11 Best Nursing Bras, Tested and Reviewed by Breastfeeding Moms

Many moms 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 Kindred Bravely’s two-in-one combo is that you don’t have to.

As the winner in the 2023 What to Expect Mom Must-Have Awards for Best Nursing Bra, the Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra 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. 

“The Kindred Bravely was easy to use, super comfy and had good padding, although it could be a bit bulky under a shirt,” says Lisafe Carreon, What to Expect’s Senior Product Manager. She added that, overtime, the bra didn’t hold flanges as tightly. “I had to keep readjusting the strap so that the flange didn’t lose suction.”

Like the brand’s Simply Sublime style, which is strictly for nursing, this combo bra is made from a soft, stretchy nylon/spandex blend. It has wireless construction that many moms say provides plenty of support. It’s also available in a dozen sizes so you can find the perfect fit.

In fact, 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.

One final pro for the Sublime Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra: It’s compatible with most breast pumps on the market, with WTE community members saying it accommodates the Spectra, Medela and Haakaa pumps with ease. 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.

If you 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.

What to Expect moms love the Auden bra’s price point (at just $17, it’s one of the most affordable styles we’ve seen), but also appreciate the supportive fit and soft, seamless fabric. Moms in our community say they were able to wear Auden bras regularly throughout their nursing journeys, and the fabric held up well over time.

“I’ve always been small chested, and didn’t really know how to deal with my larger postpartum boobs. Auden’s nursing bra was one of the few that gave me the lift and support I needed to feel comfortable with these new breasts,” say Leah Rocketto, What to Expect’s Associate Commerce Director, who went from a 32A to 32C. She adds that Auden’s nursing bra was comfortable enough to wear to bed — something she unintentionally did many times — though she mostly wore the brands’ sleep bra to bed. 

Leah also liked that the bra had a hook on the back to create racerback straps, so she was able to wear it with a variety of tops. This also offers more support, as many moms in the community note. Although it’s not as supportive as a sports bra, this feature also makes it a good choice for lighter workouts such as yoga.

Technically not a bra, Bravado’s cleverly designed piece of fabric that looks like the cups on a nursing bra without straps. You attach it onto the clips of an existing nursing bra, open the cups and use your pump through the figure-eight openings. They hold flanges securely so you can use it hands-free.

Reviewers from the What to Expect community rave about how comfortable and convenient this product is. Working moms especially appreciate that they can bring the attachment to the office and use it whenever they need to pump without changing their bra.

Because this product attaches onto nursing clips on an existing bra, it needs to be used with a clip-down style — so just keep in mind that you won’t be able to use it to turn a regular bra into a pumping-friendly bra. But if you already have a number of clip-down nursing bras and don’t want to invest in a dedicated pumping bra, this is the perfect workaround.

Although it’s not technically a nursing bra, Calvin Klein bras are a favorite among nursing moms — myself included. I invested in countless nursing-specific styles when I started breastfeeding my firstborn. But as the months went on, I found myself reaching for my Calvin Klein bralettes again and again.

With soft, breathable fabric, a snug elastane band and comfortable fit, these bras are incredibly comfortable. The entire bra is soft and feels like a hug — I love that there are no tight straps or plastic pieces whatsoever to dig into your skin. The fabric isn’t overly tight and the scoop neckline is low, so I always found it easy to move the fabric aside to nurse or pump. 

Calvin Klein bralettes are relatively affordable (and you can often find them on sale), but they’re highly durable, too. In fact, I was able to wear the same styles I bought after my first son was born two years later while nursing my second.

Note that this is not the most supportive bra on our list — the elastane band does provide some light support, but it’s definitely not ideal for the early postpartum days when you’re heavily engorged or for anyone who needs a lot of support (for context, I was a 32C while nursing). The fabric is also on the thinner side, so you’ll need to wear nursing pads if you tend to leak in between nursing sessions. (In my experience, the fit accommodates nursing pads well as long as they have sticky adhesive.) Once my nursing supply was established and I was leaking less, these bras were my absolute favorite, especially for lounging around the house and as a sleep bra.

Few sports bras get as much love in the What to Expect community as SheFit, a brand that offers a number of innovative features that help their bras stand out from the pack. Like most sports bras, the SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra has full coverage and support for high-impact workouts. But it also has clever straps with adjustable hooks that let you change the straps from an “X” to an “H” back, plus a wide adjustable band to help you find the perfect fit around your ribs. Best of all, though, is the front zipper, which makes these bras nursing-friendly and also prevents chafing.

Moms in the What to Expect community love how adjustable SheFit bras are, and note that since you can change the fit so easily, they’re a solid option for breastfeeding moms who need support during high-impact workouts. SheFit also has an excellent size range, from XS to 6X.

Just be mindful to avoid bras that have a very constricting fit. As with underwire, too-tight styles can increase your risk of developing mastitis. For that reason, your best bet may be to size up to make sure the fit isn’t overly tight.

If you have larger breasts and have been struggling to find a well-fitting nursing bra, moms in the What to Expect community overwhelmingly recommend Bravado! Designs nursing bras. The brand’s Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra is one of their most popular styles and a top What to Expect community pick.

This is a wireless nursing bra, but reviewers say it still offers very good support. The molded cups provide ample coverage and the fabric is stretchy enough to accommodate changes in your cup size.

