It’s no secret that pregnancy affects nearly every part of your body — back aches, restless legs, morning sickness, oh my!
One of the telltale signs of pregnancy is changes to the breasts. As soon as one week after conception, you could notice your boobs becoming much more tender, swollen, and even going up a cup size (or two). That’s all completely normal and nothing to worry about, although it may be slightly tricky to manage, at least at first.
That’s where maternity bras come in. It’s possible your breasts may swell to be too big to fit into your regular bra, or perhaps they’ll simply be too tender for the material and wiring. In any case, investing in a few good maternity bras is a must for pregnancy, starting right from the first trimester.
If you’re thinking about stocking up on some maternity bras but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to exactly the right place. Keep reading our guide on the four best maternity bras for pregnancy below.
The Skin-to-Skin Bra
We’ll start off strong with our absolute favorite pregnancy (and nursing) bra: the insanely comfy Skin-to-Skin Bra, available right from HATCH. This bra is wireless and made almost entirely of high-quality Pima cotton, making it comfy enough to sleep in (our testers certainly did!).
The lack of wiring and hardware means this bra is perfect for those early pregnancy days when your boobs are uber-sensitive, and the ballet neckline variety of fun colors and prints (hello, leopard print) make it a stylish find, too.
Maybe the best part about this bra is how functional it is for nursing or pumping, too. With an elastic band at the top and lightweight material, it couldn’t be easier to slip it down and nurse your newborn wherever you need it — in the comfort of your home or on the go. If you’re only going to take away one thing from this article, it should be this: Do yourself a favor and invest in the Skin-to-Skin Bra. Your future self will thank you!
The Everyday Nursing Bra
Speaking of nursing…. Breastfeeding might not be for everyone, but if you do choose to try it, you’ll need a nursing-friendly bra that gives you easy access whenever and wherever you are. (Trust us, there’s nothing worse than finally escaping the house with your newborn only to realize you’re going to have to take apart your whole outfit to feed them.)
And if you thought you had swollen and sensitive boobs during the first few weeks of pregnancy, just wait until the fourth trimester. High-quality fabrics and functional details have never been so important in your undergarments before.
The best nursing bras provide quick access to your breasts without sacrificing the comfort and support they need during this time — which is why we absolutely love the Everyday Nursing Bra.
Like the Skin-to-Skin Bra, the Everyday Nursing Bra is made with a majority Pima cotton blend (and just a bit of Spandex for stretch) that feels like silk on your skin. Although wireless (AKA no digging), this bra is more structured, providing the support you NEED when your boobs are extra swollen and sensitive.
It also features a ton of thoughtful little details that we love, including a front strap adjuster, four back settings, and a J-hook so you can turn it into a racerback style whenever you want.
But the most thoughtful detail of all is the one-handed clasp on the front, which allows you to hold your newborn and unhook the cup to feed simultaneously. That’s right: You can hold onto both your baby AND your sanity. With the Everyday Nursing Bra, breastfeeding has never been easier.
Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra
Sometimes you need a lot of support, and sometimes you need a bra so comfy you can sleep in it. Enter the Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra. This undergarment is wireless and hardware free, meaning you and your nursing babe will be as snug as can be.
It features the same cotton-Spandex blend we love so much and has a cross front that’s super easy to pull down whenever you need to feed your little one. Plus, it comes in five stylish colorways: Anise, sand, navy leopard, petite rosette, and black.
Whether you’re actively nursing or searching for a bra that can accommodate your pregnancy knockers, trust us; the Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra is truly a dream.
Bonus: The Essential Pumping Bra
This bra might be specifically designed for nursing, but if you’re even considering breastfeeding at all, you’ll want it in your closet. The Essential Pumping Bra does it all: it incorporates clever details to make breastfeeding a breeze and features a seamless design for maximum comfort.
The Essential Pumping Bra is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s free of any potentially harmful chemicals. It’s both washer and dryer safe (read: less work for you) and comes in four colors: petal, sand, bordeaux, and black.
The best part of this bra, by far, is the functional detail that lets you nurse and pump wherever you go. It has a nursing clasp, a pull-down design for super easy feeding, and a front fabric that overlaps with discreet slits so you can pump without baring your entire chest to the world. It’s the perfect blend of functionality and privacy every nursing mama deserves.
Other Pregnancy Necessities
Maternity bras aren’t the only essentials you’ll need throughout pregnancy. As we discussed earlier, growing a human can take a toll on your body – luckily, there are plenty of tools you can use and steps you can take to make the process a bit easier. Let’s dive in.
Rescue Balm
One of the side effects of suddenly sensitive breasts is how quickly your nipples can become irritated, especially if you’re breastfeeding. This lanolin-free Saie Nipple + Lip rescue balm is packed with tropical butters and superfruits, including mango butter, pomegranate, and acai, to intensely nourish and hydrate those dry and tender nips.
Made of all-natural ingredients and free of parabens, phthalates, dyes, and fragrances, this balm is gentle enough to use on your lips during the dry winter months. You’ve got a lot on your plate right now. With this rescue balm in your pocket, you can at least spare yourself dry lips and irritated nipples.
Hydrating Antioxidant Face Oil
During pregnancy, some common skincare ingredients might be off the table. Rather than ditch a skincare routine entirely while preggo, we offer you an alternative: Try replacing it with mama-safe skincare products, like the super-hydrating Ultimate Glow antioxidant face oil from the geniuses at HATCH.
You can think of it like a prenatal for your skin: antioxidant-rich, packed with botanical oils, fatty acids, and phytonutrients that will keep your skin supple and glowing throughout even the worst pregnancy hormone swings. Bye-bye, pregnancy acne, hello hydration!
Swell Relief Duo
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases, and that, combined with the added weight, means that your cankles might be coming out in full force by the third trimester. By the time you’re rocking a full-on pregnancy waddle, it’s more than likely your feet and ankles are going to be aching for relief.
Luckily, there’s a solution: Our Swell Relief Duo combines the power of compression socks and a cooling cream for everything you need to find some relief. The Down, Girl cooling cream uses the magic of aloe vera, chamomile, and ginger to soothe and relieve.
At the same time, compression socks can help ease fluid retention and the restless legs that can become super common during pregnancy. Together, they’re your one-stop shop for managing one of the most irritating and common pregnancy symptoms.
Belly Oil
During pregnancy, your belly grows so fast that it’s nearly impossible to avoid stretch marks. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with rocking some tiger stripes — in fact, as a sign of your body’s ability to create life, we think they should be celebrated. But if you aren’t a huge fan of your stretch marks or want to minimize them a bit, we’ve got you covered with our stretch mark-smoothing belly oil.
This oil features quick-drying botanicals, including calendula, sweet almond oil, and grapefruit oil, to intensely hydrate and support skin with antioxidants and Vitamin E. It’s free of all phthalates, parabens, dyes, and fragrances — only natural plant-based magic to be found here! If you need more moisture or smoothing on your watermelon-sized tummy, look no further than this belly oil.
Support for Babes From HATCH
Consider HATCH your emotional bra as well as your supplier of physical bras. Whether you need some tips on making pregnancy-friend cocktails, breastfeeding, or dressing for the It Girl event of the season, come on by. Babe, we’ve got you.
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