nursing pad.
God bless,
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
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mary
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| Posted: June 02 2006 at 10:56am | IP Logged
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really?! cause they recommend a M for D sized bust. would you recommend a mini for large busted women?
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: June 02 2006 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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mary wrote:
| really?! cause they recommend a M for D sized bust. would you recommend a mini for large busted women? |
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I know but look at the sizing. A medium is 7 inches (think bigger than a dollar bill!). That's pretty big for a nursing pad. Now if you like that great but I wanted a size similar to other pads. The mini is 3 1/2 inches and to me that's perfect. It all depends on what you want. I don't have porblems with blocked ducts or mastitis so I didn't need something to cover the whole breast. Really it's a personal preference thing but I'm warning you because I didn't check the measurements when I first ordered and was surprised.
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Michele Quigley
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http://michelequigley.com
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Meredith
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| Posted: June 03 2006 at 3:34pm | IP Logged
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Mary, I just received my Bravado and so far it fits nicely and the support is just fine, but more for night nursing IMHO. I'm with Michele on the snap as it's trickier with one hand as opposed to the hook or fron snap bras I have. Any way, it was a good price and it's great for comfortable wearing. 
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Meredith
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: nursing bras
