Nursing Bra Buying Guide

Among babies born in 2019, over 83 percent started their lives receiving some breastmilk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, but six months later only just over half were still nursing. As a mom of five little nurslings in the past decade myself, I can attest to the fact that this is partly because nursing can be hard. Nursing bras aim to make the whole experience a bit more, well, accessible. They provide quick and easy access to breasts via clips, pull-down fabric, or other mechanisms, and sometimes double as bras meant to hold a breast pump as well. 

Some nursing bras come in waterproof fabric to accommodate leaks, some have underwire, and some are thin like a T-shirt for sleeping and hanging out at home. Like regular bras, you can find just about any shape, size, or type you want, though nursing moms might find themselves a bit bored with the color selections and attention to pretty details compared with typical bras. 

Some nursing bras fall into the category more broadly considered “maternity bras,” or those meant to be worn during pregnancy as well, not just after. These bras, which sometimes have nursing capabilities, are meant to accommodate changing breast sizes and widening ribs, and are often highly adjustable. But not all maternity bras are also nursing bras.

That’s like asking about your favorite type of sushi: It depends on what you like! The best type of nursing bra is one that provides a comfortable fit for you, perfect coverage, the right amount of lift and support, and perhaps most important, easy access to your breasts for nursing. Accomplishing this can take some trial and error, and maybe even a trip to a fitting room (if you’re lucky enough to still have in-person maternity stores or lingerie boutiques near you that carry nursing bras). 

These are the types to consider. You might like to have multiple types for various occasions/parts of your day.

Sleep Nursing Bras
Most manufacturers have several nursing bra lines, including models that are comfortable for sleeping or lounging in. Sleep nursing bras often have a V neckline that can be pulled down without any clips for nursing. Others have clips. 

Soft-Cup Nursing Bras
You’ll also see traditional, seamless "soft cup" bras that let you lower the cups from a hook closure near the shoulder strap. Soft-cup nursing bras can be great for sleeping, lounging, or even running around town if you find them to be supportive enough.

Underwire Nursing Bras
Some women prefer an underwire style that has clips to open the cups quickly.

There’s a debate about whether underwire nursing bras are a healthy option. “When shopping for a nursing bra, I recommend ditching underwire altogether,” says Carson Meyer, celebrity birth doula. “Underwire can restrict lymphatic flow and result in clogged ducts and discomfort.”

Jessica Madden, a pediatrician, neonatologist, certified lactation consultant, and medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps in Cleveland, says they shouldn’t be a complete no-no, but to be careful. “It’s really important to make sure that a nursing bra fits well and is not too tight,” she says. “Bras that are too snug can decrease milk supply. Underwire nursing bras are okay for those with large breasts who need extra support, but care needs to be taken that the underwires are positioned below the breasts and do not rub against breast tissue. Underwires that touch breast tissue can cause pain, plugged ducts, and mastitis, and also interfere with breast milk supply.”

Sports Nursing Bras
There are different kinds of sports nursing bras, usually wireless and made of spandex and nylon. In the past, sports bras for nursing were a bit harder to find, but now some companies, such as Sweat and Milk, are dedicating specific lines of products for nursing moms ready to work out.

Tank-Top Nursing Bras
Nursing bras that are built into tank tops offer discreet nursing clips for quick breastfeeding access. "Some of my moms have had really cute cami-type tops that are made for nursing, and, especially in the summer, you don’t even notice that they are nursing tops," says Jan Barger, owner of Indiana-based Lactation Education Consultants.

Pumping Bras
Pumping bras can replace a nursing bra or in some cases be worn over one. They allow you to pump hands-free with almost any brand of electric breast pump, either double or single. You can also try a pumping bustier. Some are a simple band around the body, so you don’t have to mess with straps. Others clip down and have typical shoulder straps, revealing an additional layer of support with a hole for your pump. In general, the purpose of a pumping bra is so that you can do something else with your hands, like type this story about nursing bras while you are literally pumping (true story).

You have to determine what’s most important to you. I didn’t want to sacrifice any level of support when I switched to a nursing bra. I wanted full, padded cups and a complete underwire for going out in public. This was because if I did have a leak, it wasn’t immediately obvious. To determine which features you prefer, look at what features you care the most about in a non-nursing bra as well.

Support
In the world of nursing bras, support is queen. And you aren’t just looking for breast support. “To provide proper support and prevent neck and back pain, a nursing bra should be well fitting (not too tight or too loose), have thick and supportive straps, a well-formed underband, and padding,” Madden says. “These features, collectively, provide adequate support to lactating breasts and prevent sagging and strain on the neck and back.”

Coverage
Whichever type of bra you wore before your baby, whether it was a balconette, full coverage, minimalistic, or another style, might still be a fit for you. Or you might prefer more coverage than before when nursing because your breasts can swell more when they’re full of milk, so a fuller coverage cup might be preferable. 

Coverage is also a consideration when it comes to nursing privacy. Some parents prefer not to have the top of their breasts exposed and instead prefer a piece of fabric covering the top, even when the top flap is pulled down. With some T-shirt-style nursing bras, all you have to do is unclasp the outer flap and pull it down, and you still have a band of fabric that covers the top of the breast underneath.

