The best maternity bras are super supportive, super soft and able to put your comfort first.
As is the case with the best maternity leggings or the best maternity pyjamas, the best maternity bras are a well-worthy addition to any pregnancy wardrobe and for more reasons than one. As Sally Neale, assistant buyer at JoJo Maman Bébé, tells us: "Maternity bras are designed with the breast changes during pregnancy in mind. They tend to offer greater support with wider straps and deeper under-bust support to accommodate heavier breasts."
With maternity bras you can also say 'goodbye' to niggling seams and rest assured that uncomfortable underwiring is a thing of the past. That's because maternity bras have been carefully crafted to ensure your comfort comes first. If you plan on breastfeeding, you might also be pleased to know that many maternity bras double up as nursing options, allowing you to feed or pump postpartum.
"They also feature more hooks and eyes than normal bras to allow loosening and tightening during and after pregnancy," Sally continues. "And are usually made from soft, breathable fabrics designed to be gentle on sensitive skin."
To help you find the right maternity bra, we've compiled a list of the top options for every shape, style and budget. With options that will suit your changing body right from the start of early pregnancy, to after you have given birth, — there really is something for everyone.
Best maternity bras 2023
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1. Elomi Molly Nursing Bra
RRP: £46 | Sizes: 32-44, F-KK | Material: 21% Nylon/Polyamide, 6% Cotton, 10% Elastane, 63% Polyester | Care: Hand wash only
If you have a bigger bust, you may find it trickier than most to find a well-fitting maternity bra. Lucky for you, the Elomi Molly Nursing Bra goes up to a size 42KK. The three-piece cups have been made with both shape and comfort in mind. Plus, coming with an underwire, you won't have to compromise on lift during your pregnancy or when nursing. As for the fabric, it’s lightweight, soft and moisture-wicking - three features that are especially appealing during the summer months. Quick-release cups offer easy access for breastfeeding.
2. Seraphine Bamboo Maternity & Nursing Sleep Bras – Twin Pack
RRP: £29 (for twin pack) | Sizes: XS-XL | Material: 78% viscose (bamboo), 17% nylon, 5% elastane | Care: Machine washable
No matter if you have a smaller or larger bust, this non-wired, unpadded bra is a great choice for comfort and design, especially while at home. It's made from a blend of super soft materials, which come with moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic qualities.
While it has a crossover V-neckline for nursing, which means you can get use out of these bras even after your bundle of joy is here. But just remember, you won't be able to tighten any straps or adjust the fit. This detail can affect the level of support the bra offers, especially as your breasts grow during pregnancy.
3. Sexy Lace Planet Maternity & Nursing Bra
RRP: £18 | Sizes: 32C- 44H | Material: Polyamide, elastane, lace and cotton | Care: Machine washable
It's no secret Ann Summers makes some of the most stylish bras on the scene. But did you know the brand offers a selection of maternity bras that promise confidence-boosting lingerie for all stages of your pregnancy? This bra has been specially designed to give mums-to-be the option to wear wiring without discomfort, thanks to a clever ‘flexi wire’ which is both soft and bendable. While this option might not be your everyday go-to, the lacy design of the bra does lend itself better to occasion wear.
It's part of the brand's 'Sexy Lace Planet' collection meaning it's made from a minimum of 30% recycled fibres and mesh that contains 50% recycled yarns. Plus, the cups have openings at both sides with magnetic clips for easy nursing access. It’s a small touch that helps this bra feel fashionable and functional. However, as the clasps are magnetic, this bra wouldn’t be suitable for anyone with a pacemaker.
4. Emma-Jane Womens Cotton Nursing/Sleep Bra
RRP: £19.87 | Sizes: 38B-3DD | Material: 95% cotton, 5% elastane | Care: Machine wash
Don’t let the ‘one size fits all’ design put you off as this bra fits those at all ends of the sizing spectrum. It’s all thanks to the jewel in its crown: the soft, super stretchy material that grows with your changing figure. It holds its shape, which isn’t always the case with non-wired bras, and the front clasps mean you can pop the straps open if you need to nurse. Coming in at under £20, you won't regret adding this to your basket.
5. Seraphine Bamboo Nursing Bras - Twin Pack
RRP £35 for two | Sizes S-XL | Material: 78% Viscose (Bamboo) 17% Nylon 5% Spandex | Care: Gentle wash at 30°
Seraphine does it again! Those looking to make more ethical fashion choices will like that this bra is crafted from bamboo which is hypoallergenic and helps to regulate body temperature.
As for the comfort factor, this bra scores top marks. It will sit comfortably over the top of your growing bump and with so many hook-and-eye options on the back strap, it’s easy to adjust the fit. This bra has celebrity fans too, with Millie Mackintosh wearing it while nursing her daughter.
