Ever since my first baby was born, I’ve been on a quest to find the best nursing bras. I’ve tried out dozens already, including supportive options, the best pumping bras and a range of styles and brands. Of course, it’s hard to predict what type of bra you’ll need until baby arrives, so it’s a different task than selecting the best crib or bassinet. You might wear one type of maternity bra, and then when your milk comes in, you’ll choose another bra for nursing. With my little one still figuring out her latch, I’ve also explored a number of bras for pumping.

After speaking with lactation experts, bra fitters and through real-life experience, I’ve found that the Motherhood Maternity Seamless Maternity and Nursing Bra is the best nursing bra for a variety of body types, while the Bodily The Do Anything Bra is a dream while pumping.

Whether you are breastfeeding or exclusively pumping, the best nursing bras are comfortable, ... [+] breathable and ease the journey just a bit.

The best nursing bras “feel good on and are super functional to help you nurse or pump quickly and easily,” says maternal health expert and lactation counselor Jada Shapiro, founder of Boober, an online platform where parents can find lactation consultants and doulas.

After you give birth, your full milk will come in and “some people will grow another cup size or two,” adds Shapiro. While that’s happening, you want a comfortable bra with no constricting seams or underwire and room to spare. When your baby is a few months old and your milk supply has stabilized, you might shop for a more structured and supportive style, whether it’s wireless or underwire. You might also want several types of nursing bras, including those best for sleep, pumping bras, a supportive nursing sports bra for working out and the best bras for breastfeeding every day.

Here are the best nursing bras for every stage of your journey. Be sure to read through our buying guide for more tips on selecting the right bra for you.

Style: Wireless, clip-down | Size range: S to XL | Material: 93% Nylon/7% Spandex | Band: Adjustable

This basic but fantastic nursing bra has everything you for your babe-feeding journey. It’s stretchy with a three-prong back closure and clip-down straps, so you can adjust it based on how you’re feeling. Early on, be sure to wear the bra on its loosest prongs and adjust the straps all the way down to avoid putting any compression on your breasts. The band is also stretchy and wide to help prevent any discomfort. Later on, it gives you medium support and creates a smooth silhouette thanks to the thin, removable pads—no potentially clogging underwire.

Motherhood Maternity has a great fit for every figure too. This bra comes in average bust, fuller bust, and plus sizes. All in all, it’s simple and unfussy and gets the job done, making it a great everyday nursing bra for many women. Best of all, it’s so affordable that you can stock up and avoid doing even more laundry (yes, it’s machine safe!).

What The Reviews Say: “I'll put it this way... I just bought 6 new in all different colors. I got this bra with my first pregnancy in 2017, and it was fantastic—lasted through pregnancy and nursing. I loved it so much I continued wearing it long after pregnancy, then all through my second pregnancy and nursing...It fits so comfortably! Love it, love it!!”

Style: Wireless| Size range: 30G to 38DDD | Material: Pima Cotton/Lycra Elastane | Band: Adjustable

If you love simple, pretty bralettes in your non-nursing life, this Natori nursing bra is ideal. It’s actually just a more supportive version of Natori’s classic Bliss bra with extra support and nursing clips. The breathable cotton blend fabric, adjustable band and full inner sling (not just a strap) make you feel comfortable when nursing; the delicate lace and pretty neutral colors make you feel pretty.

What the Reviews Say: “This bra combines the needs and structure of a nursing bra with the look and feel of a feminine, ‘real’ bra. The material is comfortable, washable, and provides structure. The color is a great neutral. The lace detail is a sweet touch. Would definitely recommend and would order again!”

Style: Underwire, memory foam cups, clip-down | Size range: 32C to 44D | Material: Pima Cotton/spandex | Band: Adjustable

The first nursing bra style that ThirdLove introduced is ideal for the so-called fifth trimester when you’re heading back to work and want to look polished. It’s designed to look like the company’s popular T-shirt bra, and it does. You can barely tell it’s a nursing bra. The clip-down nursing version offers the added benefits of preventing leakage and helping your breasts look smooth and even despite their size fluctuating. Upgraded touches include the silky and breathable Pima cotton fabric, luxe gold clasps, a padded, itch-free hook-and-eye back closure and memory-foam lining (all the better to disguise leak pads). 

