Marina Wiersma
8 min
103.2K
After 15 hours of research evaluating 70 products, we picked Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra as our top choice.
The benefits to breastfeeding are amazing. There are a lot of changes that are going to happen to your body too once you give birth and your milk comes in, which is why you need to be prepared.
People are going to remember to get you everything you’ll need for the baby, like a baby carrier, a baby swing, and a crib mattress. But a nursing bra? Well, that’s kind of a personal purchase that you’re most likely going to have to handle yourself.
You might be wondering:
“Can’t I just wear my regular bras during and after pregnancy?” Most likely, not. The best nursing bras have been created with the purpose of providing mommies with a special kind of support, comfort, and convenience that their changing body needs.
Here’s the deal:
As your breasts become swollen and leaky and even plugged-up, you’re going to want a nursing bra that makes you forget about the discomfort for just a second so you can quickly feed your child.
To make things easier, we've created a list of the best nursing bras just for you. Because let's face it, now that you're a mommy, your time is limited.
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Nursing bras aren’t necessarily cheap and, unfortunately, you usually need to buy quite a few while in the breastfeeding phase of life. So, when you need a nursing bra that’s comfortable, supportive, and stretches enough to accommodate for changes in breast size, you can’t go wrong with one that’s priced as low as this.
A lot of women complain about the removable pads that come in this bra. They say that when they pull the cup down, the pads roll up and require a trip to the restroom to readjust.
Comfort: People really seem to like how soft this bra is. They also appreciate the full coverage, so they never feel like their breasts are sliding around or will pop out of place when bending over.
Support: Although you won’t be able to go for a run in this bra, you should have a decent amount of support when wearing this since it provides so much coverage on top.
Convenience: Aside from the noted issues with the removable pads, no one’s seemed to have any problems unsnapping this bra in a pinch.
Price: It’s definitely not the cheapest of maternity bras, but it’s the one that offers the best quality for the low price.
When you’re nursing during the nighttime, the last thing you’re going to want to do is to have to unclip and maneuver your bra’s cup while you’re still half-asleep. That’s why this ultra-soft cotton bra provides the perfect amount of convenience and comfort for breastfeeding women.
Some women with larger breasts have said that they’ve had issues with spilling out of the cups. While they do make larger sizes, they aren’t sized for specific cups so be sure to check the size chart conversions before buying.
Comfort: This bra is made from 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex, so it’s going to feel super-soft and stretchy—just what you want when you’re sleeping.
Support: For larger cup sizes, you might not feel completely supported in this bra, but how much do you really need when you’re asleep?
Convenience: Totally convenient when you need to get up at night and don’t want to have to worry about undoing clasps, moving nursing pads out of place, etc.
Price: This is actually the cheapest bra on this list, but it isn’t necessarily a bra you’d want to wear from night-to-day, so we wanted to classify it accordingly.
Yes, we know this nursing bra is labeled as one for yoga, but we’re going to recommend it for everyday use anyway since it’s sooooo comfortable. It’s made with the four-way stretch fabric that customers have really come to love from Bravado and it’s Silver Breeze technology will keep you dry and odor-free as you go about any activity during the day.
This is definitely meant for lower impact activities, so don’t try and wear this to the gym or while out running.
Comfort: You’ve got comfort in terms of the super soft fabric, but, more importantly, you’ve got the breathable fabric that’ll keep you feeling fresh and dry all day long.
Support: While customers do say that this bra feels supportive—which is probably due to the stretchy fabric and foam insert cups—some customers recommend this only be used for low impact activities.
Convenience: This bra comes with the super convenient “B” nursing clips from Bravado along with the standard full drop-away cup design.
Price: It’s a little expensive compared to their other bras, but that’s probably because of the moisture-wicking technology built into the fabric.
Comfort and support are a major concern when it comes to finding any bra, let alone one you have to wear when your breasts are engorged with milk and seemingly changing sizes every day. This double plus nursing bra was made specifically for women with larger cup sizes during and after pregnancy—and it comes in band sizes all the way up to 46.
None!
Comfort: Women absolutely love how supremely comfortable these nursing bras are, whether they’re wearing them at work, at home, or while sleeping.
Support: Despite the wireless design of this bra, no one has had any issues with support and that’s most likely due to the full cup design and the wide bottom band that holds everything in place.
Convenience: Much like Bravado’s other nursing bras on this list, users don’t have any issues using one hand to release the nursing clips or pull down their cups to breastfeed.
Price: This is probably the cheapest you’re going to find a Bravado bra going for, so take advantage of it! It’s a keeper!
