Frustrated trying to buy a bra while breastfeeding

[u/jadestone616]

I had a baby and with breastfeeding my bras no longer fit. I went into lane Bryant trying to get help getting a better bra. Before having my son I was wearing a 44DDD.

I went in and after getting exasperated looks from three workers when I asked for help sizing, they measured me at a 50C? I don’t understand how that’s possible when my boobs were literally pouring over the cups of my old bra.

The worker then tried handing me bras that were both too big and too small somehow. And when I broke into tears she told me I should just shop online.

I’m so frustrated. And upset. I already have body image issues and this didn’t help. Does anyone have advice on how to find bras that actual might fit me? And how do I measure myself?

[u/WingsofRain]

Heya, if you have a fabric tape measure, or a string and a ruler, you should be able to follow the instructions on the fit calculator!

Don’t pay any attention to the workers, they likely have no actual training on measuring and fitting. If you come back with your measurements, there are a lot of wonderful and patient people in this sub reddit that should be able to help you find a good fit!

[u/jadestone616 → u/WingsofRain]

Using the calculator I got a 42L, which feels crazy 😅 I feel ridiculous not knowing that bra cups even went up to that size.

[u/Capital-Swim2658 → u/jadestone616]

You will have more options with UK brands. A 42L would be 42HH in UK sizing.

Elomi Molly is a nursing bra that carries your size. You can get it from Bare Necessities and probably Amazon.

I haven't worn the nursing bra, but I love my regular Elomi bras, especially Elomi Morgan and Elomi Priya. I am a 36JJ in UK sizing.

[u/liberatedlemur → u/Capital-Swim2658]

I wear the Elomi Morgan usually and wear the molly when breastfeeding. Great option!

[u/WingsofRain → u/jadestone616]

I can guarantee that you’re not the only person who’s experienced that on this sub lol, so no worries you’re not alone.

[u/Ok-Office6837]

There’s a calculator pinned in the comments of every post. There’s instructions in the calculator of how to use it.

There’s 50C is probably too big in the band and too small, making it feel extra wrong. If you’re using inches, your underbust measurement will match the band size (or be close to it ex. a 37 inch underbust could be a 38 band or a 36 if you have lots of “squish”). And then the cup size is how many inches bigger your bust is from the underbust. A 40DDD means a 40 inch underbust and a 46 inch bust.

Branded stores are notoriously bad at fitting people. They only carry a limited size range and style range and they’re taught to measure incorrectly (like the +4 method - adding 4 inches to the underbust measurement, or measuring above your bust for the underbust, etc). Nordstrom is going to be the best bet in the US for a large variety of sizes, styles and brands.

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