11 Best Maternity and Nursing Bras, Tested By Moms and Moms-to-Be

Kindred Bravely is a perennial favorite brand among breastfeeding moms, as evidenced in our past three community surveys, and with bras on offer like the Simply Sublime Nursing Bra, it’s no wonder. Our tester found the Simply Sublime excelled in terms of comfort, fit and support, thanks to its thoughtful design that can adjust to a range of breast sizes and shapes. Its stellar performance in our product testing and enduring popularity earned it a Best of The Bump award for overall best nursing bra. (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

The Simply Sublime bra is made from a super-stretchy blend of nylon and spandex that adapts to accommodate changes in cup sizes (and to accommodate wireless pumps) throughout your nursing journey. “The flexible material also grew with me throughout the day and shrunk back after feedings,” says our tester Presley, mom of a 7-week-old. It comes with an extender, which Presley found “a great addition”, and offers a smooth fit underneath clothes meaning it can be worn for long stretches of time without discomfort, 24/7. “This bra was able to be a sleep and day bra, which is amazing—as a new mom this is such a plus,” Presley tells us. “It truly went unnoticed all day.”

The Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime is available in an extensive range of sizes (from S to 2X in regular, busy and super busty), each with a wide band that hugs the ribcage without causing any digging or chafing. Presley was especially impressed with the bra’s construction, and tells us the level of support it offered made her feel more “normal” during the postpartum period. “This was the most supportive bra I own out of any of my nursing bras. I loved the thick band around the bottom and the additional clips in the back that it came with,” she praises. According to the new mom, the clip extension and adjustable straps made it simple to get the right fit straight away.

Best of all, she found nursing in the Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime a breeze. Presley found it easy to drop away the entire cup with just one hand for maximum skin-to-skin feeding, an important feature that ensures the bra won’t interfere with a baby’s latch, says Ferguson. “[With bras that don’t have this feature], I have to tell many of my clients to push their bra down so it doesn't affect the baby to get a wide latch onto the breast,” she explains. Presley tells us she didn’t run into any issues when breastfeeding her 7-week-old in this. “The bra flaps folded down well, even with the padding in them, for a comfortable nursing session. I was able to get the bra and the baby into comfortable positions for everyone,” she says. Plus, unlike other nursing bras she’s used, Presley tells us her nipples didn’t stick to the fabric of this style at all after breastfeeding, which she thoroughly appreciated. With its balance of comfort and nursing-friendly features, it’s no wonder that this bra consistently ranks as one of the most popular bras among our testers and survey respondents.

Sizes: S to 2X (in regular, busty and super busty sizes) | Material: 90% nylon/10% spandex (for busty sizes); 93% nylon/7% spandex (for regular sizes) | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Hand wash, line dry

Exclusive offer from The Bump: Get 15% off when ordering direct from Kindred Bravely with the discount code KBBMP15.

You don’t always need to spend more to get the functionality you need and want in a nursing bra. The Auden Nursing Seamless Bra—our Best of The Bump winner for best budget-friendly nursing bra—was a consistent favorite among our survey respondents, all of whom had nothing but praise for this nursing bra that’s easy on the wallet. Selena, a pregnant mom, tells us: “I like this $16 bra more than the $48 bras I've purchased!”

The Auden bra, from Target’s in-house intimate wear line, also thoroughly impressed our tester Kara, who gave it perfect scores across several categories, including support and fit. While you may expect a less expensive style to stretch out over time, Kara tells us that this top-rated nursing bra held up beautifully. “Unlike some other nursing bras that get looser throughout the day (or night), this one held its shape and support,” she gushes. “I loved the full coverage that it has, as I’ve struggled to find an affordable option that offers both coverage and support!” Even though this bra is wireless, it has sewn-in cups to help keep everything in place. This bra offers excellent support, whether you’re nursing or pregnant. “I’ve been wearing it throughout my pregnancy to accommodate my changing breast size and provide support,” Selena shares.

Kara found adjusting the fit to be simple, which is an especially important feature when experiencing size fluctuations. “With the easily adjustable straps and multiple back clasp size options it was very simple to have a nice fit. It wasn’t visible under clothes,” she says. One drawback she points out is the noticeable feel of the back clasps. “There was some itchiness in that area when worn for very long,” she reports, “but overall [it was] a very comfortable option.” This affordable bra was also straightforward to breastfeed in. “The clip is very simple to undo for quick access for feeding my little one,” Kara tells us. “The straps stayed in place very well while nursing and it was very easy to get baby in a good position for nursing in this bra.”

