What’s the right nursing bra for you? Whether it is during pregnancy, postpartum, or when breastfeeding; finding a comfy yet supportive option can be difficult. The right bra can make a world of difference. Breastfeeding moms will also be looking for something comfortable and easy-to-use, which is why our team tested these nursing bras with real women pre/postpartum. With side-by-side comparisons between their comfort and functionality (support), we were able to ascertain a perfect fit. We tested 10 of this year’s top-rated bras to find out which ones were truly worth their hype!
Best Overall Nursing Bra
Bravado Designs Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra:
These bras are popular among moms who rave about their soft-as-silk stretchy material that conforms to changing body sizes during pregnancy and postpartum. It’s comfortable and supportive. The wideband doesn’t dig into your sides, and the removable foam cups give you a more customized fit. It’s not as pretty as some nursing bras, but it’s okay for everyday wear. To nurse, simply unclip a cup and pull it down.
Best Supportive Nursing Bra
Motherhood Maternity Full-Coverage Nursing Bra:
There are times when you just want to wear a bra that looks and feels like a regular one. The nursing bra from Motherhood Maternity offers plenty of support and coverage while being comfortable enough for everyday wear. As a result, the extra padding in the cups helps to conceal nursing pads, and the fabric allows you to wear a t-shirt or a top that fits you like a glove.
Best Affordable Nursing Bra
iLoveSIA Nursing Bras:
Having a baby can be expensive, so we can understand your need for a nursing bra that’s easy on your wallet as well as your breasts. There’s no need to sacrifice comfort or quality with these nursing bras.
The iLoveSIA nursing bras have ribbed gores and are made from soft, four-way stretch fabric that supports your bust without feeling tight. Their clip-down cups may also be helpful if you choose to pump with them on. Available in a range of colors and sizes, the three-pack comes in a choice of colors and sizes.
Best Maternity and Nursing Bras for Everyday Wear
So how can you tell if you’ve found the best maternity or nursing bra for you? Thanks to the smoothing, shaping, and supporting fabric, the best breastfeeding bras are for those on a budget. It should feature clip-down straps for easy access when you’re nursing or pumping. There is no underwire, so you can use it as a nursing sleep bra and it is incredibly affordable. Let it be ideal for cups A through D, and come in different colors and can be ordered in plus sizes as well.
Best Nursing Bra for Large Breasts
Pure UW Molded Nursing Bra:
Our tests of bras for large busts have consistently found Freya bras to be very comfortable and well-designed. There are other nursing styles to choose from, but this one has cute lace detailing and padding with an underwire for support. As with other models, it has a clip for breastfeeding access and is available in cup sizes up to K.
Best Wireless Nursing Bra
BRAVADO! DESIGNS Ballet Nursing and Sleep Bra for Maternity:
This super-soft bra is designed to encourage you to get plenty of sleep before the baby comes. Most people recommend sleeping while the baby sleeps, but we suggest sleeping as much as you can before your baby arrives. There are no closures, front, back, or straps, which could irritate your skin as you sleep. The cups are lined with modal, so it is gentle on your skin when you’re nursing. Moms say this bra lets them keep nursing pads on while they are still leaking milk.
Best Nursing Bra for Smaller Chests
The Mesh Trim Maternity Bralette:
If you have a smaller bust and don’t need a lot of padding and support, a minimal bralette style is perfect. It fits AA, A, and B cups and has a removable wire-free bottom band that keeps it secure and in place. There are also conveniently-accessible straps on the front, rather than on the back.
Best Nursing Bra for Exercise
If you have a new baby or expect one on the way, it doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising. Instead, you need a bra that works even harder for you, while you exercise. Breastfeeding and pumping are easy and quick with the best maternity and nursing sports bras, whether you’re after a workout or in the middle of one.
Kindred Bravely Sublime Sports Bra:
With this Kindred Bravely Sports Bra, you can cycle, lift weights, or do yoga and keep the girls in place as you work up a sweat. Soft, stretchy fabric wicks sweat away so you can stay dry and comfortable during your workout. In addition to being seamless, this nursing bra is also comfortable to wear while you move. You can conveniently unclip the nursing access if you want to feed your baby or pump milk. Small to large sizes are available.
Best Strapless Maternity and Nursing Bra
You don’t want the straps of your bra to ruin your strapless dress after you’ve found the perfect one. But finding strapless maternity bras, and nursing bras that have no straps can be a challenge. Here are our picks for the best strapless options for mothers and mothers-to-be.
La Leche League seamless strapless nursing bra:
With this nursing bra, you can wear an outfit with strapless dresses, halters, or strappy tanks under it for instant, gentle support. Clear straps are included, should you desire a little more lift, and the frame itself is built to easily open for nursing. This maternity bra fits a size 38 band and is available up to size XL if you want a little extra room.
