GothamBaby.com

UBS was recommended for their product selection when dd was born in 2005, in particular, at the time they were the only US retailers of BOOB clothes. However, I *was* warned that their customer service could be atrocious. I did find that the woman doing the fittings was dismissive of my concerns, and overall fairly rude. When I waffled about what items I wanted to buy, I got the impression that she wanted me to leave. I did buy several hundred dollars worth of items, no thanks to their service. As for the bra fittings, because she didn't really *listen* to what I needed in a bra (comfortable- what is comfortable in an ACed fitting room doesn't necessarily stay that way in the August heat of NYC), I ended up not using any of the 3 I bought for more than a month, and just went back to using some older fabric-cup non-nursing bras I had. I eventually bought some super-comfy non-nursing bras from Blue Canoe, which lasted for 2.5 years of nursing. I did buy several BOOB tops, which have a great design, but I found that the fabric didn't hold up- it got pilly pretty fast.

They may have good products but their treatment of women, especially during a sensitive time, is horrendous (not everyone, just a few people). I didn't know if I could breastfeed and decided to find the bras and some tops I would want to wear in case I could. I went in to the store on the high recommendation of friends hoping to figure out what I would order once I knew I could breastfeed. I planned to call them up and order everything (several hundred dollars worth) once I knew it would be possible. I thought it would be easier if I knew exactly what I wanted so as not to cause more trouble. Instead I was yelled at in front of other customers because I was trying on and not buying. Since I was on a limited budget, I was worried about wasting money and didn't want to buy if I couldn't return. I walked out in tears. I was terified of delivering my first child and nervous I couldn't breastfeed and this was what I experienced. I would never have expected this from women trying to encourage women to breastfeed.

I love this place. I wish they also sold non-nursing/pregnancy bras because they do such great fittings. My nursing bras fit better than my regular bras thanks to UBS. I'm on my 2nd child now (pregnant) and I've gotten the best bras at this place - the lady who does the fitting is incredible. In fact she recommended one size for me, and when I insisted on trying a size smaller, she warned me it woulnd't fit as well but I bought it anyway -- and indeed she was right -- the size she had suggested would have been far better (the one I insisted on buying turned out to be far too tight). When I got pregnant again I went back for another fitting. This time I found I wanted to buy a size larger than she was recommending. This time when she warned me not to buy the larger size, I followed her advice -- what she recommended was that I buy a $5 bra extender instead of buying the larger size. This time I did what she said and, of course, she was right -- and in fact she saved me at least $35, because if I'd bought the larger size I would later have had to buy the smaller size. This way the bra fits me during pregnancy and will fit me after pregnancy too. The ladies who own the place can have a brusque manner but in the end the service you get there is absolutely the best and if you want comfortable bras, this is the ONLY place to go. I am grateful every day.

I wanted to share with you an appalling and humiliating experience I had today while trying to shop for nursing clothes. I visited Upper Breast Side today to try on merchandise and possibly buy some today and some more in a few days. I tried on several nursing bras and shirts and asked to try on a few more things. This was the first store I had visisted to try on nursing clothes and wasn't sure what I wanted. Because they had a no return, no exchange policy and their products were not cheap, I wanted to wait before I actually bought something. When asked if I was going to buy anything then and there, I said I wasn't sure but that I would be back in a few days because I had appointment next door during their limited business hours. I was told that if I wasn't buying then my business wasn't welcome ever and that I should leave. I was humiliated by the owner in front of other people 3 weeks before I was due to deliver my first child.