Finding the best nursing bras can be difficult for all new mums. Your breasts can change shape and size throughout pregnancy and beyond, making it difficult to find the best bra that feels right. However, one thing we will say here is that comfort is key.
While we all want to feel ourselves in a bra, ensuring it's practical is also massively important. There's nothing worse than fiddling with flimsy straps or battling with hooks to get it on and off in the first place. That's why we've chosen options that couldn't be easier to wear but also some that feature pretty patterns and prints. After all, maternity wear doesn't have to be frumpy.
Closer's best nursing bras at a glance:
Best highly rated nursing bra: 3PACK Full Bust Seamless Nursing Maternity Bras, £28.99 on Amazon UK
Best popular nursing bra: Bravissimo Nova Lounge Bra, £36 on Bravissimo
Our favourite nursing bra: Hotmilk Temptation Nursing Bra, £46 on Bravissimo
In addition to that, when rounding up the best nursing bras, we've also considered the fabric. Bamboo bras make brilliant nursing bras, as bamboo is a moisture-wicking fabric that keeps moisture away from the body. Other fabrics, like nylon, have plenty of stretch that will accommodate your body as it changes. Of course, it goes without saying, but a soft and comfortable fabric is a must here, especially against newly reactive and sensitive skin.
Finally, you'll want the best support bra to ease pressure from your back. Finding a bra with the right level of support helps towards maintaining a good posture. After months of back pain, the last thing you want is to add to it with a badly fitting bra! So, on that note, here's our list of the best nursing bras to see you through your pregnancy and even postpartum.
SHOP: The best nursing bras
Best highly rated nursing bra
Description
With thousands of positive reviews, the HOFISH 3PACK Full Bust Seamless Nursing Maternity Bras from Amazon has earned the top spot on our shortlist as the best highly rated nursing bra. Made from soft and stretchy nylon fabric, it offers easy access and room for your changing shape. Totally adjustable in the straps, it also comes with extenders and clips to ensure the right fit and a number of colour combinations for choice.
Customer review: "Recommend getting these maternity bras! They are comfortable and supportive in the right places and the band across the back and straps over the shoulders are adjustable, too to get the right fit! ❤️"
Pros
- Non-slip adjustable shoulder straps
- Wide side and back band for support
- Open up clasp for easy nursing
Cons
- Clips could be sturdier
Best popular nursing bra
www.bravissimo.com
Description
The Nova Lounge Bra from Bravissimo is a popular choice, with hundreds of reviews on this bra, so it definitely deserves a spot on our shortlist. It comes in a choice of black and blush, with a cross-over front that's perfect for nursing mums. Made from a soft blend of fabrics with breathable cotton lining, it's the ideal lounge bra.
Customer review: "I previously got this bra for everyday use, but after I had a baby I found the design was super easy for whipping out a boob to breastfeed which instantly added an extra star to my rating!"
Pros
- The cups are lined with cotton
- Cross-over design for easy access
- No wiring
Cons
- Does have side seams
Our favourite nursing bra
www.bravissimo.com
Description
Looking for a nursing bra that doesn't actually look like a nursing bra? The Hotmilk Temptation Nursing Bra from Bravissimo comes in black, pink and blue with a stunning lace design to help you feel like you again. Not only does it have drop-down cups lined for comfort, but it also features a pretty lace-panelled back that you can convert to racerback. A personal favourite of ours; it just had to make the shortlist.
Customer review: "I now have two of these nursing bras. I find them comfy and supportive. They are easy to unclip and give good shape. It’s nice to have something a bit more lacy to make me feel a bit less mumsy and a bit more me. Definitely recommend."
Pros
- Inclusive size range
- Stunning lace detail
- Contains flexi-wires softer than usual underwires
Cons
- Some prefer a non-wired bra
Best nursing bra for choice
www2.hm.com
Description
With such a combination of style choices, it's no wonder the MAMA 2-Pack Padded Nursing Bras from H&M is highly commended. Quite frankly, we're spoilt for choice. Made from soft jersey material, it comes with lined cups, adjustable shoulder straps and no wiring. Minimalist in design and affordable in price; you can't argue with that.
Customer review: "The quality of these are fab, I sized up in the band for extra comfort during pregnancy and fit perfectly."
Pros
- The cups are lined
- Different designs available
- No wiring
Cons
- Band size only goes up to a 38
Best nursing bra with inclusive sizing
www.marksandspencer.com
Description
Running up to an H cup and a 42 band, the Flexifit™ Non-Wired Nursing Bra from Marks & Spencer is one of the more inclusive size ranges we could find. The comfortable non-padded full cup style features Flexifit™ technology, ensuring the bra will move with you all day. An inner cotton sling provides extra support while you are nursing, and the four hooks and eye fastening adapts with you.
Customer review: "Perfect bra for breastfeeding, bought four of them and then six months later I've just bought another 4, as I live in them 24 hours a day, they are comfy and supportive."
Pros
- Four hook and eye fastenings to adjust
- A choice between black and white
- No wiring
Cons
- Not a large choice of colours
Best recommended nursing bra
www.envie4u.co.uk
Description
Hailed a cult classic, the Anita BASIC Microfibre Underwire Nursing Bra comes highly recommended on Simply Be, but is unfortunately quickly selling out of stock. However, En Vie stock a range of maternity bras from well-known brands such as Bravado. The Anita Microfibre Underwire Nursing Bra is a bestseller on the site, with sizes up to 44E stocked.
