The Best Bras for Nursing and Pumping

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It’s been a while since we’ve talked about bras for moms or moms-to-be, so today we thought we’d highlight where to shop for the best bras for nursing (and pumping). When you’re building your nursing wardrobe, be sure that you buy enough bras so that you won’t have to be constantly washing them when you’re caring for a new baby. (That goes for pumping bottles and cloth diapers and burp cloths, too!)

It can be hard to predict what size nursing bra you’ll need. Kindred Bravely notes that many moms go up at least one to two sizes in the band and may go up three to five cup sizes (!). Seraphine advises to add one cup size and one band size to your pre-pregnancy bra size, or add one cup size and subtract one band size from your pregnancy bra size.

Be sure to check stores’ return policies — and if possible, go nursing bra shopping after your baby arrives.

{related: how to prepare at work for maternity leave}

{related: check out our roundup of maternity workwear essentials!} (recently updated!)

Psst: Looking for info about nursing clothes for working moms or tips for pumping at the office? We’ve got them both…

Our Latest Favorite Bras for Nursing and Pumping

{related: combination feeding tips: how to feed your baby both breastmilk and formula}

The Best Bras for New Working Moms

Bravado

The Body Silk seamless nursing bra from Bravado (a Hall of Famer brand!) above has a ton of great reviews at Nordstrom, where it’s $49, and is available in four colors in sizes up to XL. (The XL is equivalent to 40 DDD and 42-44 DD/DDD.) It has removable pads and is machine washable.

A few other high-quality, reliable brands that we’ve mentioned before are Bravado, Cake, Natori, Elomi, Kindred Braverly!

The Best Affordable Nursing Bra: Auden

Auden is one of Target’s house brands (launched in 2019) and is a good bet for affordable bras, like the full-coverage underwire T-shirt nursing bra above. It’s $16.99 and has great reviews! The sizes normally go up to 42DDD, but some sizes aren’t in stock — check other styles for more.

A Great Underwired Nursing Bra: Anita

If you’re looking for an underwire style, try Anita’s microfiber underwire nursing bra. It’s available in four colors in 32C–44E. Because it has one of those Amazon-typical price ranges of $17.99–$84.42, you’ll have to click around a bit to see the price for your size/color preference.

Other brands to check out for underwire nursing bras include Elomi, Cake, Natori, ThirdLove, Le Mystere, Soma, and, er, Dairy Fairy (what is it with nursing bra brand names?).

Note: Although you may have heard that wearing an underwire bra while you’re lactating can be harmful, there’s no real evidence that they can cause clogged ducts or other problems. (But don’t take our word for it — ask your doctor.) Here’s our last discussion on underwire nursing bras.

The Best Nursing Bra That Doesn’t Look Like a Nursing Bra: Wacoal

Wacoal’s underwire contour nursing bra totally doesn’t look like a nursing bra (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

The Best Nursing Sports Bra: Kindred Bravely

Kindred Bravely’s Sublime Support low-impact nursing/maternity sports bra looks like a great choice for a nursing sports bra. It’s $39.99 at Amazon (with a ton of positive reviews) and has five colors available in S–XXL.

If you’re looking for sports nursing bras, take a look at La Leche League, and Title Nine. Unfortunately (and to me, surprisingly), Athleta doesn’t offer nursing styles.

The most comfortable Nursing Bra: Cake Maternity

Cake Maternity’s Cotton Candy seamless nursing bra, which is wireless and stretchy, is designed to be worn during the day and when you sleep (or should we qualify it as “sleep”?). The anti-pill fabric is double-layered and machine washable. It’s $49 at Nordstrom.

Other brands with sleep bras are Bravado, Bravado Basics, Medela, and Daisity.

The Best Bra for Pumping at Work: Simple Wishes

If you’re going to pump at work, a hands-free bra is essential! Simple Wishes’ hands-free pumping bra is a bestseller at Amazon, where it’s $34.99. It fits all pump brands and has two different clip positions — one for nursing and one for pumping.

For more pumping bras, also try Simple Wishes, Medela, Hatch, Kindred Bravely, Momcozy, Dairy Fairy, Rumina, and Bravado.

Readers, which do you think are the best bras for nursing and pumping? Which were your all-time favorites when you were in that phase of motherhood? For those of you who are in that phase now, have you bought any great ones lately?

More Great Lingerie for Working Moms

The Best Nursing Camisoles and Tanks

The Best Maternity Tights

The Best Foundation Garments In General

The Best Bras for Work Outfits

The Best Bras for Larger Busts

Hunting for more great bras for larger chest sizes? (Speaking personally!) My favorites include Fantasie, Chantelle, Birdsong, Freya, Prima Donna, and Natori. I have a lot of random styles from Elomi that I like a lot, but I don’t think I’ve tried their best-sellers, the Matilda and Cate.

The Most Comfortable Bras for Working From Home

The Best No-Show Underwear

The Best Pantyhose for Work

The Best Tights for Work

{related: what to wear to work after maternity leave}