At first, it seems practical to save money and use a maternity bra or regular bra while breastfeeding. You might ask yourself if a nursing bra is worth it. That’s a good question if you’ve never tried one before. For example, you might be curious about the difference between a maternity bra and a nursing bra.
The best nursing bras have special features for new mothers. For example, they usually have a snap-down or clip closure for easy access when breastfeeding. Some have a V-shaped front that can be pushed aside instead.
Moreover, the best bras for nursing mothers have extra support for engorged breasts. They are soft against sensitive nipples and can accommodate nursing pads. If you’re not sure where to start shopping for nursing bras, here are some things to consider.
Which nursing bra is best?
Breastfeeding moms say that it’s convenient to have at least three nursing bras. It makes it easier to have a clean one available. They don’t all have to be the same style. For instance, you might enjoy a nursing tank for sleeping.
Take your measurements and start shopping a couple of weeks before your scheduled due date. This will help you find the correct size.
Here are the features to look for when choosing a bra for breastfeeding:
- Obviously, comfort is crucial. Skip the underwire bras because they may put pressure in the wrong places and cause plugged ducts or mastitis. Pick the most comfortable bra you can afford and you’ll thank yourself.
- Adjustability is essential because your size will change as you lose baby weight and breast-feed. Look for adjustable straps and extra hooks on the closure.
- Clip-down or pull-down styles provide easy access. You should only need one hand to manage it so you can do it while holding the baby.
- If you have large breasts, look for wide straps to distribute the weight. Again, be cautious about underwires. Thankfully, there are many supportive wireless nursing bras.
- Padding can protect sore nipples and absorb milk leakage, but an unlined bra is fine because you can always slip in a nursing pad. Just pay attention to stitching and fabric.
It doesn’t hurt to look at pumping bras, too. A combination nursing/pumping bra is extra convenient because it can be used for breastfeeding and pumping. The cups allow you to attach the pump flanges or give the baby access.
Lastly, think about the activities you’ll be doing. There are sports nursing bras, everyday nursing bras, and downright stylish bras that you’d never imagine could be used for breastfeeding. Again, check your measurements and go up a cup size if you’re uncertain. Check out the best nursing bras below to help you find what you need.
| The best nursing bras | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| BRAVADO! DESIGNS Body Silk Seamless Wireless Maternity & Nursing Bra |
|
| Motherhood Maternity Women’s Seamless Nursing Bra |
|
| bamboobies Women's Standard Yoga Nursing Bra |
|
| Kindred Bravely Sublime All-in-One Pumping & Nursing Bra |
|
| Playtex Maternity Women's Nursing Camisole with Built-in-Bra |
|
| Calvin Klein Women's Modern Cotton Lightly Lined Triangle Nursing Bra |
|
| iloveSIA 3PACK Full Bust Nursing Bra Seamless Maternity Bra |
|
Best Nursing Bras in 2024
BRAVADO! DESIGNS Body Silk Seamless Wireless Maternity & Nursing Bra
[su_amz asin=”B097S7L1W4″]
We had a lot of questions about the Bravado nursing bra. It’s popular for several reasons.
First, the bulk of the fabric is recycled nylon. As the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters, we applaud the brand’s concern for the future of our planet.
Moreover, this material is a nylon/spandex blend that feels silky soft and stretchy for support without constriction.
Second, the wireless bra has 3D molded cups and a seamless structure to prevent chafing. It’s surprisingly supportive with specially woven zones that lift and separate the breasts. It comes with removable padding that you’re likely to leave in place simply because it wicks moisture.
Third, this clip-down nursing bra can be opened and closed one-handed. The cups open completely on both sides. (And the clips are also made of recycled nylon.)
Fourth, this bra was made for women who have trouble finding the right fit. It suits sizes 30 through 46 and cups B through J. The only downside is that it doesn’t come in a wide range of colors.
Pros:
- Silky, stretchy wireless bra with clip-down cups that can be opened and closed with one hand
- Made with recycled nylon
- Removable contoured padding
- Fits sizes 30 through 46 and cups B through J
Cons:
- Not a lot of colors available, but oh so comfortable
Motherhood Maternity Women’s Seamless Clip Down Nursing Bra
[su_amz asin=”B000T8B1YW”]
It just so happens that one of the best nursing bras for large breasts is also machine-washable and affordable. What’s more, it looks like a sports bra and it comes in a wide range of colors as well as average, full-busted, and plus sizes.
It’s a seamless bra with adjustable straps and clip-down cups. The nylon/spandex fabric is sleek and soft with no stitching to irritate nipples. We also liked the ribbed stitching and shirring on the front because it helps prevent the uniboob look.
The only complaint we have is that the straps are of average width – we wish they were wider.
Pros:
- Machine-washable bra designed for large breasts
- Available in several different colors
- Seamless cups with a ribbed band and a shirred front
Cons:
- Women with heavy breasts might prefer wider straps
bamboobies Women’s Standard Yoga Nursing Bra
It’s cute and fashionable with a keyhole opening in the back. It looks like a strappy yoga bra and has great support. The breathable fabric is also machine-washable and can be dried on low. (It’s a blend of rayon, polyamide, and elastane).
Each side has a nursing clip with a drop-down cup that you can open and close with one hand. Still free to pull out the cup padding if you don’t want it, but it does help uplift larger breasts if you leave it. It also soaks up leaks.
