Additionally, the pull-down aspect makes it so your entire breast is exposed, which may make more modest folks uncomfortable. After months of testing, we narrowed down our list to the best nursing bras. While trying the bra, unhook the strap clips using only one hand to ensure ease of use. This is an important feature because you will need to open and close them regularly with one hand only while holding your baby. Using a disposable or washable breast pad or nursing pad is the best way to manage leaking breasts.
There are a number of items that can make breastfeeding a little easier, but none are quite as important as a nursing bra. Allowing you to bare one or both breasts at a time to feed your baby, the best nursing bras are comfortable to wear when you’re breastfeeding and in between feeds. They should also allow for quick and easy access to your breasts, because every second counts when your hungry baby is crying. To test the best nursing bras on the market, we recruited new and seasoned moms on our team to wear the best bras available. Over the course of four months, our three testers slept, nursed, lounged, and exercised in 21 different bras.
Plus you’ll be unlatching your boobs in the pub/gym/playground to feed your new baby before you know it, so it pays to be prepared. Designed specifically for band sizes 36 to 44, this full-figure style is made with a unique foam fabric that flexes as your breast size changes. This one’s wireless, but Playtex also makes an underwire version using the same flexible foam with more separation and support. Cosabella’s cult favorite bra also comes in an unusually large range of size combinations for people who have larger busts, including people who need bigger cups with smaller bands. Its Curvy and Ultra Curvy options cover people who might not find the size they need elsewhere.
But our seamless pick has features—like a higher neckline for larger busts and an extra-supportive racerback—that give it the edge over this bra. Although this bra hasn’t been specifically designed for pregnancy or postpartum wear, we think it would work well in a pinch thanks to the underwire-free design. Molded cups and an underbust support band keep the ladies in place, but the nylon-spandex blend material still has plenty of stretch. When you’ve managed to find the perfect strapless dress, the last thing you want is your bra straps ruining the look.
Try this bra available in a neutral hue if you like, or opt for a more unique option like jade green or midnight blue. Bravado also has a couple of color options that may work as “”nude”” for moms with darker skin tones, and some shades are available in sustainable fabric like recycled nylon and organic cotton. We’ve rounded up a few of the best nipple creams on the market to help soothe and heal the skin around your nipples during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Bras without snap fronts are usually designed with crossover soft cups so you can easily slip one of them down to allow your child to nurse.
Stretchy nylon-spandex fabric contributes to the taut, supportive fit, while a soft cotton lining provides comfort and breathability (the lace is layered over the nylon-spandex). Shaping in the cup and power mesh—strong, stretchy fabric like that used in control-top pantyhose—in the back provide even more support where it’s needed most. If you’re going to pick one bra to pack for when the baby comes and to rely on in the weeks immediately following, we think the Cake Lingerie Cotton Candy should be it.
