The Most Comfortable Nursing Bras with Support
Breastfeeding is a journey. As you set out on this journey, it’s super important to make sure you have found the best nursing bra with support. This may be one specific nursing bra, or you may choose several different nursing bras.
There are so many options when you start looking for a comfortable nursing bra with support, that it can actually become a daunting task.
There are nursing bras for sleeping, nursing bras for working out, nursing bras for yoga, nursing bras for pumping, etc.
This guide will help you find the most comfortable nursing bra with support for your breasts and the accessibility you want and need.
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. I only recommend products I love or would personally use.
First, do I need a nursing bra?
If you’re going to be breastfeeding or pumping, the answer is yes. Can you use your current bras and be completely annoyed because they don’t work the way you need them to? The answer is also, yes. As a fellow breastfeeding mom, I can PROMISE that your breastfeeding or pumping experience will be so much easier by buying a couple of quality nursing bras.
Table of Contents
Types of Nursing Bras
When shopping for nursing bras, you’ll find two common types: clip-down cups and pull-down style nursing bras. The clip-down style of nursing bras has a clip at the top of the cup that unclasps and drops down for easy breastfeeding. The pull-down style nursing bras are just fabric that you pull down to breastfeed your baby.
There isn’t a right or wrong type of nursing bra. You need to decide what type of bra(s) make the most sense for you and your personal needs.
Find a Nursing Bra with Support:
Breast support is one of the most important things you will need while you’re nursing. When your milk comes in, you will notice that your breasts begin to get heavier. Due to the weight of your breasts in the front, you will find yourself adjusting your physical symmetry by leaning back more.
With time, this can really start to cause pain in your back. Finding a comfortable nursing bra with support is of the utmost importance for your health, and for the longevity of breastfeeding your baby.
Find a Comfortable Nursing Bra:
With my first baby, I found myself wearing a bra around the clock. I think I just didn’t know enough to realize that I didn’t HAVE to do that. In my mind, I thought all breastfeeding moms always wore a bra because there are nursing bras for every activity.
Thankfully, I was one of the lucky ones who didn’t “leak”, so wearing a nursing bra while sleeping or working out wasn’t a necessity for me. Whether you choose to wear a nursing bra all day out of necessity or choice, finding a comfortable nursing bra is super important!
If you want to nurse for more than a month or two, make sure you invest in yourself by buying a comfortable nursing bra that is supportive and comfortable.
When you begin your search for the right nursing bra, you’ll want to investigate the material and padding.
First, check out the lining of the nursing bra. Some nursing bras are very thin and you may not like this because your nipples will easily show. For other women, they aren’t bothered by this at all. There are nursing bras with padding that offer more coverage in the nipple area. Other bras have internal nursing pads that can be easily removed and washed in the washing machine. Truly, it comes down to preference and what works for and is most comfortable and easy to manage for you.
Find an Easy to Use Nursing Bra:
You will be pumping or breastfeeding your baby in a variety of places at a variety of times. Even if you don’t think you will nurse outside of your home when your baby is screaming, and you know they’re hungry, chances are, you are going to feed your baby. And that’s exactly what you should do!
Finding the best nursing bra also means that you find a bra that is easy for you to use.
Why do you need an easy-to-use nursing bra?
I mean that when you have a nursing cover on, a screaming baby in your arms, people staring at you, and you just want to cry, the last thing you want is a bra that you can’t get unlatched with one hand. So, a one-hand latch nursing bra is a must!
Find a Nursing Bra with the Right Coverage:
Nursing a baby is an entirely new experience. Even if you think you know what it is going to be like, I promise, you don’t. There are so many things that have changed about your body, between conception and birth!
Your breasts are no exception. And, as nursing continues, they will keep changing to meet the needs of your baby. You will want a bra that covers, and if you need nursing pads, you want a bra that can accommodate and cover your nursing pads.
When Should I Shop for a Nursing Bra?
Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s talk about WHEN you should start shopping for a nursing bra. I frequented several maternity stores while I was expecting my first, and I talked with the ladies who worked there quite a bit. And I am very grateful that I did. They offered up some excellent advice and often helped with finding the right fit both in maternity clothes and bras for breastfeeding.
