Many women experience changes to their breasts in early pregnancy – in fact, it’s often one of the first signs that you’re pregnant, with research indicating they can increase by a cup size or more in the first trimester alone.
Coupled with an expanding rib cage and tenderness (which can continue throughout each trimester) all of this means your old underwear might not fit or feel as comfortable as it used to. That’s why a maternity bra is such a necessity for mums-to-be and new parents.
But, can’t you just size up your normal style? While some women are able to stick to their regular bra, increasing the band and cup size accordingly, those looking for ultimate comfort will delight in the small but mighty modifications that maternity and nursing bras offer.
Designed to be worn during pregnancy, maternity bras come in stretchy fabrics and offer greater support for growing breasts with wider straps and deeper under bust bands. They also tend to have more hooks and eyes than normal bras to allow loosening and tightening, and are free from niggling seams and uncomfortable underwires.
Nursing bras have many of the same features but are typically worn postpartum (although you can start wearing one during pregnancy, too) and come with clips that attach the cups to the strap to allow for easy access to your breasts while breastfeeding.
As for when you should start wearing maternity or nursing bras, there is no clear cut answer as all women’s breasts change at different rates and different stages throughout pregnancy. Ultimately, the best time to switch is whenever you notice your normal bra starts to become uncomfortable.
How we tested
We trialled a range of different bras in a variety of settings, from Zoom meetings to pregnancy yoga sessions and even to bed, testing each for its fit, size range, versatility and, of course, how enjoyable it was to wear, with extra points awarded for stylish designs. From cosy wire-free support to sculpting styles and sleep bras, these are the best ones we found that will accommodate you and your changing body.
The best maternity and nursing bras for 2022 are:
- Best overall – ModiBodi breastfeeding bra in black: £32, Modibodi.co.uk
- Best size inclusive bra –Skims maternity nursing sculpting bra: £42, Skims.com
- Best for wearing while sleeping –Seraphine bamboo maternity and nursing sleep bras: £29, Seraphine.com
- Best for smaller busts –H&M MAMA 2-pack nursing bras: £19.99, Hm.com
- Best for large busts –Pour Moi amour nursing bra: £28, Pourmoi.co.uk
- Best for comfort –Calvin Klein maternity bra: £38, Calvinklein.co.uk
- Best affordable maternity bra –Lindex MOM seamless nursing bra: £14.99, Lindex.com
- Best multipack –Next nursing light pad non wire bras: £32, Next.co.uk
- Best pull-on bra – Jojo Maman Bebe lace trim maternity ans nursing sleep bra: £14, Jojomamanbebe.co.uk