Nursing bra, to bed or not?

[Jcliff]

Hi all. I am a FTM, and tonight is my first night home with my little one. breastfeeding has been a really hard challenge. Baby has not latched. Ive been trying for almost a week. She lost almost a pound in the hospital. So I have started to pump and feed breast milk in bottle. Im having a hard time feeling guilty I cannot breast feed my daughter like I would have liked. Anyway, im still pumping many times a day and my breasts are super hard and swollen. Im wondering if I should wear a nursing bra to bed or not. I would prefer not to, but would like some advice. Thanks!

 

[ShelbyLC]

I've found that I fill up a bit faster if I don't wear a bra. However, after a few days, you might not have a choice. I had to wear a bra and breast pads all night for the first four months to prevent leaks. But, if you're comfortable without one, definitely feel free to go without!

 

[Baby Bell]

Their are night nursing bras which are brilliant and comfy. I have not been able to go to bed without them and pads. I still leak terribly now after 6 months, nighttime nursing bras have been a god send for me! ( don't worry every other mum I know stopped leaking after 3/4 months, I'm just unlucky lol)

 

[ShelbyLC]

I forgot to say - congratulations on your baby!

 

[iwantabub]

Congrats ...,I'm 4 weeks in and I wore a "wonder bra" "ahh brA" "crop top" thingo to bed the whole time I was prego and to bed now to bf... It supports my boobs... I can put in breast pads and its not wired or uncomfy at all...

I have lArge breasts and I don't have a stretch mark and they're not sagging either .. Also if they get larger it doesn't feel tighter coz it stretches with u ...

Picked mine up for $5ea at the pharmacy coz the ugly pink colour was being discontinued.. Didn't bother me as they're only for home

 

[HoneyBee144]

Congratulations!
I've been breastfeeding 6 weeks now and it's only the past few days I've been able to not wear a bra and breast pads at night due to leaking! I think it's because my milk has regulated so I don't leak anymore.
I only wore a fabric crop top thing with no underwire as it was far comfier, I got mine from Babies R Us as they so a whole range of comfort nursing bras.
It does get better though!

 

[New Mrs W]

I have to wear one so I can wear pads otherwise i would wake up soaking!

 

[nabo86]

hi, congratulations

i am kind of in the same situation as you... i tried BF in hospital and it didn't work out - my nipples were sore, cracked and i couldn't stand the pain so i switched to expressing

when i got home my nipples felt a bit better so i tried BF again but after a couple of days we were back to where we started so i have had to express again... i also feel upset and a bit guilty that i can't feed my own daughter as nature intended even though i know she is still getting the same milk from a bottle!

i have been wearing a bra in bed, as other ladies have said i end up soaked if i don't! its then really disappointing when i don't get a lot when i express and i think about all the milk that's been wasted when i've leaked everywhere!

 

[Mrs Bee]

Congrats on ur little girl, I wear a nursing bra to bed, I wear the sporty looking ones so its comfy, otherwise I'd leak... If ur nipples are sore try some lansinoh... I found massaging my boobs in the shower helped with engorgement for the first few weeks. I'd keep trying to latch, ask the LCs and midwives... Breast feeding is such a learning experience for the mother and the baby.

 

[sugaree13]

1st off CONGRATS!!
My lactation consultant told me to try to sleep without a bra on to 'air the girls out' to help prevent my nipples from becoming dry (and cracked and painful possibly). I'm going to be honest - ive leaked a few times so i have an extra crib liner under my side of the bed so I just have to change the sheets if that happens. Other than that I only see plus sides - i barely have to wake up to feel LO if he wakes for a night feed and I didnt have issues with painful/dry nipples.

if you are having troble latching maybe try a nipple shield at first? I had to for a few weeks and now he latches just fine on his own. Helped him learn to latch and also helped to draw my nipples out a little bit. Unfortunately for something so natural breast feeding isnt too easy at first. Youre learning as is your baby so youre in a 'blind leading the blind' situation. Once you two 'get it' its the best victory EVER!

Lastly I wouldnt worry too much about losing weight in the hospital unless the doctors are concerned - I was told that its normal to lose a certain percent (i cant remember how much) and that the baby should gain it back within 2 weeks, though.

 

[I Love Lucy]

I do not wear a nursing bra to bed because I'm more comfortable without. I do occasionally leak through the night though but that more so happens if I get up to go use the bathroom or if I'm nursing my baby on the other side so I keep re-usable nursing pads handy so I can put it on whatever breast is leaking until I can go pump if DS doesn't nurse off both sides.

 

[CupcakeBaby]

I can't go braless as I need the pads or my bed would be drenched.

I wear a soft, stretchy crop top as opposed to a bra though.

I know you're not UK but these are what I wear just so you know what I mean:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/2-P...&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3