The Ultimate Guide to Comfortable Nursing Bras
Comfortable, supportive, sexy, and affordable! No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve rounded up the best nursing bras for every occasion.
Buying a regular bra can be hard, but buying a nursing bra feels like a real challenge. After all, your breasts are changing in ways you’ve never experienced before—they’re growing, leaking, sensitive, and unpredictable.
“I have to admit, even as a bra expert, shopping for bras during all these changes can be confusing,” says Jené Luciani, mother of four and author of the bestselling book The Bra Book: The Fashion Formula for Finding the Perfect Bra, Shapewear, Swimwear & More! However, with a few key tips before you shop, you’ll be much better prepared to find the best nursing bras and (hopefully) avoid crying in the dressing room.
How to Buy the Best Nursing Bras
When you add a new nursing bra to your lingerie drawer, keep these six tips in mind:
1. Buy Before the Baby Arrives
It’s commonly recommended to start shopping for nursing bras around the eighth month of pregnancy, but there’s no reason you can’t start earlier. “Your breasts should feel comfortable throughout pregnancy,” says Luciani. “A stretchy, breathable bra is great for growing pregnancy breasts. Plus, you’ll be ready when the baby arrives.”
2. Seek Professional Help
If nearby department stores, maternity boutiques, or breastfeeding support networks offer professional bra fitting services, definitely take advantage of them. Many women, whether pregnant or not, wear the wrong size bra. “Some stores have certified bra fitters who are trained in knowing what fits your body and which styles and brands are best for you,” Luciani explains.
3. Look for Flexible Bras
Nursing bras made from cotton, cotton-blend fabrics, or other stretchy synthetic materials will move and grow with your breasts as they fluctuate. If a nursing bra is too tight and presses on your breasts, it can increase your risk of developing mastitis or blocked milk ducts.
4. Look for Support
Women with larger breasts may need to choose bras with padded straps, a back band with three or four rows of hooks, and side seams that are almost at the underarm. Supporting your breasts while also making it easy for baby to latch on is just as important!
5. Find the Right Fit
The perfect nursing bra should not cut into your breasts or cause any spillage. The straps shouldn’t dig into your shoulders, and the back band should sit flat, without riding up. This rule applies to sports bras, full-coverage bras, lacy bras, and everything in between.
6. Don’t Forget About Yourself
“While comfort is key, how you look and feel also has a huge impact on your confidence,” says Orit Hashay, a mother and founder of the online bra retailer Brayola (now merged with Bare Necessities), which developed a smart fitting algorithm to help shoppers find their perfect fit.
She says: “Having a well-fitting, flattering nursing bra can make you feel more like your pre-pregnancy self.”
Best Nursing Bras to Buy
“You definitely need more than one,” Hashay says. “I recommend at least three to four nursing bras: one to wear, and others as backups in case one gets dirty and needs washing.” Additionally, even nursing moms deserve a sexy nursing bra or one that’s just for workouts. Here are our top picks:
1. Leak-Proof Nursing Bra
No nursing mom wants to deal with itchy or painful underwire. This Knix Leak-Proof Nursing Bra features removable (machine-washable) absorbent pads that slide directly into the opening between the stretchy cups and the soft fabric layer.
The result is a smooth, sleek look, unlike the bulky, wrinkled, or bumpy appearance of disposable pads from the drugstore.