In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
We tested the top nursing bras from Playtex, Bravado, Ingrid and Isabel, La Leche, and others to find the best
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Abriah Wofford ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ May 28, 2024
The Best Nursing Bras
Are you pregnant or nursing and searching for a comfortable nursing bra? We tested 8 of the top nursing bras available today to find the best. Growing breasts need more support through pregnancy and nursing than a regular bra can provide. Breastfeeding moms will also be looking for something comfortable and easy to use. We tested these nursing bras with real moms, pre and postpartum, to assess comfort, functionality, and support in side-by-side comparisons. We aim to help you find the right bra for your needs and lifestyle because the right fit can make all the difference.
The Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra won our hearts thanks to the perfect combination of support and ease of use. The nylon/spandex blend fabric is exceptionally smooth, and it is non-irritating, even on the most sensitive and chapped nipples. The elastic band around the bottom of the bra conforms easily to your shape and is wide enough that it doesn't dig in uncomfortably. The hook-and-eye closure is more expansive than average, with four width adjustments, which allows customization for your changing body. Where this bra shines is the generous coverage and support it provides for most sizes. The stretchy fabric is cut and gathered to lift and separate, helping to eliminate the uni-boob look that often accompanies a fuller bust. We did not experience any side boob spillage and never had to worry about tucking anything back in.
We like that the cup liners are removable, but we had problems with them shifting around. We opted to go without rather than adjusting and readjusting them. However, if you have a heavy milk supply, you may want to use them as an extra layer of absorbency. While this bra is so comfortable you might forget you're wearing it, the cut and shape are reminiscent of a grandma's bra. But hey, Grandma probably knows a thing or two about brassieres. If you need a racerback or more lounge-style bra, the Ingrid and Isabel Seamless is another one to consider with similar comfort and support. Overall, when you are nursing your baby, style is likely one of the last things on your mind, and the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra more than makes up for it in comfort. We love this bra and think that it is one you will reach for again and again during your nursing years.
With a front-to-back strap adjustment, the Bravado Body Silk Seamless bra is one of the most user friendly.
We liked the look of the Ingrid and Isabel Seamless bra from the start, and it hooked our tester from the moment she pulled it on. She enjoyed it so much that she purchased two more after testing. The full-coverage cut and the extra-thick band give a held-in and hugged feeling that inspires confidence whether working out or lounging around. The straps are extra wide and sturdy; we didn't experience any uncomfortable digging. They are relatively easy to adjust but don't slip. This pullover style has no band adjustment, but the high-quality ribbed fabric easily conforms to your shape.
The racerback style features drop-cup nursing access, but because the front is constructed from one large fabric panel, it may take some maneuvering to find a comfortable position for nursing. You will likely appreciate two individual pads sewn into the bra for extra coverage and absorbency. However, we don't like that there is no option to remove them, especially as they are so thick. The material has a very thick-ribbed texture that may be less comfortable for some users over long periods. The Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra has a smoother fabric and is not ribbed, making it a more traditional option than this racerback style. This bra runs a bit small, so you may want to size up. Ultimately, we feel these are minor flaws in an overall fantastic bra and would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend.
We love the hugged feeling we get from the wide band of the Ingrid and Isabel Seamless bra.
The Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback is our favorite nursing bra for sleep. It uses a rayon/spandex blend fabric that is smooth to the touch, cozy with no plastic parts that could get uncomfortable through the night, and a full coverage cut that holds everything securely in place, making this bra the stuff of dreams. The cup fabric is so stretchy that we had no problem with the side pull access, while the band feels secure enough not to let anything slip out, even while tossing and turning. We also appreciate that the fantastic range of size options makes it easy to find your perfect fit. From XS to XXL, each size is also available in a “busty” option with a smaller band-to-cup ratio. We think this makes up for the lack of a band adjustment in this pullover-style bra.
