It’s inevitable. Your breasts will undergo many changes during pregnancy and especially postpartum. If you plan to nurse, you will still want to have a nursing bra tailored to your personal needs. Comfort will also be high on your list of must-haves! The fourth trimester is a challenging time, and you deserve to feel your best when it comes to undergarments. Leakage, engorgement, and chafing are all common problems many moms deal with during this time.
Besides comfort, other features to look for when choosing postpartum bras are pumping capabilities, easy access for nursing, and support level. You will want to make sure it has the features you want to make that easy for you and your baby!
How to Choose the Right Nursing Bra for You
There are so many on the market. I’ll break them down so you know what to look for when choosing the right nursing bra.
1. When Should I Buy Nursing Bras?
You want to buy a nursing bra (or two) not too early in your pregnancy but not too late. If you purchase them too early, your breasts will (more than likely) get larger due to your milk coming in, and your rib cage will expand to make room for your baby. Purchasing your nursing bras too early will lead you to purchase the wrong size. However, if you wait until too late, you will find yourself ordering several quickly online with a baby on you. The problem with this last minute purchasing is the tendency to buy the wrong size and style in haste.
So when is the right time? We recommend buying two nursing bras during your third trimester. By doing this, your breasts will be closer to the size they’ll be when you’re breastfeeding, and you will only have made a small investment. After you have your baby and your milk has come in, you will know which style you prefer from your two bras and will be able to get a bigger size if necessary.
2. What Material Should I Choose?
Our nipples are sensitive. We all know that. They become even more sensitive when you start breastfeeding. All of the sucking and tugging from breastfeeding can really take their toll on the girls, so finding materials that will be soft and comfortable to wear are key. I highly recommend getting a nursing bra that is made of cotton, especially when you are first starting your breastfeeding journey.
Other newer synthetic materials are on the market that also allow your skin to breathe. Just make sure that you don’t buy anything with a plastic lining.
3. What Style Should I Get?
Nursing bras have really evolved over the years. There are several styles available that you can choose from. There are:
- Comfort nursing bras – Instead of cup size and measurement, these range in sizes from small to medium to large. Many women favor comfort nursing bras because they provide good support but less structure. I personally love comfort nursing bras. They are super comfortable to wear, and you can wear them anytime, anywhere.
- Underwire nursing bras – These are great for going out for a work appointment or a date night with your partner. Underwire bras are fine to wear as long as they fit you properly and have enough stretch to grow with your breasts.
- Sleeping bras – I love a good sleeping bra! Sleeping bras are made to be worn at home for lounging with baby and sleeping, of course. They are incredibly comfortable and allow you to pull the soft elastic fabric to the side to nurse your little one. I recommend only wearing these at home since they provide very little support.
4. Should I Get an Underwire Nursing Bra?
Some women hear that they shouldn’t get a nursing bra with an underwire because it can cause clogged milk ducts. While this can be true, there are actually things that you can do to avoid this. The first step is to be properly fitted, preferably by a professional. The second step is to wait six to eight weeks before you wear one. Why? The underwire in the bra can obstruct the breast’s milk-producing tissue around your rib cage and your armpit. Waiting until you have breastfeeding and your milk supply established helps avoid clogged ducts and getting an infection.
5. How Do I Measure Myself for a Nursing Bra?
Our breasts change dramatically after we have a baby. Here are some steps to help you get the right measurements for your nursing bra:
Step 1: Determine your band size – How do you do this? Grab a measuring tape and wrap it around your back, under your armpits and up above your breasts. Always round up to the nearest whole number when measuring. You will then determine if you are 34, 36, 38, etc.
Step 2: Determine your cup size – To do this, measure yourself around your back and then over the center of your breasts. This should be the fullest part of your breasts. Subtract your band size circumference from the mid-breast circumference to determine your cup size. For example, if your band size is 38 and you have a 42-inch mid-breast circumference, you have 4 inches worth of cup size. Each inch stands for a bra cup size: A, B, C, D, etc. With 4 inches, you should be looking for a bra around 36D.
If the Difference Is:
- 1/2″ – 1″
- 2″
- 3″
- 4″
- 5″
- 6″
- 7″
- 8″
- 9″
- 10″
- 11″
- 12″
Your Cup Size Is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- DD/E
- DDD/F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
6. What If My Body Changes More Than I Expected?
A standard bra has a few rows of hooks at the back so that you can adjust the fit to your body. Nursing bras usually have several more rows of hooks, which is great since your breast size will change throughout your pregnancy, after the baby, and even throughout the day as your breasts fill and your baby empties.