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to work out while pregnant or post-baby, you’re going to need a lot of extra support up top. Rather than invest in pricey sports bras that you might not fit a year from now when your body’s looking completely foreign to you (again), get one that’s made for mothers and mamas-to-be. This one is crazy supportive and comfortable.
None.
Comfort: When you’re pregnant and nursing, your body’s going to be running hot enough as it is. So, in addition to this being a really well-made underwire sports bra, it comes with moisture-wicking fabric as well as mesh panels to help your body stay cool.
Support: This is a high-performance sports bra, so it’ll keep you covered and supported through any sort of physical activity—without painfully squishing your breasts together or against you.
Convenience: Just like other nursing bras, this one comes with drop-down cups so you don’t have to stress about pulling off your sports bra in the middle of or directly after a workout.
Price: Well, it’s the most expensive bra on this list, but customers actually say that it’s worth the price so we can’t knock it either.
Okay, so if you love our pick for the best nursing bra overall, then you’re definitely going to love this—because it’s basically just the tank top version of it. So, if you’re one of those women who doesn’t want to have to strip off her shirt in order to get to the bra that then needs to be pulled down, you can get this tank top with a built-in nursing bra!
None.
Comfort: This is made with the same material as the other Bravado Body Silk line of bras/clothing, so you’re looking at four-way stretch that’ll conform to your breasts’ and body’s changing shape. It’s also super soft.
Support: Support isn’t necessarily touted as one of the top benefits of this tank top, but it’s there alright. The stretch also does a good job of creating a slim and sleek look for your body beneath your other clothes.
Convenience: This may be a full length shirt that you wear, but the convenience of pulling down the cup is still there!
Price: This is a little expensive for a cami, but remember: you’re getting the convenience of a built-in nursing bra too. So look at the price of the best nursing bra and then take another look at this price tag. You’ll be thrilled!
Most of the time when searching for what other reviewers and experts have to say about what the best product, there usually isn’t one unanimous winner like there was in this case. From Lucie’s List to Babble, and Baby Center to Pregnant Chicken, all the mommy and pregnancy bloggers agree (as do we) that the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra is the very best.
There were a number of customers that had issues with the sizing on this one. To be on the safe side, we’d suggest trying these on in store if you can first. They’re such a great investment, it’d be a shame to have the experience tainted by bad sizing.
Comfort: With soft, four-way stretch fabric and a wireless design, this nursing bra does comfortable like no other. Customers have even worn this bra to bed!
Support: For starters, you’ve got foam inserts that help maintain your shape and keep your breasts in place. The four-way stretch also contributes to the added support by keeping you firmly in place regardless of how large or small your breasts get.
Convenience: Like with other Bravado nursing bras, this nursing bra has a full drop-away cup design and easy to use nursing clips that make this bra very convenient.
Price: Mid-range pricing for a high-quality bra. You can’t beat it!
Preparing for the arrival of a new baby will always primarily revolve around your newborn’s needs. Crib? Check. Stroller? Check. Clothes, feeding bottles, and diapers? Triple check.
We’re almost always imagining every single thing our babies could possibly need. But once the nursery is filled with all the relevant necessities, it’s time to ask yourself: What do YOU need to ensure your own comfort and happiness as a new mom?
Although nursing bras seem to be less of a necessity compared to your baby’s needs, it can actually make a huge difference in your postpartum and breastfeeding journey. The best nursing bras are designed for comfort and convenience. And when you’re comfortable and happy, chances are, that positivity will rub off on your baby, too.
We created this buying guide to help you choose the best nursing bra for your needs—ultimately helping you have a smoother and more fulfilling breastfeeding experience. Choosing the right nursing bra is definitely a lot more complicated than regular bra shopping—and we ladies know that even that is hard enough in itself.
So sit back, relax, and read on. We got you!
They make nursing easier and more convenient.
Bringing your baby to your breast to nurse may not be easy with most regular bras. Because they’re so structured, you’re usually left with no other choice but to take off your bra or disrobe completely.
Nursing bras, on the other hand, sport cups that either fold down, clip down, or pull aside for quick and easy access. Many nursing bras even make prepping and positioning using just one hand possible, which makes them all the more convenient.
When used with the right top, nursing bras enable you to easily and discreetly feed your baby anywhere you go.
They work with your body, not against it.
One thing that’s unique about pregnancy and breastfeeding is the fact that your breasts can undergo significant changes in size. The size of your breasts can fluctuate anywhere from one up to four cup sizes. These changes may take place on a daily basis. As such, you need something that can readily adjust to your body’s demands.
A good nursing bra will have enough stretch to accommodate these fluctuations in size. Many traditional bras simply don’t offer the same flexibility.
