These bras are the best of the breast in honor of National Breastfeeding Month.
Balancing the arrival of a new baby is hard enough without the additional stress of finding the best nursing bra. Between researching the different myths about breastfeeding and trying to find the best breast pump, looking for a bra that keeps you supported and comfortable while breastfeeding can feel like a daunting task.
But fear no more. In honor of National Breastfeeding Month this month, we tapped experienced lactation consultants, along with reviews from new moms who have tried many nursing bras themselves, to find out what exactly makes a great nursing bra—and how to find the right one for you.
The first thing to keep in mind is that everyone needs something slightly different from their nursing bra. While some new parents might prefer loose, less-structured designs, others might want firm cups and underwire. Most lactation consultants emphasized the importance of choosing a bra that’s most comfortable for you.
Leigh Anne O’Connor, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over two decades of experience, recommends finding a fabric that’s both breathable and washable. “The bras should be easily washed—they will get covered in milk and possibly creams and spit up,” O’Connor told Health. She also urges new parents to look for bras with easy access to your breasts—ideally options where clasps can be undone with one hand, so you don’t have to worry about undoing complicated hooks while you’re holding your infant.
But that doesn’t mean you should start purchasing multiple bras too soon before your due date. According to Freda Rosenfeld, a lactation consultant based in Brooklyn, N.Y., the size of your breasts will likely change throughout your pregnancy, so it's a good idea to wait until you're about 37 weeks along before purchasing a nursing bra.
"Only buy one [nursing] bra to start," she recommends. "After day eight postpartum, your breast size will be about the same size as it will be throughout breastfeeding."
While both lactation consultants agreed that new mothers should try to avoid underwire bras, which can clog milk ducts, they also stressed that finding the perfect bra is such an intimate, individual process, and comfort is the most important factor.
With that said, finding the right bra is like finding the right breast pump: a personal choice linked to your lifestyle, comfort levels, and budget.
To help make your decision easier, we’ve outlined the 10 best nursing bras based on advice from these lactation experts and customer reviews from passionate moms. Read on to discover our top picks—and what makes them special.
- Best for T-Shirts: Bravado Designs Buttercup Bra
- Best for Pumping: Simple Wishes SuperMom Nursing & Pumping Bra
- Best for Larger Cup Sizes: Blue Canoe Plus Size Organic Cotton Bra
- Best Budget-Friendly: HOFISH Seamless Maternity V Neck Bra
- Best for Sleeping: Kindred Bravely Racerback Sleep Bra
- Best Nursing Camisole: SUIEK Nursing Tank Top (3-Pack)
- Best for Hands-Free Pumping: Simple Wishes D* Lite Bra
- Best with Underwire: Wacoal Underwire Contour Nursing Bra
- Best Front-Closure: Third Love 24/7 Front-Closure Bra
- Best for Working Out: Syrokan Control Maximum Support Bra
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Best for T-Shirts: Bravado Designs Buttercup Bra
With this savvy design from Bravado, adjustable, clip-on straps make it easy to switch between different support levels—whether that’s criss-cross or halter straps—without affecting easy access to your breasts. Unlike other wireless nursing bras that roll under the breasts or lack support, this comfortable pick is a client-favorite for NYC lactation consultant Rebecca Koyf. “The cups are made from foam and are soft and stretchy,” she adds. While you can choose your band size (32 to 42) and cup size (B-G), an included extender lets you customize the fit as your body changes.
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Best for Pumping: Simple Wishes SuperMom Nursing & Pumping Bra
If you’re trying to streamline your baby purchases, this versatile all-in-one bra is the best option—it allows you to use the same bra from pregnancy to breast-feeding to pumping. Not only are the panels on the front of each cup designed to open for easy skin-to-skin access, but the built-in pumping panel is compatible with most major breast pump brands. A happy working mom raved, “This two in one bra is a revolution for a breastfeeding and nursing mom. The ease of wearing one bra with two options makes pumping easier when away from my baby. Having this bra will make time away from my patients short as it will be easier to pump at work.”
