As a bra expert who breastfed, pumped and formula fed, I learned firsthand what makes a good nursing bra. Easy-to-use clasps and hands-free features are game-changers when you’re knee deep in your feeding journey. Nursing bras have finally caught up with what new moms want and need—and that’s because moms are in charge of the best new bra brands!
Modern nursing bras are soft, breathable, bacteria-free, and even made with fair trade organic cotton. These bras can be seamless and hardware-free all while lifting and supporting without underwire. And if you’re a pumper (raises hand), the new pumping bras hold the flanges in place and can even work with wearable pumps like the Willow, Elvie, and Freemie.
- Jadah Parks Chatterjee, RN, registered nurse and lactation consultant
- Jenny Altman, bra expert
A good supply of nursing bras will get you through your last trimester and well through your first year. So when do you start buying nursing bras? How many do you need? And what size do you buy? To answer the questions I am asked most about nursing bras, I went straight a couple of experts—RN, lactation consultant and Bobbie Medical Advisor, Jadah Parks Chatterjee, and bra expert Jenny Altman.
In This Article
When do you suggest shopping for nursing bras?
During the third trimester you can transition to a nursing bra, as you will get good use out of it, until your breasts become more full during postpartum, if you are breastfeeding.
Do you need to pack nursing bras for the hospital ?
“I recommend having 1-2 nursing bras before the hospital delivery to wear once you are home from the hospital,” says Parks Chatterjee. During the first 100 hours postpartum, it’s recommended to provide skin to skin contact with the baby, so a bra is not necessary unless you are planning to begin suppressing lactation.
Do you suggest nursing bras fit loose or fitted in the band and the cup since size fluctuates so often?
We want the bra to be well-fitted, says Parks Chatterjee. It’s inevitable that your breast size will change as you increase your volume of milk. The band of the bra is everything: It literally has your back at all times, holding it all together. The band should be snug, keeping your breasts in the cup and keeping the straps from falling off of your shoulders. The straps should never dig in. If you can place two fingers under the strap, with a snug fit, that’s a good indicator the strap will remain in place and feel secure even when you’re opening/closing the nursing clips. The cup size is dependent on the circumference of your breasts. The point of the bra is to provide support, so your breasts should fit into the cup, without spilling out of the top or side of the breasts. A good nursing bra will have flex fabric to account for the size change throughout the day.
Adds Altman, “Sizing for your nursing bra should be supportive but comfortable. Don’t let the bra band feel tight or rigid, it will only get more uncomfortable as the days go on. Cup size should give you coverage at mid-full, which means the cup will expand with you as your breasts get more full before a nursing session.”
Is the traditional clip style nursing bra easier to use for nursing then a cross-over bra that moves to the side for nursing?
Parks Chatterjee says this is a personal preference. “When I was nursing my child, I moved away from nursing bras with the clip when I went back to work. I went for crossover bras that could be pulled to the side. I was looking for all things with ease on my days off from professional work.”
Is wire or wire-free better for milk production?
This, too, is a personal choice. The key to either is a proper fit, especially when wearing a nursing bra with a wire. We want to decrease the risk of inhibiting milk flow, which can lead to engorgement and/or plugged ducts. A bra that is correctly fitted should not create concern.
How many nursing bras should you have?
You’ll need about 4-5 bras on hand, says Altman, because you’ll want to rotate your bras each day or anytime you have a leakage. (This is also why mom brands also sell multiples of bras). “A smelly, wet bra is the worst. Just throw them in the wash as often as your burp cloths,” she says. Shop for stretchy, breathable fabrics that will grow with you and wash easily.
To care for nursing bras, Altman says you can wash them in the washing machine and hang to dry. “I’m a big believer in hand-washing, but not during breastfeeding. Ain’t no mom who’s got time for delicates right now!”
With all this in consideration, here are the best nursing bras for your needs—according to the pros who truly do have your back.
