The Best Nursing Bras, According to the Experts and Real Moms

The Sublime is everything we’d want and need in a nursing bra—which is why it’s our best overall pick. First up, it’s extremely comfortable. When you’re new to breastfeeding, you might not realize you’ll likely be wearing a bra 24/7. This one is comfy enough to sleep in (though a few of the other picks below are also great for nighttime wear). The material has a nice stretch that allows the bra cups to gently mold to the breast and support your boobs without being too compressing. The band is also wide enough that it smoothes things out and doesn’t dig in to your back. One Babylist parent raved, “As a woman with large boobs and a small band size, I have been searching for a comfortable nursing bra for five years. I’ve finally found it! The band fits snuggly so that I’m supported while the straps are nice without digging in [and] the cups actually fit!”

In terms of functionality, the clips are easy to secure and undo with one hand, and the material folds all the way down so it's out of the way (pro tip: if you have larger breasts, you can kind of tuck it underneath to keep it there). It has removable padding that lends a bit more support and conceals your nipples, which may become more noticeable in clothing once you’re nursing. You can also use the Sublime if you’re occasionally pumping, though you can’t use it for hands-free pumping. If you have a wearable breast pump, the cups are stretchy enough that they could also accommodate those, too. 

Kindred Bravely makes some of the most size inclusive bras on the market, from a B cup to a K—meaning they’re also a great option for plus-size parents. Their bras also come with a band extender that adds up to two extra inches, which can be helpful for any parent, since your rib cage fluctuates during pregnancy and postpartum.

There are few things parents don’t love about this nursing bra. The most common complaint is that the material loses some of its elasticity over time, though that tends to be common with this type of stretchy bra material (a blend of nylon and spandex). And while the strap width increases as you go up in size (larger breasts often equal heavy breasts), some still find they leave an indent in your skin. “I love the bra, don't get me wrong. But the straps being so thin literally kills me,” one parent said in their review. The bra is also hand wash only, which, as a busy parent, isn’t always convenient. (I put mine in the washer on a gentle cycle and made sure to line dry and they held up well.) The Sublime is also on the pricey side, around $50. If you have smaller breasts or aren’t looking for something super supportive, you could probably go with a less expensive option (like our next pick).

Additional Specs

• Size Range: Regular, S - 3XL (cups B-D); Busty, S - 3X (cups E-H); Super Busty, S-1X (cups I-K)

• Nursing Style: Unclip and fold down

• Closure: Hook and eye

During my first pregnancy, I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend a ton of money on a nursing bra that I’d wear for such a short period of time. Luckily I found this seamless bra from Target’s Auden line and it did not disappoint. It’s under $20 and has the same convenient features as more expensive options, like gentle support and an adjustable band and clips that are easy to do with one hand. The straps are also adjustable from the front, which, if you know you know. The straps also convert to a racerback, criss-cross style, which means you can wear it with all types of tops and helps them not dig into your shoulders if you have larger breasts.

It’s also a great option to start wearing before your baby is born, because as your pregnancy progresses, your regular bras may become uncomfortable and feel too tight around the band. Quite a few parents mention switching to this bra during pregnancy, when their growing bump caused their bra to feel uncomfortable. “These have been so helpful from even [the] first trimester when my boobs couldn't handle regular bras. My friend still wears them a year into breastfeeding,” one parent said. The cups have built-in pads that won’t add size to your breast but help add shape, catch minor milk leaks and provide some nipple coverage (i.e. so you can avoid a “headlights” situation). And best of all, the thin pads stay in place—which is a big deal if you’ve ever dealt with pesky bra liners. “The liners do not come out in the wash or shift around which is sooooo convenient,” another parent raved. 

The two biggest complaints parents have about this seamless bra have to do with finding the right size and how it holds up over time. Though parents with larger breasts (like myself) are able to find a size that fits well, in general the bra runs a bit small. And since it’s a seamless, stretchy material, it can lose its elasticity and stretch over time, which isn’t unusual for this type of fabric (this one is also nylon and spandex). It’s not a dealbreaker, though, since you can easily adjust the band to a tighter hook if you need to (as long as you’re not already on the tightest hook). 

Additional Specs

• Size Range: XS - XL

• Nursing Style: Unclip and fold down

• Closure: Hook and loop

When we asked our Babylist staff to tell us about their favorite nursing bra, the Larken X was raved about the most. “I’m Larken obsessed. I started wearing them a few months postpartum, never stopped,” our senior newsletter editor Alainna Wurfel says. The most common praise is that the X is extremely comfortable. “I am suffering from horrible night sweats but need to wear a pumping bra to bed. These bras are the only ones that have been comfortable, breathable and worth wearing at night,” one parent said.

Another huge feature that sets this pick apart from the rest is that it’s completely clip and hook free—featuring a simple double lined cross over design. When you’re ready to nurse your baby you simply pull both layers down from the top or pull them up from the bottom. And as a bonus, it also works for parents who are pumping. Pull one of the layers up and the other layer down on each breast, creating an X shape and insert your pump’s flange. The tension of the crossed fabric creates a snug, secure hold to keep everything in place.

