Best Nursing and Pumping Bras

Ask a nursing mom what her favorite bra is, and this pick from Kindred Bravely is likely to be the answer. The bra is comfortable and supportive without feeling constrictive, which is crucial in those early postpartum days. It’s made of a soft yoga bra material, but shaped like an everyday bra so you can wear it under pretty much anything. One of the biggest pros of Kindred Bravely is the way the brand does their sizing: the bra comes in sizes S-XXL and S-XXL Busty, so if you’re someone with large breasts (which probably only increased in size during pregnancy and breastfeeding!) you can get a bra made with larger boobs in mind. 2,500+ five-star reviews don’t lie.

Sizes: S-XXL and S-XXL Busty (fits sizes 30B - 44I)

Material: 93 percent nylon and 7 percent spandex for regular styles, 90 percent nylon and 10 percent spandex for busty styles

Many people who breastfeed will also pump at some point. You could get a separate pumping bra for your pumping sessions, of course, but the genius of this two-in-one combo is that you don’t have to. This award-winning bra (which is what made pumping at work bearable for our editorial director) has two layers of fabric: one that pulls down to reveal horizontal slits that hold pump flanges in place, and a second that exposes the whole breast for direct feeding. Wearable pumps, which often feel best worn with a clip-down nursing bra, also work with this hands-free style. If you’re going to invest in just one nursing bra and plan to pump at any point, this is the one to get.

Sizes: S-XXXL and S-XXXL Busty (fits sizes 30B - 46I)

Material: 94 percent nylon and 6 percent spandex for regular styles, 92 percent nylon and 8 percent spandex for busty styles. 84 percent nylon and 16 percent spandex lining for both.

If you’re planning on pumping, you’ll definitely want to add this hands-free pumping bra to your cart. It holds all pump parts firmly in place, so you can use your hands to respond to emails, fold laundry, or scroll through social media while you pump. This bra works with all electric breast pumps, and although it doesn’t double as a nursing bra, you can easily slip it on over your fave nursing bra when the time comes. It also has a 11-inch adjustable velcro back panel, so it’s guaranteed to fit, even as your body size changes.

Sizes: XS-L and L-Plus

Material: Cotton-spandex blend

With so many baby-related expenses, we don’t blame you for looking for a bra that’s as easy on your wallet as it is your breasts. And with I Love Sia’s nursing bras, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or quality.

These nursing bras have a ribbed gore and are made of soft, four-way stretch fabric that supports your bust without feeling too tight. They feature clip-down cups that some moms say even help to keep pump parts in place if you choose to pump with them on. The three-pack is available in a range of colors, too.

Sizes: S-XXL

Material: 92 nylon and 8 percent spandex

As Petersen said previously, you may find it uncomfortable to be without a bra overnight, especially in the early days of breastfeeding when your boobs feel heavy and your nipples are tender against fabric. Plus, your breasts may leak at night, and a sleep nursing bra holds nursing pads in place. But the support you need during the day is not the same as your nighttime needs, so you’ll want a combo of easy access and just-enough support. Even if you cringe at the idea of wearing a bra to sleep, you may change your tune after your milk comes in!)

This sleep bra from Motherhood Maternity is perfect: lightweight, comfy and cozy. It’s a seamless bra that’s soft and unlined (read: perfect for snoozing). There are no clasps or drop-down cups with this pick — simply pull the bra to the side for middle-of-the-night nursing or pumping sessions. These bras are so comfortable that you’ll want to keep wearing them again and again, even when you’re done breastfeeding.

Sizes: S-3X

Material: 95 percent cotton, 5 percent spandex

Underwire is a little controversial when it comes to nursing bras. “The problem with an underwire bra is that if your band is too tight, the wire can potentially push into your breast and cause some external blockage that's gonna prevent your milk from fully emptying,” says Peterson. If you do want to try an underwire nursing bra, however, this pick from Hotmilk is the one to get. It's comfortable enough to wear every day, as the flexible underwire provides support without feeling constricting.

Just make sure to watch for any sore spots on your breast between the underwire and the nipple area, advises Peterson, as that would be a sign underwire isn't for you.

Sizes: 32A-38G

Material: 84 percent nylon and 16 percent elastane with a 100 percent cotton lining

If you want a nursing bra that doesn't feel like a bra, this nursing bralette makes the cut. With just the right amount of stretch and a fun silhouette, it's super comfy and really cute. The simple bra has pulldown cups for when it’s time to nurse. It comes in black, ivory and beige, and sold in a range of sizes. Although this wouldn’t be your only nursing bra, it’s a fun one to have in the collection.

Sizes: 34B-38DDD

Material: 93 percent organic cotton and 7 percent spandex for the body, 89 percent nylon and 11 percent spandex for the lace

You can absolutely use regular sports bras to exercise while breastfeeding, so long as you pump or breastfeed beforehand, as Peterson suggests. But if your old sports bras don’t fit and you need a new one anyways, it can be really helpful to have one made for lactating breasts. The Love and Fit Athena 3.0 Nursing Sports Bra is a great choice. Not only is it easy to nurse in and comfortable for exercise, but it converts to either a racerback or standard back to best suit your workout clothes. Note that although it’s great for light aerobics, strength training, yoga and cross-training, it might not be able to handle high-impact activities like running, especially if you’re busty.

Sizes: S-3X

Material: 77 percent polyester, 23 percent spandex

If you were busty pre-pregnancy, finding a nursing bra that is supportive but not restrictive can be a very challenging task. All the bras from Cake Maternity are great for larger busts, but we especially like the Sugar Candy Basic because it’s all-in-one: it looks and functions like a regular bra, it’s seamless and ultra-soft like a yoga bra, and it makes nursing super easy. These bras are an investment, but if you’re struggling to find a bra for your boobs, tons of moms promise they’re worth it.

