Help! How Do I Get A Nursing Bra That Fits??

August 4, 2009 by Mommy News
Filed under Nursing Bras Fit & Advice

I have measured myself and I wear a 34C nursing bra. I purchased a new nursing bra in a 34C. It was too tight in the band, but fit well in the cups. So I ordered the next size up (36C). This one fits great in the band, but it is too big in the cups! Should I just pick a different style bra?

Bra sizing can be very confusing because a 34C and 36C are not the same cup size. Once you know your measurements and what size you should be, then you will have to apply that knowledge to the different fit of each nursing bra. We try to give fit advice for each nursing bra in our boutique. So if you read the descriptions, it will tell you how to get the best fit once you know what your size is supposed to be. Some bras run small in the band or large in the cup or some combination of both. The most important thing is knowing “what you should be” and then using the bra descriptions to figure out what size you should order for that particular bra.

With bra sizing, every time you go up a band-size, your cup size also increases by one cup size.

So a 36C is actually one cup size larger than a 34C. If your pre-pregnancy size is 34B and your size after your baby comes is a 36D, then you have actually gone up THREE cup sizes, not two! It can be confusing – so the best thing to do is just keep in mind that if you increase your band size, you should take a corresponding decrease in your cup size to maintain the same cup size.

In the question submitted here, the bra fits in the cup (34C) but is too snug in the band. There are two options to get a good fit with this bra.

1) Order the bra in a 36B. This will give you one band-size larger – giving a great fit around, while maintaining the same cup size that you had with the 34C.

2) You can keep the 34C and get a bra extender to make the band a little bit wider.

Have you ever ordered three bras and wore a different size in each one? Please share your stories on how you got a great fitting nursing bra!!

SPECIAL: As part of our Breastfeeding Week Celebration, place an order for any three nursing bras and receive a FREE Nursing Bra Washing Cube. Just enter code ‘CUBE‘ at checkout. This offer is available TODAY only (August 4, 2009).

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Tags: how do I find a great maternity and nursing bra?, How do I get a great fit on my nursing bra, Nursing Bras, taking your measurements

Comments

4 Responses to “Help! How Do I Get A Nursing Bra That Fits??”

Slee says:

August 4, 2009 at 2:40 pm

sweetie, shouldn’t that read “every time you go up a band-size, your cup size also goes DOWN one size” instead?
Just sayin’…
But again, thank you for this info. It is always hard for me to remember that I do need to mathematically compensate on both ends for any changes.
Slee´s last blog ..A Rockin’ Green Giveaway!
Mommy News says:

August 4, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Hi Slee, Thanks for your comment! You scared me – I had to go back and recheck the post to be sure I didn’t make a mistake. The article is worded correctly, but I can see how it might have been confusing. It says “With bra sizing, every time you go up a band-size, your cup size also increases by one cup size” followed by “So a 36C is actually one cup size larger than a 34C.” So the article is correct – when you up a band, your cup size also goes up accordingly. You are also correct, when you order a larger band size, you should order a smaller cup size to get the same size cup. I hope that isn’t too confusing! — Judy
Crystal Gold says:

August 6, 2009 at 11:32 pm

One thing that was hard for me was that my size changed a full cup at least through the day while nursing. I think this is because I was a working/pumping mom part-time so I ended up with an abundance. Also, I had to account for room for nursing pads because I leaked for EVER (again I think from pumping). So, be sure to think about these things. I found that no underwire was all I could handle while nursing (even though when not nursing I could NEVER where one without it). And I found one that was stretchy (cotton with little form to it) gave me the most flexibility regardless of my size at any moment. Hope this is helpful!
Crystal Gold´s last blog ..Saying goodbye
Jen says:

August 7, 2009 at 2:32 pm

I have found that when I have been professionally measured, they come up with something totally different than the bra size that fits me!!!! The fitters bring back the size it tells them to, and it is far too small a cup for me. It mystifies them!

I have stuck to one or two brands, and tend to order them off the internet. I would buy the Goddess bras locally but have not found a local shop that has them. I buy 2 of each in two different sizes, and return the ones that don’t work. For instance, I wear a 36G in the Goddess brand, but a 38H in the Leading Lady brand.
Jen´s last blog ..World Breastfeeding Week and a great article by Katie Allison Granju