Many moms love this nursing bra for sleeping because it’s so soft. Still, it’s also good for low-impact exercise and everyday life, too.
Pros:
- Soft, breathable, and supportive strappy yoga bra with clip-down cups
- Perfect for everyday wear, low-impact activities, and sleeping
- Machine-washable and dryable
- Removable padding
Cons:
- Not everyone loves the criss-cross straps as they sit closer to the neck and may be visible depending on the type of top worn
Kindred Bravely Sublime All-in-One Pumping & Nursing Bra
[su_amz asin=”B0873BV82F”]
One of the best nursing bras for pumping is also convenient for breastfeeding. It’s a great way to save money because it’s multifunctional. It fits average to busty women with sizes from 30B to 46I.
How does it work? As a nursing bra, it has clip-down cups with a patented closure called EasyClip. It’s a double clip that controls both the pumping layer and the nursing layer. With two layers, you might think that this is a bulky bra, but it’s actually not. Yes, it’s thicker than the typical bra – kind of like a bra with removable padding. However, it’s stretchy and soft with lots of support for a large chest. Furthermore, the extra fabric prevents milk leaks from showing through. And there’s room to slip in a nursing pad, too.
No, it’s not the sexiest bra we’ve ever seen and it only comes in a few colors. But, it’s comfy, adjustable, and useful.
Reviewers say the pumping bra supports bottles as big as 7 or 8 ounces. It’s compatible with major brands like Medela, Lansinoh, Evenflo, and Spectra.
The neatest part is that you can use one side for breastfeeding while you pump the other because the cups function individually.
The only downside is that it’s hand-wash only.
Pros:
- Patented double-clip system controls the pumping layer and the breastfeeding layer
- Soft, adjustable, and multifunctional
- Can be operated with one hand
- A baby can breast-feed on one side while the other is pumping
- Compatible with most major breast pump brands
- Available in a few colors but a wide range of sizes from 30B to 46I
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
Community Reviews
“I have a few but I like the Simply Sublime nursing bra and the Sublime sports bra. The cross-front sleep bra doesn’t feel supportive enough for me. I also have the nursing/pumping bra which is great for hands-free pumping but a bit too constricting for everyday wear”.
– Michepedia
“I could wear it to work with no weird lines under my clothes and it was super easy and held the flanges really well”.
Playtex Maternity Women’s Nursing Camisole
[su_amz asin=”B01A8LRU0S”]
Sometimes bras just aren’t comfortable. The band puts pressure on the back and digs into the ribs or creates side spillage or digs into the shoulders… As you might guess, we’ve worn a lot of uncomfortable bras. But sometimes you want or need the support and that’s where this nursing camisole comes in. It has a built-in bra with adjustable straps. (They adjust in the front, hooray).
The camisole slims the silhouette a little bit but it’s still stretchy. It’s woven with X-Temp technology that makes the fabric breathable, too.
The built-in bra uses sewn-in foam to shape and support the breasts. But this moves out of the way when you unclip the cup for breastfeeding. Furthermore, the padding doesn’t get lost in the wash or bunch up.
Happily, the camisole is machine-washable. It comes in sizes from 36B to 46DD.
Pros:
- Slimming and shaping camisole with stretchy, breathable fabric
- Built-in bra with clip-down cups
- Sewn-in padding shapes and supports and doesn’t bunch
- Sizes from 36B to 46DD
Cons:
- Not many colors available
Calvin Klein Women’s Modern Cotton Triangle Nursing Bra
[su_amz asin=”B0006U8GAA”]
Not every new mom is busty, so what about the best nursing bras for small chests? We like this lightly lined bralette because it’s lightweight, soft, and comfy. It’s straightforward for breastfeeding – just pull down the cup.
It has the classic Calvin Klein style with a stamped elastic band and adjustable straps. The machine-washable fabric is a cotton/modal blend with stretchy elastane. It’s even nice for sleeping. The only downer is that it’s hand-wash only.
Choose from sizes extra small to extra large.
Pros:
- Lightweight, unlined with pull-down cups
- Cool and comfortable stretchy cotton blend
- Adjustable straps and elastic band
- Available in sizes from extra small to extra large
Cons:
- Hand-wash only
iloveSIA Full Bust Nursing Bra Seamless Maternity Bra
[su_amz asin=”B00YGSEHC4″]
Let’s wrap up with the best nursing bras for sore nipples. This affordable choice comes in a 3-pack in sizes from small to XXL in various colors. Just as important, the bras are machine-washable.
The cups are described as “buttery soft” and we can’t disagree. It’s a nylon/spandex blend that fits like a second skin. It may not be super supportive, but it’s comfortable.
It only takes one hand to unclip the cup for breastfeeding. Some moms uses it as a pumping bra also. In any case, the adjustable straps and four rows of hook closures mean that one bra will fit for quite a while.
Pros:
- Machine-washable silky soft breastfeeding bras
- Each cup can be unclipped with one hand
- Available in various colors in sizes from small to XXL
- Can double as a pumping bra
Cons:
- Not very supportive but still comfortable
Conclusion
If you’ll be breastfeeding and/or pumping, it’s worth it to get a nursing bra. The convenience when compared to a traditional bra is out of this world.
We hope our reviews of the best bras for nursing mothers helped you find what you need today. If you love what you found, we’d be happy to hear from you. Your comment below may help someone make the right decision.