Sizes: XS-XXL (28G-40I)

Material: 94 percent nylon, 6 percent elastane

Bodily worked with a lactation consultant to put together this bra, which is an ideal one to pack in your hospital bag. It’s so soft, and it’s designed to fluctuate with you in the early days as your milk comes in and your supply changes. Nursing in it is easy, but be warned that it’s really meant as a wear-around-the-house or sleep bra; there’s not much coverage or support. But the minimal support makes it even more comfy, meaning you won’t ever want to take it off while you’re recovering from birth or just lounging around.

Sizes: S-XL

Material: Oeko-Tex-lined 94 percent micromodal and 6 percent elastane

It’s hard to find a discreet and comfortable pumping bra, but this combination bra from Hatch hits all the marks. It’s both seamless and hardware-free (read: no finicky hook closures or underwire) for a barely there look that feels like butter on your skin. It’s also hands-free for convenience — just pull the fabric overlaps away, insert and start pumping, or push aside or unclasp to nurse. The ribbed modal material is also so soft — you’ll truly want to live in this bra.

Sizes: S-XL

Material: 84 percent modal, 13 percent nylon, 3 percent elastane

Sometimes you just want to feel like a hot mama, not an endless milk buffet, right? Enter the Dairy Fairy Ayla bra: a lacy, sultry and flattering piece that doesn’t hinder your ability to pump or nurse in a cinch. You can unclasp the cup to nurse, or tuck your pump flanges between slits in the fabric to express milk hands-free. Bonus: You can buy matching lace underwear, so when you’re feeling particularly sexy, you’ve got a whole outfit already put together.

Sizes: XS-3X, fits sizes 30A-42J

If you’re tired of removing the pads that come with your bras, the Bravado Original Nursing Bra is for you. The ultra-soft, eco-friendly fabric doesn’t come with any pads, but it doesn’t need them, holding your breasts in place with just gentle shaping. The hooks clip down easily with one hand and are made to withstand 25 pounds of pressure (so your baby can pull on them to her heart’s content)! What’s more, the cups fully drop away, allowing for maximum skin-to-skin contact with your little one. The extra-wide bottom band ensures a really comfortable fit — and it looks cool, too.

Sizes: S-XL, fits sizes 32B-46D

Materials: 49 percent organic cotton, 32 percent Tencel modal, 19% spandex

If you do like bras with a bit of padding but don’t enjoy dealing with those removable pads (why are they so hard to stuff back in after washing?!), this Auden bra is the answer. Here’s why: The cups are molded so the padding is incorporated. Thanks to this clever design, the bra keeps its shape in the wash and gives you a little lift and shape as well. We're also fans of the optional hook on the back of the straps that gives it a racerback vibe, if you're feeling like you need a bit more support. At $17, this bra is a no-brainer to add to your collection.

Sizes: 32D-42D

Material: 92 percent nylon, 8 percent spandex

Torrid’s bras already have a bit of a cult following, so it’s no surprise their nursing bra has tons of five-star reviews. The cups are made of the softest jersey fabric, and there’s a small strip of lace that stays in place when you clip the cup down, which makes it easy to clip back up (and makes the garment that much cuter!). It also runs true-to-size, so while you can’t try it on in stores, you can feel pretty confident ordering your usual size. The brand also has a pretty thorough size guide on its website.

Sizes: 38C-50DD

Material: 81 percent nylon, 19 percent spandex

Maternity bras and nursing bras are sort of interchangeable — if a bra is labeled “maternity” it will have nursing clips, and if a bra is labeled “nursing” you can pretty much wear it at any time. (For example, many second-time-and-beyond moms will wear their nursing bras while pregnant with their subsequent babies.) But breast discomfort isn’t limited to the postpartum period, so if you want to cozy up in a maternity bra while you’re expecting, we love the Lively All-Day bra which will carry you into the nursing period as well. The fabric is a luxuriously soft modal, which means you’ll live in this bra when you’re hanging out at home.

Sizes: XS-L, fits sizes 30A-38D

Material: 94 percent rayon, 6 percent spandex.

Tons of moms swear this bra is worth the price tag, and it’s easy to see why. For one thing, the construction is amazing — it’s made similarly to high-end sports bras, with gentle molding and anti-microbial fabric. It’s a combination nursing and pumping bra, so while it’s an investment, you can use it for pretty much everything. And it’s so dang cute. Seriously, no other nursing bra comes in prints as cool as this one does. If your postpartum wardrobe is in need of a bit of fun, look no further than these bras.

Sizes: XS-XXL (fits sizes 34A-44DD)

Material: 89 percent polyester and 11 percent elastane for the main body, 87 percent polyamide and 13 percent elastane for the mesh

Wearable breast pumps have been a hot new market entry for moms looking for a more convenient way to pump, offering more flexibility and portability. But because they don’t have traditional flanges, they need to be worn inside a regular nursing bra, which can be tricky to adjust.

Fortunately, the Dairy Fairy’s newest bra is designed to accommodate pumps like the Willow and the Elvie. It has two drop-down nursing clips: one for nursing directly, and one for inserting a wearable pump into a little fabric envelope that holds it in place. There’s also slits to insert a traditional breast pump flange if you have a standard breast pump as well. The center of the bra touts an adjustable mesh panel, which operates on a small drawstring to offer customizable cup-height. This style is pretty new, but so far, wearable-pumpers love having one bra that does it all.

Sizes: XS-3XL (fits sizes 30C-46J)