Supportive, comfortable, convenient and affordable—the Auden Seamless Nursing Bra checks many boxes. Offering futher proof, WildMagelet, a member of The Bump community forums, says, “I've been pretty much living in the Auden Seamless Nursing Bras for months.”

Sizes: XS to XL | Material: 92% nylon/8% spandex | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry

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Whether you’re dealing with heavier-than-usual breasts that need overnight support or you prefer to wear nursing pads to catch leaking milk, a good sleep bra can be an expectant or nursing parent’s best friend. In fact, 48 percent of new moms who responded to our survey said they wore a nursing sleep bra. If you’re like them, you’ll want to look for two things: Superior comfort that won’t disturb your rest, and, once you’re postpartum, easy access for middle-of-the-night feedings (so you don’t have to fumble around in the dark).

The Quince Micromodal Maternity & Postpartum Bralette offers extremely soft and comfortable support at night, making it the Best of The Bump winner for our best maternity and nursing sleep bra. Rather than having clip-down cups, it features a stretchy, gentle under-bust band, which is simple to lift up for nighttime feeds while our product tester, Caitlin, found she could slip the bra down at night for easy access. And because this bra is free from the clasps and hooks you’d typically find in a nursing or maternity bra, nothing will dig into your skin as you shift in your sleep.

For premium, cooling comfort all night long, this breastfeeding bra is made from a MicroModal material complete with an ultra-soft elastic under the bust, which our product tester, Caitlin, loved. “This is the most comfortable nursing bra I have ever tried on, and I have tried at least 15 over the course of my three kids! I left this bra on for over 24 hours to test it out during the day and night and it never even felt like I was wearing a bra,” she tells us. Even better, the fabric is also OEKO TEX Standard 100-certified, meaning it’s free from 1,000+ harmful substances, so you can count on it to be gentle against your sensitive skin.

At first Caitlyn wasn’t sure if this pull-over maternity bralette would be supportive, since it doesn’t have wires or a hook-and-eye closure. But she was pleased when she put it on—in fact, she gave it a perfect score for support. “I ended up being very surprised by the level of support it offers! I absolutely love that it gives a slight lift without having any padding or underwire in it,” she says. The hardware-free style is complete with a wide band to keep everything in place as you rest.

To top it all off, Caitlyn was impressed by the quality and overall value of this bra. “It’s very well-made and the material is superior to other nursing or maternity bras. This bra feels like it will last for more than one postpartum period,” she says. “The quality and durability exceed the price point! I would buy more of these bras for myself and absolutely recommend them to my pregnant friends.”

Sizes: XS to XL | Material: 92% MicroModal/8% spandex | Type of closure: Pull-on style | Nursing features: Lift-up/pull-down access | Care instructions: Machine wash cold

It’s very common to experience breast tenderness and sensitivity during nursing and pregnancy, due to fluctuating hormone levels. That’s where this breastfeeding and pregnancy bra from Embrace comes in handy. The Luxe Nursing Bra—our Best of The Bump winner for best nursing bra for sensitive breasts—is made of super-soft MicroModal fabric that’s sourced from sustainable, plant-based materials. It’s also OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified and hypoallergenic, and its seamless stitching and tag-free design helps to avoid any potential skin irritation or digging caused by round-the-clock wear.

For all of these reasons, you can count on it to be gentle against your sensitive skin, and our tester, Pascale, mom of a 6-week-old, agrees. As a brand new mom, she described her breasts and nipples as “very sensitive” and raved about the bra’s all-day comfort, which in her opinion “is due to the softness of the material. It didn't irritate my skin at all, nor did I feel any chafing anywhere.”

Pascale also loved how supportive the bra is, noting that the comfort of the bra didn’t interfere with its lift. “I wore it during the day and overnight and I never felt any constriction or compression, even after such a long period of time. I even wore it while using my wearable breast pumps, and in terms of holding them in place, it surpassed by far anything else I own,” she enthuses. Striking the perfect balance between support and comfort, the bra also features four cushioned, adjustable back hooks and plush straps to ensure a proper fit while avoiding any possibility of rubbing.

When it was time to nurse baby, Pascale was able to unstrap the bra easily. “Unclipping and clipping it back up was easily done one-handed while holding a wriggly newborn in the other arm and none of my preferred nursing positions were hindered by the bra,” she reports.

