8 Best Nursing Tank Tops, Recommended by Moms
In a nutshell:
Based on a survey of parents in The Bump community and our own research, we chose the HATCH Collection 24/7 Nursing Tank as the overall best nursing tank top, based on the high quality materials, built-in bra and easy nursing access.
Breastfeeding your little one comes with some inevitable wardrobe tweaks. After all, trying to work around a high neckline or complicated straps when you have a hungry baby can make feedings more complicated than they need to be. That’s where nursing tank tops come in.
These tops are specially designed to deliver support and comfort, while allowing you to quickly feed your little one on demand or quickly hook up to a pump. I’m a currently breastfeeding mom of four young kids who has worn nursing camis for more than a decade. I’ve learned that the best nursing tank tops can function as a comfortable base layer or be worn as-is, while being stylish enough to help you to feel like yourself again. Some can even continue to be wardrobe staples after you’re done breastfeeding, as I’ve discovered with my favorite nursing tank.
Even lactation specialists recommend investing in a nursing cami. “I actually tend to recommend tank tops over bras for my clients, since they provide so much more coverage when you’re nursing or pumping in public or at work and give you way more flexibility in whatever you choose to layer on top,” says Meema Spadola, a New York-based postpartum doula and lactation counselor.
You have a lot of choices when it comes to picking a nursing tank top, and the process of choosing one can get overwhelming quickly—especially since you have a lot on your hands these days. That’s why we surveyed breastfeeding moms for their feedback on their favorite nursing tank tops, and combined that information with extensive market research and expert input to narrow the field down to our favorites.
To select the best nursing tank tops:
- We surveyed almost 350 parents and parents-to-be about their favorite maternity clothes. We focused on elements like fit, ease of use, quality of material, care difficulty and overall style. When moms flagged factors that they didn’t like in a nursing tank top, we made careful note of concerns they had. Only nursing tank tops with overwhelmingly positive feedback made the final cut.
- Because every parent’s experience is different, we performed extensive market research across message boards, forums and product reviews to see how these tank tops performed for a range of breastfeeding moms.
- We spoke with a doula and lactation consultant to find out more about what to look for in nursing tanks.
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Overall best nursing tank top
- Supportive built-in bra
- Adjustable straps
- Fitted but not overly tight
- Expensive
- Neckline is lower-cut than some other tanks
Wearing a bra isn’t always comfortable, especially when you’re already dealing with swollen and tender breasts. The HATCH Collection 24/7 Nursing Tank has a built-in bra to help provide extra support, whether you want to layer it over a nursing bra or not. And while the top has clips that can be unhooked for easy feeding, the tank’s neckline is low enough for pull-down nursing access if you prefer to feed baby that way.
HATCH included thoughtful details in this top, including strap adjustments in the front and the ability to hook the straps together in the back to create a racerback style. This top is stylish enough to be worn as-is or can serve as a great base layer. The only potential downside is the high price tag. But, if you have the budget for it, our research shows that moms swear by the top’s high quality. Choose from four neutral shades—black, white, anise and sand.
Size range: S to XL | Material: 91% cotton, 9% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Our community says:
[I] like the ease of feeding. – Jessica, mom of two and The Bump survey respondent
Best long nursing tank top
- Lengthy enough to cover everything
- Inexpensive
- Flattering cut through the torso
- Padding may be visible in lighter shades
- Shelf bra isn’t supportive enough for some
Whether you have a long torso or like extra length in your tops, the Auden Women’s Nursing Seamless Cami can help provide plenty of coverage. This nursing tank top is made from a soft, stretchy blend, with plenty of fabric below that you can tuck in or leave out. This was one of the most popular tanks in our survey; moms raved about nearly every feature (including the approachable under $20 price tag). Sarah*, a petite mom of one, and Emily, a plus-size mom of one with an hourglass figure, both praised the length of the nursing tank top.
This cami comes in three colors—white, black and gray—and has clip-down access. It also features a built-in shelf bra, although it may not provide enough support for moms with larger cup sizes. The top has removable pads that can deliver extra leak protection, if you need it. Wear the straps in a traditional style or cross them in the back to mix things up.