What the Reviews Say: “Best nursing bra I’ve found. I tried so many, but with 36DDD during nursing, absolutely nothing was comfortable until I found ThirdLove. I recommend it to all my birth clients. Great fit, comfortable, nice for all kinds of shirts. My only desire would be to adjust the straps to cross the back because it hate my straps showing. All around a wonderful bra for a busty breastfeeding mom.”

Whether you are exclusively pumping or just making bottles so someone else can feed baby at times, pumping is a lot of work. Unfortunately, many pumping bras are hot with too many layers, too structured (like many corset styles), not structured enough (like styles that crisscross to hold the flanges, compressing your breast tissue) or several of the above. Because they’re not comfortable enough to wear all day, you end up changing clothes every time you need to pump, which is a hassle if you’re a regular pumper like me.

Style: Wireless, clip-down | Size range: Small to 3X | Material: Polyamide/elastane | Band: Adjustable

It feels like I’ve tried every pumping bra out there as my babe works on her latch. This Bodily bra is the only one so far that hasn’t caused irritation or pain. It’s made of silky Oeko-Tex certified Italian fabric unlike most other bras’ heavier, stretchy stuff. The cups feature a single layer with pleats that disguise wide, well-supported vertical slits that you slip the pump flanges through, right onto the breast. The straps are easy to adjust with one hand, and they’re made of a grosgrain-like material that doesn’t slip. They have nursing clips as well, so you just undo those to give your babe full access.

To top it all off, this bra looks pretty and feminine, which is nice mood-lifter when you feel like a farm animal. It makes me feel like I’m going to be able to keep up the routine for as long as my baby and I want to, and that’s empowering. Pro tip: Size up if you’re between sizes for a more forgiving fit, especially if you plan to wear it during the first few months postpartum.

What the Reviews Say: “This bra is amazing. I have stopped wearing all other nursing and pumping bras. It's so comfortable I can sleep in it for my middle of the night pumps. The straps adjust easy, love that there aren't any removable pads, and it's not bulky but still supportive!”

Style: Wireless, pull down | Size range: Small to XL | Material: 84% modal, 13% nylon, 3% elastane | Band: Fixed

Hatch’s Skin to Skin bra was this author’s go-to maternity bra throughout her pregnancy. The cotton material and simple shape are so comfortable that it actually feels better than wearing nothing at all. This updated version designed for wireless or wearable pumping bras, like the Elvie or Willow, combines that popular design with the stretchy cotton-modal fabric of its hands-free pumping bra for a style that gives you just enough compression to hold the milk collection cups in place securely while keeping you comfy. And like its hands-free pumping bra, this one holds up really well through the laundry without pilling, sagging, or shedding threads. It’s wireless and made with soft, ribbed cotton and modal blend that is Oeko-Tex certified.

What the Reviews Say: “So soft and supportive. I had tried the skin to skin version and found it wasn't supportive enough, but this one is just perfect!”

Style: Wireless, clip down | Size range: XS to XL | Material: 78% polyamide, 16% polyester, 6% elastane | Band: Fixed

This modern striped nursing sports bra from Ingrid & Isabel (whose nursing bras we love in general) features seamless ribbing, padded cups and clips you can undo with one hand. It’s designed for medium impact activity and is beloved by those with large breasts, according to reviewers. And medium impact is generally going to work in your early postpartum weeks and months.

When it comes to exercise, medium-impact and wireless support is ideal for nursing moms, says Kristyn Polin, customer service supervisor and expert bra fitter at Bare Necessities. “Do not go for anything too high impact, too compressing,” she says. “You want a light to medium control style.” You want to avoid high-impact activities for the first six weeks or so before your OB clears you for exercise, but a high-impact bra might also compress your breast tissue too much, Polin warns.

