As the bump in your tummy grows, so does most parts of your body, including your breasts. So as you may have thought about buying some maternity clothes, you might also be thinking of buying a new bra. The question is – do you really have to?
The straight answer is yes. Like the rest of your body, your breasts become bigger and more sensitive to the touch as your pregnancy progresses. Blame it on your hormonal shifts, weight gain, expanding rib cage, and your mammary glands that are preparing to produce milk once your baby arrives – having a specially designed bra for pregnancy and nursing is more than necessary.
Top 11 Nursing & Maternity Bras of 2018 Reviewed
So that you’ll have an idea about what makes a good maternity and nursing bra, check out the leading brands on the market today.
1. Essential Pump&Nurse Nursing Bra
This nursing bra features an exclusively patented “no hole” hands-free pumping design that makes pumping easy and comfortable. Made from 90% cotton and 10% spandex, the Essential Pump&Nurse Nursing Bra expands to support the changes in your bust size throughout your nursing period.
2. Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback Nursing Bra
Ultra-soft, wire-free and non-clamp – this award-winning nursing bra lets you move comfortably day or night. Designed for fluctuating breast sizes, the Kindred French Terry Nursing Bra features easy pull-aside breastfeeding access.
3. Kindred Bravely Extra-Soft Organic Cotton
Made from 90% organic cotton that is super soft, the Kindred Bravely makes an excellent maternity and nursing bra. Designed for fluctuating breast sizes, it features wire-free support and convenient pull-aside breastfeeding access.
4. Bravado! Body Silk Yoga Nursing Bra
Made from luxuriously soft, seamless fabrics, the Bravado Yoga Nursing Bra molds to your body and changing breast size to give you better support and comfort. The full drop-away design makes room for maximum skin-skin contact, while the removable foam inserts support shape and discretion.
5. Bravado! Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra
The ultra-soft, wire-free and seamless nursing bra by Bravado is made from 91% cotton and 9% Spandex. The four-way stretch fabric adapts to your changing shape which makes it great for your active lifestyle. Great for both pregnancy and nursing!
6. Bravado! Women’s Essential Embrace Nursing Bra
The unique three-layer bonded dynatex fabric makes a lightweight, strong and supportive bra. The Bravado! Embrace Nursing Bra features breathable cotton inner lining for added comfort, and back panels and microfiber outer fabric that looks smooth under the clothing.
7. Cake Lingerie Maternity Nursing
The Cake Lingerie Maternity Nursing Bra features a low T-back design for medium levels of support. Ideal for mommies with active lifestyle, the super soft and wide sling provides discretion when breastfeeding.
8. Elomi Women’s Smoothing Underwire Molded Nursing Bra
Featuring seam-free cups for a smooth appearance and flexible wire for added comfort, the Elomi Molded Nursing Bra has a drop-cup system for convenient breastfeeding access and discretion.
9. Elomi Women’s Beatrice Soft Cup Nursing Bra
This full-coverage nursing bra features a squeeze-release clasp for easy breastfeeding access and soft microfiber cups that have moisture-wicking properties. The cotton lining with enclosed seams helps prevent irritation.
10. Le Mystere Women’s Sexy Mama Nursing Bra
This pretty lace nursing bra features scalloped trims, contour underwire design, fine pads, and 5-row hook-and-eye closure. The Le Mystere Sexy Nursing Bra comes in black and natural colors.
11. Cake Lingerie Croissant Seamless Spacer Foam Nursing Bra
This fabulous nursing bra features a seamless one-piece front cup and flexible wire for added support. The Cake Lingerie Spacer Foam Nursing Bra is made from a stretchable material that accommodates changes in your bust size without any restriction.
How to Choose A Maternity/Nursing Bra
What’s the difference between maternity bras and nursing bras? Maternity bras are the souped-up versions of regular bras. They are specifically designed to support your growing breasts during pregnancy with features like wider straps, extra hooks, and soft cotton lining. Nursing bras, on the other hand, are more like regular bras but the cups open or lower when you pull them aside. Modern designs combine both maternity and nursing features in one.
Apart from being uncomfortable, a bra that fits poorly could put pressure on your milk ducts, which could cause them to get plugged, triggering painful inflammation. Surely, you don’t want that. So, before you end up buying the wrong bra, here are a few important guidelines to remember.
Get professional fitted
For sure you know your body too well. But every pregnancy is different. The only way to be sure that you are getting the right bra size is to get professionally fitted. It is recommended that you buy not more than one nursing bra before you give birth as your breasts are likely to grow even bigger when you begin to breastfeed. This would be at around 8 months of pregnancy. At this time, the size of your bust is approximately the same at 8 weeks after childbirth when your body has learned to regulate its milk supply.
Buy a bra that fits properly in the cup
One common mistake many moms do when purchasing a nursing bra is choosing one with cups bigger than their size. But an ill-fitting bra will not provide your breasts with enough support. Choose the bra with cups that have stretchable fabric on top. This will allow movement of the breast as it produces milk.
Choose the bra which has 4-6 hooks and eyes on the back band
By the time you get fitted for a nursing bra, you should be fitting the back band of your nursing bra at the loosest hook and eye. This is very important as it will give you more options to tighten the back band after giving birth and as your rib cage contrasts.
Choose the bra style which you’re most comfortable wearing
Just like regular bras, maternity and nursing bras come in different types and styles, such as soft-cup, underwire, sports nursing bras, and tank-top bras to name a few. You will even find breast-pumping bras that let you pump milk hands-free. Closure locations can vary too. Some bras include flaps that open and close between the two caps while others have flaps that attach at the top near the shoulder strap. Nursing bras can have no flaps at all where you just pull down the cups to start breastfeeding.
Take into account your wardrobe
Lastly, do take into consideration your wardrobe. Apart from being able to breastfeed easily, you also want to buy a bra that will work with your lifestyle and more importantly – make you feel great!
Once you start your search for maternity and nursing bras, you will be surprised to find so many different options. Which one will fit you? Which one will give you better comfort? What’s the best brand out there? As you reach this point, you must have all these questions answered.
Happy shopping!
