How to Choose a Nursing Bra That Works for You (and for Birth)
*This blog is a sponsored post by our friends at Cake Maternity. Use the discount code HOME15 for 15% off Cake Maternity’s range of nursing and birthing bras.
How to Choose a Nursing Bra That Works for You (and for Birth)
Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are beautiful and transformative journeys. While they can be absolutely joyful, the physical changes your body undergoes can come with some challenges. Expecting and new mums deserve to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, and one of the most underrated ways of achieving this is with the right bra.
You shouldn't have to choose between practicality and feeling beautiful, especially during this transformative and special stage of your life. The right bra should comfortably adapt to your changing body, provide support and ultimately be something that you actually want to wear. This guide will help you find the perfect nursing and birthing bra for you.
Understanding Maternity, Nursing and Birthing Bras
If you’ve ever shopped for maternity or nursing bras, you may have noticed that the terms are often used interchangeably. While there are some dedicated bras for each stage, we generally recommend that you purchase nursing bras as soon as you start growing out of your everyday bras during pregnancy. That way you’ll get much more longevity as you’ll be able to use them postpartum.
Bra Tip: Although predicting your breastfeeding cup size is about as reliable as predicting when you’ll go into labour, a general rule of thumb is that your cup volume in month 8 of pregnancy may be similar to what it will be once your milk supply has regulated. Just keep in mind that your band size will go down as your rib cage contracts, so you’ll need to adjust accordingly.
There are some birthing-specific styles out there (more on that later), but a general rule of thumb is that any comfortable nursing bra will also be ideal to birth in. Regular bras often aren't suitable due to their rigid structure, fixed size, and inflexible underwires, which can cause discomfort and may interfere with milk production if you continue to wear them postpartum.
What’s The Difference?
Maternity Bra: Designed for comfort and support during pregnancy, accommodating the changes your body goes through. It can feature multiple hooks and eyes to account for ribcage expansion, breathable fabrics and natural fibres to handle increased sensitivity and body heat, and adaptable cups to accommodate fluctuations in breast size.
Nursing Bra: A bra specifically designed to facilitate breastfeeding. It features cups that can be unclipped, unfastened, unzipped, pulled aside or by any other means to expose the breast to allow access for feeding.
Birthing Bra: Designed for extended wear, it moves with you and allows for breastfeeding. Basically, all the essential features of a good maternity and nursing bra. Additional features may include being fully openable to enable immediate skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care.
Why Are Regular Bras Not Enough?
Regular bras are not designed to accommodate the fluctuations and changing sizes that occur during pregnancy and postpartum. This can make their fixed sizing feel restrictive and tight, potentially leading to breast health issues and damage to milk ducts.
On the other hand, there are unstructured, flimsy bras that, while multi-fit, may not offer the support and access that a properly designed multi-sized pregnancy or nursing bra can provide.
Are All Nursing Bras Created Equal?
No, not all nursing bras are created equal; quality, fit, and construction vary significantly depending on the style, brand and the size you’re investing in. These factors impact long-term comfort and support, not to mention their durability.
Higher-quality bras often feature fabrics with superior yarns, perfected fit, advanced innovation, with careful, extensive construction and supportive features like reinforced cups, wider straps and components, and additional strength to withstand the daily strain of frequent nursing, extended wear, and regular washing.
When choosing, focus on these factors over price to find a bra that comfortably adapts to your body's changes and provides the necessary support and easy access for breastfeeding.
Factors That Differentiate Nursing Bras
A well-fitting bra is essential for comfort, support, and shape. Your comfort is paramount, and your changing breast size requires support whether you’ve just fed or are about to. A well-designed bra helps encourage milk production and accommodates ribcage expansion during pregnancy, while also allowing for a gradual reduction postpartum.
The right yarn blend and construction are vital for comfort, durability, and breathability, especially for sensitive skin and nipples, heavier and fluctuating breasts, multiple nursing sessions each day, extended wear, and frequent washing.
