The 5 Best Nursing Bras of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter

Feb 25, 2025

By Coco McCracken

We recently tested 17 nursing bras with a panel of 12 nursing moms. We have five new picks, including Storq’s Comfort Zone Nursing Bra, Kindred Bravely's Simply Sublime Nursing Bra, and the Negative Silky Nursing Bra.

Nursing bras offer convenient access for breastfeeding and are an essential garment you’ll turn to for support and comfort as you adjust to the demands of nurturing and nourishing your new baby.

After giving birth, your breasts will fluctuate in cup size—possibly much more than you might imagine—and constant leaking and nursing can lead to terribly sore, chapped, and raw skin. A reliable nursing bra will stretch or adjust to accommodate your changing body and make feeding time less cumbersome.

We’ve been reviewing nursing bras since 2017 and looked at 40 new and time-tested bras in 2024. Once we whittled that pile down to 17 finalists, we sent them out to a panel of 12 nursing moms, ranging in size from 32A to 38G, who spent more than six months wearing, nursing, and washing them day after day after day.

We have five fantastic nursing bras to recommend: a fuller-coverage bra that fits a wide range of sizes; a seam-free-but-structured bra you might wear to the office, or anywhere else; a tried-and-true workhorse that fits cups B to H; a sexy bralette that’s stronger than it looks; and a bra made for sleep that you just may want to wear all the time.

And if you’re shopping for your very first nursing bra, you may want to start by understanding your options.

The effort to unclip or pull aside a bra should be minimal. The same goes for putting one back together.

We looked for breathable bras that are soft enough to sleep in and feel comfortable for 10-plus hours a day.

The best nursing bras lift heavier breasts when milk comes in and contour when your cups reduce in size.

Nursing bras get dirty often. Being able to wash them quickly and easily is essential.

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I am a writer and mother, and I began testing nursing bras when I was six months pregnant with my second child. I wore most of the bras through the end of my pregnancy, during postpartum breastfeeding, and when I went back to work. I am also an author of Wirecutter’s Best Wearable Breast Pumps guide, and I wore several of these bras while pumping.

For this guide:

Supportive, durable, and cute, this bra holds wearable pumps better than most.

We found the wireless Storq Comfort Zone Nursing Bra to be supportive during pregnancy and through all stages of breastfeeding—and we even wanted to keep wearing it after weaning. Of several similarly styled bras we tested, this one consistently ranked as the favorite of our testing panel. “This is the bra I reached for most often,” reported one panelist, who typically has a D cup and ordered this one in a size large. “I’ve never worn a bra to bed ever in my life, but I would easily wear this to sleep, that’s how comfortable it is,” raved another tester with a 48G size bust.

This fabric is soft and smooth and feels great against sensitive skin. Especially during the first tender weeks of nursing, you’ll want to reach for materials that breathe well and feel buttery soft. The bra is made with 92% modal jersey, a material derived from beech trees that many lingerie designers are using for its breathable, moisture-wicking properties that don’t trap odors. (Storq also makes a popular Recovery Brief made from the same blend.) There were countless times I fell asleep in this bra in those early postpartum weeks, and out of all the bras we tested that weren’t specifically designed for sleep, this one was the most comfortable to sleep in.

It offers a ton of stretch where you need it, and with a wide underbust band, supports up to size 3XL (or cups A to H). The other 8% of the bra is made from spandex, which you can feel in the construction’s double-layer knit. When pulled in any direction, the material is permeable (you can slightly see through), which allows for excellent airflow. Yet the strength of the spandex snaps everything back to its original shape even after multiple washes.

I machine-washed this bra in warm water, put it in the dryer, and mixed it with all sorts of colors, and over a year later, it looks as good as new. Storq recommends hand- or machine-washing this bra in cold water and laying it flat to dry, but we put all our finalists through hot water cycles and the dryer because accidentally (or not), for a bleary-eyed new parent, tossing something in with the rest of the wash is inevitable.

The bra’s clips lie flat against your body. Some bras we tested have bulky clips or seams that can show under tighter-fitting shirts. The Comfort Zone’s clips are slim when clicked into place and can easily be opened and closed with just a gentle snap of your fingers. We also liked that the back straps can be adjusted to a racerback position and that the four-row hook-and-eye enclosure is thoughtfully covered with a soft, satiny material, meaning you won’t feel anything rubbing in the middle of your back.

