Ugh, pregnancy boobs.
On the one hand I’m pretty darn pleased that the deflated spaniels ears that were left in place of my full buoyant boobs after my first pregnancy have been re-inflated, on the other hand I wish I could pull the plug on the inflation when they reached optimal pertness and size! Alas, no such luck, and so the inevitable ensued, a desperate search through my existing stash to see if I have any that will accommodate the beach balls whilst avoiding the dreaded under wire discomfort. This is when, to my horror, I stumbled across the two bras that saw me through my first pregnancy…a two pack in black and purple bought from Debenhams. WHAT WAS I THINKING? These things are the epitome of over the shoulder boulder holders. I literally shuddered at the thought of putting them back on again whilst wondering how the hell the bazookas can go from that mahussive to the poor excuses for boobs they turned into post baby. Seriously WTF nature?! No fair!!
“There must be something better out there” I wailed internally. And so, my search began. To my relief, I found some absolute crackers!
Side note – If you’re also on the hunt then I would advise not wasting your time on Victoria’s Secret. They only go up to DD in a tiny number of styles and don’t have a maternity section full stop. For a lingerie specific brand I think that is a pretty poor effort.
To my surprise Figleaves had by far the best range of non-wired and maternity styles on offer at really great value.
Figleaves – Panache Sophie Nursing Bra Sizes range from 30-40″ and cup sizes from D-J (Also available in Ivory/Pink)
Figleaves – Lepel Athena Soft Bar The sizes are far more limited in this bra but if you’re lucky enough to find your size it is well worth the purchase at only £11.20.
Figleaves – Gossard Supersmooth Lace Non-wired Plunge Bra I think this one is my favourite of all the bras I found. Sizes range from 30-38″ and cup sizes from A-E.
Figleaves – Heidi Klum Intimates Madeline Nursing Bra I had no idea Heidi Klum had released an underwear range! Very glad she did though as this bra is so so pretty and currently has an incredible 40% off as part of an introductory offer (it’s full price in John Lewis at the mo!!). Sizes range from 32-38″ with cup sizes C-G. Definitely getting this one for nursing!
M&S – 2 Pair Pack Maternity Cotton rich Spotted Non-wired Nursing Bras These are great staple bras at great value as you would expect from M&S. Sizes are a bit more restricted with a range from 34-40″ and C-F.
M&S – 2 Pair Pack Maternity Lace Non-wired Full Cup Same story with these pretty lace M&S bras. Great value and versatility. Sizes range from 34-40″ and C-G.
Debenhams – Iris & Edie Pink Lace Non-wired Bra This pretty lace bra is currently on sale at the bargainous price of £8.70! Sizes range from 30-36″ and A-DD. Being in the sale some of the sizes have sold out but I had to include a bargain like this!
Debenhams – Iris & Edie Red Lace Non-wired Bra Same bargainous price for this bra too! Sizes range from 30-36″ and A-DD.
Bravissimo – Freya Deco Soft Cup Bra This is a fab cut in fabric that will give nice support. Available in 28-38″ and D-G and also available in black.
Bravissimo – Panache Sophie Non-wired Bra Now you might recognise this from the very top of the list however, this is the non-nursing version which I thought was worth including as it has slightly less upper boob coverage (is that even a proper thing?). Sizes range from 28-40″ and D-J.
What I’ve got
So far I’ve bought the Panache Sophie Nursing bra from Figleaves which is super super comfortable and pretty. It is very soft though due to the requirement for nursing so doesn’t offer much shaping. Next on my purchase list is the Gossard Super Smooth Lace Plunge bra which I think will be amazing under Christmas party dresses. I’ll also be purchasing the Heidi Klum Intimates bra for nursing. So much prettier than the ones I had when nursing Poppy.
I did concentrate my search on the high street so please let me know if you know of any independent producers who are amazing.
I have naturally big boobs…born with them…and I will never understand that with the amount of big fake boobs running around why Victoria’s Secret only carries up to a DD and inevitably are always out of stock of the ones I like. And I am too impatient to order the damn things. Therefore I go to Lane Bryant to purchase my bras where then I get the stare down from girls because the rest of me is not the size that is distributed in that store…just my boobs. I hated nursing bras…I could never find any pretty ones and by the 3rd kid I just told my husband that it didn’t matter because the boobs weren’t his for the time being anyways so therefore he didn’t need to be turned on by them in said nursing bras lol. I am popping on over from the fab #fartglitter.
