From sports bras to sleeping bras and everything else, we have set up the most comfortable and most supported nursing and maternity bras. When it comes to the best lactation bras, which are usually designed for pregnant and lactating women, there are endless options. You have daily nursing bras, nursing bras to sleep, nursing bras with molded cups, pumping bras and extra support bras. So how do you know which one is right for you? Keep reading the buying tips of nursing consultants and style experts, as well as our summary of the best maternity and nursing bras, so you can find the perfect fit.
Best Maternity and Nursing Sports Bras
Just because you have a new baby or waiting for one on the way doesn’t mean you need to stop moving, but you need a bra that works even harder for you during exercise. The best maternity and nursing bras offer safe support, full coverage and quick and easy access to breastfeeding or pump, whether after a workout or a hit in the middle of one.
1 Cake Maternity Zest Flexi Wire High Impact Sports Maternity Racerback Bra
Available as a Plus Size Maternity Sports Bra, this choice minimizes bounce and reduces chafing while absorbing body moisture. Wide shoulder straps provide comfortable support, and mesh panels increase breathability. Once the baby arrives, the cups also fall out to feed easily.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “Best bra I’ve ever worn! Great quality and I love that it has so many different sizes, especially for a larger chested woman. It supports me so well and I feel confident again after all my body changes. Thank you!”
2 HOFISH Women’s Full Bust Wire-free Sleeping Nursing Bra
This product from HoFish is a comfortable bra designed for pregnant and nursing women to wear at home or to sleep. It has removable pads that can be used to prevent breast milk from leaking into the mattress during sleep. The bra has a thick band that can effectively support the breasts to avoid any discomfort caused by an underwire. This maternity bra has all the comfort of a sports bra and is available in small, medium, large, and very large sizes. The fabric is a combination of spandex, nylon, and polyester. In addition, extensions are included to compensate for an increase in the size of the bust during the stages of pregnancy and nursing.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “I was skeptical about the fit of these bras and had only intended to wear them for sleep. I’m pretty impressed with their coverage and lift. I’ve been wearing them to work and out and about. Very comfortable. I’m wearing a pregnancy bra size of 36DDD and I got the XL. It fits just right and may be a little snug once the baby arrives. At this price point, I wouldn’t mind getting another set!”
Best Hands-Free Nursing Bras
Pumping can turn into a rather slow activity, so the last thing you want is to have to hold the shields on your breasts all the time. Enter: Hands-free nursing bras. These great accessories allow you to put shields in your bra and pump while putting your hands on other good uses.
3 Simple Wishes Signature Hands-Free Pumping Bra
With over 8,000 reviews and a rating of almost five stars, it’s no wonder this bestseller is one of the best hands-free nursing bras. Specially designed for pumping, it features a front zipper, adjustable back Velcro, and even an additional panel with a zip extension to ensure a perfect fit as your body changes. It works with all major brands of breast pump and keeps shields and bottles safe.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “This bra is a life saver! I was struggling to pump when my baby was awake (we sleep together, we bottle feed breast milk, and feed on demand). This bra allows me to walk around, use the computer, anything I want. It was hard having to stay put for thirty minutes and now I have freedom! Must have for pumping.”
Best Supportive Maternity and Nursing Bras
All the best maternity bras and nursing bras will provide some support, but when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, sometimes you need even more cushioning. These ultra-full-coverage maternity and nursing bras are exactly what the ladies were looking for.
Best Day-to-Night Nursing Bra
4 Bravely Racerback Nursing Sleep Bra
One of the best things about this bra is that it simply slides the material aside to breastfeed. This bra is loved by mothers, pregnant and lactating, as it maintains support for people with smaller or larger breasts. (The material also adapts to daily changes in chest size.) If it is often filtered in the middle of the night, this style keeps the chest pads in place to decrease the likelihood of waking up soaked. In addition, it comes in 10 cute styles.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “I am a 42 DDD and have been really researching nursing bras. It has been suggested multiple times to order these for sleeping. I just got mine in and have to say I am shocked with how much support these bras actually provide especially for a plus size large breasted woman! They are very soft and comfortable and I feel I can use them throughout the day as well (coming from a woman who has ALWAYS worn a nice supported underwire bra) very impressed with their personalized packaging with a nice letter from the founder and a “coupon” on my next order. Very very pleased and suggest these to all nursing or non nursing mammas!”
