10 Best Maternity Bras for Breastfeeding

1. Medela Maternity and Nursing Bra

Supreme stretchable nursing bra

Our top pick for the best maternity bra is the Medela, a premium maternity bra and our recommendation for new mums with sore, engorged breasts as it features a unique wire-free, seam-free and tag-free design. This makes it extremely soft and comfy with the flexibility to change with your body.

Providing excellent support while understanding your breast size fluctuations, this bra will definitely be one of your favourites. It also comes highly recommended by lactation consultants as appropriate for the entire nursing period.

One of our favourite features of this maternity bra is the stretch fabric that adjusts to the ever-changing shape of your breasts without sag, keeping its shape and elasticity for months to come. New mums especially like the ability to easily open and close the nursing clip with just one hand. This allows you to safely hold your baby with the other when preparing for nursing.

The Medela Maternity and Nursing Bra is designed specially for maximum comfort due to its adjustable fit. What we found pleasantly surprising is that although it is so soft and stretchy, it lifts and supports small to medium sized busts just where it’s needed and is completely invisible under most clothing. As women’s bodies change during pregnancy and after giving birth, this bra effortlessly adapts to your needs, making it easy to breastfeed your baby in comfort anywhere, anytime.

2. Mamaway Second Skin Seamless

Stretchable cup size for large breasts

The best maternity bra for large breasts is the MamawaySecond Skin Seamless, with the ability to stretch up to 3 cup sizes while still providing the greatest structural support. It will provide you with the ultimate comfort and adjustability with its practical one-piece moulded design.

Its extended bra hooks cater to your changing under bust while the adjustable shoulder straps are ideal for varying breast shapes and sizes.

This nursing bra distributes weight so evenly so it helps in preventing back pain. Antibacterial and odourless, it’s the perfect solution for both pregnancy and nursing. You will be able to feed your baby effortlessly as it features drop-down clips that can be opened and fastened with just one hand. Also, it opens widely, giving you all the space you and baby need for a comfortable feeding session.

The main drawback is that the nursing clips are placed quite high up on the strap, so it can make unclipping it a little difficult underneath certain clothes. Some mums find that when wearing a t-shirt they can’t easily pull the t-shirt up, unclip and fold down again and rather, they need to reach in from the top.

It truly feels like a second skin with high quality fabric and is practically invisible under clothing. With no underwire, it stays strong due to its premium nylon and spandex fabric mix and comes in several colours to choose from.

3. Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra

Luxuriously soft fabric that adapts to your shape

The Bravado Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra is our top pick for mums who need a quality all round nursing bra that offers longevity and is ideal for any time and place, whether at home or out and about.

For seamless and wire-free nursing, it’s one of the best in comfort. Whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, this bra will comfortably adapt to your changing body. This nursing bra can help provide you with that quality nursing experience due to its sensible features and design.

With a 4 way stretch, the fabric easily adapts to your shape for trustworthy support for small to medium sized busts and comes with removable foam inserts for additional shape and discretion. The back straps can cross over for extra support, and the clever knit-in zones around the bra cup provide excellent lift while minimising movement.

The ‘B’ nursing clips allow the cup to drop-down completely for skin-to-skin contact so you are perfectly connected with your baby. Very easy to open and close with just one hand, this bra has many sizes and comes in lots of colours to choose from.

4. Bonds Maternity Wirefree Contour Bra

Extra supportive and stretchable bra

The famous Australian Bonds Maternity Wirefree Contour Bra is a firm favourite of mums all around the country. Remarkably comfortable and flattering, this is the best nursing bra if you’re looking for something casual, easy and reasonably priced.

Made from a cotton and elastane blend, it’s both stretchy and smooth with adjustable bra straps. Wire-free yet so supportive, this bra is easy to open with a one-handed nursing clip and there’s a removable foam cup to help create a smooth and even silhouette.

With a minimalist design, it’s still a well-contoured nursing bra for all sizes, offering perfect all-day support and soft and comfy enough for sleeping. Crafted to give a flattering shape and the ultimate in comfort, it’s a must have for many mums and mums to be. We noted that the relatively thin shoulder straps do have the tendency to twist more than other options, which in turn can dig into your shoulders, so make sure they are flat when in use. 

You can choose from a variety of colours and enjoy your days in comfort and style without any worries. Before bub is born and during the course of your pregnancy when your body is experiencing changes, this quality stretchy bra will make your days much more pleasant so you can look and feel fabulous.