6. Royce Florence Nursing Bra
RRP: £23.40 | Sizes: 32D-38H | Material: 41% Polyamide, 30% Cotton, 24% Polyester | Care: Machine washable
Teaming style and practicality in one very pretty package, this maternity bra is far from mumsy. There’s no wiring or padding, but the shaped cups ensure it still offers plenty of lift and support. But it's the little touches that make the biggest difference here. The print and lace are very pretty, the lining's supper soft (thanks to the use of Polyamide) and the hook and eyes are easy to adjust as you grow.
7. H&M MAMA 2-pack lace nursing bras
RRP: £24.99 for 2-pack | Sizes: S-XL | Material: cotton 95%, elastane 5% | Care: Machine wash at 40
Coming in black and white, there’s no way we could round up the best maternity bras without giving this bra a mention. Proof that you can still feel stylish and sexy when pregnant, this H&M number looks, at first glance, just like a very pretty lace bralette. But, not only is the lace pleasing on the eye, it’s super stretchy too, making this bra comfortable to wear and giving you room to grow. It's non-wired, and has adjustable shoulder straps, lined cups and a wrap-over front for easier nursing access. Plus, did we mention for the price of £32.99 you get two? What's not to love?
8. Freya Erin Moulded Nursing Bra
RRP: £38 | Sizes: XS-XL | Material: 53% cotton 35% modal 12% elastane | Care: Delicate machine wash
When it comes to this maternity bra from Calvin Klein, comfort is king. The sporty purple style might not look like your average maternity bra and that's because it's not. Designed to work with you from bump to baby, this practical and pretty offering includes drop-down clips for feeds, a triple hook fastening and the signature Calvin Klein elastic underband we all know and love. Made from a cotton modal blend, this has comfort in every stitch.
9. Marks & Spencer Flexifit™ Non Wired Nursing Bra A-H
RRP: £22 | Sizes: 32A-42H | Material: 60% polyester, 19% polyamide, 18% elastane and 3% cotton | Care: Wash at 40
If there's one brand that knows how to make bras, it's Marks and Spencer. And this non-wired bra is a great example of that. The non-padded has the brand's Flexifit™ technology which means the bra moves with your changing body, no matter whether you're lounging around, keeping your little one entertained or hitting the shops. It has a full cup style and four hook and eye fastenings on the back so you can adjust it for a comfortable fit.
Coming in grey blue, black and white, there are currently three colour options available, but the on-trend beautiful-in-blue hue is our top pick.
10. Mamalicious Maternity nursing active sports bra co-ord in leopard
RRP: £26 | Sizes: XS-2XL | Material: 88% Polyester, 12% elastane|Care: Wash at 40
Keeping up with your pregnancy exercises? Then this might be the maternity bra for you. Offering support for yoga classes, Pilates and just the general running around which parenthood entails, it's double-layered, which holds you in and stops you from spilling out, while the extra layer is also there to convert into a pumping bra once the baby arrives. The crossover racerback helps to take the weight off your shoulders too.
When should you start wearing a maternity bra?
There’s no set point in your pregnancy when you should invest in a maternity bra. It’s about personal preference, how your body changes during pregnancy and what feels right for you. “The best time to switch is as soon as your bras start to become uncomfortable,” says Chelsey Olivier, Creative and Brand Director at maternity brand Seraphine. “This is usually some time in the first trimester. Generally, women find that their chest will start to grow before they see a noticeable bump.” If your boobs haven’t changed much in size or shape, you may want to hold off until your second, or even third, trimester.
The good thing about the best maternity bras is that they don't become redundant as soon as the baby arrives. Many are designed to suit and support your bust post-birth and in different breastfeeding positions too. “We recommend women wear a non-wired bra immediately after birth and for a few weeks afterwards,” says Laura Franklin, customer advisor at Bravissimo. “When the milk starts to come in, the size and shape of your boobs can fluctuate throughout the day, so it’s best to wear a non-wired style to avoid any discomfort or issues like mastitis." In fact, many women find their maternity bras so comfortable that they continue to wear them long after their pregnancy.
What's the difference between a nursing bra and a maternity bra?
Good question. Maternity bras are generally worn while pregnant and before giving birth. Whereas nursing bras are used postpartum.
Maternity bras are designed to support your growing breasts during pregnancy. They are crafted with super soft material, wider straps for extra support, more hooks which you can adjust and they are often free of underwires. While nursing bras offer you all the support you need, but they have a latch that can be easily lifted so you can breastfeed or pump.
Maternity bras and nursing bras often get confused and mixed up because many of the best maternity bras can come with all the nursing capabilities — like hooks and clasps which you can unclip to breastfeed or pump.
While you're searching for the best maternity bras, you might also be interested in tracking down the best maternity jeans, the best maternity pyjamas and the Best-selling baby products on the market.
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