If you’re looking for a bra that’s going to offer support, the Larken isn’t the best option. One parent said there’s “Zero support. I will say it is good for being at home and having something comfy with easy access, but this is definitely not a bra to wear to work or to something less casual.” Like the Sublime, the Larken X is also just under $50, making it not super budget-friendly, especially if you factor in buying one to wash, one to wear and one to spare.

Additional Specs

• Size Range: XS - 2XL

• Nursing Style: Separate fabric layers, pull top down and bottom up to create X shape, insert flanges

• Closure: None

While bras like the Sublime and Larken X can certainly be worn out and about if you’re comfortable in them, sometimes you just want a bit more structure or shape—and we’re digging this seamless nursing bra from Momcozy for that exact reason. It features soft 3D structured cups like a regular bra to provide some shaping support, while the wire-free, seamless design and clip down cups make it nursing-friendly. “I am a 32DD pre-pregnancy and 36DD post-birth with a fair amount of engorgement and almost no bras work at all. This bra has formed cups which is a huge differentiator! Definitely suggest for anyone with sensitivity, larger cup size,” one parent said in their review. It’s a great option to have in your closet if you’re looking for a bra you can wear around the house and also underneath dressier clothes if you have somewhere to be, like work or a party.

While this bra is like the perfect hybrid between a nursing bra and regular bra, there are a few things that could be better. Parents’ biggest gripe is that the sizing is tricky to get right. In general, Momcozy clothing items run small, including bras. “The cup size fits [perfectly] but the band is a little tight. Definitely ordering more in a large!” one parent mentioned in their review. If you’re in between sizes and the cups are too small, most parents recommend going with the next size up. If the band is a bit tight and the cups are okay, you can stick with that size and add on the included band extender for more space. 

Another thing is that the removable pads tend to get a bit folded up when moving the cups around for nursing and during washing. “It keeps puckering when I bend it down to nurse and I always need to fix it. I didn't read in the description of this bra that it had removable padding,” one parent said. None of these complaints seem to be dealbreakers, though. Parents say for the price, this is a nice nursing-ready bra to have in their stash. 

Additional Specs

• Size Range: X - 2XL

• Nursing Style: Clip down

• Closure: Hook and eye

If you’ve got large breasts (even before getting pregnant and having a baby) you probably know the struggle of finding a bra that fits. As someone who has needed to wear a bra since the fourth grade, I, too, know the struggle. While most nursing bras fit smaller breasts, the same isn’t true if you have a bigger cup size—which is why I was so excited to try out this bra from Australian brand Cake Maternity. This one is specifically designed for large breasts—the sizing is suitable for those with cups G-K. “I was at my wits end trying to find a comfortable and supportive bra, so happy with this! As a J cup, it’s been very difficult to find something that fits and these are so comfy!” one parent said. 

The straps are a bit thicker for more support and the cups easily unclip for nursing access. The band is wide and has six hook and eye closures, offering a lot of adjustability in the band.

“I’m currently wearing a 34 J-K. It’s so hard finding a bra that is soft and supportive. This bra is by far my favorite,” one parent said in their review. They’re made with a moisture wicking, stretchy material (a blend of nylon and elastane) that offers support and keeps you cool and comfortable. The bra is machine washable and the brand recommends line drying.

Parents’ main gripe with this bra is that the band runs snug when you first receive it. “Really supportive and comfortable, only thing is I think the band is slightly too tight,” one parent mentioned in their review. When I tried this one out, it does feel a bit too snug in the band when brand new, however, the cups were perfect. It’s one of those bras that needs to get a bit worn in and will be more comfortable over time. It’s also a pricier option, costing just under $70. (If you’re looking for an affordable, size-inclusive pick that also works well for larger breasts, we also love this seamless bra from Bravado.)

Additional Specs

• Size Range: XS (28G) - 4XL (44H)

• Nursing Style: Unclip and fold down

• Closure: Hook and eye

When Bodily named this the “Do Anything” bra, they really meant it. Nursing bras are designed to be worn like a regular bra, with most of them being even more comfortable than the average bra. This one combines comfort and functionality; you can both nurse and use it as a hands-free pumping bra.

The cups unclip and fold down for breastfeeding, but they also separate in the middle so you can easily insert the flanges of your breast pump for hands-free pumping. It’s a great versatile option to cover your bases if you’re not sure yet whether you’ll be breastfeeding, pumping or both. “It’s so convenient that this bra is comfy enough to wear all day and is easy to breastfeed out of. I don’t have to rush to change out of it at the end of my work day to get ready to feed my little one like I had to do with my other pumping bra,” one parent reviewed. It’s made with a buttery soft material that appears sort of silky and has almost no structure on its own. It’s a great option for parents with smaller breasts who don’t want thicker material with structure.

Parents’ biggest gripe is the sizing—some think it runs on the smaller side. “The sizing seems a little off. I got a small based on the size chart but the coverage feels minimal, and I am in the lower-middle of the small size range,” one parent wrote in their review. Bodily recommends choosing your current size, not your pre-pregnancy size, when purchasing. Another thing to keep in mind: because of the way the cups are designed to accommodate pump flanges, this bra doesn’t have a seamless look underneath tight tops; it looks best under loose or flowy clothing. 

Additional Specs

• Size Range: S (32A-) - 3XL (46D)

• Nursing Style: Unclip and fold down; Insert flanges

• Closure: Hook and eye