Nursing Bras & Tops

When you’re nursing, your breasts will take on a life of their own. Haven’t fed your little one in a while? You’ll notice they’re swollen and rock-hard. Just finished nursing? They’ll become smaller and soft again. Nursing bras are designed to deal with the literal ups and downs of breastfeeding, with comfortable and stretchy fabric, and provide easy access for feeding sessions with pull-down clasps or push-aside cups. Some bras come with band extenders to help you get the right fit as your body changes postpartum. Read more nursing bra sizing tips in our guide.

Like regular bras, nursing bras come in a few different styles, and which one you pick is a matter of personal preference. You can choose from underwire or wireless, lined or unlined, and shaped cups or seamless. It features convenient openings or clasps that allow easy access to the breast for breastfeeding or pumping. Your lifestyle is also something to keep in mind before choosing one bra over another. Instead of choosing a separate bra for different areas of your life—like one for lounging at home, one to wear under professional clothing and one to wear when you’re sleeping— choose one or two that can work across the spectrum of your nursing journey. Our nursing bra guide will help you find the best fit for your body and routine.

Similar to figuring out when to buy nursing bras, the quantity depends on a few factors. Since nailing down your size before your milk comes in or regulates is nearly impossible, start off with just a couple of bras to begin with. Once you can accurately determine your size, you’ll want to have at least two bras in rotation. Regular bras don’t need to be washed every day, but with nursing bras, it’s different. You might leak milk (which can smell and even cause thrush if not washed), and the lycra that makes your bra stretchy will loosen over time and provide less support—washing and drying the fabric will keep your breasts and nipples healthy while also reshaping the fabric to provide the most support. If you want to spread out your wash days, we recommend having three to five bras on hand. Our favorite nursing pads also help keep you and your nursing bras fresh throughout the day (and night).

If you are currently breastfeeding or have plans to, a nursing bra will make it easier to feed your baby. Whether it has a clasp that unclips for quick access or stretchy fabric that is pulled up, down, or to the side, nursing bras are specifically designed to make getting your baby to their food source easier. And as your breast size fluctuates throughout your journey, nursing bras are made to be comfortable at every stage. Plus, if you plan on pumping at any point, many nursing bras double as pumping bras so you can go hands-free while you build your stash. So the short answer is—yes, a nursing bra is very useful and they are highly recommended. But if you’re not into wearing bras, once your milk supply regulates and your leaks have leveled out to the occasional dribble, you can totally forego the bra if that is more comfortable for you. Pro mom-tip, consider our top nursing pajamas and favorite nursing robes for comfy and cute options that give you and baby easy access.

While everyone’s experience is unique, the care and comfort needed in the fourth trimester are universal. For some people, being as cozy and comfortable as possible as you recover is a key part of that puzzle. The good news? There are tons of great postpartum clothes designed to support you in the fourth trimester (and honestly long after, because who’s counting?).Some standouts: tank tops that fit your breast pump, and flowy tops that work for layering. Here are the coziest, most comfortable clothes for postpartum and tips for how to build a postpartum capsule wardrobe.