25 best nursing bras 2023 for pregnancy, breastfeeding + beyond

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Plus, how to buy the best nursing bra for you

The time has come to buy your first or your next nursing bra. Perhaps you feel confident, well versed in the nursing bra brands that work for you. Or, maybe you feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume out there and feel like you need a little more information? Whichever camp you sit in, allow us to help. Here, we've rounded up the 27 best nursing bras of 2023, featuring the softest, most comfortable and, if we say so ourselves, the prettiest nursing bras on the market today. First, though, let's recap on how to buy the best nursing bra for you.

The main thing to remember when it comes to buying a nursing bra is that your breasts will fluctuate throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. "Look for a bra that has stretchy yet supportive fabric and ideally that also comes with a bra extender, so that you can wear it while you are pregnant and then have the flexibility to reduce the band fit as your rib cage moves back down once the baby arrives," says Claire Gleave, founder of maternity and nursing sports bra company, Natal Active.

She also recommends avoiding underwires. "If the bra is not fitted correctly – easily done when your boobs are constantly changing over the course of the day – underwires can cause blocked ducts which can lead to painful mastitis. If you are bigger-chested and prefer the support offered by underwired bras, a nursing sports bra is a great option for underwire-free support."

If you prefer bras with underwire, there are underwired nursing bras out there. Just, as Gleave explains, make sure they fit you correctly to avoid any soreness down the road.

Next, Gleave recommends prioritising comfortable fabric alongside supportive designs and considering how you might feel breastfeeding in public: "Your breasts can feel quite sensitive when breastfeeding, so make sure the fabric isn't too stiff and there are no seams that rub.

"Many nursing bras offer a very easy drop cup access for your baby, but if you are self-conscious, look for a bra with a hidden A-frame panel of fabric sitting behind the cup. This will cover your breast for slightly more discreet nursing access. Ideally, your bra will always have one-handed clip access to open the cup of the bra – with a wriggly baby on your lap, you want to be able to both open and close the bra with one hand, so avoid clips that are more fiddly to do up."

"A good nursing bra will last just as long as any of your other bras," says Gleave. "However, given they are typically washed much more frequently due to milk spillages and as your boobs won't necessarily get as big, or may get bigger in subsequent pregnancies, ideally you would get remeasured and purchase new for each baby to get the best fit and the best support."

"Ideally, wash your bra on a cool setting and let it air dry rather than tumble dry. If your breastmilk has stained the bra, soak it with a gentle stain remover and dry it outside where the sun will help to bleach away any residue on the fabric," advises Gleave.

"If you want to extend the life of nursing bras, I would recommend washing them in a lingerie bag," says nursing and maternity brand Seraphine chief creative officer Chelsey Oliver. "As there are more elements and sections and trims to a nursing bra, protecting it with a lingerie bag when washing could help extend the life of the bra."

"Absolutely," affirms Oliver. "Once you've tried our super comfortable and soft bamboo nursing bras it will be hard to go back to normal bras. Our customers often say they can't go back to a normal wired bra. There is no reason that our nursing bras can't be worn as a regular bra after you've finished breastfeeding."

Ok, now for the main event – allow us to introduce the 27 best nursing bras of 2023.

Loved by celebrities like Millie Mackintosh, this comfortable nursing bra is made from soft bamboo and comes in a handy two pack.

Perfect for those dream and nighttime feeds, this jersey sleep bra has drop-down cups and a supportive mesh lining.

Supportive and pretty, this underwired and unpadded nursing bra has wide adjustable straps, with matching underwear available, too.

A chic nursing bra choice with simple-to-manoeuvre drop-down cups and underwire support.

Consider this your go-to nursing t-shirt bra. Supremely soft and invisible beneath fabric, you'll reach for it over and over and, well, you get it.

If you already swear by Calvin Klein underwear, consider the CK nursing bra for your postpartum period. It has a wide, elastic underband, adjustable shoulder straps and triple hook fastening.

With over 50,000 ratings (72% of which are 5-star) and an average rating of 4.5 stars, these popular nursing bras come in a set of three and fit up to an XXL.

Plunge nursing bras can open up a whole new wardrobe for you while nursing. A good choice to have on hand for lower-cut tops or dresses.

If there was ever a nursing bra designed for bigger breasts, it'd be this one. Created from soft, microfibre fabric, it also has wider straps and half cotton-lined cups. The dream.

Breathable and quick drying, the Medela Keep Cool nursing ba is designed to, well, keep you cool! Perfect for hot sleepers and unseasonably warm days.

A beautiful nursing bra without an underwire, it features magnetic dropdown cups and pretty mesh detailing.

If you're trying to reignite your love for fitness but also need to be able to feed your bub or express milk while doing so, this nursing sports bra supports you through exercise and life.

"Our own nursing sports bras all come with free extenders so they can be worn through pregnancy and breastfeeding. The straps are also adjustable which means they can be worn crossed back for more support if exercising, or straightened if you want to wear it for everyday support," says founder Claire Gleave. Suitable for B–F cups, Natal Active has options for larger cups, too. Like...

this one! The Natal Active Artemis nursing sports bra has wide, crossover straps (with fabric-backed claps) for the ultimate comfort and support for busts up to a G cup.

A nursing-friendly version of one of Bravissimo's most popular bras, the Fern Comfort Bra, this edition features super-cosy bamboo fabric, padded hook-and-eye points and, in our humble opinion, very pretty lace details.

A side sling makes this stunning nursing bra extra comfy during feeding, pumping or expressing.

Another Amazon favourite, the Lemef Nursing Sleep bras come in a pack of three and you have the choice between classic neutrals or pretty pastels. (Both, would be my option.)

Genius leakproof cups make this bra better for the environment and your budget, eliminating the need to buy disposable breast cups.

Avoid bra lines with these seamless, plunging nursing bras that stretch and hug. Plus, choose whether to wear the straps in a U or X shape. Dealer's choice!

This elegant and timeless lingerie just so happens to be a brilliant nursing bra, as well. The magnetic cups drop down with ease and the cotton side sling supports the breasts during feeding and expressing.

A simple, unwired everyday nursing bra with a super clever modesty strip.

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