The Best Nursing Bras for Breastfeeding Moms: My Honest Review After Nursing Two Babies
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When I was pregnant with my first baby, I set out on a mission to find the best nursing bra - one that was comfortable, supportive, and practical for everyday wear. After more than a year of trial and error (and breastfeeding and pumping two babies!), I finally found not one, but two favorites. But before I get into my top picks, let me take you back to where my search began and why it mattered so much to me as a first time mom.
Why Nursing Bras Matter for Breastfeeding Moms
Like most first time moms, I wanted to feel prepared, and choosing the top baby products was a big part of that. I took a very thorough approach. I asked friends and family about their favorite and least favorite baby and breastfeeding products, read countless reviews, and compared features across websites. When it came to nursing bras, though, I kept hitting a wall.
Most moms I spoke to said things like “this one is okay, but…” or “this one worked for me, but I wouldn’t buy it again.” No one had a rave review or a clear favorite. That’s when I realized I’d have to figure this one out on my own. And I wanted to figure it out to help other first time moms choose a nursing bra!
My Top Picks: Best Nursing Bras I Actually Wore
After many returns and exchanges, here are the nursing bras I ended up keeping - and my honest take on each, based on style, comfort, and function.
1. Momcozy Seamless Wireless Jelly Strip Nursing Bra - Best Overall for Comfort and Support
I LOVE this bra. I didn’t have it for my first baby but bought one for my second, and ended up buying two more. This is the most supportive nursing bra and it’s also super comfortable! Most nursing bras for breastfeeding moms aren’t very cute, but I think the Momcozy bra is! The bra gives a natural shape and is great to wear when you are dressing up or under work clothes. I’ll recommend this one again and again.
Get it here: Momcozy Seamless Wireless Classic Jelly Strip Support Nursing Bra
2. Target Auden Women’s Seamless Nursing Bra - Best Budget Pick
This is my favorite seamless nursing bra and solves the pad adjustment problem because these pads are sewn in. This is the best Target nursing bra I found in my search, and I tried several. I like that the pads are sewn in because nothing is more annoying than having to adjust the pads after every single nursing session. I actually found myself avoiding any nursing bras that didn’t have the pads sewn in because it personally bothers me that much. After a year of use, these Target nursing bras lost their support and became pilled from wash and wear. However, these are extremely budget friendly nursing bras and I think the quality for the price is very reasonable. Just know that they will not last for multiple babies; I replaced these for my second baby.
Get it here: Target Women's Nursing Seamless Bra Auden
Runner Ups - Others I Tried But Didn’t Love
Soma NURSING Seamless Nursing Bralette - This is a high quality bra and provides good support. The pads are not sewn in to this bra though, which can get annoying. After going through the washing machine, its guaranteed that seamless bras without sewn in pads will have the pads jumbled up and out of place, or the pads will completely fall out of the bra. Similarly, after unclipping the bra to nurse and then pulling it back up, the pads will likely need adjusted.
Kindred Bravely Sublime® Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra - I have mixed feelings about this bra. To explain, this bra is made for both nursing and pumping, which is convenient for when you are spending a night away or running errands and don’t want to pack an extra pumping bra. However, I found this bra to be the most uncomfortable of all my nursing bras and the extra layer of fabric can get hot.
Soma ENBLISS Wireless Nursing Bra - These were my favorite nursing bras to wear out and about for events, to work, etc with my first. This is a higher quality option compared to the Auden brand from Target and will definitely last through another round of nursing. The bra is made of a silky smooth material and comes in several neutral colors to provide a seamless look under clothes.
Target Women's Wirefree Nursing Bra Auden - This is a solid budget friendly option for a wireless nursing bra. While it’s definitely not as high quality as the Soma wireless bra, it still provides good support and comfort. It will wear down over time so it will need to be replaced after each baby, however I think that’s okay at this price point.
Soma EMBRACEABLE Perfect Coverage Contour Nursing Bra - This is a high quality, comfortable, and supportive bra. I liked having this for the purpose of wearing to events where I wanted optimal support, however I wouldn’t recommend as an everyday bra. Some claim that wearing an underwire bra during the early months of breastfeeding can increase the risk of clogged ducts and mastitis if the bra is too tight. However, there isn’t solid evidence to support theis claim and most reputable sites say that underwire bras are safe and perfectly fine to wear while breastfeeding. Underwire bras provide the most support but aren’t great for pulling up and down when nursing because the wire tends to restrict movement of the bra pads.
Next Up - The Nursing Bra I’m Excited to Try Next
I’ve been hearing great things about the The Larken X nursing and hands-free pumping bra! I’m looking to reach out to the company to get one to try so I can report back to you on my thoughts.
Tips for Choosing the Best Nursing Bra
Every mom has different needs depending on her lifestyle, work schedule, and personal preferences. Here are a few things to think about when shopping:
Consider Your Daily Routine
Do you work from home like me? Wireless seamless bras may be your best fit for ultimate comfort.
Pumping at work? Look for bras that double as pumping bras.
Going out often or heading back to work? You'll want a higher-end nursing bra that looks polished under clothes.
Get a Few Different Styles
It’s worth having at least 3 to 4 nursing bras on rotation:
1 to 2 for everyday comfort (seamless)
1 for nighttime (soft and stretchy)
1 for going out or work (more structured or underwire if preferred)
Watch for Fit Changes
Your size may fluctuate postpartum. Your bra size at 2 weeks postpartum may be different at 3 months or 6 months. Consider choosing a stretchy bra to accommodate those changes. You might also want to purchase a couple of nursing bras before baby arrives, but wait to purchase more until your size regulates a bit postpartum.
Should You Add Nursing Bras to Your Baby Registry?
Since I anticipated needing to try a few options before landing on the right one, I decided not to include nursing bras on my baby registry. However, if you are creating a baby registry and you’re planning on breastfeeding and pumping, you’ll definitely want to add nursing bras, in addition to other must have pumping essentials.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to grab my Free Baby Registry Checklist - it includes all my must-have items for the first year with baby and smart baby registry tips to help you save money and avoid overwhelm.
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Final Thoughts: It’s All About Trial and Error
Finding the best nursing bra isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Here are some examples. For me, comfort was key. For my cousin who works in business casual, underwire bras were a must. For my sister-in-law who’s a nurse and pumps between shifts, a hands-free pumping bra was non-negotiable.
Takeaway: Try a few different brands, styles, and fits. What works for one mom might not work for another - try a few different options to find your favorite!
Happy nursing bra shopping!
