Pregnancy can be uncomfortable, expensive and emotionally draining — especially for your breasts. The right bra during any trimester can make a difference in your overall well-being, and maternity and nursing bras are some of the best options to support your chest when it's sagging, feeling heavy and swollen.
Maternity bras can be an alleviating solution to various pregnancy woes, but finding a smooth bra that can support heavy breasts while you're pregnant or breastfeeding can be a daunting search. That's why we reached out to bra experts to share their tips and product recommendations when it comes to switching your daily bra for a maternity one.
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What are the best bras to wear during pregnancy?
It's all about comfort when choosing the right maternity bra. For Colleen Leung, director of design and fit at Adore Me, the best bra will depend "on a number of factors, including what stage of pregnancy you are in, your level of comfort and how much your body is changing."
Maternity bras are designed to grow with you during your pregnancy. Therefore, you should focus on finding one that provides comfort, gentle support and adjustability around your body.
According to Journelle CEO Sapna Palep, bras with skin-friendly fabrics like cotton are necessary for your pregnancy. While you don't really need to change your size during the first trimester, Palep recommends switching to a bralette during the second and third trimesters. "This is the period when women's breasts start changing and start retaining water, so you need a comfortable fabric to allow lymphatic drainage in that area," she notes.
"As a dermatologist, we're trying to move toward more skin-friendly lace and fabrics," says Palep. "A lot of the maternity bras are bralettes, so when you're growing and expanding, you need to avoid underwires during the period of growth and wear bras that protect your nipples since that area is preparing for breastfeeding."
What is the difference between a maternity bra and a nursing bra?
Most regular bras can double as maternity bras, but nursing bras offer different features. According to Leung, a good maternity bra "should hit the above points and be comfortable and supportive without being too constricting."
"A maternity bra is generally designed to give you more size flexibility throughout your pregnancy," mentions founder and CEO of Fleur du Mal, Jennifer Zuccarini. Technically, the comfort level and materials used in maternity bras are meant to provide functionality, comfort and support.
On the other hand, nursing bras have cups that open from the top of the strap and provide an easier breastfeeding experience for you and the baby. "A nursing bra also needs to account for the weight and volume of the breast changing throughout the day and night," says Leung.
Expert-approved maternity and nursing bras
You won’t have to deal with hooks when you wear this racerback bra. Made with ultra-soft, breathable fabric, it offers support without hooks or wires. The clever crossover design provides quick pull-aside access for stress-free breastfeeding — perfect for everyday wear.
“First and foremost, you want to look for something seamless and wire-free but still supportive, so there’s nothing pressing against sensitive breast tissue or sore nipple,” says the author of The Bra Book, Jené Sena.
For the mom who needs extra space and easy nursing access, this lounge bra is a solid solution. The racerback design is made from a modal-spandex blend fabric to keep you cool and dry. You can wear it with your favorite shirt or around your home when you’re breastfeeding. Also, this one will expand as your breast size evolves.
A nursing bra is either a drop-down or a “wrap style that you can just slide the fabric over to expose the breast," according Sena. Buyers said this one is spacious enough and comfy for sleeping and “a perfect sleep bra” that provides easy nursing access.
If you’re looking for something neutral that can be worn every day, design director Bianca Izzo recommends this nursing bra. “This can be worn under almost any type of top and is a great T-shirt bra,” adds Izzo.
Whether you’re pregnant or in the postpartum stage, this brad will allow you to breastfeed with ease thanks to the one-hand release clips. Plus, it features five rows of hooks for an adaptive fit all through your pregnancy.
Sena recommends this bra for its wider straps and comfortable features that won’t dig into your skin. “I love this bra from Eby because it will truly grow with you and stretch with you like a second skin! It has removable cups and firmer compression in the band area, plus it’s made from a wicking microfiber that helps keep you cool. It’s seamless, so it’s not going to be irritating in any way,” adds Sena.
Best nursing bras, according to editors
Senior photo editor Rebecca Delman says this bra is affordable and super lightweight. "It may have saved my summer of horrible pregnancy. It's so soft and the material collects sweat. Plus, it's easy to wash and there is no underwire which is a bonus when you have a huge bump in the way. The bra is so comfy and the price is so great I purchased six of them," says Delman.
Note: This is a similar iteration to the sold-out bra Delman recommends.