This is the best nursing bra to use with wearable breast pumps. Somehow, the Comfort Zone is cute on top of the fact that it offers more coverage than any of the other nursing bras we recommend, making it great at holding wearable breast pumps.

Storq’s packaging is relatively low-waste. They keep things minimal, from recycled, reusable poly mailers to heat-transfer labels (tagless designs applied directly to fabric using heat), which offer a smoother, more comfortable feel than traditional tags.

It doesn’t come with padding. Even though it held my nursing pads well during the day, any pads you add can shift if you sleep or are very active in the bra.

If you have a smaller frame with a small bust size, this bra can feel like too much coverage. And the combination of material, shape, and lack of padding means this bra can slightly flatten your shape. For those wanting a fuller silhouette, we recommend Momcozy’s Classic Ultra Soft Nursing Bra.

Fabric: 92% modal, 8% spandex; Oeko-Tex Standard 100Sizes: XS–3XL (cups A–H)

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This wireless bra lifts and shapes with dig-free seams that help it feel weightless on.

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The Momcozy Classic Ultra Soft Nursing Bra can feel just right at work or home. We kept reaching for it when we wanted to feel lifted, smoothed, and put together, and yet it was still soft enough to lounge in.

This wire-free bra feels soft and silky, with clips that lie flat and a laser-cut edge that sits flat against the skin. I found this fit the best under tighter shirts. The shape is similar to T-shirt bras, with a classic heart-shaped neckline, but instead of an underwire, this bra has an underbust cradle made from a strong mesh that’s invisibly sewn into the fabric. That construction continues in a wide band that is also laser-cut, and hugs under your arms to the clasp in the back, which smooths without digging in. “Love the material and cut,” reported one tester who wears a B cup, ordered this bra in a small, and found that it did a great job merging the comfort of a cute bralette with the lift of a more-structured bra.

The straps are slightly wider than those of the Storq Comfort Zone, which helps provide more lift. They are made from a stretchy, velvet-like material with a ribbed design on the back side which sits snug and comfortably on your shoulders. The sliders move up and down the straps easily but also stay put once settled.

Though the cups are molded, the malleable pads allow for easy nursing. When you pull the cup down to nurse, it squishes to barely nothing, making it very comfy for the baby to get a good latch. (We found that some stiffer cups, like those on the Hotmilk Forever Yours, slid back up and got in the way of the baby nursing.) The padding is removable too—just give it a good tug to pull it from the heat-strip attachment inside the cups (you can easily slip them back into the bra cup pocket).

It’s affordable and made with durable nylon and spandex, meaning this “beater-bra” can easily handle the dryer and washer. Over a year later, my bra is in excellent shape even after multiple trips around my washer and dryer drums. That said, know that Momcozy recommends hand-washing this bra and setting it out flat to dry, and your bra will most certainly hold up even better if you follow those instructions. The bra air-dries fast, especially without the padded inserts.

It’s not the most supportive bra for larger busts. The Momcozy bra tested well up to E and F cups, where many of our testers found the type of structure was not enough. (To be fair, the company says the bra is not suitable for sizes F and up.)

Under the arm, along the edge of the bra, I noticed a slight gaping. You can even see this in some of the company’s product photos. Luckily, this went away over time and the bra ended up molding to my body.

Even though you can fit some wearable pumps in the bra, you might need to keep a hand on them. The same laser-cut, seamless structure that makes this bra comfortable means it’s not as strong when holding heavy, often bulky wearable pumps.

Customer service is a bit inaccessible and impersonal. Overseas chatbots mostly direct you to a support email that tends to give canned responses, which makes some problem-solving and exchange processes tricky. We recommend ordering through a third-party seller like Amazon, Target, or Walmart to access their customer service and return policies.

It’s not the sexiest-looking bra. The descriptor “frumpy” comes up a lot in the notes from our panel, and some also said they didn’t like the higher neckline, which was visible above some shirts.

Fabric: 61% nylon, 39% spandex; Oeko-Tex Standard 100Sizes: S–3L (roughly up to an E cup)

This ultra-durable, no-nonsense bra offers full coverage, keeps its shape over time, and is beloved for its snug, supportive fit. It fits the broadest range of cup sizes of our picks.

