As every new mum (and everyone who remembers being one) will know, babies can be pretty rude. They don’t adhere to regular mealtimes, they don’t understand the phrase “15 minute wait”, and they won’t hesitate to throw up on you if displeased (whereas you’d get thrown out of Wahaca for doing the same). That’s where a nursing bra comes in handy. We can’t promise it’ll make it all better, but finding the right bra will certainly help when it comes to feeding on the go, in the middle of the night, or even just kicking about at home. But what are the best nursing bras and what do you need to think about before buying one?
- Check out our guide to the best stretch mark creams
- Read our round-up of the best changing bags
When buying a nursing bra, there are a few things to consider. First of all, while it might seem organised to buy one as soon into your pregnancy as possible, resist the temptation, because believe it or not, you’re likely to get even bigger. From 36 weeks onwards is a great time to have a nursing bra fitting.
You’re looking for a bra with a good number of hook-and-eye fastenings for adjustability, cups that can open and close with one hand for breastfeeding or expressing (manually or electronically), a deep front to give your girls the extra support they need, and sturdy straps. Most general-use nursing bras are much of a muchness in terms of functionality, but look at the coverage and level of padding to see what you prefer for day-to-day wear. The exception is nursing sleep bras, which give light support at night and are easy to use for fumble-free nocturnal feeds.
These nursing bras have just the right balance of casual comfort, convenience, and pretty detail, making them lovely for everyday wear. They feature drop cups for easy feeding on cue, are soft and stretchy enough to wear comfortably for long periods and accommodate fluctuations in size, and lie smooth enough to wear under t-shirts. Fab all round.
This seamless nursing bra guards against chafing and sits completely flush to the skin, giving you a seamless silhouette even under t-shirts. But its big seller is its removable padding — without the foam cups, it’s a lightly supportive bra that moulds to the shape of your body for barely-there comfort. With them, it gives you a bit of a boost whenever needed, and keeps breast pads under wraps
Think nursing bras are all function, no fashion? Think again, because this pretty printed nursing bra is both. The full-coverage moulded cups offer wonderful support, and their high-hitting front makes this a great style for keeping things under wraps, with the adjustable shoulder straps offering a bit of leeway. The mixed floral print and cheerful coral shade make a nice change from the standard offerings, too.
These ultra-comfortable sleep bras make night-nursing a breeze, and are a great help on busy days too. This crop top style pulls on over the head like a t-shirt and offers light support during sleep, fitting just closely enough to keep pads in place, but with no thin straps or attachments to dig in. When the inevitable wail announces feeding time, the wrap front pulls easily aside, no fiddly clasps to worry about. A real throw-on-and-go item.
The ultimate t-shirt nursing bra for fuller busts, this Mothercare offering stays sleek and smooth even under thin or close-fitting tops, and gives optimum support where it’s needed. The drop-down cup is super-convenient for feeding any time, while the retainer strap keeps the bra in place, leaving you feeling covered. A wonderful meeting of smoothing, shaping and convenience for ladies who are larger up top.
These seamfree bras are so comfortable even non-breastfeeding reviewers said they’d stocked up on them for wear post-birth. The knitted underband offers soft-on-skin support and the ruched front gives great stretch to accommodate for fluctuating size, while the clasps can be easily unhooked with one hand for convenience. While not officially a sleep bra, users have said they’re comfy enough to wear to bed, so they’re a good alternative to the JoJo Maman Bebe bras if you feel more secure in a traditional shape bra.
While each of the bras on our list has its own particular charms, it certainly seems as though Royce are winning in the stylish support stakes. Its adjustable front gives a range of wear options: pull the drawstring for a lower cut, superb for wearing under deeper necklines for dressy occasions, or release to wear as a comfy crop top at home or in bed. If you don’t always need to full coverage of the Poppy Print bra, consider this cute polka dot design.
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