Size range: XS to XL | Material: 78% rayon, 17% nylon, 5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
Our community says:
It has a long bodice so it doesn’t ride up or expose midriff or back, soft material, holds up well in the wash. – Sarah*, mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
I love the softness and comfort, and how easy it is to nurse. – Ephrita, mom of two and The Bump survey respondent
Best nursing tank top for pumping
- Holds pump flanges
- Cup-specific sizing
- Slight compression for smoothing
- Some say it runs small
- Hand wash only
Grappling with a hands-free pumping bra is a regular experience most nursing moms would rather do without. The Kindred Bravely Sublime Pumping and Nursing Tank allows you to bypass that annoying step, with a built-in underlayer that holds pumping flanges securely in place. Just unclip the top layer, secure your pump over your breasts and start pumping. Those same access points also allow for easy nursing.
This nursing tank was another hit with the moms in our survey—Noemi, a mom of two, noted that it’s both supportive and stylish. The top, which comes black and beige shades, allows you to shop by cup size for a more customized fit than you’ll get with many others. The only potential downside of this well-designed tank is that it needs to be washed by hand and line dried.
Size range: S to XXL | Material: 94% nylon, 6% spandex | Care instructions: Hand wash, line dry
Our community says:
Provides great support. – Heather, mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
It is very easy to access my nursing bra underneath while still remaining discreet. – Mona*, mom of three and The Bump survey respondent
Best nursing tank top for convenience
- Clips can be undone with one hand
- Inexpensive
- Several color options
- Some say they run large
- Line dry only
The MAMA 3-pack nursing tank from H&M is a popular choice thanks to its low price tag and ease of use. These tops allow you to unclip them with just one hand, so baby can have quick and easy access on demand. Once the feeding is done, snapping back up is a breeze. And since they come in a pack of three, you can pick up multiples in one go at a relatively low price.
Mina*, a mom of one, had high praise for the simplicity of using these tank tops, and told us she wears them several days a week. The tops come in your choice of black, white and gray; beige, black and white; and light green, khaki and white. The tanks are on the longer side, allowing you the option to tuck them in or wear them out. Just be aware that these are designed to be machine washed on cool and line dried.
Size range: XS to XXL | Material: 94% cotton, 3% rayon, 3% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cool, line dry
Our community says:
Simple. Foolproof. Affordable. – Mina*, mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
Best pull-down nursing tank top
- Stretchy neckline for pull-down access
- Thick straps cover bra straps
- Neckline holds up well after regular use
- Some say the top isn’t long enough
- Dry flat
Many nursing tank tops have clip-down access, but this style isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer thicker straps that can conceal a nursing bra or find that clips dig into their shoulders. Little Milk Bar’s The Frankie Tank skips the clips and relies on a stretchy neckline instead. When baby is hungry, simply pull the neckline down for a feeding. That neckline moves back into its original shape afterward without leaving that stretched-out look you’d get with a standard tank.
Caroline, a mom of one, rated this tank a perfect 10 out of 10. It looks like a “regular” tank top, so you can continue to use it when you’re done nursing. It also comes in six colors, including neutrals like black and cocoa, along with pretty shades like ocean and salmon. Just be aware that the sizes are broad. An S/M, for example, is the equivalent of sizes 2 through 8. But given how stretchy the top is, the fabric should conform to your shape.
Size range: S/M to 2XL/3XL | Material: 93% viscose, 7% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, dry flat
Our community says:
I like the ease of use. – Caroline, mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
Best plus-size nursing tank top
- Inclusive sizing
- Soft feel
- Good support
- Limited colors
- No padding
The right fit is crucial with a nursing tank top to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible as you go about your day. The Motherhood Clip-Down Nursing Cami has a broad size range, including standard and plus sizes up to 3X. This tank is mostly made of cotton for a soft feel. In fact, the material was a stand-out feature for Alice*, a mom of three.