Kindred Bravely’s wireless Simply Sublime Nursing Bra keeps you lifted wear after wear and always bounces back into shape. After a year, mine looks practically brand new. Thanks to its nylon and spandex blend, and extra stitching, this utilitarian nursing bra is easy to put on, take off, and nurse in, all while staying reliably fitted when the cups are clipped back in place.

It’s thoughtfully knit and stitched. The wide underbust is ribbed all the way to the back clasps, which are sewn over with a silky material layered over a thin piece of foam. This means you barely feel anything where the bra fits the tightest. Under each breast additional seams are layered in without a fray in sight. We also like that the center of the bra is ruched to offer a little bit of separation, avoiding the dreaded uni-boob. Whether that’s important to you or not, separation does help wick sweat and offers additional lift.

Its full coverage makes it a good fit for wearable breast pumps. Although it offers slightly less coverage than the Storq Comfort Zone Nursing Bra, this bra can still hold a wearable pump well. Because it’s made with a higher concentration of nylon, it will take wearable pumps longer to stretch out this bra versus something with more cotton.

It’s customizable. The bra comes in sizes S–3X, depending on style and color. There are three different fits based on your cup size: Regular (B to D cups), Busty (E to H), or Super Busty (I to K). Depending on the size you order, your bra will have one of four different strap types, ranging from 15 mm to 28 mm wide, padded and/or with a floral embroidery. All the sizes come with removable padding, but even without it, the thick, double-layered material doesn’t leave you too exposed.

The brand (and this bra) is loved by many. The Simply Sublime has consistently been a favorite of our staff, and it has more than 3,100 5-star reviews on Amazon.

This nursing bra looks like a nursing bra. The shape of the bra isn’t the most flattering, and on smaller frames, in particular, the bra can seem overwhelming. Plus the seams around the neckline are quite bulky and tend to show under tight-fitting shirts.

The material can get hot in humid weather. While the nylon blend is very supportive and washes well (Kindred Bravely recommends hand-washing and line-drying, but mine held up amazingly after being machine washed), a handful of us found this bra to feel a bit thick and heavy, especially during warm weather.

You might experience side boob. Some testers found the bra cut too low under their arms and didn’t offer enough coverage, resulting in spillage.

Fabric: Regular: 93% nylon, 7% spandex; Busty: 90% nylon, 10% spandexSizes: Regular: S–2X; Busty S–3X; Super Busty S–1X, fitting sizes 30B–48H

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This sheer bralette is a unicorn: a nursing bra that looks like something you’d love to wear, breastfeeding or not. But its sizing is more limited than with others, and the thin fabric is especially easy to leak through.

The sexiest nursing bra on our list is surprisingly utilitarian. Despite its sheer look and whisper-thin feel, the wireless Negative Silky Nursing Bra lifts with decent coverage, is easy to nurse in, and is durable. But it only comes in sizes up to 42DD. (The company also makes non-nursing bras for after breastfeeding, and their sheer bralette is a pick in our best bra guide.)

It feels amazing on the skin. Negative says the material is made from Belgian nylon that feels “wispy thin,” and it’s true. No other bra we tested felt this lightweight on, but the sheer fabric is also surprisingly strong.

As far as sleek, luxe-feeling bras go, this one is also the easiest to care for. It’s made from nylon and spandex, and you can machine wash it in warm water. (You know a bra is built tough when a lingerie company greenlights the machine, in warm water no less.) Because of the sheer material, line-drying this bra takes no time at all.

It functions for nursing, work, and beyond. This was one of my most-used bras after breastfeeding. I love the cut of the neckline so much that I am currently on the hunt for a bathing suit top with the same shape. One tester, who has a D cup and ordered this bra in the largest size available, gave it 5 out of 5 stars. “I have a large chest, and I found it very supportive,” she said.

It only fits up to a DD cup, a more limited range than most of our other picks. The company says it fits from 30A to 42DD, but with the thinner band and silky material, support and coverage aren’t what this bra was designed for. Two testers who wear size 42D said it supported them adequately, but not all day like the Storq Comfort Zone and the Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime did. “The band can sometimes dig in and fold in an uncomfortable way when worn for many hours,” one of our 42D testers noted.

You’ll need to add nursing pads in the first few weeks of breastfeeding. The bra is entirely made out of a silky mesh, which offers zero leak absorption. There were a few times I forgot my inserts, and I leaked through my clothing immediately. Negative doesn’t sell add-on pads, but we recommend Lansinoh Washable Nursing Pads in our guide to helpful tools for pumping breast milk. Since there’s no separation in the center of the bra, they can slide around quite a bit.

It’s not the best option for wearable pumps. My slimmest wearable pump was the Elvie (I’m also an author of Wirecutter’s guide to wearable breast pumps, so I had multiple on hand). The Elvie did fit in this bra as long as I held them in place (or didn’t move much), but that sort of defeats the point of a wearable. This is too thin and slim of a bra to comfortably walk around in while pumping with most wearables.

Fabric: 75% polyamide (nylon), 25% elastane (spandex); Oeko-Tex Standard 100Sizes: 0–5 or 30A–42D

Day or night, this comfy cotton bra is so easy to use, just one flick of the finger begins or ends your nursing sessions.

The Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra is completely hardware-free, designed with a crossover-plunge neckline that you can easily pull aside to nurse in with a single finger. This was my favorite bra to sleep in and to wear during the day, too; the pull-aside style is fumble-free, allowing you to nurse and get back to whatever you were doing quickly and discreetly.

The soft, mostly cotton blend is ideal for the sensitive skin around your nipples, which can be prone to infection. The bra is almost all pima cotton (94%), which is one of the most breathable textiles to sleep in. “It is common to experience night sweats in the first week postpartum,” said lactation consultant Tiffany Carter-Skillings, who added that breastfeeding mothers and their babies are also susceptible to bacterial infections like thrush. “Yeast thrives in dark, warm, moist environments making the breast/chest a common place for this to appear.”

Unlike other sleep bras we tested, every edge is invisibly stitched, hiding the elastic inside. This offers ultimate comfort, since no elastic or seams are touching your skin. We found this design also keeps nursing pads in place fairly well. The tighter elastic edging hugged in the round bamboo and cotton pads I used better than other cup-free bras we tested.

The bra is easy to wash and very durable. Hatch recommends machine-washing cold, tumble dry low. This bra was the most used of any that I tested. I wore it at night (almost every night) and most days, too. It saw every spill under the sun, and yet after hundreds of washes, it looks great. Sometimes I had to work out some elastic getting twisted when I was laying it flat to dry, but it always found its shape again once I put it back on.

It has a flattering plunge neckline and is effortless to wear. When I was breastfeeding in public or having visitors over to see the baby while I was in pajamas (if I was wearing a shirt at all), this cute bra was a welcome part of my postpartum wardrobe.

There is no adjustability. This bra is one piece with no straps that adjust or clasp in the back. The fit entirely depends on the size you choose and the elasticity of the seams.

It offers only moderate support. Like most sleep bras, the Dream Feed favors buttery softness over sturdy structure, so going for a run in this bra might not be the best idea. However, I found that this was the most supportive of the six sleep bras we tested. Some women on our panel said that when they sized down they gained more lift.

Fabric: 94% pima cotton, 6% spandexSizes: S–XL (30A–42DD/E)

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If you want more coverage in a racerback: Cake Maternity’s Cotton Candy bra (shown above) is a supportive option made from a dense yarn that fits sizes from 32B to 42DDD/F. It was previously a pick in this guide. The material is soft to the touch, and the sling inside is the most substantial of any we tested. But in our 2024 testing we found that the straps felt too thin in comparison to the rest of the bra and tended to dig in around the neck area after just an hour. Some testers, including myself, didn’t love pulling a nursing bra over our heads. Plus, the strap hooks popped out of the “eye” enclosures more than any of our other picks (Bodily a close second), which got annoying.

If you want a bra with underwire: The Third Love Cotton Underwire Nursing Bra, which is made with pima cotton, is a soft, luxurious-feeling bra designed to resemble a regular bra. It features flexible, poke-free underwires to offer the wearer more traditional structure and lift. The foam cups smooth well under clothing and tuck down easily for nursing. While expensive at more than $70, this bra has quality details, such as gold-colored clips and accordion-ribbon straps that offer a bungee-like shock absorption. However, this bra didn’t test well with our panel. This was especially true for women who wear a D cup or larger, who reported a lack of support and issues with the wire digging in. I didn’t wear this bra (or the other underwire bra we tested) when my milk came in since it felt too restricting, however, after a few weeks it fit again. I only chose this bra for short periods like meetings and dinners out but always felt relieved to take it off in favor of something without wire.

If you want more wireless options that are similar to Kindred Bravely’s Simply Sublime: Bravado’s Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra (a former pick in this guide) and Cake Maternity’s Rock Candy Wireless Nursing Bra are solid choices that are great for daily, multi-use support. At first, I often confused these three bras. All three are made with a similar nylon-to-spandex ratio and spun into knits with durable ribbed sections that provide support and separation. Cake fits the smallest range, up to G cup, while Bravado and Kindred Bravely fit K and I, respectively. Of the three, Kindred Bravely has the comfiest straps, held up the best in the wash, and was a little better at keeping wearable pumps in place.

If you want something much less expensive: Target’s Auden Women's Nursing Seamless Bra is a favorite among many moms and at just shy of $20 is one of the most affordable nursing bras we’ve come across. Plus, being a Target brand, this bra is accessible to those who might want to try on in person first, purchase it easily online, and/or return it with relative simplicity if needed. This bra feels thicker and cheaper than our picks, though. It also has sewn-in cups (some prefer this as they don’t shift). And after about three months the color of mine faded, and the clasps in the back started to bend out of shape.

If you want something that feels like wearing nothing: Bodily’s The Everything Bra is made from material that feels like petting the softest kitten in the world (it’s made mostly from viscose (49%) and micromodal (43%), the latter of which is a blend of wood pulp). At first I reached for this bra more than any other because of the handfeel. I even opted to bring it as my hospital bra, and almost every nurse and doctor either complimented it or told me they loved it, too. However, after just one week it became clear that there was minimal to zero support, and my nursing pads never stayed put. The dainty straps are among the thinnest we tested, which didn’t help support-wise, and they unclipped seemingly on their own accord. But if you want a shape that is as close to being naked as it gets—or a special, ultra-soft bra to wear while you’re giving birth—this bra might work for you.

Bras designed specifically for nursing provide easier access for feeding than regular bras do, and they support breasts through size fluctuations, heaviness, and leakage. Though you may use nursing bras for a couple of years at most, you’ll likely rely on these garments daily during that time, so it’s worth getting something that’s comfortable and fits correctly.

Unlike regular bras, most nursing bras are equipped with clasps where the cup meets the strap that make it easy to access your breasts without having to remove your bra. Or, some nursing bras simply allow you to pull the cups aside for breast access. Many nursing bras also have multiple rows of hooks and super-stretchy fabrics that can accommodate rib cage expansion and contraction and weight gain and loss.

For your first nursing bra, we suggest sticking with a sleep bra or one sized S to XL+, which will cover a large range of band and cup sizes. These tend to be softer, stretchier, and more forgiving than most bras sized to a given band and cup.

On average, milk comes in more abundantly at approximately day three or day four after giving birth. “This can cause a significant increase in breast or chest size,” said Tiffany Carter Skillings, a midwife and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). “We’re talking sometimes up to two cup sizes larger.” Plus, she added, “[Sleep bras] are soft, and since they don’t provide a lot of structure they are less likely to cause plugged ducts and mastitis.” (Don’t make the mistake of getting a much larger bra when your milk comes in. Your breasts will decrease in the weeks that follow once your milk supply stabilizes.)

After a couple of weeks, you can expect smaller fluctuations in breast size throughout the day. A more flexible, wire-free bra can deliver comfort, support, and even some level of feeling put together, if that’s important to you. Three bras is a good number to have while you’re still breastfeeding, as milk will undoubtedly end up on them, and they’ll need to be washed frequently. Many nursing bra guides try to match activities with specific bras designed particularly for things like sleep, T-shirts, work, et cetera. However, we found that many companies now design bras meant to adapt for whatever life throws at you, eliminating the need for a different bra for “day” or “night.”

Still, it’s helpful to know about the different types of nursing bras out there. We found that there are five main types, though there is overlap across the categories:

Seamless: These bras tend to be soft and sleep-friendly and are generally made with material that stretches to accommodate breast size fluctuation (and sized S–XL, instead of by cup size). They generally provide more support than bras made specifically for sleeping, but not as much as underwire bras. Many come with removable cups for masking nipples, have hook-and-eye-closures for ensuring a snug fit, and have clasps where the band meets the strap for easy nursing access.