“I’d still be wearing it [the Bravado! seamless silk nursing bra] if it hadn't worn out,” says staffer Joyce Slaton. “The material was exceptionally soft and smooth and didn't pill in the wash. It's light support, so I wouldn't wear it running, but around the house or to go out for errands, it was so comfortable and easy to wear.”

One thing to keep in mind is that some reviewers say these bras can run a little smaller than standard. So if you’re not able to try on this style in person, you might consider sizing up. 

When it comes to materials, few bra brands can compete with Bodily. With its lightweight, stretchy and buttery-soft fabric — a viscose/micromodal/elastane blend that’s OEKO-TEX certified, meaning the materials have been tested for potentially harmful substances — Bodily’s The Everything Bra is next-level comfortable. I wore this nursing bra regularly after the birth of my second baby, and can confirm that the fabric is gloriously breathable and truly feels cloud-like when you slip it on. 

This bra is also very well-designed for nursing. The clip-down straps are easy to undo with one hand, but you can also pull down the elastic neckline. The front straps adjust for changes in cup size, and the five-row back closure helps accommodate band size changes. It’s a particularly good bra for the newborn period — in fact, it was developed with a lactation consultant to ensure it supported optimal breast health in the first few months of breastfeeding, during which time you’re more likely to develop clogged ducts.

But while this bra is well-suited for smaller or medium-sized breasts, a number of reviewers with larger breasts say it doesn’t offer adequate support. If you have larger breasts or are looking for extra support or lift, this may not be the best nursing bra for you.

At $54, the Soma Enbliss costs about the same as our pick for the best nursing bra — but unlike the Kindred Bravely model, the Soma bra can't double as a pumping bra. But if you don’t mind spending a bit more, moms in the What to Expect community strongly recommend investing in this option.

What makes these bras worth the splurge? Moms say the smooth, brushed fabric is invisible under T-shirts, has a flattering fit and feels buttery soft. With a low neckline, seamless construction and supportive wireless band, this is a perfect everyday bra that’s seriously comfortable — many reviewers say they look forward to wearing it. Moms in our community also say that this bra holds its shape well over time, even when worn and washed regularly.

Another bonus is the bra’s “real” look and feel, which some moms prefer over styles that clearly look like they’re designed for nursing. Still, this is definitely an excellent nursing bra, with features like adjustable straps and clip-down cups.

The Soma Enbliss scores points for its flattering fit and excellent support, but note that it may actually be too supportive and structured for those early newborn days when you’re more likely to be engorged and still getting the hang of nursing. During that time, a slightly looser bra may be a better fit.

Plus-size moms in the What to Expect community say Gratlin nursing bras are some of the most supportive they’ve found. With cups up to 48E and adjustable straps that are thicker than many other nursing bras on the market, these bras are well-designed for larger breasts. The cups are non-padded and wire-free, but still very supportive, reviewers say.

The fabric, which is 90 percent cotton, is breathable and feels soft and comfortable against sensitive skin. A number of moms in our community also say these bras have held up well after frequent use, which is especially impressive given the affordable price. And while not as essential as fit and comfort, many moms also appreciate that this bra just looks like a “regular” bra. 

Although Gratlin bras have a lot of fans, a few reviewers dislike the shape of the cups, which have a horizontal seam that some say can show through certain shirts.

The pregnancy, breastfeeding and post-breastfeeding period are something of a rollercoaster ride for your breasts, which can go from bigger to biggest to smaller-than-they-started in the span of a few months. That can be a lot to adjust to, but even trickier if you find yourself frequently having to buy new bras to accommodate each new stage and size.

It’s not officially a nursing style, but Neiwai bras have a number of passionate fans in the What to Expect community, who rave about the brand’s flexible-fit design and ultra-stretchy fabric. Multiple What to Expect moms call these bras the most comfortable they’ve ever worn, and they particularly love Neiwai’s Cloudfit fabric, a nylon blend that’s incredibly silky, soft and luxurious-feeling.

This set combines Neiwai’s popular wireless bra with the matching brief, which makes it a great value (not to mention a nice way to try out the brand’s underwear, too).

Wearable breast pumps such as the Elvie or Willow are intended to be used hands-free, but the key to being able to use them in this way is the right bra. While you can technically slip them inside any bra — it doesn’t necessarily need to be a nursing style — some moms find that many aren’t supportive enough to keep hands-free pumps securely in place.

Bodily’s The Do Anything Bra is a great solution: It’s not specifically designed to be a hands-free pumping bra, but What to Expect moms say it works very well for that purpose, thanks to its adjustable sliders and supportive fabric. (To accommodate a hands-free pump, reviewers recommend adjusting the straps for a slightly looser fit.) And with the front clips for breastfeeding access and openings for flanges, it’s also an excellent nursing bra and regular pumping bra to use with electric pumps such as the Spectra. That’s important, because true to its name, you can invest in one bra and use it for all three scenarios. 

As with Bodily’s other bras, the fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, a nice bonus. What to Expect moms rave about how soft and silky the fabric is, too. 

Compared to some other bras on this list, some reviewers say that it’s not the most supportive, so it may not be the best choice for those with larger breasts.

Size range: S-3X

Material: OEKO-TEX certified 76 percent polyamide, 24 percent elastane