One of the more frustrating things to shop for when preparing to breastfeed is a nursing bra. With so many brands and options to choose from, where do you even start?
There are a few things that I look for in a nursing bra:
- Support – Nothing makes you look and feel more terrible than an ill-fitting bra. Support is a must.
- Comfort – You will be living in your nursing bra, so make sure it’s one that feels great.
- Brand – I am not loyal to name brands typically but when it comes to nursing bras, you get what you pay for. Period. I am not saying big name brands have the best bras but certain brands are best to stick to.
With that said, on this page, you will find articles on various nursing and pumping bras that I have personally reviewed. Finding the right nursing bra can overwhelming so let us narrow it down for you!
When to Buy a Nursing Bra
This is a question that comes up often so I wanted to be sure I addressed it before we get to the reviews. So when do you buy nursing bras?
Answer: AFTER you give birth and your milk comes in.
When I was about 8 months pregnant with my son I went out and bought a bunch of nursing bras. I even washed them. I thought I was being proactive and staying ahead of the game. Boy, was I wrong!
I was a 32C before getting pregnant. While pregnant I was a 34D. Want to guess what I was AFTER my milk came in? If you guessed a 32H, then you would be correct…I got enormous. Guess what size all those nursing bras were that I jumped the gun on and bought were? Yep, all 34D and useless.
I wasted a ton of money so I am sharing this with all of you in hopes to save you!
While you are pregnant, if you need to, buy some comfortable non-wire bras (I love the Cake Lingerie Cotton Candy bra). To prepare for giving birth or for those first few weeks afterward, I suggest you only buy nursing tanks or flexible and stretchy bras.
This will allow a comfortable fit for your ever-changing breasts and stretch in case, like me, you become huge after your milk comes in. After a few weeks and your engorgement has gotten better, then get fitted for a good nursing bra.
It is very important that you wear the correct size and never wear a bra that is too small or tight. That will lead to big issues with clogged ducts and pain. So hold off on the big purchases until you can be properly fitted.
Nursing Bra or Pumping Bra?
So, do you buy a nursing or pumping bra? What is the difference?
A pumping bra is a nursing bra that allows you to attach your breast pump flanges and pump hands-free. A nursing bra is only for nursing.
There are two different kinds of pumping bras, so it is important to pay attention when buying. They are:
- All-in-one Pumping Bra – A bra you can actually wear and doubles as a nursing and pumping bra.
- Bustier Pumping Bra – This is not an actual bra. It is a bustier that you zip on and attach the pump flanges and wear only while pumping. It is a quick and easy way to pump hands-free.
A mom who will not be doing any pumping or has no need for the hands-free option would likely want to stick to a basic nursing bra. Moms who plan to pump for any reason may find the pumping bra a huge help.
There is no right or wrong. I have both nursing only bras and pumping bras and like both. When I had to pump when wearing a nursing only bra, I would use the bustier pump bra, like Simple Wishes, and that worked great. I found that I could get more supportive nursing bras when they were not for pumping. So be aware that you do loose a little support with the pumping bras in some cases.
As always, leave me a comment with any questions or if you have a brand you want me to review!
Happy Pumping!
Nursing Bra Reviews
Pumping Bra Reviews