nursing bras on hangersnursing bras on hangers

What To Consider Before Buying Nursing Bras

By Babe

With all the different varieties of nursing bras, nursing bralettes, nursing sports bras, and nursing tanks out there, you may be wondering which ones you should choose and what style you’d like the most. There may be lots of options, but that doesn’t mean choosing the right one has to be hard. 

Let’s talk more about the best nursing bras for you.

What Should You Look for in a Nursing Bra?

You may find a bra that you like with a cute pattern or a design that would help make nursing easier, but the quality may be lacking. A subpar bra can leave you feeling scratchy and uncomfortable without the full coverage you need. Or, you may find a comfortable bra, but it doesn’t make feeding convenient and easy for you. Luckily, these are avoidable scenarios!

Here are some facts to know and consider when it comes to buying nursing bras and pumping bras. This is everything you need to know to avoid buying all the wrong bras and ending up frustrated and uncomfortable. We know the struggle and just want to make your breastfeeding journey as easy and comfortable as we can.  

Your Maternity & Nursing Bras Should Be Soft

You’d be surprised (or maybe you wouldn’t) by how many regular bras and nursing bras are out there that aren’t comfortable. Having a soft bra is a must, so why is it that when it comes to nursing bras, there are so many that are scratchy and rough?

Making sure the intimates you choose are soft and comfy is the first step in the right direction. Start by looking at the material list to find out whether a bra is soft and well-made or not.

What’s the Best Material for a Maternity Bra?

If a bra is made up of mostly organic cotton, it’s a good indicator that it’s going to be super soft, though, of course, nothing is as soft as your baby’s precious little hands. Cotton is a natural material that is known for being soft, breathable, and durable.

Hatch’s Everyday Nursing Bra is made up of 91% organic Pima cotton and 9% spandex — and it’s oh-so-soft. This material makeup guarantees the Everyday Nursing Bra is comfortable and easily removable. The best part of your day should not be taking your bra off; we get that. This bra is one you’ll want to wear just cause. 

Another material famous for its impeccable soft feel is modal. This material derives from beech tree pulp and is known to be smooth and flexible — from Mother Nature straight to mothers everywhere.

Our Seamless Skin to Skin Bra is made up of 84% modal, which means you can expect a silky-smooth nursing bra. This seamless nursing bra looks fantastic with maternity leggings!  

What Are Breathable Bras?

Our number-one recommendation to new moms is this: buy bras that help you maintain airflow.

The last thing you want is a bra that isn’t breathable and leaves you feeling hot and sweaty. In those first few weeks postpartum, when you are healing and laying low, breathable bras are lifesavers.

To find out if a bra is breathable, find out what it’s made out of. Both cotton and modal are breathable materials, so choosing bras made from these materials ensures that you stay cool and comfy 24/7.

What Makes a Nursing Bra Easy To Use?

When you are out and about and need to feed your baby, it’s no fun struggling to get your strap clasp unhooked with one hand while holding your baby with the other. You only have two hands, so finding an everyday bra that can easily be unhooked or pulled down is a game-changer.

Practice unhooking the clasp with one hand. Does the bra assist in the process or fight you? It should be easy, and if it isn’t, then that isn’t for you!

The Everyday Nursing Bra has easy-to-use clasps on its bra straps that allow you to unclip and reclip with only one hand: what a magic trick. You can even adjust the strap for racerback functionality and extra support. This small but important feature makes a world of difference when you don’t have an extra hand to get your bra undone.

Why Are Wireless Bras Essential for Nursing?

What is something that every quality nursing bra has in common? They are wireless! 

Wired bras are one option that we never recommend to nursing moms. If you’ve ever had a wire break through the material of your bra and poke you in the skin, then you know why underwire isn’t on our materials list.

There are other reasons to pass on nursing bras with underwiring in them — it doesn’t just have to do with comfort. In fact, underwire nursing bras, swimwear, and lingerie put extra pressure on your breasts, which is the opposite of what you want as a nursing mother. So, saying no to wired bras is to ensure comfort and protect the flow of your breast milk.

Why You Need Some Variety With Your Bras

When it comes to nursing bras, there doesn’t always seem to be much variety in styles and colors. Some brands must have assumed that when a mother wants a bra to help make nursing easier, she must not care what it looks like. We know that’s not the case, though.

We’re here with some good news: sexy nursing bras exist! The Everyday Nursing Bra comes in eight colors and patterns, including solid colors, leopard prints, floral prints, and more. 

The Skin to Skin Bra comes in six colors and patterns, giving you more options than just black, white, and tan.

Getting different colored bras can make you feel confident and sexy as you start the journey of motherhood. Don’t let bland nursing bra brands extinguish your flame! Keep being your spicy self and rock that new bra while you nurse your baby.

Why You Need Stretchy Nursing Bras

Having non-restrictive nursing bras is key when breastfeeding. 

You need bras that will stretch and grow with you as you transition through different breast sizes. Your maternity bra size will be different when you are nursing. As a new mom, your cup size will vary when your milk comes in and when your milk supply regulates. No one wants to have to buy a bunch of different sizes for these different stages.

Getting nursing bras made to fit throughout these different stages is revolutionary. The Essential Pumping & Nursing Bra, along with all the other nursing bras mentioned, are designed to grow with you and fit you as your bra fit and cup size may change. Their stretchy material will not restrict you and cause discomfort.

Can Nursing Bras Be Comfortable and Functional?

If you don’t have to sacrifice comfortability for functionality, you shouldn’t have to. 

There are many things to consider when buying nursing bras, and comfortability is one of the keys to success. Factors that affect the comfortability of a bra include band size, whether the bra is strapless or has straps, and whether the bra has full cups or half cups. 

Another bra that is extremely comfy is The Dream Feed Nursing And Sleep Bra. It’s not only known for being soft and breathable but incredibly comfortable. This nursing sleep bra is made from a cotton and spandex blend, making it stretchy and durable for easy access and comfort all night long (and all day long, too… it’s pajama day every day in the fourth trimester, mama).

Now You’re Ready To Buy Nursing Bras

Each one of these elements is equally important, and when you find a nursing bra that falls in line with all of them, you can be confident it will be the best bra you could ever wear. You can use the same standards to pick out camis, nursing pads, t-shirt bras, and other maternity essentials.

Make sure to pay attention to the materials that are used to make a bra. Cotton and modal are excellent natural fabrics that are known for being soft and breathable. It’s easy to find one in your size, we offer plus-size and XXL options in a wide range of styles, so there’s something for everyone!

Let’s recap: 

  • Test out a bra’s clasps to see if it’s easy to unhook them when breastfeeding.
  • Avoid underwire bras for ultimate comfort and functionality.
  • If you want variety, check if your favorite bra styles come in other colors or patterns.
  • Nursing bras that are stretchy are better than ones that aren’t.
  • Save yourself time and money by buying bras that have some stretch to them.

That’s everything you need to know about buying the perfect nursing bras. Now you know which bras cover all of these essential bases.

Enjoy picking out whichever best-selling bras you want! We’re confident you are going to love them, matter which ones you choose.

Sources: