The Best Bras for Maternity and Postpartum
Dana Weinstein, SG Style
Note: Today’s post about The Best Bras for Maternity and Postpartum also appears on SG-Style.com. Additionally, this post contains affiliate links about the best shoes for pregnancy and postpartum. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.
Before I fully dive into the best bras for maternity and postpartum (that's why you're here, right?), I have a quick story to share how we got here. After I got pregnant, one of the first things to change was my breast size (though this is not universal for every woman because nothing in pregnancy ever is). I'll be honest, this one threw me for a loop. I suddenly had to figure out what my new size actually was and what new bras I had to get to accommodate that. I also knew I would have to buy bras at some point that allowed me to nurse and pump (which I had no idea if I was going to do or not, but again, that's a topic for another post). But of course, I had no idea where to even start. So like many people do at this point, I turned to the internet, searching for what my options were. And then, like most people, I closed my browser because it was too overwhelming.
So this post is my (and FIT4MOM DC's) gift for you. The post we all wanted, but couldn't find: a guide of the best bras to get you through your pregnancy and postpartum recommended by actual moms. (And yes, multiple moms were actually polled for this post.)
Maternity Bras
When I reached out to moms, the first question I asked them was which bra they wore the most during pregnancy. I wish I could give you a nice long list of the responses I received, but I repeatedly got the same answer:
Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands Free Pumping Nursing Bra
Why do moms love wearing it while they're pregnant? FIT4MOM DC client Kara said that it was "comfortable and thick, but still a cuter cut." Another client told us "I lived in the sublime bra. It was supportive, but comfortable enough to sleep in. [The] removeable pads are a plus."
We also had moms suggest the Skim Bralettes, Auden Mesh Demi Bra (the adjustable straps were key), and Old Navy (for the easily adjustable bands). One mom made the suggestion that you if you are buying non-nursing bras while you're pregnant, you don't want to spend a lot of money because your size is constantly changing. Also, you may need to get the nursing bras soon anyways.
The tldr? A lot of moms started wearing nursing/pumping bras (specifically Kindred Bravely Sublime) during their pregnancy. Which makes perfect sense! If you're going to need nursing bras in just a few short months, why not wear them while pregnant and get your money's worth?
Postpartum
Now that you've had the baby (or babies!), let's talk about nursing and pumping bras.
Kindred Braverly Strikes Again!
Ready for a shocker (that's not at all shocking)? The Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands Free Pumping Nursing Bra was also the most popular answer for postpartum as well. Our moms loved it for postpartum because "you can use for pumping and [its] easy to clip. FIT4MOM DC Instructor, Olivia, added "I lived in these! As a mom who pumped and also nursed, it was amazing to not have to change bras in between. Then I kept using them when I started exclusively pumping, because they worked so well to hold the pump parts in place."
(Fun fact from me, Dana: I could not, for the life of me, remember what bra I wore for pumping and for almost two years after. I finally searched through my purchase history and discovered...it was the Kindred Braverly Bra.)
Many moms, myself included, wore them after they were done nursing/pumping because like Olivia said, "after my nursing journey was over….I still wore them a lot because they were so flattering and comfortable."
Other Postpartum Bra Favorites
Don't worry though, I had quite a few more answers for postpartum bras! The other answer I saw popping up a lot was the Target Auden Nursing Pullover Sleep Bra, especially as a popular option for wearing while you sleep.
We also had a number of other bras that were praised by our members and teachers:
First, the Medela Seamless Nursing Bra. FIT4MOM DC client, Dominika, said "[it had] great material, I couldn’t feel it on my body and can sleep in it without any discomfort."
Next, the Bodily Everything Bra. I think the title says it all, right? I also have to add that one of my favorite things about Bodily is that they use real (non-models) for all of their pictures. I even know two of the women shown on the site!
The Larken Hands Free Pumping Bra made an appearance on the list as well. FIT4MOM DC teacher, Dana (aka me), said "I loved it because it was incredibly comfortable to sleep in. Also, the double-lining x feature did such a good job of holding my pumps in place."
We also had a client share that she loved wearing the Momcozy Seamless Nursing Bra under her work clothes. She said "Momcozy feels more like a regular t-shirt bra and works under work clothes...while still being very comfortable."
Before I end this post, I wanted to remind you of one thing: the best bras for maternity and postpartum that you saw here may not be the best bra for you. What I shared above are not the definitive answers for what you should wear, it's merely a starting point. If you still feel stuck, you can also reach out to a local lactation consultant or if you're in Washington, DC, The Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington. They'll be able to give you great advice, as well as help you figure out what bra works best with your pump (you can try them on in the store!).
Gift for FIT4MOM DC Clients
P.S. Would you more help figuring out what your new mom style is? Do you need help spring cleaning your closet? Or would you like to learn more about working with a personal stylist? You can visit this page to learn more about the services I offer or email me, dana@sg-style.com.
I also offer free 15 minute consultations if you want to figure out if working with a stylist would be a good option for you. Finally, my $50 security deposit is always waived for FIT4MOM DC clients, so make sure to mention you're a client when we talk!