Closures
How you open and close the flaps on your nursing bra is important. The front flap fastens at the top, near the shoulder strap. Other nursing bra flaps open and close between the cups. Some don’t have a flap at all; the cups just pull down for quick access. Go with whichever type is easier for you to use with one hand without having to put your baby down. Squeeze or push-type latches are easy to operate with one hand compared with snaps, which usually take two hands to close. Practice in the dressing room at the store.

Adjustability
Near the end of your pregnancy and in the early weeks of nursing, your breasts may enlarge, sometimes significantly, and then return to a smaller size once breastfeeding is established. For the greatest comfort, you’ll want a nursing bra with adjustable straps and multiple hook positions on the band so that you can adjust it for comfort. Don’t be discouraged if the first bra you buy ends up not fitting. You may have to be fitted again once you start nursing, but the experts say it’s worth it.

With some bras, you can also adjust the cups or remove them completely. “Some women want removable cups,” says Jessica Auffant, an OB-GYN at Orlando Health Physician Associates in Winter Park, Fla. “Some women prefer padding and cups to help hide nipples in clothing. Others may find cups bothersome, and so having options to remove them is nice.”

Color and Style
While white is still common in nursing bras, you can find pretty much any color you want now, including hot pink and prints.

You might not be anywhere close to your pre-pregnancy size at the end of your pregnancy, during breastfeeding, and beyond. You might even switch sizes multiple times, or one breast might be bigger than the other. This all makes bra shopping a bit of a challenge.

“The best time to shop for nursing bras is during the last 1-2 months of pregnancy,” Madden says. “This is because breasts during late pregnancy are about the same size that they will be postpartum. Most need to go up at least one band size [number] and cup size from their pre-pregnancy bra size when buying nursing bras.”

These changes, though annoying and potentially expensive, are totally natural. “Remember, though, we all gain weight and our bodies change different[ly], so it is important to have a proper bra fitting when choosing a size,” Auffant says, adding that you may need to make additional purchases if your body continues to change size and shape in the postpartum period.

Auffant recommends waiting until you reach 36 weeks of pregnancy to shop for a nursing bra. She also suggests trying on different styles, which you also sometimes have to do after birth.

There’s a simple guide to shopping for closures that are easy enough to open in a scramble to feed a crying baby: the “one-hand test.” This is not a real test or official by any means, just one I’ve determined through the years that’s a measure of a great nursing bra. It’s simple: Can you open the bra closure or pull it down with one hand? Because you have to assume you will be holding a wiggling baby in the other. 

Clasps that tend to be one-hand-friendly are ones that you open by angling the clasp up to open or clipping it down until you hear a “click.” Other types that often pass these tests are soft bras that have stretchy enough fabric along the chest that you can pull an entire breast out, pushing the fabric under the breast. Be aware that if your baby leaks when you feed, with this style the bra will be catching that leak (for better or worse).

In a world of online shopping, bra shopping of any type can be a challenge. That, compounded with changing sizes and preferences in pregnancy and postpartum, can make it seem like a daunting task to find the perfect bra. First, consider that you might need one for a few different purposes—sleep, exercise, work, and daily life. You might prefer soft and less supportive bras, and even thinner, less padded options at home, where you can easily change if you have a leak that goes through the bra. Or you might want more substantial options in public that disguise a leak, provide more support, or don’t show nipples through the fabric as easily. 

This quest means it can be essential to try a few kinds on at home and return unwanted items. To do this, read the sizing charts carefully, including how to measure your breasts and select the correct size. Don’t rely on your typical bra size because it often isn’t the same from brand to brand. For example, in a Victoria’s Secret sports bra that has a zip-down front convenient for nursing, I’m a wider chest band size than in a Soma nursing bra. 

If you haven’t had a professional bra measurement taken, each of our experts recommends that as well. You don’t have to feel pressured to buy a bra just because a store is providing this service either, says Stephanie Rossi, a registered nurse and doula in Chicago. “Some hospitals will have maternity/mother stores inside of them,” she says. “You can probably be measured there, and they can give additional support. Some department stores still have this service, too. And you don’t necessarily have to make a purchase to be measured. You can ask for the measurement and then say you’re thinking about it.” In addition, she recommends accepting hand-me-downs, which might be an economical way to try a variety without spending too much.

If you’re nursing every few hours, easy access is going to be a must. But there may be an option that works in your bra drawer already. If you have a stretchy bra, such as a sports bra or one with more flexible materials, you might simply be able to pull it down. But I’ve never wanted to go through that much effort, stretching out my pre-baby bras, to make it happen. 

You can also wear a nursing tank with built-in support as a bra under your normal tops if you prefer not to buy new bras. A highly supportive tank could replace the need for bras depending on your preferences, and you can simply buy two to alternate under shirts each day.

And consider that not all bras have to be labeled “nursing” to be nursing-friendly. Those with zippers in the front, such as many sports bras, or traditional bras with a front clip, might be great for a nursing parent. Just pay attention to what fits you best and what feels great on you. As Rossi says, “After giving birth, comfort is key.”

Finally, as with all things motherhood, remember that there are no “shoulds,” just what you personally prefer. As Auffant says: “There really is no favorite. It is an individual choice.”