Looking for reliable fit for maternity/nursing bra, disappointed with breastfeeding center!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone found a place that sells a wide range of nursing bras with a reliable fitter other than the Breastfeeding Center?

I went to the Breastfeeding Center a few weeks ago and they did not have anything that fit me. I am large chested and getting bigger. They offered to order a bra for me, but I never heard back from them again.

I definitely need an underwire because non-underwires make me look broader and bigger than I already am.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I used biggerbras.com. They have a wide range of DD+ maternity and nursing bras. I shopped online, then returned what didn't fit. I don't think I've ever found an actual store where I could try on DD+ nursing bras.

[Anonymous]

Silene in Friendship Heights is an old-fashioned lingerie store, and they will fit you properly. They dont have a huge selection of nursing bras, but I was fitted for and bought 2 34 E ones (cant believe it, I was an A cup before getting pregnant, but I'm wearing them and they fit, so wow!). Not cheap, so after i got fitted and bought 2 good ones, I went to target and bought a few more in the right size.

[Anonymous]

I'm also huge (g/h), and the breastfeeding center had to dig through a lot to find anything to fit me. Ugh. You might try Dorne in Silver Spring. www.dornecorset.com I had gone while I was pregnant for regular bras, and they said to come back for nursing bras, so I assume they have a selection.

Once you know your size, though, lots of online places have good return policies, so you can see what fits!

[Anonymous]

Bra La La, some where in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

I was fitted by Amber McCann at "A Woman's Place on Main Street" in Laurel, MD. She's a wonderful LC as well. She didn't have exactly what I needed in stock but close enough that I could get a sense of fit and look. Then she ordered what I needed. After my initial purchase, I bought online from various vendors. I wore a 34G while nursing and did not have any luck with the breastfeeding center either.

[Anonymous]

Holy Cross Hospital's Lactation Center in Silver Spring fits and sells bras -- haven't been yet, so I don't know about the selection: http://www.holycrosshealth.org/svc_maternity_lactation.htm

I was 36H or something terrifying last time, and I got bras at Cheryl's Health Boutique way out by Shady Grove Hospital:
http://www.cherylshealthboutique.com/
The fitter who helped me was very nice. I think they did have to order one I liked in a different size, but they had a decent selection of big sizes, as I recall.

[Anonymous]

There was a thread a couple of weeks ago that brought up some simular issues. They had some great recommendations for stores with large selections of nursing bras. Here's the link...

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/85932.page

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks so much for all the leads.

[Anonymous]

trousseau in vienna is very helpful and they have a really big selection in a wide range of sizes. true professionals.

went to sylene a few years ago and was terribly disappointed. they need learn a thing or two about customer service. i got the feeling i did not fit in their "demographic" (yes and i mean race and color) so they couldn't be bothered to help me. hard to believe in this day and age.

[Anonymous]

Try Bravado brand bras. Don't know if there's a place you can try them on, but you may be safe ordering online. They come in small, medium, large - not specific cup sizes - and they are very stretchy and forgiving. You can probably estimate your size fairly accurately.

I tried on / got fitted for a couple of nursing bras before I gave birth and never wore them once I started nursing because they were uncomfortable and never seemed to fit right. I ordered a Bravado online without trying it on, and it was perfect. That's all I wear now (10 months into nursing...).

Also, I only wore underwire before I was pregnant, but during nursing I found that I just could not wear one anymore. It's recommended to avoid underwire while nursing because it can cause plugged ducts and other problems.

[Anonymous]

I used lindasonline.com. They have a wide selection. I bought Bravado and Anita bras. Bravado was good for night time, but I really needed the underwire ones from Anita during the day (I had F cups).

Here's the link:http://www.lindasonline.com/searchresult.html?catalog=yhst-20906297561931&query=Nursing+Bras&x=15&y=11&viewall=1

[Anonymous]

I went to Nordstroms. They measured me and had me try on a few bras. Ultimately I went with a Bravado, which they did not have in the store. They ordered it for me and shipped directltyto house for free. Also, got use their return policy if it did not work out.

[Anonymous]

Don't go with Bravado for huge cups! I've gotten several, and most of them are awful! I have a single bravado that works, and it has an extra clasp between the cups. (I forget what the name is!) The others offer no support at all - I was terribly lumpy and bumpy wearing the tanks which were supposed to go up to G or so.

Anita is a great brand, along with Freya. But try a bunch on and see what's comfortable!

[Anonymous]

I think you can also get fitted by the lactation consultants at Fairfax Inova. I would really recommend staying away from underwire when your milk comes in. The most painful plugged duct I got was definitely from an underwire bra. I normally always wear underwires, but not when nursing.

Also make sure to take into account the huge swelling of your milk coming in. The bras I wore to the hospital did not fit when I left! A LOT of variation within the first few weeks for me, so make sure to have a couple of different sized cups on hand to accomodate that.