Your breasts before kids, while pregnant, right after having a baby, and while nursing is all different breast situations. Chances are, you aren’t going to be wearing the same bras during these times, so knowing what size of nursing bra you need and when is important.
My first nursing bra purchase was made while I was still pregnant. I wanted to get used to clasping and unclasping the bra before I had a screaming, hungry baby in my arms. I would recommend that you do this too.
As I mentioned before, your breasts begin to grow at the same time your belly grows. By the time it comes to the end of your pregnancy, you’re likely in a totally different bra size anyway. So, why not go ahead and buy a bra that will at least get you through your first few weeks of nursing?
So, if you’re wondering what size nursing bra I should buy, here’s your answer.
The best nursing bra advice I was given was to wait until your milk comes in and levels out. Meaning, wait until your breasts start to understand and produce the right amount of milk for your baby before you buy more than one nursing bra. Oftentimes, this will take 2-4 weeks, depending on if your baby has any feeding issues, whether or not you’re pumping to store milk, etc.
At this point, you are ready to shop for the best nursing bra for you!
Shopping for a Nursing Bra
So now you are ready to shop for a bra. I was super lucky to have a store in my area that had a wide selection of nursing bras to try on, and the ladies there helped me figure out what size I would need.
Needless to say, the bra I ended up buying was a MUCH different size than what I walked in wearing. If you don’t have a store like this in your area, MAKE SURE YOU READ THE REVIEWS online! They will tell you if the bra bands/cup size run small, or large, etc.
Here are some of my FAVORITE nursing bras!
Best Overall Nursing Bra and Best Nursing Bra for Larger Breasts
I offered up a two-for-one deal here because the Bravado Designs bra won’t meet the needs of larger busted women. The Cake Lingerie nursing bra is the one I recommend for larger-busted women.
I kind of fell in between these two bras as far a size goes, and I opted to buy the Cake Sugar Candy nursing bra. It has been amazing and has met all of my needs as a nursing mom.
I CANNOT say enough AMAZING things about this bra! I have tried a large variety of nursing bras, and nothing really compares. It offers the support I need, is easy to use, and it’s comfortable. Each of those factors makes nursing a more pleasant experience for me.
It comes in 3 different colors, which is great because you will need more than one. Without a doubt, this is the bra I wear most often. It has won a variety of prestigious awards, and once you have your own to wear, you will understand why.
Similar to the Bravado bra is the HOFISH Full Bust Seamless Nursing Bra. This nursing bra is sold in a 3-pack. This is a budget-friendly nursing bra option if you don’t want to spend a lot on a nursing bra. You can choose between nude or black colors and you can also choose a mixed 3-pack.
Sizes for this nursing bra range from S-XXL and the bras also come with bra extenders and clips. The bra is made of 92% nylon and 8% spandex. The nursing pad insert inside the nursing bra is a circular shape instead of the triangular shape that often comes in nursing bras. This is a good thing because most disposable nursing pads are circular.
The company does have excellent customer service and if you reach out to them with the issue you’re having, they’ll likely work with you to resolve the problem.
The Bravado Bliss Nursing Bra comes in a close second place. This is my go-to if I want a nursing bra with a little more padding (ya know, for the colder months). I like that it does seem to offer a bit more coverage than my Cake bra.
It is also a different type of material which makes me feel like I am wearing a “normal” bra. It does have a “sexier” appeal is something that is important to you.
The claps are easily maneuvered with one hand, which keeps both me and the baby happy. It fits well, and in my experience was b. It usually comes in three colors, black, ivory, and nude. And, as an added bonus for this bra, it does come in larger bust/band sizes.
Best Seamless Nursing Bra
The Motherhood Maternity Women’s Maternity Average Busted Seamless Clip Down Nursing Bra was the first maternity bra that I bought, and we had a really great thing going until I realized I had the wrong size. I did this bra “fitting” on my own, and let me tell you, lesson learned.