Customer review: "The best nursing bra I’ve found so far. Gives a nice shape and easy to use for nursing as it folds out of the way well."
Pros
- Inclusive size range
- A choice between black, white and nude
- Made from high-performance microfibre
Cons
- Reviews suggest you should size up
Best pretty nursing bra
www.seraphine.com
Description
Seraphine offers the Pink and Mocha Seraphine Maternity and Nursing Bra which combines the comfort factor with a pretty design. It's made from silky smooth fabric, which stretches comfortably whilst providing excellent support. Fully adjustable, this maternity bra offers a flexible fit, while simple drop-down clips allow easy access for nursing.
Pros
- Stunning lace detail
- A choice between black and pink
- No underwiring
Cons
- Band size only goes up to 38
Best nursing bra for sleep
www.johnlewis.com
Description
Finding yourself uncomfortable in bed and needing the support of a sleep bra while you're nursing? The Madela Keep Cool Sleep Maternity and Nursing Bra from John Lewis is your best choice. It features quick dry technology and four-way Adaptive Stretch technology that will see your bra grow with you and extend from pregnancy through nursing, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night.
Customer review: "I love this bra and bought two. It's got lovely soft fabric, it's really comfy. Compared to other nursing bras, it's super easy to feed from and you just slip the fabric down.. so there are no annoying clips to try put together so it's super easy and discrete when feeding. I'll definitely continue to wear it when I'm no longer feeding. The neckline is also very flattering."
Pros
- Racerback design for support
- Cross over design for easy access
- Fantastic price point
Cons
- May need to size up
Best bamboo nursing bra
www.seraphine.com
Description
From Seraphine, this pack of Bamboo Nursing Bras is available in several different colour combinations that you can take your pick from. Designed to be as simple as possible, they're great for easy access with drop-down cups and with no uncomfortable seams or underwires. Clever bamboo fabric has so many amazing properties that make this a great pick for our list.
Pros
- Bestselling bras
- Hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating and antibacterial
- No seams or underwiring
Cons
- Not as much support as other options
FAQs
Do you need a nursing bra?
A nursing bra may not be a necessity, the same as a normal bra for some. However, it can definitely make things easier if you do have one. Especially if you're breastfeeding, wearing a nursing bra can make it much more convenient. Most are designed to enable you to open the cups with one hand so that you're readily available to breastfeed your child.
Other reasons for wearing one are for the nursing pads inside that soak up excess breast milk from leaky breasts, and holding breast shells in place to protect your sore nipples and help them heal. Moisture-wicking fabrics like bamboo bras, or a good sweat-proof bra are also brilliant options for when you find yourself leaking as a new or expecting mum.
If you have a larger and fuller bust, wearing a supportive nursing bra is recommended to make you feel more comfortable. A nursing bra can hold a little bit more extra weight than a normal bra that correctly supports your bust.
What should I look for in a nursing bra?
When trying to find a nursing bra, make sure you choose one that fits properly. It needs to be supportive but not too tight and uncomfortable. The nursing bra you wear should not indent or leave marks after wearing, if it does, then it is too tight for you. While you'd size down to get a snug fit on a strapless bra, you may even find yourself sizing up with your maternity bra as your body changes.
The material the nursing bra is made from is also important. Most prefer a soft cup bra that doesn't have an underwire. Underwiring can cause similar issues to wearing a bra that is too tight, putting pressure under your bust or digging in. Cotton or other natural material bras are best for nursing as they are more breathable and absorbent, making them softer against your skin.
Another thing to look for is the flaps on the cup. Find ones that are practical and easy to open with one hand while holding your baby. This will help make things much easier and more straightforward when it comes to breastfeeding.
How to measure your bra size at home
There is a simple way to work out your bra size from your home, rather than going out to get them measured. And no, this shouldn't be a once-a-year occurrence as you're shopping for Valentine's Day Lingerie! In fact, according to our friends at Grazia, you should look to measure your bra size, 'every six months.'
When it comes to measuring your bra size at home, avoid wearing a bra while measuring as it may give you an inaccurate reading. First, use the tape measure to measure under your breasts and around your torso in inches. If you get an odd number, round up to the nearest even number. This is your band size.
Then, use the tape measure to measure around the fullest part of your bust. Subtract your band size from your bust size, and the difference in inches will give you your cup size. For example, one inch would be an A cup, two inches a B cup, three inches a C cup, and so on.
If you're struggling with this, there are also bra-size calculators you can find online. Or, you can use our handy bra size chart converter in our guide on how to measure your bra size.
Samantha 'Sam' Price is a Beauty, Fashion & Wellness Products Writer at Closer magazine. In 2021, Sam began her journey as a Storytelling Executive at Closer and heatworld on an internship, creating beauty and fashion content across these brands. It was 2022 when Sam was employed as a Commercial Content Writer writing about Family Life on Yours, Mother & Baby and Spirit & Destiny. Now, she specialises in beauty, fashion and wellness content across many brands.