What the Reviews Say: “I absolutely love this bra. It’s very supportive and feels like a dream! It definitely fits to size and the straps are easy to adjust. I already recommended it to family and friends! I will definitely be buying more in the future.”

Style: Wireless, pull down | Size range: S to L | Material: 92% nylon, 8% spandex | Band: Fixed

You’re not supposed to sleep in a bra most of the time, but when you’re pregnant or nursing you may find that you’re more comfortable in one. “Wearing a nursing bra at night is a personal preference,” says Shapiro. “Some people, especially those who have larger breasts, prefer the extra support of wearing a nursing bra full-time. Wearing a nursing bra at night also helps catch leaks” since they can hold an absorbent pad in place.

Look for designs that crisscross in front and a super soft fabric. This design makes “dream feeds” (aka night time feedings) a cinch, because you can simply pull the fabric to the side to allow the baby to nurse. Many brands make bras with this design; the differences come down to the fabric and how much coverage it gives you. Some can be worn for more than just sleep, but this basic Medela is ideal for sleep and sleep alone. What The Reviews Say: “It is lightweight and very comfortable. It’s not supportive per se—I personally would not wear this out of the house—but it is perfect for the stated use.” Another reviewer called it, “Hands down the MOST comfy bra you’ll EVER EVER wear... I promise!! This bra is amazing! Soooo easy to whip out the ole breast and feed your little one.... soooo comfy!”

Style: Underwire, clip down | Size Range: 32D to 44G | Material:  80% nylon, 20% spandex | Band: Adjustable

This full-coverage underwire style by Parfait, made of a stretchy and durable nylon-spandex blend, checks all the boxes for both an everyday nursing bra and among the best nursing bras for large breasts. It comes in sizes up to 44I. The clip-down style and seamless construction keep nursing in an underwire as comfortable as can be. If you have very full and heavy breast tissue, consider switching to an underwire nursing bra after the first few months, suggests Polin. It will give you better support. “Thicker straps and more substantive fabric are helpful too,” advises Shapiro. “Avoid thin straps and flimsy thin fabric.”

What the Reviews Say: “With pregnancy and now breast pumping (baby girl's still in NICU) my breasts got up to a double H or bigger, which limits options. So far this one is the best based on softness and almost the right size. The other bra I'm exchanging for the 3rd time. It’s still not anywhere big enough and the material is very stiff and scratchy.”

I’m early in my nursing and pumping journey, but have been sampling and testing out as many nursing bras, pumping bras and maternity bras that I can to ensure we select the best bras for every task, every stage and every body type. We’ve also asked a number of experts, from lactation consultants to bra fitters to plenty of moms, to share their favorite bras. We’re also evaluating the top picks on the market for a number of features, including fit and function.

We also update this piece regularly to ensure accuracy and to add in new selections. It was last updated in August 2022.

When you’re just learning how to work a pump or get your baby to latch, you don’t want to be distracted by a scratchy, sweaty or annoying bra. Beyond mere irritation, an uncomfortable or ill-fitting one can impact your milk supply by compressing your breast tissue and potentially clogging ducts or even make you sick. (Hello, mastitis.) Polin herself found this out the hard way, when she borrowed an underwire bra from a friend after having her first child.

It’s important to buy the best nursing bra for your body and feeding goals—but chances are you’ve never had less free time to look for one, never mind send back returns. That’s why we’re here to single out the best nursing bras we’ve found and explain exactly what to look for in a new bra.

Our experts recommend these tips to help you find your fit.

Start off with a few stretchy, comfortable wireless styles that fit you around the eighth month of pregnancy, when your breasts are likely already pretty full. Just know that you’ll likely need something larger once your milk fully comes in over the next weeks and months. “I’d go from a F cup to a B cup just after pumping,” says Ra’el Cohen, chief creative officer and a cofounder of the bra company ThirdLove, which introduced its first nursing bra after her daughter was born.