Last but not least, the Embrace Luxe doesn’t look like your average breastfeeding bra, which Pascale wholeheartedly appreciated. In particular, she was a fan of the stitching on each cup (which she said added definition to the area), the delicate scallop-edge trim and the basic yet on-trend color options. “It covered the necessary bits, but gave a lot more cleavage than most of my other bras and that was so refreshing!” Pascale praises. And if that weren’t enough, it’s fully machine-washable too, so you can toss it in with your usual load of laundry. As Pascale says, this is definitely a bra that you’ll hold on to for years to come, even when you’re no longer breastfeeding.

Sizes: XS/S to XXL | Material: Micromodal | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: N/A

Produced by a brand that makes apparel and bras specifically for plus-size women, the Torrid Dream Wire-Free Nursing Bra is a standout style that goes up to size 50DD. Nina, our plus-size product tester and mom of a 5-month-old, says this is one of the best-fitting bras she owns. “It [didn’t] constrict me at all, which was nice because some bras kind of make me want to rip them off at the end of the day,” she shares. For added comfort and support, a wide side band provides lift, while the lightly lined cups keep everything separated and in place. Plus, the adjustable bra staps make it “pretty easy to get the right fit,” Nina says,” with only minor adjustments to let the straps out a bit.” Meanwhile, the bra’s patented ballet back design creates an attractive silhouette, which Nina also appreciated. “I think it gives me a nice smooth look underneath my clothing, especially my T-shirts that I wear to work,” she tells us.

Another quality that stood out to Nina during testing was the silky fabric, which is a brushed microfiber knit. “The fabric feels high-quality, especially because it’s so soft and it seems to hold its shape while still being flexible,” she says. “I definitely think it’s built to last, [particularly] because it washes up really nice. I think this is one of the better nursing bras I’ve used—and I’ve tried many different brands.”

Nina was also impressed with how simple it was to breastfeed in this bra because of its easy-access drop-down clips. “This bra was perfect for nursing and so easy to use while out and about,” she praises. “I loved how easy it was to clip and unclip and how quickly I could do it. My baby loved that part too.” Whether she was feeding her 5-month-old or pumping, Nina said it was a breeze to re-clip the straps with one hand. Overall, this is a great choice for plus-size moms looking for a bra that strikes the perfect balance between comfortable support and practical functionality, with a pretty lace trim to top it off.

Sizes: 38C to 50DD | Material: 79% nylon/21% spandex | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, line dry

Having a large cup size doesn’t automatically mean you also need a large band size. We love the fact that the Cake Maternity Timtams Nursing Bra is specifically designed for women with large breasts. It starts at size D and ranges all the way up to N—the highest cup size offered out of all the bras we tested. Plus, you can select your cup and band size separately to ensure the best fit. Our tester Savannah was very impressed with this bra. “This is the most supportive nursing bra I’ve ever worn,” she says. “With a larger bust, it’s so hard to find a bra that fits well, is easy to nurse in and provides the support I need. This bra exceeded all of my expectations.” Savannah awarded this bra perfect scores for support and fit, helping to secure the Cake Maternity Timtams Nursing Bra the Best of The Bump award for best nursing bra for large breasts.

The bra features a flexible, graduated wire designed to support, lift and shape your bust—and the wire gets even stronger as the cup size increases. This way, you can count on a support level that’s directly proportional to your measurements. “With larger breasts, flexi wire bras can be a good option if you want a bra that will provide a little extra shape and support for going out or wearing to work functions,” explains lactation consultant Ferguson. The bra is also thoughtfully designed with fluctuations in mind. The hook-and-eye closure is complete with six levels (many other bras only offer five or fewer), making it easy to adjust the band to meet your changing body. According to Savannah, “bras that fit are hard to find for me in general, especially while nursing. I loved how easily the straps adjusted and how it made me look in clothes.”

When it’s time to feed your little one, all you have to do is unclip the drop-down cups from the straps and you’ll be ready to go. Savannah praised it for being quick and easy to use, which she and baby both loved. “This bra was perfect for nursing and so easy to use while out and about,” she says. Plus it’s stylish to boot. “Most bras I’ve tried in my size in general are far from cute,” Savannah tells us, but the Cake Maternity Timtams was definitely an exception. “I loved the lace and the dangling jewel in the center. It’s so hard to feel cute in those fresh postpartum days, especially while breastfeeding,” she shares. “I feel like this bra gave me a confidence boost.”

Sizes: 32D to 42N | Material: 37% cotton/36% nylon/17% polyester/10% spandex | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Hand wash cold

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In our survey, 17 percent of moms chose an underwire bra while nursing. “Flexi-wire can offer better shape and lift than wireless bras, but it must fit well to avoid pressure on milk ducts,” advises Daniella Pascual, a lactation consultant from BabyBuddha. Our product tester, Kayla, found that ThirdLove’s popular Classic Nursing Bra offered superior structure as well as comfort, helping us to choose it as our Best of The Bump winner for best underwire nursing bra. It features a flexible wire that will gently adapt to your changing body throughout the fourth trimester. “[This bra] was so supportive. I could barely tell I had on a nursing bra,” Kayla tells us.