Wireless: Wireless bras are sometimes sized by band and cup, and they are often structured with seams, much like a traditional underwire bra. In place of an underwire, these bras offer support through fabric, shaping, and seams, offering lift and padding without as much potential for clogged ducts (as long as they’re not too tight). These bras also have clasps at the straps, and many have extra hook-and-eye closures. (You can also find wireless, seamless nursing bras, combining all of the above features for maximum comfort and a smooth fit.)

Underwire: Sized by band and cup, underwire nursing bras are similar to regular underwire bras except that they have clasps where the cup meets the strap and may have more hook-and-eye points of attachment. The best underwire nursing bras have wires that curve in more gently toward the armpit compared with traditional underwire bras, as well as a flexible wire to allow for the size fluctuations that accompany nursing.

“While many women prefer non-wire, the benefits of a wire can be more support and less bra underneath the breasts,” said Amie Heenan, owner of Melmira Bra & Swimwear Boutique and an expert bra fitter. “Women often find they are, in fact, more comfortable.” When it comes to underwire bras, it is especially recommended to get fitted (or find a brand that has generous return windows) since overly tight clothing is a potential cause of clogged ducts, according to the World Health Organization. Heenan often suggests that a customer try both wired and underwire options. If she chooses an underwire “we feel it is important to invest in a good-quality designer, with a wire that is lined, coated, and flexible, as she can change not only with time but throughout the day.”

Pull-aside (sleep): Also known as “crossover” or sleep bras, these simple, hardware-free bras are very easy to pull aside and nurse in and are the most comfortable for sleeping. Though the primary function of these bras is to give you support at night—they hold pads for collecting leaky milk and make nursing incredibly easy because you simply pull the cup over to expose the breast—of course you can use them during the day as well if you’re not concerned about wearing a bra that provides lift or shape. Crossover bras are typically pulled on over your head.

Although we did a little research on nursing sports bras, we didn’t include them in this guide, which is focused on everyday nursing bras. And if it’s a pumping bra you’re looking for, head to our guide to the best pumping bra and other tools to help make pumping breast milk less of a chore.

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I started my research by poring over countless Facebook groups and Reddit threads to get a diverse perspective on the many brands and styles available. I spoke with and interviewed friends and colleagues who had babies and used nursing bras in the past year. I read reviews of nursing bras in online testimonials, as well as on other product review sites, like Babylist, Good Housekeeping, and What to Expect.

Working with my editors at Wirecutter, I began compiling a list of the best-selling, best-reviewed, and award-winning bras that were new since our last round of testing. We reached out to our colleagues, posted in community message boards, and asked midwives, lactation consultants, ob-gyns, and pediatricians about their favorite nursing bras. I even queried new moms I met walking my kids around the neighborhood.

We determined that the most important things to consider are:

Support: Nursing bras should be able to lift heavier busts as milk comes in.

Comfort: The bra should feel soft against mother and child’s sensitive skin, and be made with textiles that breathe well.

Ease of use: Putting on and taking off the bra should be easy, and you should be able to access the breast without fiddling with complicated or stiff clasps.

Durability: We prioritized bras that have simple washing instructions and styles that keep their shape after multiple washes

Sleep-friendliness: More nursing bras designers are leaning toward seamless designs that are soft enough to sleep in day or night.

Style: Not only were we looking for nursing bras that offer a contoured silhouette appropriate for day-time clothes, but we preferred ones we wanted to keep wearing even after breastfeeding.

Affordability: Similar to regular bras, nursing bras range in cost from $20 to $85+, however we found many great options for under $50.

Customer service: We appreciated being able to contact customer support easily since we often had questions about size and exchange policies.

We selected just over 40 bras for my initial round of testing, when I was still pregnant. I made sure each bra fit as best as it could, knowing that my size would fluctuate once my milk came in. I made notes about each design, the textile blends, and the company’s customer experience, and I researched what other mothers were saying about each style.

When my daughter was born, I wore each bra at least seven times before discounting it as a contender or deciding to move it on to panel testing. I kept my favorites in rotation for the duration of my nursing and pumping over the next six months. I still wear all of our picks today, long after weaning.