7. How Many Nursing Bras Should I Get?
Professionals normally recommend that you buy three: “one to wear, one in the laundry, and one in your drawer.” I have more than three, which allows me to wash less often. 😉
8. Still Having Problems?
Make an appointment with a pro! You can get fitted by an expert—a certified bra fitter—who knows exactly what size and style you need. Call your local maternity stores to find one near you.
Best Nursing Bras
I’m sharing our favorite and the best nursing bras that will work for moms during their postpartum journey.
Sublime® Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra
This nursing bra has an Easyclip that allows you to wear it all day and night! You can easily use it for nursing or hands-free pumping. It’s one of our top favorites! The bra securely fits all standard pump flanges. It has moderate support and removable cups, so you can wear them as you please!
French Terry Racerback Nursing & Sleep Bra
This bra can be worn from maternity through postpartum and even after! It is made of a soft terrycloth fabric and a crossover design for easy, one-handed pull-aside breastfeeding access. It has light support, so it is comfortable for sleeping as well!
The Everyday Nursing Maternity Wireless Bra
This nursing bra is made of luxe Pima cotton. It’s wireless for extra comfort and has a front strap adjuster with four back settings to accommodate your changing chest size. It unhooks easily with a one-handed clasp for quick access! We also love that it has a J-hook at the back for racerback functionality.
Cotton Candy Seamless Nursing Bra
The flattering design is perfect under any top. A high thread count makes this an unbelievably soft and stretchy wireless nursing bra. It is supportive enough for all-day wear and comfortable enough to sleep in!
Bodysilk Seamless Nursing Bra
We love this brand and its bra designs. The soft-feeling material and seamless design make this a comfortable choice for postpartum! Easily and discreetly nurse your baby by using the clips on the front straps to fasten and unfasten. The molded cups are removable and virtually invisible under clothing.
Ballet Nursing Bra
This nursing bra is wire-free for comfort all day and night. The breathable fabric will help keep you cool and dry. The pull-away front panel makes nursing easy! No clips to worry about fastening and unfastening. It has light support and modal-lined cups.
Seamless Nursing Bra
This affordable seamless nursing bra is a mom favorite. It features a 6-hook back closure to accommodate fluctuations in breast size. The cups themselves unclasp for breastfeeding, and the seamless design allows for a smooth silhouette under clothing.
Nursing Yoga Bra
This sportier and affordable option is perfect for lounging or getting some movement in! It would work perfectly for low-impact exercises like postpartum yoga or Pilates. This stretchy fabric provides a snug fit that holds nursing pads in place. The front has clips for convenient access for pumping or feeding.
Wirefree Nursing Bra
Here’s another incredibly affordable option! If you’re looking for a nursing bra that provides a little more structure, this one’s for you. This bra is lightly padded with a V-cut front. You can easily release the straps with one hand for quick access as needed. It is made of Nylon and Spandex for extra stretch and comfort factor.
Belly Bandits Bandita Maternity Nursing Bra
This seamless nursing bra is soft to the touch. It features a V-neckline with ruched detailing. The bra also has adjustable straps with a hook and eye closure. It’s a great lounge bra that also works beautifully for on the go!
Seamless Wrap Front Maternity/Nursing Bra
The wrap front design of this nursing bra offers extra support. It is made of nylon and spandex for the perfect amount of stretch! We love how comfortable and easy wrap front bras are and this one is no exception. The V-neckline accommodates a variety of different tops and the ruching under the bust offers extra support.
Nursing Sculpting Bra
This lightweight bralette is designed for maximum comfort during and post-pregnancy. It features a double-layer jersey cup to prevent leakage. The clasp snaps open and closed for nursing. It also has a 3-row, 4-column hook-and-eye closure to adjust for the perfect fit!
SPANX Women’s Brallelujah Nursing Bra
The fold-down nursing cups use one-hand clips for the easiest access with this bra. We also like how this wrap-style design keeps the opposite cup in place while feeding baby! And the racerback design helps keep the straps in place. For mamas with sensitive skin, the brushed fabric this nursing bra is made with is perfect for you.
Postpartum Bralette
I wish I had known about this bralette when I had my son! It is designed to hold an ice or heat pack. The bra even comes with an ice/heat pack set you can insert in it! This would’ve been so helpful for when I was engorged and painfully trying to dry up my milk. You can also use the heat pack to help with your letdown when nursing baby. This bralette is on my list for the next baby I have!
You deserve to be comfortable every day, especially during the postpartum recovery period. Make sure you choose nursing bras you know will help you feel your best, whether you’re lounging at home or out and about. Consider grabbing a few different kinds that offer different levels of support. That way, you will be well-prepared to handle whatever your postpartum journey throws your way! Happy shopping!
