New Moms Swear By These Affordable Sports Bras for Nursing
You made it through nine months of pregnancy, hours of labor, six weeks or more of postpartum healing—and all the physical and emotional changes that come along with being a new mom. Now, you're ready to get into shape and start a new workout routine, but, yea, you're breastfeeding and your old sports bras just aren't going to cut it anymore.
Your boobs are probably bigger, not to mention more sensitive. Easy access for your baby is now also a must—something that most traditional sports bras don’t usually build into their designs. All of which means you might need to go shopping for a new sports bra that's made especially for nursing mothers. Here’s how to find the best nursing sports bras and a list of maternity bras worth trying.
How to shop for the best nursing sports bras
Finding great sports bras for nursing moms isn’t rocket science. (Good thing, since you likely have enough on your mind these days!) But there are a few factors worth considering when shopping for a good nursing sports bra:
Order a few sizes up. Your cup size is probably already a lot bigger, but consider sizing up even more when you buy a new sports bra. The extra room will be more comfortable when your breasts fill up with milk. It’ll also leave room for nipple pads without compressing your nipples or milk ducts, says BeFit-Mom founder and certified personal trainer Helene Byrne. Know that you might need a bigger band size too. “The rib cage widens a lot during pregnancy, so you’ll need to go up one to two sizes afterward,” she says.
Look for sports bras that offer comfortable support. Now’s not the time for anything light or flimsy. (Milk-filled breasts feel heavy.) Instead, certified personal trainer and Y2B Fit founder Crystal Widman, NASM recommends looking for a bra with medium support. “Bras with heavy support are usually tough on sensitive nipples,” she says.
Choose bras with cups that are easy to snap with one hand. Byrne says that bras with cups that are easy to snap and unsnap with one hand are ideal. More often than not, your hands will already be occupied holding your baby when it's time to start feeding.
Pick a sports bra that's all-purpose. Don’t bother with getting different sports bras for various activities of different intensities. Since your breasts will likely feel heavy and dense most of the time, “just get one that you feel like you can run in and wear it for everything,” says pre- and postnatal exercise specialist Sara Haley.
The best sports bras for nursing moms
You know what to look for—so which nursing bras fit the bill? These 10 maternity and nursing bras come highly recommended by the experts, tons of happy moms, or both.
Best Overall: Bravado! Designs Body Silk Seamless Yoga Nursing Bra
Designed as a full drop away, this low-impact sports bra is made for active moms who want to keep up with their workouts and deliver nutrients to their baby quickly and easily. Equipped with removable foam inserts, this bra can also help you maintain the shape and size of your breasts. Plus, it has a four-way stretch that allows you to move freely throughout your workouts. Each bra purchased also comes with a conversion kit that helps you turn your nursing bra into a regular one.
A mom and yogi on Amazon says: "I have tried a few nursing/maternity bras and this one is by far the best. It's very comfortable! The stretch means it hugs tightly but not too tightly, and there is no gaping or sagging that I can tell."
Best for Moms With Small to Medium Breasts: WanaYou Front Sports Bra
This ultra-light sports bra is perfect for moms who want something that doesn't resemble the typical maternity bra. Built with supportive, removable cups, and no-chafe material, this bra will take you from the gym to child care. As you know, working out without chest support can lead to pain, discomfort, and stretched skin, and this bra does a great job of keeping your boobs in place. It doesn't hurt that it has a front zip closure, too. Robin, a new mom in New York City, says the front zipper gives her newborn easy access.
Best for Moms With Large Breasts: Shefit Ultimate Sports Bra
Shefit prides itself in creating a line of athletic apparel that's comfortable, supportive, and stylish for all body sizes and shapes. In fact, they have sizes for cups A through I. Many moms who are nursing particularly like this sports bra because it not only has adjustable straps for providing support and keeping your girls in place, but it also has a zip closure in the front for easy access to your baby. Amanda of Center Valley, Pennsylvania, has worn this bra and says she loves that it also has a Velcro underband that you can easily cinch to your level of comfort.
Best for Traveling: Molly T Sports Bra
Whether you're doing Pilates or HIIT, this sports bra from Molly T has a wrap design with Velcro that allows you to customize the compression fit. It also has soft cups if your boobs are sensitive from breastfeeding and is made with sweat-sopping material that'll keep you dry and fresh. The Velcro on the sides also makes it easy to remove after a sweaty workout, says Amanda of Center Valley, who has also worn this bra during workouts.