This nursing bra is designed for moms who need extra coverage and convenient pumping access. Made with moisture-wicking, breathable fabric, it keeps you cool and comfortable all day. The pull-aside design makes nursing and pumping effortless—no fuss, just function. It’s no wonder our editorial director calls this a must-have for new moms. "They’re so soft and comfortable! The unique design made it so easy for me to pump almost anywhere," says Adrianna Brach.
More maternity and nursing bras to shop
This pullover bra has strong ratings for its stretchy, soft and functional design. The bra comes with removable padding to maintain a smooth shape, and the crossover design is great for nursing access. The bra is made of a ribbed fabric and has a simple crossover design to pull the cups to the side with ease.
"I sized up one from my usual to account for postpartum rib flare and it has been so comfortable. Comfortable enough to sleep in and love the easy access to be able to nurse my daughter," said one customer.
This smooth True & Co. bra is perfect if you will be wearing it for hours. The design does not feature hooks and has adjustable straps that you can wear crisscross. It’s made from soft microfiber and has removable pads so your breasts can take a breather. Also, the wire-free construction will make your life easier when you need light support and coverage.
“I’m pregnant and changing sizes... often. So this bra being flexible enough to handle me at a range is saving me from buying 5 other bras,” said one buyer.
Accommodate your busy life and motherhood with this easy-to-hook bra. The nursing bra features a one-handed clasp that is easy to unhook with one hand while you're holding your baby with the other hand. Additionally, it comes with a J-hook that attaches to the back for a racerback fit. You can also add extra shield with an Anti-Leakage Pad.
According to buyers, this bra stretches to accommodate any changing size and one said "the cotton is gentle for those breastfeeding mama nips and best of all great for folks with sensitive skin."
For a more feminine fit, this maternity bralette will make you feel comfortable and confident all day long. The bra is beautifully constructed with a soft fabric and features clip-on/clip-off nursing straps for accessible nursing. The design is versatile and will give future moms the added support they need.
“While I admit it’s on the pricier side, this is the only bra I can stand wearing the whole day while pregnant,” said one verified buyer.
Frequently asked questions
You can wear your regular bras during the first trimester, but Leung suggests choosing the most comfortable bra styles that have additional stretch in the cup area.
In the second trimester, the body starts to change more visibly. "You may need to go up a band size. Your breasts may also feel tender and sensitive and start to grow in size. You'll want to go towards softer fabrics and smooth cup styles for any nipple sensitivity," adds Leung.
Once you get to the third trimester, Leung suggests opting for stretchy, wire-free styles that offer adjustability in the back in case you need to loosen your band during the day. "Bralettes with wider straps made of softer materials, like cotton or modal, are great options," she recommends.
Jennifer Zuccarini, founder and CEO of Fleur du Mal, also advises getting bras with soft cups. "You can really wear any bra style while you’re pregnant, but cups that have some stretch might be more comfortable and accommodating with fluctuating cup sizes."
Most bras have standard sizes and can become difficult for women to find the proper fit. Leung recommends going up either one band size and one cup size if you like to wear your bra loose around the chest. (For example, if you're a 36C, go to a 38C.)
As for Zuccarini, she suggests "[going] up one band size and two cup sizes, but this can really vary from person to person. The best [method] is to measure yourself and see what your new size is."
According to Izzo, you want to look for a bra design that supports you well but is soft to the skin. "You will have to try different sizes to make sure it supports your evolving breast volume," says Izzo.
Sena also recommends listening to your body and starting on alpha bra size (S-L) in order to accommodate your breasts as they grow.
How we chose
We selected items based on experts' tips and recommendations and chose bras that had comfortable features. Also, we asked two of our Shop TODAY editors, who are pros at motherhood, for their must-have maternity bras.
Meet the experts
- Colleen Leung is the director of technical design and fit at Adore Me, a brand offering fun intimates, lingerie, sleepwear, loungewear, swimwear and more.
- Jennifer Zuccarini is the founder and CEO of Fleur du Mal, a luxury brand offering ready-to-wear pieces, lingerie and beyond.
- Dr. Sapna Palep is a dermatologist and the CEO of Journelle, a multi-brand retailer and leading online destination of luxury lingerie with over 100 curated brands known for helping customers find the perfect fit.
- Jené Sena is a bra expert and the bestselling author of The Bra Book.
- Bianca Izzo is the design director of La Vie en Rose, a brand offering an array of swimwear, lingerie and sleepwear.
