While breastfeeding is amazing, it can come with its fair share of discomfort, especially during the early days when your milk is still coming in. The right nursing bra is essential to feel supported and comfortable.
Not only does a nursing bra make breastfeeding convenient, it’s also something you’ll need more than ever as your breasts change and a regular bra simply doesn’t feel right anymore. Shopping for a bra isn’t the easiest, so here’s a guide on the best nursing bras available.
We reviewed the top breastfeeding bra brands and products available to help you make your pick.
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What Are the Best Nursing Bras?
The best nursing bras on the market to buy in 2024 are:
- Bravado Original Maternity & Nursing Bra
- Kindred Bravely Racerback Nursing Sleep Bra
- Desirelove Nursing Bra Maternity 3 Pack
- Playtex Women’s Nursing Shaping Foam Wire Free Nursing Bra
- Natori Hidden Glamour Maternity Bra
- Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping Bra
- Medela Maternity and Nursing Tank Top
- LA Leche League Sports Nursing Bra
- Cake Lingerie Cotton Candy Brief
Now that you know what our top picks are, let’s see what each one has to offer.
1. Bravado Original Maternity & Nursing Bra
Key Features
- Material: 49% cotton, 32% modal, 19% elastane.
- Sizes: S to XL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: No.
During the early stages after birth when you need support but simply can’t wear a regular bra, this is the ideal model. The fabric is a soft blend of cotton with a racerback pull-over style that doesn’t have metal hooks.
The bra is wire-free and cup-free, so it’s extremely comfortable. For larger busts, the bra is also available in full-cup, and you can choose to also purchase a hands-free insert that will assist with pumping.
2. Kindred Bravely Racerback Nursing Sleep Bra
Key Features
- Material: 8% spandex and 92% rayon of bamboo.
- Sizes: S to XXL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: No.
When your milk is just coming through, wearing a nursing bra 24/7 is quite beneficial for mums, but it can get uncomfortable. This soft, pull-over style bra is comfortable and convenient to wear—even while sleeping.
It has pull-down access when breastfeeding, so you won’t be dealing with clips at night. No hooks, no underwire and no clips means you barely feel it.
3. Desirelove Nursing Bra Maternity 3 Pack
Key Features
- Material: 92% nylon and 8% spandex.
- Sizes: S to XL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: Removable foam cups.
This is the bra for you if you’re seeking quality while on a budget. The bra is big on versatility. It’s made with stretchy fabric so it adjusts as your body changes. The foam cups are removable in case you don’t fancy having them in, especially in the early stages of breastfeeding.
Additionally, the package includes three bra extenders, so you can increase the width, and some strap clips so you can convert the bra into a racerback.
4. Playtex Wirefree Nursing Bra
Key Features
- Material: 92% polyester and 8% spandex.
- Sizes: S to 3XL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: Sewn-in shaping foam cups.
This Playtex nursing bra is created with a unique foam fabric that flexes to fit your changing shape and breast size. The X-temp technology helps keep you cool and the Quickstrap clips give you quick access when baby is crying.
While the foam cups aren’t removable, they offer shaping, support and modesty.
5. Natori Hidden Glamour Maternity Bra
Key Features
- Material: 76% nylon and 24% spandex.
- Sizes: 38C to 40D.
- Underwire: Yes.
- Padding: Full coverage stretch foam cups.
This bra made it to our list due to its fit, support, comfort and generally its ability to simply stay in place. It features a clip-down access point that makes breastfeeding a whole lot easier.
The bra is full coverage with underwire and padded cups, so if you want a mix of sexy, practical and comfortable, this is for you.
6. Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping Bra
Key Features
- Material: 16% spandex and 84% nylon
- Sizes: S to XL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: No.
This is a good choice if you’re pumping and nursing. This bra innovatively features two layers, which are both accessible through clips. The first is for hands-free pumping while the other is for access for nursing.
The pumping part of it has been made to hold on to flanges of any size. Additionally, the clips unclip separately, so you can pump and nurse at the same time.
7. Medela Maternity and Nursing Tank Top
Key Features
- Material: 90% cotton, 10% elastane.
- Sizes: 38DE to 44FG.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: Molded cups.
This tank top is an all-in-one, so you don’t have to wear a separate bra with this one. The top features an in-built nursing bra with no wire, giving it a very minimal feel. You may also choose to layer it under other clothes.
The fabric is soft and stretchy, so its purpose can adapt and extend from pregnancy to postpartum and the extended nursing period.
8. LA Leche League Sports Nursing Bra
Key Features
- Material: 58% polyester, 32% cotton, 10% elastane.
- Sizes: S to XL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: Yes.
For you mums out there who are trying to get back in shape, this sports nursing bra is ideal. It provides equal amounts of support and comfort whilst making it easy to feed your little one whenever required.
The waffle mesh material makes it breathable and it feels firm around the shoulders to keep your breasts in place.
9. Anita Seamless Nursing Bra
Key Features
- Material: 100% cotton.
- Sizes: 32C to 44E.
- Underwire: Yes.
- Padding: No.
If you fancy something basic but with a bit more support from an underwire, the Anita bra is a favourite of many nursing mums. It gives your breasts a nice shape whilst still being extremely comfortable to wear all day.
10. Cake Lingerie Cotton Candy Brief
Key Features
- Material: 92% nylon, 8% elastane.
- Sizes: S to XL.
- Underwire: No.
- Padding: Soft cup.
This Cake Lingerie bra is ideal throughout pregnancy and postpartum. It’s made with unique Nilit 6.6 Softex Microfiber yarn, which makes it breathable and silky soft on your skin. The material will hold its shape throughout washes and frequent feedings.
The nursing bra is Oeko-Tex certified, ensuring it’s free from harmful substances, which means it won’t be irritating to your skin or baby’s sensitive skin.
What to Look For When Choosing a Nursing Bra
There are a number of things to look out for when picking out the best nursing bra for you:
- Ease of access: Clips featured on most bras snap open right at the base of the shoulder using one hand. If you’re not one for clips, some have a stretchy fabric that allows you to pull it to the side.
- Adjustability: Through the course of your day, depending on how full your milk is, your breast size will change. Plus, throughout your nursing journey, your breast size will also change, so look out for a bra with flexible foam, stretchy fabrics and adjustable hooks and straps.
- Padding: Some bras come with very light layers of lining, while others feature a lot of padding. When you need a bra for just lounging, the minimal bras will do the job and be more comfortable. Padded nursing bras will work for everyday use and also offer some extra protection for milk leaks. Your needs in a bra will also change throughout your breastfeeding journey.
- Support: Some nursing bras have underwire while others incorporate wire-free bands right around the rib cage for support. Check the size of the straps too, since thicker shoulder straps offer the most support.
Our Favourite Nursing Bra
Our favourite nursing bra has to be the Bravado Original Maternity & Nursing Bra. The design is ideal for new and expecting mums; it offers comfort, support and easy access to your breasts whenever baby calls.
Irrespective of whether you’re seeking light support, full coverage or versatility in style, the most significant aspects when picking out a bra are the function it’s meant for and how comfortable it is. Some moms will feel comfortable with using the same type of bra at night and during the day, while others will need a different ones for certain occasions.