"The adjustment is all in the bust and you tighten it to your liking for that extra oomph of cleavage. After a sweaty workout, who wants to hassle with struggling to get their sports bras undone?" she says. Plus, the bra is made with recycled materials to help reduce waste and comes in five different sizes, ranging form small to extra, extra large.
Best for Pre- and Post-Natal: Cake Rock Candy Wireless Nursing Bra
Perfect for pre- or post-natal, low-impact workouts, the lightweight and breathable fabric in this sports bra is made to accommodate a changing bust. Because it has adjustable straps that can be worn criss crossed or along the sides, moms-to-be can change the fit as they progress in their pregnancy. It also features removable foam cups to help you retain the shape of your breasts, which can also change while breastfeeding.
One Nordstrom reviewer says: "This nursing bra is the most supportive and comfortable of any I've tried. I most appreciate the elastic band. Sticking to an underwire-free bra to help prevent clogged ducts is hard to find. This bra is one I can wear for long periods of time and feel comfortable in."
La Leche League International 4102 Sports Nursing Bra
Whether you're a mama-to-be or an active mother of three, this sports bra will make breastfeeding much more convenient. This sports bra features a one-handed nursing buckle and drop cups to help you feed your child in a hurry. Bonus: It's wire-free, breathable, and has a seamless design to prevent chafing. One active mom on Amazon says: "I feed my son immediately before going out for a 3-mile run in this bra. It was the right size for me and very comfortable. It provided adequate support."
Gratlin Racerback Support Seamless Maternity Nursing Bra
You'll never guess this sports bra is built for breastfeeding, too, thanks to its highly discreet front open clips and slide sling. Made with moisture-wicking fabric, this sports bra also has a non-padded design to help reduce friction in the nipple area. One mom on Amazon says: "I would recommend this bra for workout purposes. I did end up buying two because it fit my needs. I wanted something that would home me in place to handle the bouncing of milk-filled breasts during a workout. This bra did the job. I also wear it with nursing leak pads."
Athleta Panache Sports Bra
For moms who want a high-performance sports bra with underwire support, Athleta's panache bra is perfect for women with C to DD breast cups. It has medium coverage and adjustable straps that you can easily hook. And you don't have to worry about removing a sticky bra at the end of a workout—it has a hook-and-eye closure in the back, so you can take it off with just one hand while you're holding your baby with the other.
"I mostly run, and this bra provides excellent support (34DD)," says an Athleta reviewer. I like that with the newest version, the tab of material under the hooks in the back is a little longer. I assume it helps prevent chafing—it's definitely added comfort!"
HOFISH 3-Pack Seamless Clip Down Deep V Neck Push-Up Nursing Bra
More than 3,500 Amazon moms swear by this sports bra. It's made with nylon and spandex for a comfortable stretch that'll make you feel good jogging, lifting, doing crunches, and anything else in between. The V-neck design makes the bra more breathable, and it has a push-up padding to give your girls a supportive boost. But what sets this bra apart is its three-piece extenders that allow you to adjust the fit and size of your bra easily.
In fact, a mom on Amazon says she wishes she bought this adjustable bra during her first trimester instead of her third, so she wouldn't have to buy several nursing bras throughout the stages of her pregnancy: "I was a B cup before pregnancy and am now a full C. I ordered a small and feel as though there will be plenty of room to grow. I'm only on the second to last hook [in the black], so there will be plenty of room to expand or constrict the band, depending on my size."
Nooni's Leak-Resistant Maternity/Nursing Bra
If you're rushing home to feed your baby from the gym, you can easily pull down this bra for easy nursing access. For extra comfort, this moisture-absorbing sports bra has a soft fleece lining and cotton inner layers to help you stay warm. It's also leak-resistant and doesn't require any nursing pads.
One Amazon customer says, "Very comfortable and soft. It keeps leaks from coming through my shirt and I don't have to hunt for the nursing pad in my bra when it shifts, pull adhesive from my nipple when the pad bunches up, or drop a pad in the floor while having a conversation in church."
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