They provide comfort.
Conventional bras may not be the most comfortable thing to wear for breastfeeding moms. Traditional bra fabrics like nylon and lace may be irritating for sore nipples. The underwire may hurt your swollen breasts and the band may leave painful red marks on your skin. What’s more, the straps used in regular bras may not be thick enough to provide support.
Nursing bras are specifically constructed with your comfort in mind. They use breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo to protect your breasts from irritation.
What’s more, nursing bras are designed to provide enough support while remaining comfortable. They have thick strips and a soft but supportive band—both of which are perfect for your needs. In effect, nursing bras help reduce neck, back, and shoulder pain.
In general, we recommend that you keep at least three nursing bras in your rotation. You can’t expect to wear the same nursing bra every single day, so having at least three of them will come in handy. The less frequently you do your laundry, the more you should invest in several nursing bras.
The world of breastfeeding is a colorful one—unexpected situations such as leaks, baby spit-ups, and hot flashes often arise. If you’re lucky, you wouldn’t have to deal with these mishaps, but it’s always better to come into the battlefield fully prepared. After all, it can be quite tiring to keep doing the laundry every time the inevitable happens.
Having several nursing bras will also allow you to shop for a variety of styles that will suit different occasions. Many moms find it helpful to have a nice mix of soft and comfy sleep bras and more supportive daytime bras.
When it comes to buying a nursing bra, two measurements are of utmost importance: your underbust and bust. Many of you are probably familiar with these measurements as they’re frequently used in sizing regular bras, as well.
The underbust and bust measurements are used to calculate band size and cup size. Now, sizing may differ across different brands, so it’s always best to double-check a particular brand’s sizing chart before making an online purchase. If you’re buying from a physical store, you may ask to get professionally measured.
Also, some nursing bras don’t use the conventional band size + cup size scale. You’ll find that some styles use the S, M, L scale instead. Even then, sizing charts will usually tell you how to convert your measurements into your actual size.
Measuring your underbust:
Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your torso. Make sure that the tape runs directly under your breasts. Double-check to ensure that the tape is even. It should feel snug but not tight.
Measuring your bust:
As for your bust measurement, do the same thing as the first step. Only this time, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust. Again, make sure that the tape is at an even height all throughout. Assuming you’re already nursing, take your bust measurement before a feeding or pumping session—that is, when your breasts are at their fullest state.
Finding the perfect nursing bra in terms of fit can be tricky. After all, your body constantly undergoes significant changes all throughout your pregnancy and nursing journey. However, that’s not to say that it’s impossible. With a few guidelines, you should be able to tell right off the bat if a nursing bra provides a good fit.
The right fit:
When you put on a new bra, it should feel amazing on your body. Why waste money on something that doesn’t make you feel incredible?
The band should feel snug but never tight, and it should stay low and even underneath your breasts and around your torso. There shouldn’t be any pinching, pulling, or slipping.
To accurately assess how well a bra fits, make sure to try different positions when fitting it for the first time. Try standing up, sitting down, bending over, twisting your torso a little bit to the sides, and lying down. No matter what position you’re in, your nursing bra should feel comfortable.
The best type of fit is when it almost feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. You shouldn’t have to pull and tug at your bra all day. Trust us: taking your time in finding the right fit will be worth it in the end.
Your nursing bra might be too small if:
Your nursing bra might be too big if:
Sleep nursing bras or Comfort bras provide unparalleled softness and comfort. They provide the least amount of support, which makes them ideal for sleeping or lounging around the house.
Sleep bras allow easy nursing access. After all, fumbling with hooks and clips is the last thing you’d want to deal with as you wake up in the middle of the night to feed your baby. Made of smooth and super stretchy material, sleep bras are the most accommodating of breast size fluctuations.
Clip-down cup nursing bras offer more support than comfort bras. These are ideal daytime bras for new moms who are running errands, working, or are trying to get active.
These bras have a more structured but smooth design that lightly shapes your breasts and lays nicely underneath clothing. They usually employ fold-down cups for easy nursing access.
They are also the least flexible, so contoured bras are best reserved for when you’re at least three to four months postpartum. Because these bras do not stretch and adapt as well as the two aforementioned bra types, it’s best to wait until your milk supply and breast size have both stabilized before purchasing this style.
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A six-year marketing veteran and a writer since the womb, Suzanne Scacca now specializes in writing content for a variety of audiences. She has been published on Inc.com, Examiner, SEJ, Elegant Themes, and other marketing, tech, hospitality, and business blogs. When not writing about the latest news and trends, Suzanne can be found hanging out with her dog, eating way too much dessert, and watching horror movies.
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