We then tested our 17 finalist bras with a panel of 12 nursing mothers who ranged in size from 32A to 38G. Each tester completed a detailed report of their findings three different times through their nursing and postpartum period, so that we could be sure to account for how the bras held up through many wears and washes over many months.

We plan to test the newest version of the The Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback Nursing & Sleep Bra, which was released in April 2024. An earlier iteration of this bra was our former sleep bra pick, though that bra proved far less popular than The Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra from Hatch in our 2024 panel testing. We found that the Kindred Bravely bra offered little give around the bustline, making it almost impossible to get on (when I switched to the size up, it was too large). This bra has a lot of coverage in the back, which was hot to sleep in but could be a benefit for daytime support. We will update this guide with our findings after testing the newer version.

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Bodily’s The Effortless Bra is made from the same ultrasoft material as Bodily’s The Everything Bra but is a pull-down instead of a clip-down. However, even with the V-neck, we never could pull the bra aside enough to breastfeed properly. We prefer a pull-down with a crossover pleat that allows the breast to fully come out without edges slipping back into place and breaking the latch, which is what this bra did every time.

The Mama By Aerie Nursing Bralette is comparable to Momcozy’s Classic Ultra Soft Nursing Bra because of its laser-cut shape, however we found this material to be less supportive and that it didn’t give as nice of a shape under tighter shirts. The clasps and stitching on the Momcozy were also better quality.

We wanted to love the lace and delicate lines of the Journelle Victoire Maternity Wireless Bra, but the thin backstrap dug in both during and after my nursing days. The neckline where the bow and lace sit is oddly high, and at nearly $85 it was the second most expensive bra we tested (after the Cosabella Never Say Never Maternity Mommie Nursing Bralette).

The Storq Deluxe Nursing & Sleep Bra is breathable, soft, and nice to sleep in, but we found that Hatch’s The Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra is more comfortable around the seams. Hatch’s also is more supportive and stayed in better shape over multiple washes.

The Savage X Fenty Cotton Maternity Bralette is not as soft as other styles we tested. After an hour, I noticed it was digging in and rubbing at some of the seams. The detailing overall felt a little basic, and out of the package, mine already had missed stitches. However, the cut is cute, especially for those who like a triangle bralette shape or an A-frame-style nursing sling. But in this price category I was hoping for something that checked a few more boxes on our nursing bra wishlist.

I wore a back brace for many years as a preteen and the Hotmilk Forever Yours T-Shirt Nursing Bra reminded me of it. The stiff structure and deep, stiff cups pressed the underwire into my ribcage, and the fit was too narrow. There were some positive online reviews from women who liked the sturdy, underwire structure, but many of our testers said it was “constricting,” and I had issues with the padding looking lumpy under shirts. We recommend waiting until your milk supply has evened out before choosing something this rigid.

Hotmilk’s Show Off was a previous pick in this guide, but it did not do well in this round of testing. Every tester, including myself, thought the bra didn’t have enough support, with feedback that it was “tight” and “had no give.” However, many of us agreed it was very pretty to look at.

The Cosabella Never Say Never Maternity Mommie Nursing Bralette was the nicest-looking bra we tested, made mostly from Cosabella’s renowned Italian lace, but it was also the most uncomfortable. The bra is a pullover, which many women find difficult to put on and take off.

Although we tested these nursing bras rigorously—often by washing and drying them in machines—we still recommend following the companies’ care guidelines to extend their life and keep them looking new. If you choose to machine-wash—sometimes a sanity saver—place the bra in a mesh lingerie bag to prevent straps from tangling or stretching. Wash with cold water, and skip the dryer; heat can wear out elastic and shorten the bra’s lifespan.

For hand-washing, soak the bra in warm water with a mild detergent for about 10 minutes. A gentle swirl in the water can help lift any light stains, but soaking alone often does the trick. Rinse thoroughly, press out any excess water, and lay it flat to air-dry.

This article was edited by Rachel Hurn and Kalee Thompson.

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Tiffany Carter Skillings, LM, CPM, IBCLC, Licensed Certified Professional Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, email interview, January 29, 2024

Amie Heenan, owner and expert bra fitter at Melmira Bra & Swimsuits, email interview, October 18, 2023

Coco McCracken

Coco McCracken is a Toronto-born writer and photographer based in Portland, Maine. She is a mother to two young girls, and is currently working on her first memoir.

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