Ahhhh nursing bras, the absolutely bain of my life. Even though I managed to find A bra that was in my cup size, it just didn’t fit. The straps didn’t go short enough, which meant my 30J just rested on my torso, and weren’t separated so just ended up in a mess. At such an important time for breast care, all I wanted was a bra that fitted comfortably and supported me. I ended up just getting fitted every third week with a new underwired bra. Expensive, but worth it. http://youknowyoureamumwhen.com/2015/10/28/big-boob-breastfeeding-bras/
Author
Such a horrible feeling when they’re making contact with parts of your body that they’re really not meant to 😉 I had the same with my disastrous Debenhams purchases last time around. The lack of separation meant I had constantly sweaty cleavage!! Truly horrible!! Really hoping that these finds fix the problem. Would so love to be fitted that often but my toddler seems to be in cahoots with my husband and is currently set against me shopping!!
Thanks for visiting 🙂 x
What a great, informative post. I think my maternity bras were all a bit sad. Who says maternity has to be frumpy? Well done! x
Author
Exactly! I really couldn’t bring myself to even try on my old ones, goodness knows why I kept them! So thankful that I ended up finding some really lovely ones, I can only imagine the sulk my husband would have had to deal with if I’d had to wear them again! 😉
Where was this post when I was shopping for maternity bras?! I can’t wait to bin the awful things I’ve been wearing for the past year – any day now! Today is the first day in a little over a year that I’ve worn one of my under wire ones from pre-pregnancy, I was so excited to show it the light of day but it fits all wrong. Nice round up, perhaps I can use it to do better next time 🙂
Author
Ooh great excuse for new lovely bras! I was rather naughty and didn’t get measured once I went back to a post nursing size even though I had definitely changed size. Thanks so much for visiting 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one to think this. Gone are my pretty Victoria Secret’s bras to be replaced with boring ugly things that cover half my chest. Loving the new boobs but they still aren’t that big to need that level of support! #twinklytuesday
Author
Haha I couldn’t agree more! So wish that VS catered for larger pregnancy boobs. Their bras are so pretty! x
This is perfect for me as I’m 28 weeks pregnant with my second! Not cheap but I highly recommend Rigby & Peller for fab & long lasting maternity & nursing bras #bestandworst
Author
Thanks so much for the recommendation, have had a look and will hopefully be poppy in to see them when I’m next in London. Hope everything is going well with your pregnancy x
Perfect! This is exactly what I was looking for! I was so disappointed with the bras at Mothercare, I almost cried (probably the hormones), but I was like, what?? now that I am going to be a Mom, I have to look drab?! Thanks for sharing, really helpful! #fartglitter
Author
So pleased it has been helpful. I found it just as depressing first time around and chose the ones from my last pregnancy from sheer desperation as I had no idea where to look. This time around I just thought these can’t be the only options available! Thanks so much for visiting and good luck with your pregnancy x
I have big boobs so finding nice bras has always been a pain in the bum, when I was pregnant I just went for bog standard black and white ones but would have loved some of these choices they are gorgeous!! They are so pretty! Thanks for linking up to the #bestandworst xx
My pregnancy boobs were the bain of my life! I went from a C cup to a J!!!! I was so glad to throw out all of those ugly maternity bras and yet I wish I had seen this back then as those you’ve linked to are lovely!!! #bestandworst
Author
Wowser! That must have been quite a shock to the system! I was surprised to see how many ranges stopped at G which must have been so frustrating when you were buying. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Yes! I had to buy special ones off the internet which weren’t exactly the most attractive! Not that anyone got to see my underwear besides myself, there was no way I was letting those bad boys loose on anyone!!!!! xx
Hi Franny, these are so pretty! I completly and totally agree with you on the maternity/nursing bra front. When I was pregnant two years ago I had some comfortable but very boring plain nursing bras which I was glad to keep hidden under my clothes. However next time round I want a couple of pretty nursing bras, theres no reason really why they should be so staid right. So like you, Ill make it my mission to have at least one or two nice ones. I heard a couple of weeks ago that Stella McCartney has started a range, so if you feel like splurging a little, then you may want to have a look at hers :-). Emily #TwinklyTuesday
Author
Thanks so much for your comment Emily. Ha, definitely, the relief when I binned my disgusting old ones when I received my lovely new ones was amazing! So pleased to hear Stella McCartney is releasing a range! Really hope it’s in time for all my pregnancy/nursing requirements! x
It’s many years ago now..but the best I ever found was a brand called Hot Milk (!!) xxx
Author
Ooh thanks for the tip. Will check them out 🙂 xx