nursing bras! yay or nay?

at 5 months, I am already outgrowing my E bras. But, the first month I was pregnant I grew from a DD to an E.. one of the ways I knew I was pregnant. I plan to invest in some nursing bras, but me without a bra is rather scandalous. I have been trying to find a bathing suit, but am having a hell of a time. The x-tra larges fit me in the top, but I could fit about 3 of me in the bottoms... and maternity stores don't let you mix and match sizes.... so looks like I will be walmart/target bound.

 

I usually don't wear bras, but when I am nursing, not only are my breasts even bigger than normal (by several cup sizes) but I leak like a water faucet. I needed nice cotton bras, with easy open cups. I know I liked the Medela Cotton NONunderwire ones, Platex made one I liked, and I can't remember the others. But, most moms don't have a choice, even if they never wore bras before.

Not only will you be full, and large and sometimes sore (the support helps when you are really full, or when your "milk is coming in") but you need something to hold those nursing pad in place, or the cabbage in place, if you get really engorged. I am not a self conscious person, but I did not like milk stains on each nipple on my shirts. So, I wore the damn things. I would get SO sick of wearing them (most of my kids were Summer babies, and I get hot) that I would often lie in bed, with the baby, on a doubled over towel, and just lie there bare chested to get some bra free time. The towel was to catch milk, and spit up from the babies. I could then just lean over and nurse the baby.

But, if I was out of bed, I had to wear a bra.

OTOH, like boogiemama said, a few mamas don't leak. If they are small enough, they can go without bras, it won't hurt you in any way. I had OverSupply Syndrome and would get terrible plugged ducts, so sports bras or even pulling the cup of a regular bra over or under my breast would result in a plug, so I had to go the nursing bra route.

 

I really dont like wearing a nursing bra i prefer wearing a stretchy bra with underwire for support and when it's time for booby theni just push the bra aside. I bought one nursing bra and wore it maybe once and after that i never wore it again. it was just too uncomfortable and made my boob look all pointy.

 

i can't stand underwires while i'm nursing. my breasts are permanently sensitive, and to be honest, it takes away some of the ease of public feedings, i prefer the cotton with wide straps and no underwire.