Because I was in the wrong size, I wasn’t getting the support I desperately needed, and my back was paying for it.
It comes in 7 different colors and offers a large variety of size options. The bra is REALLY comfortable, and it’s a great starter nursing bra if this is your first baby or your first time nursing. It allows you to get comfortable with a nursing bra. It is super comfortable and fits well. This bra does also comes in a plus-size as well.
Best Nursing Bra for Sleeping
The Motherhood Maternity Women’s Wrap Front Nursing Sleep Bra was another one of the bras I bought when I had my first baby. I mentioned that I thought you HAD to wear a bra all day because you are nursing. I enjoyed this bra (and I wore it at times other than sleeping).
If you do leak and need to wear nursing pads all day, then without a doubt, this is the bra I would recommend to you. This bra is so comfortable once you get used to it, you’ll forget you’re even wearing a bra. And, for the first couple of weeks after having a baby while your milk is adjusting, it is nice to have a nursing bra that offers a bit of support at night.
Best Hands-Free Pumping Bra
The Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra is great for any mom who will be pumping, or pumping and breastfeeding. You can choose between two colors, soft pink and black.
This hands-free pumping bra fits all breast pump flanges, making it a universal pumping bra. It is versatile and can be worn as a strapless bra, a racerback bra, or a regular bra. It offers great support while also allowing your breasts to breathe and not feel suffocated. There is a 10” adjustable velcro panel in the back to help you find the exact right fit.
This can easily be placed over your favorite nursing bra. You will wear your nursing bra like usual and then when you need to pump, you’ll place this over your bra. You can then do hands-free pumping. With sizing up to 44J, this pumping bra is a wonderful addition to almost every woman’s pumping bag.
PS! If you’re new to this breastfeeding thing and you’re looking for a GREAT resource to help you get started, I would LOVE to share something with you! My friends over at Mom Smart Not Hard have a great Breastfeeding handbook that is awesome for new moms who want to learn to breastfeed!
Best Nursing Bra for Exercising
The Kindred Bravely Sublime Low Impact Nursing Bra will meet your needs for both pumping and exercising. With sizes ranging from S-XL, this exercise nursing bra will meet the needs of a lot of women.
It is a budget-friendly workout nursing bra that comes in 5 different colors and 5 different sizes. It has an easy pull-on style with no hook and eye closures. The thing that sets this sports bra out from other bras is that it has one-hand clip-down breastfeeding access. Now, you don’t have to decide between working out and breastfeeding your baby. You can do one and then the other without the hassle of needing to change bras.
This workout nursing bra will offer you the support you need with easy access to breastfeeding built into the bra. They do offer a lot of great help when you’re trying to find the right size as well. This is a full-coverage nursing bra.
Other Things to Consider When Buying a Comfortable Nursing Bra with Support
One thing that you’ll notice about the bras I recommend is that none of these nursing bras have an underwire. They do make nursing bras with underwires. There is research out there that shows underwires can increase your risk of getting a clogged duct.
It was because of this that I didn’t wear my underwire nursing bra very often. If you’re interested in a bra with an underwire, check out the Motherhood Maternity Full-Coverage Underwire Nursing Bra. It offered great support, and it was nice to have for when I did need the underwire support in a nursing bra.
If you’re wondering if you need a different nursing bra for pumping, in my experience the answer is no. While sitting at my desk at work, I did not need a different bra. I had no issue taking a break from my job to sit and hold my breast pump parts for the 10-20 minutes I needed to pump. For me, a nursing bra for pumping was an added expense that I didn’t think was worth it.
There are so many things that go into preparing for a baby. Sometimes, you forget about one of the most important things, YOU!
You need to make sure that you buy yourself some high-quality nursing bras. Not doing this could result in back pain, which is not enjoyable. Nursing a baby comes with its own stress and learning curve! Do yourself a favor and make sure your breasts are supported the way they need to be by buying a comfortable nursing bra with support.
What has been your favorite nursing bra you’ve used? What other factors would you recommend other moms to consider? Let me know in the comments below!
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