Maternity bras and nursing bras: what you need to know

Breast changes in pregnancy

Breasts change shape and size throughout a woman or birthing person’s lifespan (University of Portsmouth, no date).

During pregnancy, hormones cause breast ducts to expand in readiness for breastfeeding. So, for some people, an early sign of pregnancy can be the breasts becoming larger and more tender (Alex et al, 2020; NHS, 2022). Having surgery to increase or reduce breast size, or a mastectomy, may make breast changes less likely.

Our Breastfeeding Counsellors are on hand to support with questions about feeding your baby.

Although breast cancer is uncommon in women and birthing people of childbearing age, it’s important to talk to the GP or midwife if any unusual change to the breasts is noticed (Breast cancer now, 2024).

Is a maternity or nursing bra necessary?

Wearing a maternity bra during pregnancy or a nursing bra for breastfeeding is a personal choice. Some people wear them to support the breasts or to keep breast pads in place. Other people don’t find them necessary at all or decide to keep wearing their usual bra (Breastfeeding support, no date).

It is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women and people wear an appropriate and supportive bra. This can reduce pain and improve general health (University of Portsmouth, no date; Mitchell et al, 2022).

During pregnancy breasts often get larger and may therefore put more pressure on the back and neck (Breastfeeding support, no date; Mitchell et al, 2022).

Will a bra protect the breasts from sagging?

A bra won’t prevent breasts from changing shape or sagging. It doesn’t make a difference if the woman or birthing person has breastfed or not – permanent change is thought to be caused by hormones during pregnancy (Breast cancer now, 2024; Breastfeeding Support, no date).

Other factors affecting breast shape include weight gain, smoking, and genetics. Stretch marks may happen with or without a bra (Breast cancer now, 2024; Breastfeeding Support, no date).

What kinds of bra are there for pregnancy and after birth?

Maternity bras

These are soft unstructured bras designed to be comfortable during pregnancy and after birth. Some people use these when breastfeeding, because they may be soft enough to easily pull up or down to access the breast.

Nursing bras

These have a drop-cup for easy access to the breasts while breastfeeding. The cup may be fixed with a clip, which can be managed one-handed, or a zip, which may require two hands. When dropped there should be no pressure on the breast (Breastfeeding Support, no date).

Pumping bras

These bras have openings which allow the breastfeeding mother or person to pump milk while wearing the bra. They hold the breastpump flange in place over the nipple so hands can be kept free. Some people simply cut a hole in a sports bra or use a bra they already have (Breastfeeding Support, no date).

A pumping bra is unlikely to give the baby enough access to breastfeed effectively (Breastfeeding Support, no date).

Sleeping bra

Some people like to wear a loose soft bra at night, either to be comfortable or to keep breast pads in place (Breastfeeding support, no date).

Sports bra

If exercising while pregnant or breastfeeding, consider the fit and always remove a tighter-fitting bra after exercise. This will prevent damage to breast tissue (La Leche League GB, 2022). Read more about exercise during pregnancy or after birth.

Bra fit is important

It’s important to check the fit regularly as this commonly changes during pregnancy and after the birth. A badly-fitting bra might put pressure on the breasts which can cause inflammation (Breastfeeding Support, no date).

A bra bought during pregnancy should be able to adapt and stretch to accommodate the growing ribcage and breasts (Breast cancer now, 2024; Breastfeeding support, no date).

A well-fitting bra can protect against (Breastfeeding support, no date; Mitchell et al, 2022):

poor posture
back pain
neck pain.

How to tell if a bra fits well

Bra fit is not the same as bra size. Research has shown that concentrating on fit is more important than using a tape measure to check the size (University of Portsmouth, no date).

Skilled measuring services often don’t use a tape. You can find these at some department stores (Breastfeeding support, no date).

The University of Portsmouth Research Group in Breast Health provide a checklist of steps for a good fit ( University of Portsmouth, no date):

Band. The band around the bottom of the bra should lie horizontally across the back, be at the same level back and front and not arch when moving. It should be possible to pull the band 5cm away from the body. This is the main support for the breasts.
Cup. The entire breast should fit comfortably inside the bra cup, with no breast tissue bulging above or at the sides.
Wire. If using an underwired bra, the wire must sit flat against the body, around the breast, without gaping, digging in or pressing down on any breast tissue. Check especially under the arm.
Centre front. The centre front should sit flat against the body, regardless of the size of the breast. If it lifts away, try a larger cup size.
Straps. The straps keep the bra in place but should do not carry the weight of the breasts. They should sit on the shoulders without slipping or digging in. They can be adjusted to make sure they are comfortable (breasts are often different sizes so one strap may need to be longer).

‘Sister sizing’ is a way of find a good fit. For example, if the cup fits but the band is too loose, try down a band size and up a cup size.

What if I plan to wear a binder?

For people who prefer to wear a binder than a bra, it may help to choose something with less compression or wear it for shorter periods of time (Trans Care BC, 2024).

After the baby is born there may be a higher chance of developing mastitis due to pressure on the soft tissue. It may also lead to a reduced milk supply for the baby. If planning to bind while feeding a baby it’s recommended to speak with a health professional or feeding specialist (NHS, 2025; Trans Care BC, 2024). NCT breastfeeding support is available for everyone.

When should I buy a maternity bra?

Some people will start getting new bras early in pregnancy if their breasts have already grown significantly. They may or may not need to buy again later. A bra bought from around 28 weeks of pregnancy should still fit after the birth, but some people will find they need a larger cup size for the early months (Breastfeeding Support, no date).

Where can I buy a bra?

Maternity and nursing bras can be fitted and purchased in department and specialist stores. Online retailers may also offer a virtual fitting. It’s good to be able to try on several bras to check the fit, so if possible, it can be worth buying a few different styles and sizes and returning any that aren’t wanted.

What is the best fabric?

Breathable fabrics such as cotton are best, though some modern synthetic fibres also allow the skin to breathe. Some people find synthetic fibres cause skin irritation or increase sweating. This could lead to soreness and bacterial growth. Anything with a plastic lining should be avoided (Breastfeeding support, no date).

Is underwire safe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding?

Wire can press on breast tissue leading to discomfort and mastitis. So, in the early months of breastfeeding while breasts are frequently changing size, it may be best to avoid wires (Breastfeeding support, no date).

How many will I need?

Some people will choose two or three bras at first, to allow for washing. More can be added later if needed. This may because of further breast changes before or after the birth, or when the milk supply settles down (Breastfeeding Support, no date).

Why might I need breast pads?

Breast pads are circular discs of absorbent material, which are worn in the bra over the nipple. They absorb the milk which may leak between feeds or when feeding from the other breast. They also protect clothes from stains (Breastfeeding support, no date).

Not everyone finds they leak enough to need breast pads. For those that do, the pads will need to be changed frequently. This is because they could hold moisture next to the skin which encourages bacterial growth (Breastfeeding support, no date).

Both reusable and disposable breast pads are available, and it is a personal choice. Reusable pads may be made of washable cotton or wool. Disposable pads may come with a sticky back to attach to the bra. Some people also find they stick to the skin (Breastfeeding support, no date).

When choosing a bra, it is worth checking that it has room for the breast pads that will be used (Breastfeeding support, no date).

References