Investing in a quality bra saves money, frustration, and landfill in the long run. Before you purchase, check out the reviews and return policies. A good maternity brand understands your body’s changes and the need for a bra that fits and feels right, with policies that support these needs.
Features To Look For
Double-layered.
Reinforced lower cups.
Folded edge slings.
Wider straps.
Multiple hooks and eyes.
Heat-moulded cups.
Made from premium yarns such as recycled microfibres, bamboo, and materials with more than 10% Elastane, Spandex, or Lycra.
Worth The Investment
A nursing bra’s primary function is to facilitate nursing, and reputable brands such as Cake Maternity understand this need occurs many times daily. You’ll need a system that is not only easy for mum but also durable. A well-made bra will last through multiple washes and wear cycles.
Crafted with durable materials and construction, they support you throughout pregnancy, birth, nursing, and beyond, making them a worthwhile long-term investment for your comfort and practicality for a successful breastfeeding experience.
A cheaper and fast-fashion bra might seem tempting, but its inadequate support for heavier and sensitive breasts (regardless of size), narrow stretchy straps that can dig into your shoulders, and poor durability will probably mean you’ll be back ‘adding to cart’ sooner than you expect.
Lower-cost options may utilise harsher synthetics that lack stretch and breathability, leading to discomfort and less longevity, especially after a day's wear during nursing. Flimsy clips may break more easily under strain or repeated use. They may also lose their shape and elasticity quickly, requiring more frequent replacements.
Cake Maternity Birthing-Friendly Styles
Biscotti Birthing Bra
During labour and immediately after, comfortable, wire-free, and easy-access bras are best. Skin-to-skin has been crucial for premature babies’ development and is beneficial for all newborns. Biscotti was designed with this in mind, following the premature birth of my daughter at 32 weeks.
Key features: It doesn’t resemble a traditional nursing bra with no obvious drop down nursing clip or straps. There’s no hook and eye or adjustments to ensure maximum comfort during labour, whether it lasts for half an hour or closer to 24. Leakproof cups absorb any moisture, whether it’s sweat, colostrum or your milk coming in. It also features a subtle racerback, a press-stud front opening for nursing or skin-to-skin contact, and removable pads for added modesty.
Seamless Bras
If you’re looking for a bra that does it all, providing support during pregnancy, comfort during birth, and functionality for breastfeeding, a seamless bra is the way to go. There’s a range to choose from, like Cotton Candy for B-G cups, and Popping Candy for F+ cups.
Key features: A quality seamless bra will be double-layered with moulded cups for capacity. Look out for multi-fit sizing to accommodate your changing body. Depending on the level of support required, there’ll be a side sling to keep your breast (and bra strap) in place while nursing, and the addition of a platform sling in fuller busted styles.
Choosing the right nursing or birthing bra is about prioritising comfort and functionality during a transformative time for your body. Remember that the "perfect bra" ultimately depends on your unique needs, style, and preferences, so trust your instincts and select the option that feels most like your style. Trust brands that design specifically for mamas during this special time, as they take into account all the changes your body undergoes. Knowing that a well-chosen bra can make a significant difference in your daily comfort and ensure a successful breastfeeding journey for you and your baby.
Use the discount code HOME15 for 15% off Cake Maternity’s range of nursing and birthing bras.
Katie is the proud mum of two beautiful girls and has been responsible for all the designs, style and fit at Cake Maternity for over a decade now.
Katie is a nursing bra specialist and a fit, pattern and grading technician. She is passionate about breastfeeding and the many benefits it offers to both mum, baby and the environment.
She is determined to make the breastfeeding journey a comfortable, supportive and beautiful one for all mums, understanding that it doesn’t always come easy to everyone. That’s why she has made it her mission to empower women as they mindfully navigate the world of motherhood and help make breastfeeding easier, through experience-driven innovation.