Breastfeeding
The Best Nursing Bras—We Tried ‘Em
Written by Sara Langer
Photography by Photo Courtesy of ThirdLove
Apr 13, 2017
There are many uncertainties when it comes to how your body will adapt to pregnancy, birth, nursing, and postpartum healing, but change is certain. And you should expect the girls up front to go on a rollercoaster ride, changing in size drastically from early pregnancy until your milk supply settles down in the weeks or months following birth. One of the earliest signs in pregnancy is tender, enlarged breasts, so finding a good bra to support you—during both pregnancy and nursing—is essential. Especially for first timers, you may need to try several bras (or more) to find a few that work. Thankfully, we did some of the leg work for you, trying and testing bras during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and rounded up a wide variety of some of our favorites. Read our review of our 10+ top maternity and nursing bras right here, and feel free to add your own fave finds in the comments.
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- Boob has a wide variety of maternity and nursing bras and clothing. The Fast Food Bra comes in several different styles, including a great sports bra and a sweet dotted print. It has a seamless design, which is really comfortable, but still offers decent support. There is a discrete cut out in the cup, which gives you a little more coverage when you unclip the bra to nurse. Bonus: The brand is doing some cool clothing collaborations at the moment. Boob Fast Food Bra, $41-$51, Amazon.
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- During pregnancy and nursing, wearing a bra to sleep is necessary for some. Storq's soft cup bra is a great option. Just like the other pieces in their highly coveted line, the bra is simple yet sleek, and really versatile. If you're on the smaller side, you could probably live in this bra. For larger busted women, it still offers light support, which makes it perfect for sleeping or hanging at home and nursing your newborn all day. The ease of pulling it to the side when you're breastfeeding is wonderful. No wires, tags, or clips, so it is incredibly comfortable. We would definitely pack this in our hospital bag for those first few days after birth. Storq Nursing Bra, $42, Storq.
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- The plunging neck line of this YooToo bra makes it a great option if you're looking to wear something a little lower cut. It's made of a breathable and comfortable cotton with a sweet, subtle touch of lace. It does run a bit small from our experience, so size up. It has 6 different options for band closure, so it will grow with you through pregnancy and nursing. If you're larger than a DD, unfortunately, the cut of this bra probably won't hold you in. Side note: The company donates a portion of every YooToo purchase to Every Mother Counts. YooToo Maternity and Nursing Bra, $45, Amazon.
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- Hatch's v-neck, jersey bralette is all about comfort. A great option to use as a sleep bra for women with a larger bust or everyday wear if you're on the smaller side. There are no clips or hooks, which makes this bra something you can wear all day and night and still feel comfortable. You can easily slide the straps down to nurse or just pull the bra down in front. It comes in four color options—black, grey, ivory, and a grey/pink combo. The Bra, $48, Hatch Collection.
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- Arriving in July 2017, ThirdLove’s best-selling 24/7 bra will come in two styles specifically designed for nursing mamas—the 24/7 Classic Nursing Bra and the 24/7 Classic Wireless Nursing Bra. While we haven't been able to test this one out in person, here are the deets: It's made of soft cotton modal fabric for maximum breathability and comfort and features ThirdLove's signature pleated straps with clip-down clasps, and an extra-wide front closure that makes it simple to take on and off. It's offered in black, nude, and soft pink. ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Nursing Bra, $72 (or a 2-pack for $125), ThirdLove. (Pre-orders will ship starting the first week of July.)
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- If you're looking for light to moderate support with a clip-down option, this bra by Medela is a good choice. It's seamless and smooth, which looks great under t-shirts. It's at a solid price point, but probably won't last as long as some of the other options, merely because it only has three size options for clasping in the back. With the amount your bra size (both band and cup) changes during pregnancy and nursing, having a bra that will grow with you may last longer, but having this in your rotation will ensure you don't overwear some of the pricier bras you invested in. Medela Seamless Nursing Bra, $23.99, Target.
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- Bravado makes another great seamless option but with a surprising amount of support, even for larger busted ladies. The band is wide in the back and has five size options. It clips down in the front for easy access, but it also comes with a conversion kit so you can switch it to a regular, clipless bra once you're finished nursing or during pregnancy. Find a few limited-edition colors over on Bravado's direct site. Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra, $49, Amazon.
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- Best suited for smaller busts, fans of Cosabella's famed "Never Say Never" bra styles will love the brand's nursing version, which includes padded cups, a more supportive fit, and clip-down nursing straps. The best part: The lacy design doesn't scream "maternity" and comes in a rainbow of hues. Cosabella Never Say Never Mommie Nursing Soft Bra, $62-$79, Amazon.
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- Don't let the name fool you, this bra is a sexy little number. One of the few underwire nursing bras, Gilligan O'Malley's Full Coverage Lace Nursing Bra is supportive and offers plenty of coverage, while not looking like one of your grandmother's brassieres. The sweet lace detail and molded cups will make you forget you're wearing a nursing bra. It's super affordable, but best for after pregnancy, as the underwire and the band will not be too comfortable on your expanding belly. Gilligan O'Malley Full Coverage Lace Nursing Bra, $19.99, Target.
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- There are a handful of nursing tanks on the market, but this one by GlamourMom is where it's at, especially for bigger boobs. Most tanks with built-in bras offer very little support, but this one will make you feel supported and secure. A staple during pregnancy and postpartum, the length and cotton/spandex blend allows you to wear this tank as you grow and shrink. It has easy clip-down access, with a discrete cut-out. A favorite for traveling or when you're on-the-go and need to nurse. It's best layered under another top. GlamourMom Full Bust Long Nursing Bra Tank, $59-$69, Amazon.
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- For those athletic mamas looking for extra-firm support and material that wicks away moisture while still giving you easy clip-down access, Boob has done it again with its amazing, aforementioned sports bra. Whether you're jogging or simply wrangling your littles, you'll definitely feel like your girls are secure. Like most standard sports bra, the band is not adjustable, so we would recommend purchasing this bra postpartum, when your size is a little more stable. Boob Maternity Fast Food Sports Bra, $89, Amazon.
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- Title Nine has a wide variety of bras for active women and we were excited to see they added a few nursing-friendly options to their lineup. The In-Command Bra has molded cups, which provide great support, albeit a little bulky when you clip down to nurse. The nylon/cotton/spandex blend feels good on the skin and even those sensitive, sore nipples. It comes in only one polka-dot print, but it doesn't work with every top because of this, which is the only drawback in our opinion. In-Command Nursing Bra, $56, Title Nine.
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