Because it is a sleeping bra, the French Terry Racerback offers less support than daytime bras. It doesn't come with any padding, so you'll need to purchase nursing pads separately if you need them. There is no dedicated space to insert the pads, so they may travel through the night and end up in the wrong spot. If you like a racerback but want one with more support than a sleep bra, the Ingrid and Isabel Seamless is a good choice our testers thought was comfortable and supportive. The Kindred Bravely runs very small, so it may take a few tries to find your perfect fit. We recommend ordering multiples to try on at home rather than guessing. We think these are minimal drawbacks, and we love the overall functionality of the Kindred Bravely. It is our number one recommendation for a sleep bra for nursing.
The thick band and soft fabric feel cozy and secure around the ribcage.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Compare Products
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Nursing Bras
We started our nursing bra selection and testing process by researching popular and well-known products on the market. We narrowed our selection to capture the best of the lot and include various styles. We purchased each bar and assessed them side-by-side with the help of nursing moms to determine which are the best. We considered comfort, ease of use, quality, and the ability of the bra to help aid in nursing privacy. We took our test results and feedback from moms to determine rank and award winners.
Why Trust GearLab
Leading the review is Senior Review Editor, Abriah Wofford. With over six years of professional baby gear testing at BabyGearLab and many more years as a nanny and childcare provider, Abriah uses her experience to inform the research and testing process. Helping with hands-on testing is Justice Wofford, a breastfeeding mother. As a new mother, she augmented our analysis with her opinion on the general fit, overall support, and ease of access during nursing or pumping.
We tested the adjustments and clips of each bra to see how easy they are to use.
Our tester wore each bra multiple days at a time to see how it would hold up through a daily routine.
Analysis and Test Results
After hours of research, we selected the best nursing bras available. We then dove further in with hands-on testing to find the best of the best, examining aspects such as fit, style, and comfort. In our tests, we considered Fit/Comfort, Support, Ease of Use, and Style for each bra.
What's the Best Value?
Finding an excellent nursing bra isn't as easy as picking something up and heading home. Choosing the most inexpensive option you can find is also not the best strategy, as it could be too uncomfortable for long-term or everyday wear. Because you could be wearing your nursing bra for more than a year, we think it is best to buy a few comfortable and easy-to-use options that perhaps cost a little more than looking for the least expensive option you may hate wearing. There is value in selecting a product you will enjoy wearing. The Ingrid and Isabel Seamless performed better than average in all our tests and had a reasonable price compared to the competition. Our tester enjoyed this bra so much that she bought several for herself when testing was over. While not the cheapest in the review, it is a high-scoring option with a lower price than some competitors.
The fabric on the Kindred Bravely Marvella is plush and stretchy, but not as supportive as some.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fit/Comfort
When you are pregnant or nursing, you want to be comfortable. There are so many other things happening with your body that an ill-fitting piece of clothing can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. If a bra doesn't feel good when you're wearing it, it's the wrong bra.
The lower band should be snug but broad enough not to dig into your rib cage. We also prefer straps that are slightly wider than average, like the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra, because they will help distribute the load better. The softness and stretchiness of the fabric are important when considering the possibility of irritation and chafing. We love the On Gossamer Next To Nothing material because it feels silky and soft in sensitive areas. The best bras will move with you and not feel restricted. The Ingrid and Isabel Seamless is a perfect example of a bra that flexes to fit the shape of your body.
The On Gossamer Next to Nothing has a rear hook and eye closure with three adjustment options.
The extreme gapping on the side of the Simple Wishes Foundation bra was annoying to deal with.
The fit of a bra can vary widely depending on body shape and personal preference. The use of good design and extra stretchy fabrics can make some bras more universally comfortable and flattering. When choosing a bra, ensure there are no hot spots where the material rubs or is too tight. It is equally essential to avoid bras that gap in the wrong places; extra loose fabric can cause just as much irritation as extra tight. In our tests, the top-scoring bras for fit and comfort were the Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback and Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra. The Bravado has a wide range of adjustments for a customized fit that helps mothers of all sizes find a good fit. The Kindred is the softest option in the group, perfect for those who value fabric feel. The lowest-scoring bra for fit and comfort is the La Leche League with itchy, thin materials that stretch too much too quickly.
The ribbed design of the Bravado Body Silk helps add support and shape.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Support
Different mamas will appreciate different levels of support from their nursing bras. However, as your breasts grow, you will likely need a bit more than your pre-pregnancy bras provide.