The key to comfort is to measure yourself accurately and often, says Polin, who adds that your bra size can go up or down with every five pounds of weight change. The most important factor, she says, is the band size, since the band should do most of the work holding up your breasts. You want it to be snug, she says; you should be just able to slide a finger underneath. As for the cups, it’s like any bra. You don’t want to see a “uniboob” or have breast tissue spilling out, and if there’s underwire it should sit flush against your ribcage, not on your breast tissue.

The right bra might be a size you’ve never imagined wearing. That’s okay. “Don’t get hung up on the number,” advises Cohen. “Just buy what fits you well.” She adds that you want to be sure the fit is comfortable even on the loosest hook. You’ll likely be washing this bra very often, so you want to be sure it’ll fit you well even after it has stretched out.

Remember this if you remember nothing else: Avoid underwire in the first weeks and months of nursing. Don’t forget Polin’s cautionary tale about mastitis.

After your supply and nursing or pumping schedule have stabilized, consider swapping to underwire to shape and support your breasts, especially if you need a larger size. You may need several sizes to suit your body’s fluctuations.

If you want to buy fewer bras while breastfeeding, invest in a supportive seamed wireless style, suggests Polin. It’ll give you more flexibility as your bust changes.

Getting the size right is just one step. The design and material matter too, and there are lots of options: wireless and underwire; pull-down or clip-down; cotton or nylon or synthetic blends.

This is going to be a damp time of your life. Your hormones are still going to be fluctuating, which can make you feel extra hot and sweaty, and milk is likely to spill (or get spit up) on you. A good bra will be made of breathable fabric, including any supportive foam in the cup liner, so that you don’t feel wet when you don’t have time to change clothes immediately. Cotton is ideal, but 100% cotton can be rigid and lose its shape. A cotton blend is therefore the best material out there. Look for a thin layer of memory or spacer foam, too. It can help give you a smooth look under clothing and stop leaks from seeping through.

A nursing bra differs from a regular bra in two ways: It has design features that allow your baby easy access to your breast for feeding, and it’s engineered to better support heavier milk-filled breasts. To feed your baby, you might simply pull it down, move flaps or slits to the side, or unclip a front panel. Some nursing bras have a combination of these elements. As for support, you’ll want a wireless bra, ideally with seamed supportive cups, in the beginning when your milk is coming in and you’re getting into a feeding rhythm.

In general, according to all of the experts we spoke to, it’s best to wait until your milk supply has stabilized to wear an underwire nursing bra. Underwire that doesn’t fit perfectly can put too much pressure on your breast tissue and cause painful problems like clogged ducts or even mastitis.

Polin, who wasn’t working for Bare Necessities when she had her first child, unknowingly started nursing in an underwire nursing bra that a friend gave her. She was accustomed to wearing underwire and didn’t give it a second thought. It contributed to her getting mastitis early on. “Don’t make my mistake!” she says. “If there’s one takeaway, it’s that you want to wait a month or two to switch to an underwire style.”

In addition to supporting your breasts, pumping bras support the flange (aka shield or horn) of a traditional breast pump. That’s the part that fits over your nipple and draws out milk then siphons it into a collection container below. It’s important that it’s easy to slide the flange inside the opening, be it a flap or a slit; bras can also have two layers that you crisscross to hold the flanges in place. The bra should allow the flange to fit snugly onto your nipple without creating extra pressure or compression. It should help to angle the flange downward so that you don’t have to hunch forward to send milk flowing down into the collection container, says Polin.

Cohen says the latter is especially important for people who’ve had a C-section, which prevents you from bending over while the incision is healing.

Newer wearable breast pumps, like Freemies, Willow or Elvie, are designed to fit inside your bra. Bras meant to be worn with these pumps don’t need slits or flaps, but they do need to have flexible cups, so the collection piece can fit into between your breast and the bra. There should be enough compression to hold them in place and enough stretch to bounce back afterward, but it shouldn’t be so tight that it puts too much pressure on your breast. If anything feels painful or distracting, size up.