Best Nursing Tank Top
Motherhood Maternity Women’s Clip Down Nursing Tank Top:
Featuring a simple clip-down mechanism, nursing tanks stay in place while you are easily able to access your breasts. You can wear them alone, under layers, or without a bra. These long-line tank tops are super soft and come in a variety of patterns and five sizes, so no nursing bra is necessary. A built-in shelf bra provides support, and the tank top features a long line, which covers your belly.
The Best Nursing Sleep Bra
Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback:
As we tested nine sleep bras, we found most to have too much going on-body mapping, hook-and-eye attachments, lace trims, liner fabrics, and so on-this made the Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback the best pick. It prioritizes softness, support, and convenience. The bra is easy to remove for middle-of-the-night feedings and tight enough to keep nursing pads in place without trouble, but flexible enough to prevent leakage when you’re not nursing. It feels more like a second skin than any other bra we’ve tried. Available in 28B to 42G sizes.
Best Nursing and Pumping Bra
Pumping can become quite time-consuming, so you don’t want to have to hold your shields all the time. That’s where hands-free nursing bras come in. You can slip the shields into your bra while pumping and put your hands to work elsewhere with these clever accessories.
Larken X Nursing and Hands-Free Pumping Relaxed Bra:
Unlike many pumping bras, this one is designed in a way so it can easily be worn under tops without adding bulk. It’s made of ultra-soft, moisture-wicking fabric that feels great all day and night. It’s made without elastic, snaps, or zippers for a hands-free nursing experience. The breast panel on this bra can easily be lifted when you’re ready to nurse or pump. Did we mention that it’s machine washable?
Best Pumping Bra for Bigger Breasts
Momcozy Hands-Free Pumping Bra:
One of the most popular pumping bras recommended by Wearavo moms is Momcozy’s breastfeeding bra. It features a one-step breastfeeding clasp and an “X” structure to allow it to fit bottles.
What to look for when shopping for the right fit:
Having a nursing bra on hand when you give birth is a smart idea since your new baby will likely be nursing all the time. That being said, your bra size might change once you start breastfeeding, so keep that in mind as well. The number of choices for nursing bras is nearly endless, and your pre-baby bra preferences may be entirely different from what you need for nursing. Here are some things to keep in mind for finding the most comfortable, supportive, and convenient nursing bras:
- Convenience – Almost all bras come with clips at the base of the shoulder straps that make it easy to put them on and take them off during breastfeeding – letting you move the bulk of the bra out of the way while keeping it in position the rest of the time. For occasions when clips aren’t needed (such as while you’re sleeping), some styles have stretchy fabric that you can pull out of the way.
- Adjustability– The size of your breast may change as your breastfeeding journey progresses (and even throughout the day, depending on how much milk you have), so it’s a wise idea to look for a bra with adjustable features. When buying nursing bras with more structure, make sure there are adjustable straps and hooks so you can find the most comfortable fit. Various types of nursing bras use stretchy fabrics and flexible foams designed for fluctuating sizes.
- Cushioning- Bras vary in their design. Some have just a layer of fabric covering the breasts, others have linings, and some are fully padded with molded cups. Styles with a minimal design will be ideal for lounging and comfort, but will not offer much shaping underneath clothing. Padded bras, however, are best suited to everyday wear because they closely resemble regular bras and can even help prevent milk leaks. It may also be better to choose a different type of bra for those newborn days compared to those afterward: your breasts will likely feel sore in the beginning, and you’ll likely spend most of your time at home, so a wireless bra with some padding may be the most comfortable option. In the meantime, a nursing bra with more structure and support may prove more suitable as you start going out less often and breastfeeding less frequently.
- Support- For support and to ensure the bra stays in place, some nursing bras feature underwires; others have wireless bands around the ribcage. You should also consider the straps: Most nursing bras do not use thin straps because they are not supportive enough.
How do I choose the right size nursing bra?
It’s better to wait during pregnancy and within a few weeks after delivery since breasts are more likely to change during these periods. Since your breasts will most likely change in size at the end of your pregnancy and then again during the first week postpartum, you may not want to invest in more than one or two bras until after your baby arrives. This will help give you an idea as to what size your breasts will be.
Is a nursing bra necessary?
If you are breastfeeding, you may not need a nursing bra, but it is very convenient to have one. If your breasts are small, you might feel fine without a bra. In addition to a sports bra, you can use a regular bra. Nonetheless, a supportive nursing bra may help you feel more comfortable if you have a large bust or if your breasts are heavy and full.
As you use the best nursing bras listed here during pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding, they will soon become your go-to selections and you should pass these recommendations along to mothers who may also benefit from these options.