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Best for Larger Cup Sizes: Blue Canoe Plus Cup Organic Cotton Bra
Unlike other nursing bras on the market, Blue Canoe’s plus cup option is designed to have a larger cup-to-band ratio for anyone who requires a bigger cup size. Koyf recommends this bra for anyone with larger breasts, pointing out the wide straps and racerback style give ample support, while the super soft organic cotton and spandex fabric maximize comfort. By skipping traditional cup sizing (sizes range from small to extra large, instead), this bra’s flattering cross-over design not only gives easy access for nursing, but is great for fluctuating breasts.
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Best Budget-Friendly: HOFISH Seamless Maternity V-Neck Bra
Just because you’re breastfeeding, doesn’t mean you have to settle for full-coverage if that’s not your preference. Instead, go with this V-neck nursing bra that boasts over 2,500 reviews on Amazon. Despite the extra padding used for additional support, the fabric is still super breathable with zero compression. One reviewer with multiple children said she felt like she was dreaming when she found these nursing bras because they’re “everything I’ve wanted in a nursing bra but could never find in my last two babies.” The best part? You’ll get a three pack of these super soft bras for under $30.
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Best for Sleeping: Kindred Bravely Racerback Sleep Bra
Another Amazon best-seller with over 3,000 customer reviews, this sleeping bra offers gentle support while you sleep, but won’t interrupt mid-night nursing sessions—the racerback, V-neck style makes it easy to pull the fabric to the side when your baby needs feeding. Reviewers raved about the super soft French terry fabric, which is flexible enough to suit fluctuating breasts. Not only can you choose from over eleven different colors and patterns, you can choose from sizes S-XXL, with a “busty” option for larger cup-to-band ratios.
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Best Camisole: SUIEK Nursing Tank Top
The number one best-selling nursing tank top on Amazon, this three-pack is ideal for new parents heading home from the hospital. The racerback design gives an extra boost of support while a loose waistline is ideal for postpartum weight changes. By combining your shirt and bra into one step, you can save critical time (essential with a new baby), and drop-down cups make breast access even easier. Not to mention, the low-compression fit will keep you super comfortable. After trying other pricier brands, one reviewer declared these were “the best brand I’ve tried” and purchased a second pack so she’d never had to go without a clean nursing tank.
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Best for Hands-Free Pumping: Simple Wishes D Lite Bra
If you plan to spend more time pumping than nursing, this hands-free pumping bra should definitely be your top pick. Designed to work seamlessly with electric pumps (and give access to both breasts at once), this machine-washable (!!!) bra is specifically designed to work with new mom’s changing bodies. The back panel is made with adjustable velcro that can give you an additional 10 inches around the ribcage, while customizable straps let you transition between strapless, halter, and racerback styles. It’s no wonder that one reviewer wrote it’s a “must for breastfeeding mamas.”
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Best with Underwire: Wacoal Underwire Contour Nursing Bra
Between the lacey details and standard underwire design, it’s no surprise that moms eager to return to a bit of normalcy postpartum turn to this Wacoal nursing bra. The quick-release clasps on the front of the straps give you the ease of a more traditional nursing bra, without the dreaded drooping. One happy mom wrote it was “worth the money” while another declared, “I will never use another nursing bra.”
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Best Front-Closure: Third Love 24/7 Front Closure Nursing Bra
Giving your baby feeding access just got way easier, thanks to Third Love’s nursing bra. The front-closure clasp is not only great for quickly dressing, but gives you an additional option for freeing the breast beyond traditional drop-down cups. But the best part of Third Love is the ultra-customized fit—with this bra, you can still take advantage of the brand’s signature half cup sizes (available B-F), along with a tagless (read: itch-free) label and lightweight memory foam cups.
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Best for Working Out: Syrokan Control Maximum Support Bra
If you’re ready to start working out, your bra is the last thing that should keep you from getting back into the gym. And while the availability of nursing sports bras is pretty limited, luckily, this bounce-control, maximum-support bra actually doubles as a nursing bra. The front-adjusting straps not only let you personalize the fit, but also give easy-access to your nips. One happy mom that stumbled across the bra wrote, “Since there are no decent nursing "sports" bras in existence, this is by far the best option. Yes, you can go for a run and easily feed your baby right before or right after. Hallelujah!!”