Physical Nursing Support for Busty Gals

Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!

This post was written as part of the Breastfeeding Cafe’s Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today’s post is about your partner’s role in breastfeeding. Please read the other blogs in today’s carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 22nd through August 4th!

In this post, I’m about to gush about a nursing tank. While I am paid by A Mother’s Boutique to write about nursing, I am not paid by GlamourMom, and I voluntarily, excitedly paid full price for my many full-bust nursing tanks.

So, I have very enormous breasts. Before my baby was born, I had DDD cans. Right now, my milk-filled bewbs are somewhere in the H-cup range. These are not breasts that fit into lacy, dainty little bras or those airy little nursing tanks people buy on clearance at big box stores.

No. I have a heavy, hefty bosom. Because of this, I’ve always just stopped paying attention when people discuss nursing tanks. Nursing tanks, I thought, were for other people, with breast-sizes closer to the beginning of the alphabet. In fact, I knew so little about nursing tanks that I didn’t really realize the tank was meant to be the bra. The tank top is the bra. It’s a bra plus a shirt. All one thing.

Sounds great, right? But for dainty boobs.

Or so I thought!

When I was pregnant with my second son, I came to A Mother’s Boutique for a bra fitting. While I was trying on the large bras, Judy happened to mention the Full Bust nursing tank.

“Oh, Judy,” I laughed. “I can’t wear nursing tanks!” How could a flimsy nursing tank hope to support my breasts?

“No!” she insisted. “This one really is for larger busted women. I promise.” And so I tried it on. And then I bought one of each color. I also asked my mom to buy me a black one for my birthday.

There is an actual bra inside the nursing tank, with hook closures. It’s sturdy. Can I go jogging in my nursing tank? Of course not. Can I wear it to march my baby up and down the stairs while I chase my older son? Yes! Yes I can!

The tank is actually called a “long top,” and it is–another bonus. It was long enough to wear while I was pregnant and cover my third-trimester belly. It’s long enough now to almost cover my bottom, and any gal with a big bust knows how a full rack can make a shirt ride up. Not this shirt! I’m telling you, not this shirt.

I only wish I’d known this tank existed when my first was born.

Now, it’s not a cheap nursing tank. You won’t find it in the clearance bin anywhere. I will say that I believe the shirt is priced to represent its high quality and functionality. If you find yourself with a large bosom (D+ mamas, this means you!) and a desire to wear, say, a turtleneck, you can make this dream a reality while still covering your belly.

What nursing garments have other full-busted mamas loved? Leave us a comment to share some of your favorites!

• Laura @ Authentic Parenting-Can’t Live Without a Nursing Bra
• Katy @ Mommy News and Views-Physical Nursing Support for Busty Gals
• Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl-Target Nursing Tanks
• Hailey @ Birth Utah-Nursing Wardrobe
• Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-Bands, Bras, Tanks & Tees
• Christine @ Momzelle-My Favourite Nursing Wear…Of Course
• Angelina @ dizzyrat-Favorite Feeding Shirt
• And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today is Krystyna-Krystyna’s Favorite Nursing Wear