5. Berlei Barely There Cotton Rich

Designed for comfort and enjoyment

This Berlei Barely There Cotton Rich wire-free maternity bra is made of an ultra soft and breathable cotton-rich fabric inside and out for mum’s extra comfort and we recommend it if you’re suffering from breast discomfort or engorgement, particularly in the early days of nursing. This bra provides the simplicity and convenience needed due to the flexible seam-free cups and the comfortably padded front straps with extendable padded hook and eye so nothing digs in.

It’s suitable for any occasion, providing great support, no matter your size. Feeding will be stress-free with the one-handed nursing clip and supportive panel. This bra delicately shapes itself to the changing contours of your body to perfectly fit every time with no uncomfortable digging in so you can feel absolutely confident and stress relieved.

The Berlei Barely There Cotton Rich nursing bra is such a comfortable nursing bra really designed to support breastfeeding through the thick and thin. It is a very thoughtful design, made with so much love and mums in mind. With 100 years of experience in the bras industry, this Australian brand offers this truly amazing product for perfect satisfaction and mother’s comfort during the first days of motherhood. Definitely one of our favourites.

6. Bonds Maternity Wirefree Crop Bra

Ultimate stretch, double-layer bra

Our top pick for mums who love the sporty look, the Bonds Maternity Wirefree Crop Bra is a great casual option that offers additional support through its racerback design. The thick supporting band that sits underbust ensures there’s no sag and there are also removable foam cup inserts to create shape and smoothness if needed. One of our favourite features is the maximum stretch and double-layered panel, boasting minimal seams. With a great combination of comfy and supportive features, this could be the ideal all rounder for smaller busts.

The very comfortable racer back is cotton-rich and seam-free, however there is no bra hook meaning this bra needs to be taken on and off over the head and stretched into place. This can pose a problem for mums with larger busts or who are suffering from extra tenderness or pain. However, the stretch elastic holds up well and doesn’t lose shape even after months of use. The super soft matte elastic fabric is said to be specially engineered to last the distance, and it gets the thumbs up from us. 

This is one of Aussie mums’ favourite designs and the reason is the simplicity and comfort it offers. The all-day-long support it gives, while still enabling a contoured shape makes it the perfect choice for mums. Created to last, this is a great product for both pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it cuddles your body and adjusts accordingly.

7. WingsLove Seamless Nursing Bra

Best bra for support and prevent sagging

The WingsLove Seamless Nursing Bra is the best nursing bra for mums with a fuller bust and who need maximum support. Wire-free and seamless, it features a full-coverage design to keep your breasts securely in place all day long. Made of 93% nylon and 7% spandex which is an ideal fabric mixture for super soft, super breathable comfort for all day wear.

This bra comes with removable nursing pads which are designed to reduce friction on sore nipples. The one handed clip makes it very easy to attach and reattach for quick nursing access, however when doing so the nursing pads (if in use) do have the tendency to move around and need to be re-adjusted. The bra also has an extra wide knitted bottom band that perfectly supports your breasts whilst preventing sagging and loosening of the bra. The straps are easily adjustable, thick and padded for even weight distribution. Created for both the pregnancy and breastfeeding period, your body will feel nothing but comfort with this nursing bra.

We love the flattering shape this bra gives and it’s also super comfortable and affordable, making it one of the best full coverage nursing bras on the Australian market.

8. Medela Maternity and Nursing Tank Top

Ultimate comfort and an extended silhouette

For mums who prefer a nursing tank over a bra, look no further than the Medela Maternity and Nursing Tank Top. It’s ideal for colder weather as well as those who prefer extra coverage and discretion when feeding, particularly in public. It’s also a great choice for tummy-flattening if you want to give your body a slimmer appearance. 

Made from soft, breathable cotton fabric, it’s wire and seam-free, and extends your silhouette without adding extra bulk. For us, we found the length of the tank was ideal, not too short and not too long with no annoying bunching. We love this nursing tank as you can still nurse your baby undisturbed without having to show your whole torso when you lift your shirt up to nurse. Or wear it alone around the house and don’t bother having to wear anything else on top of it during the hot season.

This bra is wire and seam-free, gives excellent support and features an easy one-hand open-and-close clip, making the whole process a piece of cake.
Very easy for wearing either in pregnancy or while nursing, it features full drop cups for easy access. Ideal for mothers who like to keep things simple, it’s discreet and comfortable enough to wear while sleeping.

