I put together this list of the best nursing bras by drawing from my own considerations when I was nursing (as well as what I learned during the process), as well as insight from professional bra fitters and lactation consultants. While there are a lot of options for nursing bras out there, what makes a style good for you can depend on your personal preferences and priorities. Based on what I learned, here’s what I took into consideration when putting together this list.
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This wire-free bra has clips that you can detach (and reattach) single-handedly, an adjustable fit and removable cups. Plus, it’s versatile. “This gave me the soft support and easy clip-down access I needed, and it even worked with the wearable pump I tried,” says Becca Delman, NBC’s senior commerce photo editor. This is also the only bra I found that allows you to choose the band size and cup fit separately. However, she notes, while the fabric is thick and structured — which offered a lot of support — it could be too warm in hot weather.
What sets this wireless, seamless bra apart is the “Jelly Strip” technology, which frames the cups to gently lift and support the bust without a wire. Delman found it so effective and genuinely comfortable “which is key postpartum,” she says. “It’s super breathable, and still secure — thanks to the one-handed clasp and padded design that made breastfeeding easy and comfy.” She says she even continued to wear it after her breastfeeding journey ended.
I went with these nursing bras on a lark, buying two when I was still pregnant (and had outgrown my usual A cups). There’s a lot to love about them: The removable cups gave me the option of more coverage, the clips were easy to snap on and off, and they stretched enough to fit my wearable pumps. And they had enough flexibility to accommodate my bust while pregnant, during engorgement, and once my supply (and therefore size) had stabilized. That said, the racerback design (which does offer support) means the straps peeked out of certain tops, and I didn’t always love having to pull the bra over my head when getting dressed.
This bra has four-way stretch and added knit around the cup to offer extra support, according to the brand, and comes with removable pads, adjustable straps and even a bra extender. “It’s soft, stretchy, and makes nursing easy with clips that let me unfasten it quickly when I need to,” says Delman, who’s been wearing it since her son was born. “It’s honestly just really comfortable.”
A maternity sports bra might be a niche offer, but I picked this up when I was pregnant, since I run a few times a week. Instead of clips, it has a stretch built into the straps that allow you to pull the cups to the side for nursing. That made it easy for me to squeeze in a quick run between nursing sessions early in the postpartum phase (when babies eat more frequently), or after a yoga class if I met my husband and daughter for brunch afterwards. The cups are moldable and comfortable, and I’ve regularly used it in between having my first and now during pregnancy with my second.
I didn’t buy this bra with nursing in mind, but found it really nice for my overnight nursing sessions. It has enough stretch to pull down, and the soft, comfortable band made it feel virtually undetectable while I was asleep — it’s as close to not wearing a bra as I’ve ever gotten. The shoulder straps are adjustable, too, although they’re a bit thin. However, it’s worth noting that I started with a small bust and only went to a B cup when I was nursing, so this might not offer much support if you have a larger bust.
When you’re shopping for a nursing bra, the biggest thing is that there’s no one “perfect” nursing bra for everyone, according to Kimmay Caldwell, a bra fitting expert, trainer and founder of Fitters’ Formula. Rather, it’s about finding a mix of support, flexibility and ease. “This is the time of your life when your bust will be at its heaviest and most sensitive, so a great fit with good support is so important,” she says. “Some folks prefer molded or padded cups for coverage, while others love the simplicity of a stretchy wire-free bra.”
Ultimately, you just want to look for features that line up with your lifestyle and comfort preferences. The biggest things to consider are:
For most people, it’s a good idea to avoid underwire bras, which can be tight and rigid — not to mention could potentially impact your breast health. “Restrictive bras can contribute to clogged ducts or mastitis, and no one needs that on top of postpartum life with a newborn,” says Skillings. (Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue that’s sometimes caused by an infection.)
If you do choose a bra with underwire — which is, to be fair, the most supportive option for large breasts, just make sure the fit can accommodate your postpartum body. “The wire should encompass all of the breast tissue and sit on the rib cage under the arm,” says Margo Hall, a professional bra fitter and owner of The Bra Spa.
On the other hand, it’s also worth avoiding extra-stretchy styles that aren’t adjustable, “especially if you have a smaller band and fuller bust or a very heavy bust,” says Caldwell. While they can be comfortable for sleeping, they don’t offer much lift or support.
And finally, skip the lingerie. These can be unsupportive and take more time to wash (think: hand wash and air dry), says Caldwell, which is just not very convenient when you have limited time to do laundry.
First, don’t wait until you’re holding your baby to buy a nursing bra. Instead, our experts recommend shopping when you’re around 30 weeks pregnant. “By then, your size has usually stabilized,” says Caldwell. However, you should plan for engorgement and go up a size for a few bras. “Your bust will get much larger once the milk supply comes in, so a stretchy, wire-free style can carry you through those first postpartum weeks of engorgement and size changes,” she says.
Once your milk supply levels out (since it’s determined by how much your baby eats), you can see if the bras you got at 30 weeks fit. If not, try to get a professional fitting once you’re ready to venture out, says Hall. Breast sizes can fluctuate so much during this time that an expert can help you take the guesswork out of it.
It should feel supportive, but never restrictive. The band should be “snug like a hug” directly underneath the bust, according to Caldwell. “Most people wear bands way too loose, looking for comfort,” she says. “But that just causes the band to ride up, the cups to fall down and dig into the front of the body, and puts all of the pressure on the tops of the shoulders.”
You’ll be able to notice once you wear it. “If a bra leaves marks on your skin or feels compressive, it’s probably too snug,” says Skillings.
However, if you’re wearing a nursing bra to sleep or are just spending a lot of downtime at home with your baby, the style could be more flexible and slightly loose. “That way it will give you flexibility as you lay down,” says Caldwell. “For anyone going out and about or working, up the level of support.”
Ideally, you would go to a bra store when you’re a few weeks out after giving birth and get a professional fitter, our experts say — but that might not be realistic with a newborn. In that case, find a soft tape measure and grab a pen and paper to take measurements. This is what Caldwell recommends:
You can always do this ahead of time (again, at the 30-week mark) to guesstimate your size. “I typically suggest to plan up about one to two cup sizes for engorgement — either a cup that is actually one to two cup sizes larger or something that can stretch up one to two cup sizes,” says Caldwell. When in doubt, she says, choose a wire-free style with slight stretch, which is more forgiving during the early weeks of fluctuation.
Not necessarily, since milk supply is all about milk removal, says Skillings. “But a poorly fitting bra that causes feedback to the breast cells that decrease supply and lead to clogged, inflamed ducts could indirectly affect supply, so the fit does matter,” she says.
It ultimately depends on how much laundry you want to do. At a minimum, go with four — “one to wear during the day, one to wear at night, one in the laundry and one on stand by,” says Hall. And consider that you may need to adjust sizes as your baby grows. “As the baby weans and the breasts are less full, a new size may be necessary,” she says. I had three dedicated nursing bras, a soft bralette for sleeping, and a nursing sports bra, and thought that that was fine.
It’s up to you. If you feel more comfortable or secure with one on, “I recommend having a very loose bra with no underwires,” says O’Connor. One advantage is that they can hold nursing pads overnight (since you might leak in between nursing sessions). I slept with a bralette with nursing pads for a few weeks until finding pads that adhered to my tank top — at which point I skipped the bra.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Deanna Pai is a freelance beauty and wellness writer and editor who has been covering beauty and health for more than a decade, including topics like postpartum hair loss and pregnancy pillows. She spoke to two lactation consultants, two professional bra fitters, and other NBC Select staffers who nursed their babies to determine the best nursing bras.
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