Nursing bra for larger breasts
5 Goddess Keira Wire-Free Nursing Bra
Yes, you can flatter your entire figure in a nursing bra. This goddess wireless nursing bra offers the support you need, the style you want, and the ease of breastfeeding you deserve. The bra cups feature a special multi-part construction (plus side panels) to ensure there is no side spill, and your breasts always point in the right direction (hallelujah!). The number of hooks varies depending on the size, so everyone can have comfort and support. Finally, the elastic high throughput adds even more stability and support.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “What I like about this nursing bra is that it doesn’t stretch in the cups, which is what makes it supportive. I’m in the 36 G. Wish they made a 34 G. I ordered a few different sizes and returned the ones that didn’t fit well. It’s not a perfect bra, but the best one I’ve found. I have large, pendulous breasts and those stretchy nursing bras that dominate the market are just terrible. This one will do for now. Clips stay fastened.”
Most Versatile Overnight Nursing Bra
6 Leading Lady Empire Waist Nursing Cami
We could live in this flexible and versatile nursing cami. It has a built-in wireless bra that will add enough support to sleep, hold nursing pads, and even be used for daytime use. The lace racerback is pretty, and for moms who need to feed or pump in public, this provides excellent coverage and look with pulleys. Best of all, the subtle imperial cut is nice and comfortable, making it a tank top that can stay rotating alone or as a jersey.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “This is my favorite nursing top! I ordered it again! I wash it in a laundry bag on cold cycle, and I hang to dry–it has help up very well this way. I love that it gives my “girls” support more than most of the other nursing tops I have. It is long in the length and loose in the waist, which I like. Hides the lumps and bumps in the midsection. It’s great for sleeping and wearing around the house.”
Sexy nursing bra
7 Le Mystere Sexy Mama Nursing Bra
Just because there is no secret nursing bra from Victoria doesn’t mean there’s no sexy breastfeeding bra. This one by Le Mystere is a wonder, with black lace on naked glasses. This tapered underwired bra features darts to create a beautiful silhouette. All the time, it has enough padding to keep surprise leaks away.
8 Cosabella Never Say Never Maternity Bralette
For parties where you want to be elegant, put on this lace bralette. Made of Italian lace, the straps have a clasp, allowing you to fold the cups when the baby comes to call. The crossover style tends to be more comfortable to sleep, while the extra lace band under the cups makes the delicate style a little sexier. You can buy it in blush or black.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: “Gorgeous nursing bra! It’s supportive and functional while still being feminine and sexy. If I have another baby, I will be excited to get to wear this bra again, and I’ll be wanting to buy it in additional colors.”
Why are Sleep Bras so Important?
Wearing bras to support your breasts is only half the reason they are so important. The other reason is that they provide easy access to breastfeeding whenever your baby is hungry and then allow him to return to sleep as quickly as possible. Imagine groping with bulky straps or having to undress in the middle of the night to feed your baby. Imagine simply slipping on a cup or defiling your bra from the front to feed your baby. It’s a lot simpler, isn’t it?
Normal vs. Nursing Bras
Well, the difference between these two is to do with their design. One is suitable for nursing mothers, the other is not. Normal bras are designed for less sensitive and heavy breasts. Its fabric and design can focus more on fashion and less on comfort. Details, such as lace, in normal bras, in most cases, will be exposed to your skin. In addition, normal fasteners have individual layers of fabric, as well as lower and elastic piping. All these features of a normal bra mean that they will not work well during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Nursing bras, on the other hand, bring with them fabrications and designs that offer maximum comfort, excellent coverage and maximum support. Breast growth is natural during pregnancy and lactation. Some women may experience increases of up to three cup sizes. In this phase, the breasts become more sensitive, heavier, and larger.
The design and construction of nursing bras are such that they take care of all these changes. Nursing bras come in a variety of fabrications, colors, style, as well as price. Some of the important features that a breastfeeding bra should include:
- Support cup structure
- Cotton lining
- Fully adjustable straps
- Padded straps
- Hooks and eyes for easy expansion
- Side scarf or frame
- Back support
Best Nursing Sleep Bras – FAQ
Does Putting on A Nursing Bra Prevent Breasts From Sagging?