9. Medela Easy Expression Bustier

Practical, comfy and super quick-expression bustier

Created for the convenience of expressing mums, the Medela Easy Expression Bustier is the perfect choice for easier, hands-free pumping. It fits snugly to the body to provide the ultimate fit and so you feel secure enough when expressing to get on with other tasks without worry. The fabric of this bustier has a gentle stretch with superior no-slip support making this an excellent maternity product for busy mums.

This bustier features an integrated top hook at the front for easy access - simply zip it up and you’re ready to go. It adapts as your body changes and makes your life so much easier. Designed to be used with all Medela double electric breast pumps, the flanges are held securely in place at all times to remove the maximum amount of milk from the breasts. It prevents any leakage as the flanges are pushed tightly, yet not uncomfortably, against the body. A reliable and very convenient item for everyday use, it’s really a must have for mums who express full time.

This expression bustier bra may be funny to look at but it really will make you feel like a super mum as you can easily use it at any time, whether at home or work. It allows you to multitask to the max while knowing you’re providing the maximum amount of precious breastmilk.

10. Gratlin Removable Pads Wirefree

A mixture of simplicity and functionality

The Gratlin Removable Pads Wirefree Nursing Bra is simple, comfortable and suitable for nursing sessions. We recommend it for smaller busted women with lower support needs who want a bra they can comfortably sleep in.

Wire and seam free, with the classic front clip down function, it’s soft and flexible and delivers maximum comfort. The full coverage design provides modesty and ensures your breasts stay in place, even when tossing and turning in your sleep. The high panelled front helps to keep you feeling secure and allows you to move with confidence. The soft, removable cups add shape and cushioning for sore nipples.

One of the most convenient bras for breastfeeding, the soft stretch cups adapt to your shape both during pregnancy and afterwards. It’s on this list for a reason, as it provides just enough support while still feeling almost as if you’re wearing nothing at all and is perfect for sleeping in.

With a price that suits, this bra offers solid functionality features. It’s designed to prevent sagging, with an additional side panel with support ribbing and side sling to assist with this. With all the comforts that breastfeeding mums love, this is one of our favourite products.

Breastfeeding is not an easy task. However, mothers have mastered it for centuries as it is very natural yet also the most convenient and healthiest way to feed your infant. It’s normal in the first months of motherhood to experience an increase of sensitivity and emotionality - blame it on the hormonal changes.

You now have a tiny human to take care of, and you might find it hard to get enough sleep, but it won’t be like this forever. That’s why you should aim to get the most comfortable products at your side so your journey can be a tad easier.

The maternity bra can be worn during your pregnancy, as well as after giving birth, making it an essential item of your collection. Some mothers find it more comfortable to sleep with their bra as this solves the leaking problem, and these types of bras will make that process much easier as they mould to the shape of your body, making them super comfy.

Due to changes in the size of your breasts on a daily basis, the Australian Breastfeeding Association recommends a wire-free breastfeeding bra. The risk with underwires is that they might put excess pressure on the breast and if it is fuller it could increase the risk of blocked milk ducts or even mastitis. This is the main reason, though there are some nursing bras with flexible wires available that are considered soft enough to be safe.

With so many maternity bras on the market, it can be overwhelming and difficult to find the perfect one especially when you have no knowledge of the body changes that will come after the birth. That’s why we’ve listed several features to consider before shopping, so you can be an expert in choosing the right bra.

• Material. You may find various mixtures of materials on the market and when choosing, it’s most important for it to feel comfortable on your body and to be able to stretch enough as your breasts will constantly change their shape. The elasticity will provide you with the necessary flexibility and adjustability to the constantly changing body and breasts.
• Comfort and design. The best nursing bras are the ones that combine comfort and practicality. Look for one that is not only super comfortable but also with some sensible details. From wireless and seamless to wide straps and knitted panels for support, the range of choice is large.
• Easy to open. The nursing clips of the bra must be easy to attach and detach with one hand as you will be holding your hungry baby with the other. This is essentially all you need to know about the bra to simplify the process of feeding and make it quicker and fuss free.
• Price and cleaning. You may use this product only for a while, and you will probably need to buy two or three due to maintenance and frequent washing. You don’t have to spend a fortune for a quality bra and there are many affordable maternity bras on the market that may well turn into your favourite bra afterwards as they are super comfy. Popping your bra in a bra bag on the delicate cycle in your washing machine, or even better hand washing, will prolong the lifespan of your new nursing bra.