Where to buy maternity bras?

N

Nuckle75

Registered User
Hi! Can anyone please tell me where I can buy (western sized) maternity bras in HK? I tried M&S but they don't stock them.
Thanks
 
I bought Elle McPhersen bras online from Figleaves.com - you obviously can't try them on but they arrive within five days and they will exchange them and even include a s.s.a.e. for you to do so. Alternately, you could ask someone in NZ to send them to you. They are pretty stretchy but still very supportive so it's pretty hard to find one that is a bad fit! I bought a huge variety of bras - about six different sorts and the worst was from Bumps to Babes and the best was Elle MacPhersen's.
 
I did see some nice plain, non-underwire bras in Attitudes (L5, Winsome House, 73 Wyndham Street, Central). From memory they were around HKD250-300.

Does anyone have advice on WHEN to buy maternity bras? I don't want to splash out now (at 30 weeks) if I'm just going to get bigger later on.

Thanks

L
 
I had mine fitted in Australia at about 30 weeks. The attendants there were able to estimate how much bigger you were going to get. If I was doing it on my own, I'd do it at about 35 weeks and leave a bit of room. You do get a lot bigger when your milk first comes in, but they settle down in a couple of weeks. Well, that was my experience anyway.

Personally, for the larger woman I would only recommend a maternity bra - ie the ones that clip down for easy feeding. The few times I wore a normal bra, I found it really difficult. Might just be me?

I wouldn't wait until the baby comes - you'll be too busy and too tired. Do it now whilst you have time !
 
The advice I was given when pregnant and buying nursing bras was that after the baby was born the measurement around my body would likely decrease but the cup size would increase. This is because the rib cage expands during pregnancy to accommodate the increased size of the heart and the baby - this reduces once the baby is born. However, when the milk comes in the actual size of the breasts will increase because of the increase in fluid ? this is increase in blood as well as milk, which is why the size decreases again after a couple of weeks.

I found the following page, Bra Fitting Guidelines by Medela, http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/brafit.html
It seems quite comprehensive with photos which I think can save a thousand words!

Generally everyone advises against unwire bras when breastfeeding but they are popular in Hong Kong, especially amongst mothers with smaller breasts.

Also I would avoid the type that just as a whole for the nipple to poke through in the first weeks when the breasts change size so much. This type can give problems if they are too tight. So wait to use them until the baby is about four or five weeks old and the size of your breasts is unlikely to change so much.

Best wishes,
Barb
 
I have enjoyed the YES bra which has been mentioned in another post on this site. If you contact Christie via details posted elsewhere on this forum, she can give you a virtual fitting and she even sent me two sizes so I could try both and return one of them. They go up to very large sizes.

I have found that it's not an exact science though, estimating your bra size in advance. Some people are OK with only one cup size bigger than their normal size, but others' breasts balloon up to three cup sizes larger. I would advise buying only one or two (I have a couple that were fitted by "experts" but have been unwearable), write down details and keep handy so that you can despatch somebody to get another one, or a bigger size in case that's needed. Don't underestimate the fact that engorgment, although usually temporary in the first month, can be painful if your bra is too tight; you will rather go without a bra than have something constricting them if they are tender, but the weight of your breasts will definitely need support!

Those bra extenders that you might have used in pregnancy are good after birth, too; what ended up being my perfect bra (one I bought in the UK) was too tight on the band for only the first week or two after I gave birth, and it ended up being the only bra I could wear when I was engorged.
 
Tried a couple of maternity bras:-
Elle Macpherson's,
BRAVO
Cotton underwire style from 010.

I would recommend the Elle Macpherson's & BRAVO. The BRAVO bras are most comfortable, esp during confinements months when you're just hanging around at home w/ baby. It clip down from the top and is best for feeding. When i started going outdoors again, the Elle Mac gave better support.

I purchased Elle Macpherson's in Aust, and BRAVO in HK at Medela & BTB. (I recall it being cheaper at the Medela stores. They have stores in TST & Causeway Bay.....)
 
If you ever get to Singapore....

This doesn't help for HKG, but if you get a chance to pop over to Singapore, there is a fantastic shop, Birth and Beyond, in the Tanglin Shopping Centre.

http://www.birthandbeyond.com.sg

They stock the full range of "Anita" maternity bras, from Germany I think, which are just wonderful. I've also used Elle Macpherson's maternity bras which are ok, and just g=found other brands like Berlei awful! But these Anita IMO are just great. You can see them at www.anita.com

It kind of didn't surprise me that I couldn't find maternity bras I found suitable in HKG - I can never even find normal bras that I like!!!

Since I posted, I have found that Attitudes boutique in Wyndham House, Wyndham Street (just near the Wyndham Street Post office, near the junction with Arbuthnot Road), stocks the Anita bras I was raving about! Also some really nice maternity gear in general (Western style) Very reasonable pricing. Worth checking out![/i]
 
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YES maternity bras

If you wanted to follow up with the YES maternity and nursing bras you can call me here in HK 6130-9846 or send email to me at [email protected]


Happy nursing!

Christie Breakingbury
YES bra designer
 
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I highly recommend getting a variety of bras - some of the gorgeous sexy bras on bralicious look wonderful for going out and I wish I'd had those when I was nursing! You also need something with no lace or frills for days when you're very tender. You also need a sleeping bra for night-nursing, with absolutely no underwire. You'll want a cotton-spandex bra for early engorgment/leaking with no moulded cups and all the extra stretch you need. In the end, I think you're likely to need 3-6 nursing bras as a minimum, and to ensure you get a range of styles for the various needs. Hope this helps!
 
I really love my Bravado Design bras

http://www.bravadodesigns.com/

They are from Canada and have a worldwide website to order from. Bumps to Babes carries a few of their styles even in larger sizes. I love the Supreme Nursing Bra! They have bras for various stages of pregnancy and nursing and even pretty styles and tanks. Some bra styles can take from your third trimester all the way through nursing (with multiple cup/band sizes within 1 bra) while other styles they recommend you purchase a couple months into nursing. I purchased mine while in the States and called the company directly on sizing questions. They are very helpful. They recommended I start wearing the nursing bras starting in my third trimester. I have been so comfortable ever since after trying strap extenders and getting a rash from the underwire rubbing my bump (from my prepregnancy bras) as I am carrying quite high. Check out the US/Canadian sites for bra buying and sizing tips even if you don't wind up ordering through them. The company was started by two moms and their experience really stands in their products.
 
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