The cami offers a built-in shelf bra, but doesn’t include padding (that’s a plus or minus, depending on who you talk to). The nursing clips are thick and sturdy, allowing for one-handed access. Color options in plus-size are limited, but the tank can be machine washed, making care as simple as tossing it in the laundry.
Size range: 1X to 3X | Material: 95% cotton, 5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash or dry clean
Our community says:
They’re easy to nurse in. – Nora*, mom of two and The Bump survey respondent
Best fitted nursing tank top
- Fitted yet breathable
- Doesn’t lose shape after washing
- Supportive top
- Low cut
- Some sizes are sold out
Fit with a nursing tank can be surprisingly tricky. Some can feel restrictive, while others flare out at the bottom, creating a weird shape. Old Navy’s First Layer Nursing Cami hits that sweet spot of being fitted without feeling like it will cut off your circulation, gently hugging your body in all the right places.
The tanks in this two-pack are easy to unclip, says Mckenziey, a mom of one. And Elena, another mom of one, tells us she wears her tops daily. Colors are limited to black and white, but those still cover most of your basic bases. The tank is a little low-cut, but tightening the adjustable straps should allow for a customized fit. A nice added perk: This top can be tossed in both the washer and dryer.
Size range: XS to XXL | Material: 95% cotton, 5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Our community says:
Amazing for nursing at and away from home. – Elena, mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
Best affordable nursing tank top
- Inexpensive
- Soft, stretchy feel
- Can be used after nursing
- Too long for some
- Hand wash
There’s a wide range of prices with nursing tanks, but the Brlido nursing tank top three-pack is one of the more affordable options at under $10 each. These tanks are made from a super stretchy mix of nylon and spandex for a secure fit. I bought these a few years ago and have even worn them between pregnancies—they make a great base layer.
These tanks have sturdy clips you can unhook with one hand. Blake, a mom of one, says that ease of use is a big feature of the tank tops. The tops have a built-in molded nursing bra with removable cups, in case you want extra shaping, and they come in a slew of color packs, including all black; black, grey and white; pink, brown and black and more. While Brlido recommends hand washing these, I’ve always tossed mine in the washing machine with no issues.
Size range: S to XXL | Material: 92% nylon, 8% spandex | Care instructions: Hand wash
Our community says:
Easy to use. – Blake, mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
With all the stylish maternity brands out there, it can be hard to know which nursing tank will work best for you. We asked Spadola where to start.
“If you’re combo feeding, my top recommendation is to look for a tank top that works both for hands-free pumping and nursing, since not all tops offer that dual use,” she advises. “It’s also important to consider whether you have to clip and unclip the top to close and open, or just pull the fabric to the side—it can be super frustrating when those clips are difficult to use with just one hand.”
She says you’ll also want to pay attention to the length of the tank, as well as its care instructions. “It’s wise to look for tops that are long enough so they provide total belly coverage and also that can be tossed in the washer/dryer."
When shopping, keep these features in mind to help you find the best fit for your needs:
- Clip-down design. Whether baby is hungry, you need to pump ASAP, you’re simply exhausted or all of the above, clip-down nursing tanks will be your best friend. The functional style allows you to easily unclip the strap of the top so you can access your breasts in no time.
- Front-strap adjusters. Front-strap adjusters make it a piece of cake to modify the fit of your nursing tank throughout the day (and night!) to meet your changing needs. They’re a lot easier to deal with than typical back-strap adjusters—especially if you have a crying newborn in your hands.
- Built-in bra. If you’re looking for extra support in addition to or in lieu of a nursing bra, opt for a nursing tank top with a built-in bra. If you tend to leak between breastfeeding or pumping sessions, you can add removable nursing pads for added coverage.
About the writer:
Korin Miller is a journalist who has written several health and shopping features for The Bump. Korin specializes in commerce, wellness and lifestyle trends. Her work appears in Women’s Health, Forbes, Prevention, Yahoo News, and more. Korin is a mom to four young kids and is currently nursing. She has a master’s degree from American University.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Meema Spadola is a certified postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor based in New York City.
The Bump March 2024 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of almost 350 parents from The Bump community, and asked what maternity clothing brands and styles they used during their pregnancies.
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