Designed for both comfort and strength, it’s made of Pima cotton that has just a touch of stretchiness. The back features four hook-and-eye closure options so you can adjust the size as your chest fluctuates, while the foam cups offer a smooth, snug feel. “I love the wide band to help support my large breasts, and the thick strap made it comfortable to wear all day,” the new mom reports. “This bra is extremely comfortable. The material of the cups and bands is so soft. I’ve even fallen asleep in it, and it didn’t leave any impressions or aggravate me.”

While this bra is one of the most expensive we tested, it also delivers on style. Details like pleated straps, gold accents and well-defined cups will help you feel your best while wearing it—no matter the time of day. Even better, moms in our survey and on forums rave about the quality and durability of this design, and Kayla wholeheartedly agrees: “The quality is amazing, the fit is great and the support is unmatched.”

Exclusive offer from The Bump: If you’re ordering from ThirdLove for the first time, save 15 percent by using code BUMP15 at checkout.

Sizes: 32A to 44H | Material: 43% Pima cotton/33% nylon/24% spandex | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry

Our community says:

Maternity and nursing bras are often all about function: They’re designed to keep you comfy and well-supported, and, if you’re breastfeeding, let you feed baby quickly and easily. But whether you’re in the midst of pregnancy or the early days of motherhood, it’s also important to feel sexy in your own skin. This flattering bralette from Cake Maternity, our Best of The Bump winner for best sexy maternity and nursing bra, might do the trick. Unlike most breastfeeding bras, no detail was spared when designing this pretty all-lace style. It comes in several chic colors and looks more like timeless lingerie than a purely practical garment.

Our product tester Serena loved how she looked in this option, telling us that it’s “such a sexy look for a nursing bra.” The French-inspired pattern is sheer and lightweight for that added touch of beauty without sacrificing comfort. It even has a mesh microfiber lining for added comfort and to reduce the possibility of showing through clothing. “The lace on this bra is super pretty and wasn't scratchy against my sensitive skin,” Ashlee Neuman, mom of two and content director at The Bump, tells us. “The fabric is thin but surprisingly durable (I never noticed any wear or tear after 14 months of use).”

It should come as no surprise that Serena gave this bra a perfect score for style, but you’ll be impressed that it earned equally high marks for comfort and support. The wide underband provides crucial support even when your breasts are full and heavier than usual, without leaving you feeling squished. “This bra has great support and isn’t too constricting!” gushes Serena. And if you need an extra lift, a J-hook is included to convert it into a racerback-style.

You can also count on this bra to deliver straightforward breastfeeding access, thanks to its clip-down cups that Serena found simple to clip and unclip. In her words, it’s “very easy to use [with] snaps and clasps.” Ashlee agrees, saying: “I loved the easy clips and full, supportive coverage.”

Available in cup sizes B through G, this versatile bra offers flattering support for women of all sizes. “I would recommend this bra for mamas who might want a cute nursing bra!” concludes Serena.

Sizes: Petite S to Busty XL | Material: 81% nylon/16% spandex/3% viscose | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Hand wash

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Low-impact exercise—like restorative yoga sessions and easy walks—is a great way to stay active throughout pregnancy and the fourth trimester. When doing so, a maternity or nursing sports bra with moisture-wicking fabric and a supportive design to keep everything in place as you move can come in handy, says lactation consultant Pascual. The Kindred Bravely Sublime Nursing Sports Bra, our Best of The Bump-winning sports bra for low-impact activities, offers moderate, wireless support with removable foam padding. As a result, you can count on it to provide coverage from your downward to upward dog, and every movement in between.

The racerback design and pullover style makes this nursing bra simple to put on, but it also offers optimal comfort since it’s free from itchy back clasps and hooks. The lightweight, stretchy material is moisture-wicking, so it’ll keep you dry and comfortable even as you work up a sweat. According to our product tester Nadia, this bra “fits really well and can be adjusted in the places that I needed to adjust.” She gave this bra top marks for comfort, fit and style, and tells us, “It looks good under a shirt. Didn’t do too much of the uniboob thing that some sports bras do.”.