The On Gossamer is the closest thing we can find to a standard bra, but that still offers some much-appreciated additional support. We also like the Bravado Body Silk Seamless Bra for its full-coverage design that is snug but not suffocating. It provides adequate support without mushing your chest into the dreaded uni-boob or shapeless lump.
The thick straps of the Brooks Fiona sport bra feel sturdy enough to handle some serious movement.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
For working out, you will appreciate a bra with maximum support. Unfortunately, this can mean sacrificing shaping ability. If you want gentle support for low-impact activities, the Ingrid and Isabel Seamless bra is a sporty, full-coverage, still cute option. Some of the least supportive bras on our list are those for sleep; products like the Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback and La Leche League are looser fitting and more comfortable through the night. But if you wear it while sleeping, perhaps support is less of a concern. The most supportive option in this review is the Cake Maternity Croissant, thanks to the underwire that provides more support but could be less comfortable.
With baby in tow, it is ideal to have a clip that can be worked with only one free hand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
How easy a nursing bra is to use will significantly influence how often it gets worn. Nursing bras have two access types: some have a side pull style that utilizes extra stretchy fabric sewn into a wrap style.
Others have a clip where the cup and strap meet, allowing you to drop the cup down for easy feeding. All the bras we tested have a way to keep the strap from slipping to the back, making it easy to adjust the bra back into its regular position.
Although it is easy to remove and adjust, we don't like that there is nothing to hold the strap in place on the Brooks Fiona when it is not connected to the cup.
The On Gossamer Next To Nothing has a clip that is typical of many nursing bras, but we feel it is easier to undo with one hand than some others.
The Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback is a foolproof sleep bra for ease of use. It is one of the easiest to take on and off, has no extra adjustments to fumble with, and does not require you to use a clip, making it perfect for groggy midnight feedings. The On Gossamer is the ideal daytime bra. The straps are easy to adjust, and the cup's clip is easy to undo with one hand. We also appreciate that the cups are two separate pieces with a space in the middle, making it much easier to drop one cup at a time and get it entirely out of the baby's way without exposing your goods to the world. The hardest-to-use bra is the Cake Maternity Croissant, thanks to extremely difficult-to-adjust straps.
Potential Messes
Breastfeeding can lead to leaks, spit-up, and accidental messes. Choosing one of the best burp cloth to catch messes is a great idea.
The Cake Maternity Croissant offered the best shaping and support features of all the bras we tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Style
The cherry on top of all this is style. How does the bra look? For this metric, we prefer bras with some system to prevent uni-boob, whether that means separate cups, extra elastic, or, in some cases, underwire support.
Also, consider how well a bra will match your maternity wardrobe. Do you tend to wear more racerbacks? Or do you usually go with the standard straight straps? Whatever your preference, you want a bra to match.
The longline silhouette of the Ingrid and Isabel offers a more sleek and modern take on the sports bra.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We love the Ingrid and Isabel Seamless racerback bra for more of a sporty athleisure look. It is one of this review's most discreet nursing bras and can easily be worn under a loose, flowy tank for extra coverage and support. The most supportive shaping bra is the Cake Maternity Croissant, the only underwire option we tested. If you want a smooth nursing bra with a little perk, it is perfect for wearing more form-fitting shirts or dresses. The On Gossamer Next To Nothing earned a high score for style thanks to a design that doesn't look like a granny bra and natural boob separation, which is harder to find in nursing bras than you'd think.
Your nursing bra should be comfortable enough to hang out around the house, and stylish enough to go out.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
The bra you wear while nursing or using your favorite breast pump depends on your preference and overall comfort. Only you can truly decide which bra is the right one for your breasts and your needs. We selected the top bras of various styles to offer a wide range of potential contenders. We hope multiple options in our lineup will pique your interest. Because all boobs are different, even more so during and after pregnancy, we recommend purchasing your nursing bra from a retailer with a flexible return policy and trying out a few different styles to find what works best for you. Whether you want a sleep bra, a daytime bra, or absolute comfort, there is likely an option in this review for you.
