23 best nursing bras in 2025 for pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond

Shopping for a nursing bra? Whether it's your first nursing bra or your next one, we're here to make the experience all the easier – so you can spend less time worrying about sizes and delivery fees, and more time breastfeeding your bubba.

Here, we've rounded up the 23 best nursing bras of 2025, featuring the softest, most comfortable and, if we say so ourselves, the prettiest nursing bras on the market today. First, though, let's recap on how to buy the best nursing bra for you.

What are the basics to look for in a good nursing bra?

The main thing to remember when it comes to buying a nursing bra is that your breasts will fluctuate throughout pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond. "Look for a bra that has stretchy yet supportive fabric and ideally that also comes with a bra extender, so that you can wear it while you are pregnant and then have the flexibility to reduce the band fit as your rib cage moves back down once the baby arrives," says Claire Gleave, founder of maternity and nursing sports bra company, Natal Active.

She also recommends avoiding underwires. "If the bra is not fitted correctly – easily done when your boobs are constantly changing over the course of the day – underwires can cause blocked ducts which can lead to painful mastitis. If you are bigger-chested and prefer the support offered by underwired bras, a nursing sports bra is a great option for underwire-free support."

If you prefer bras with underwire, there are underwired nursing bras out there. Just, as Gleave explains, make sure they fit you correctly to avoid any soreness down the road.

Next, Gleave recommends prioritising comfortable fabric alongside supportive designs and considering how you might feel breastfeeding in public: "Your breasts can feel quite sensitive when breastfeeding, so make sure the fabric isn't too stiff and there are no seams that rub.

"Many nursing bras offer a very easy drop cup access for your baby, but if you are self-conscious, look for a bra with a hidden A-frame panel of fabric sitting behind the cup. This will cover your breast for slightly more discreet nursing access. Ideally, your bra will always have one-handed clip access to open the cup of the bra – with a wriggly baby on your lap, you want to be able to both open and close the bra with one hand, so avoid clips that are more fiddly to do up."

How long will a good nursing bra last?

"A good nursing bra will last just as long as any of your other bras," says Gleave. "However, given they are typically washed much more frequently due to milk spillages and as your boobs won't necessarily get as big, or may get bigger in subsequent pregnancies, ideally you would get remeasured and purchase new for each baby to get the best fit and the best support."

Are there any special ways to extend the life of a nursing bra?

"Ideally, wash your bra on a cool setting and let it air dry rather than tumble dry. If your breastmilk has stained the bra, soak it with a gentle stain remover and dry it outside where the sun will help to bleach away any residue on the fabric," advises Gleave.

"If you want to extend the life of nursing bras, I would recommend washing them in a lingerie bag," says nursing and maternity brand Seraphine (which is, sadly, now in administration) chief creative officer Chelsey Oliver. "As there are more elements and sections and trims to a nursing bra, protecting it with a lingerie bag when washing could help extend the life of the bra."

Can nursing bras eventually be worn as 'normal' bras?

"Absolutely," affirms Oliver. "Once you've tried our super comfortable and soft bamboo nursing bras it will be hard to go back to normal bras. Our customers often say they can't go back to a normal wired bra. There is no reason that our nursing bras can't be worn as a regular bra after you've finished breastfeeding."

Ok, now for the main event – allow us to introduce the 23 best nursing bras of 2025...