While it’s ideal for low-impact exercise, the Kindred Bravely sports bra also works well for everyday activities; you could even use it for sleeping and nursing overnight. No matter where or when you’re wearing it, you can count on the front clasps for easy breastfeeding access. “It has decent support. It's also easy to unclip one-handed,” says Mckenziey, a mom of two and survey respondent. And in Nadia’s words: “It’s a great nursing sports bra, but also just a really comfortable sports bra overall.”

Sizes: S to 2X | Material: 92% nylon/8% spandex | Type of closure: Pull-on style | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Hand wash, line dry

Exclusive offer from The Bump: Get 15% off when ordering direct from Kindred Bravely with the discount code KBBMP15.

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If you’re a fan of Pilates, hiking or any similar workout, you’ll need a design that offers a little more support and stability—just like the Sweat & Milk Océane 2 bra, our Best of The Bump-winning nursing sports bra for medium-impact activities. “It held everything in place without feeling too tight or too loose—just right,” our product tester Ashleigh tells us, awarding it a perfect score for support when stair-climbing and power-walking. To keep you feeling secure throughout your workouts, it has four rows of hook-and-eye closure and adjustable shoulder straps to accommodate fluctuations. Plus, the criss-cross back and wireless construction provide flexible support that moves as you do.

The Océane 2 performed exceptionally well as a breastfeeding bra during testing. It features one-handed clips and is made from the brand’s ultra-soft Lux Tech fabric, details which Ashleigh appreciated as a nursing mom. “The easy-to-use clips, breathable fabric and thoughtful fit make it a standout option. It held up well during workouts and everyday wear, adapted to breast size changes and washed easily without losing shape,” she shares. The design also supports wearable breast pumps to make multi-tasking even more streamlined.

Although the bra’s soft yet durable material didn’t rub or chafe, Ashleigh didn’t find it as moisture-wicking as she would have hoped. Still, the bra’s strappy, racerback-style helped minimize any sweat-induced discomfort during her workouts. Overall, she says she was impressed how well that the bra combined functionality with a flattering, stylish design, noting: “It’s earned a permanent place in my drawer.”

Sizes: XS to XXL | Material: 92% polyamide/8% spandex | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Clip-down cups | Care instructions: Machine wash, lay flat to dry

When taking on workouts like HIIT sessions, running or CrossFit, you need the highest level of support, with a bra made of firmer materials and more padding. According to Ferguson, moms looking for high-impact nursing sports bras should prioritize “wide bands that keep pressure off the shoulders and allow for more support […] and an adjustable band or hook and eye settings can help the bra adjust with you as your breast sizes change throughout your breastfeeding journey.” Although it’s not specifically designed for nursing,, the SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra fits the bill, due to its durable material, zipper design and highly adjustable fit, earning it a Best of The Bump award.

Our product tester Mia was impressed by this nursing sports bra, awarding it top marks across categories like support, ease of use and quality. Right away, she told us that she was pleasantly surprised by the support level the bra provided during her workouts and jogs. “I found the bra to be very supportive and comfortable against my skin. I appreciated its snug fit, yet it also offered enough flexibility for movement,” she shares. This is a result of the bra’s two-way stretch fabric and wire-free seams, both of which work to deliver structure without being rigid. Mia wished the fabric was a bit softer, especially when her nipples were sore post-breastfeeding, but overall, she was a fan of how it held everything in place. She was also impressed by the bra's quality. “The stitching is impeccable, and the material feels durable and of high quality,” she says.

While you can count on this nursing bra to work hard in the gym, you can also rely on it for breastfeeding. It’s not designed expressly for that purpose, but the front zipper allows for straightforward breast access. Mia praised the design and pointed out that “the little hooks that secure it [make] zipping much easier,” which proved convenient when nursing her twins. However, the zip opening did leave her feeling a bit exposed when nursing.

The SHEFIT Ultimate Sports Bra is available in a wide range of sizes, from A to I cups, to ensure the perfect fit. Better yet, the style is highly customizable. The Velcro shoulder straps offer 15 inches of lift, while the rib band can be adjusted up to eight inches. “I found it easy to adjust, and I appreciated the Velcro straps on the back and shoulders,” Mia tells us. “The fit remained consistent between feeds.” Overall, Mia highly recommends this as a sports nursing bra. According to her, “it's a reliable choice if you're after durability and support, especially for active moms with larger chests.”

Sizes: XS to 6Luxe | Material: 88% nylon/12% spandex (liner); 100% polyester (shell); 86% nylon/14% spandex (PowerMesh) | Type of closure: Hook and eye | Nursing features: Zipper front | Care instructions: Hand wash, lay flat to dry