Usually, wearing any bra prevents your chest from sagging. That’s because the fasteners support Cooper’s ligaments. These ligaments not only provide support to the weight of your chest but also shape them. During the lactation period, your breast tends to carry extra weight, which comes from breast milk. This means that Cooper’s ligaments are pulled and stretched more than when you are not pregnant.
Note: As much as wearing a bra helps, it does not completely avoid sagging. Breast sagging can be caused by other factors, such as weight, heredity, and the number of pregnancies.
Can I Put on an Underwire Bra As I Breastfeed?
The underwire bras offer maximum support to the chest. However, during breastfeeding, are they the best option? Here are some of the reasons why wearing an underwire bra may not be recommended while you are breastfeeding:
- The underwire can irritate the skin because it is soaked in it, which causes pressure on the chest.
- During the lactation period, the breasts become tender, which can interfere with your comfort.
- There may be the presence of pain and discomfort as lactate.
- Underwire can cause other problems, such as mastitis, blocked dairy ducts, and other problems when breastfeeding.
Underwire bras are better to wear due to the support they provide. However, they are not the best option when breastfeeding. Look for a good nursing bra (like the ones we presented on this primer) to support your breasts, even when you change your size.
Why Can’t you Put on a Normal Bra as you Breastfeed?
As we mentioned above, wearing your regular bra is not a wise decision to make. In case of pregnancy and lactation, many changes occur. The changes relate to height and weight. Therefore, you need a bra that offers maximum support thanks to all these changes. This makes a breastfeeding bra the best option.
When is the Best Time to Put on a Nursing Bra?
Immediately after you enter the second trimester, you can start wearing a breastfeeding bra. This is because the body begins to change immediately for the imminent delivery. Here are some useful suggestions:
- Buy 3 to 4 sleep bras. They should be in several shades to match your outfits.
- Nursing bras, compared to ordinary bras, are best, as they adapt to the changing size of your breast.
- Start wearing bras as soon as you reach the second trimester. That is when the changes are at their peak.
- Breastfeeding bras are a safe guarantee to provide the necessary support during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How is a Nursing Bra Different from a Maternity Bra?
While bras are worn during breastfeeding, maternity bras are worn during pregnancy. Maternity bras are made of secure hooks, wider straps and a breathable cotton lining. The size of the cup is also larger to cover the entire chest. Unlike a maternity bra, nursing bras have a flap that allows easy access to the nipple during breastfeeding. This flap allows you to breastfeed effortlessly while the rest of the chest stays supported.
Tips for Breastfeeding Moms Who Want to Wear a Bra to Bed
Here are some tips and options for wearing a bra to bed:
Always Wear a Bra That Fits You Well
If you decide to wear a bra at night, make sure that it is soft, comfortable and fits well. You should not wear a bra with underwire or a bra that is tight and puts pressure on your breasts. Tight fasteners and lower wires can cause blocked dairy ducts or mastitis. Bravado bras are an excellent option because they are favorable, but not binding, and very pleasant.
Try Lily Padz
Lily Padz is perfect for a braless free sleep. These chest pads are made of comfortable, flexible, breathable, medical-grade silicone. And since they stick directly to your breasts, you don’t need a bra to hold them in place.
Think About Using a Nursing Tank Top
If you don’t want to wear a bra but are worried that your breasts will leak overnight, a great option is to wear a nursing shirt with a built-in bra to keep your breastfeeding pads in place. For this purpose, the maternity camisoles of the Japanese weekend are fantastic. They are soft, comfortable, and beautifully designed with a little elastane. They stretch well to accommodate fluctuations in their breasts, especially at night.
Will Sleeping in a Nursing Bra Prevent Your Breasts From Sagging?
Wearing a sleeping bra in general, not only during breastfeeding, is supposed to help prevent sagging breasts. When wearing a bra, day or night, it supports the structure of your breasts, especially Cooper’s ligaments. These ligaments give your chest its shape, but extra breast milk added to your breasts can pull and stretch Cooper’s ligaments.
However, while wearing a bra can help, you can not completely avoid sagging. The sagging of the breasts is the result of a combination of factors, such as the number of pregnancies, weight, and heredity.
