Now that you have a little one to feed, it’s time to get your bra upgraded in functionality for an easier time breastfeeding and/or pumping when out of the house. The criteria is pretty clear cut for nursing bras. Breathability — yes! Support — yes! Structure — hmm, yes and no. It’s time to throw out the polyester, tight moulded cups and stiff underwire… And say hello to soft cotton, seamless stretch and one-handed release.
Even though everyone’s bodies are different and personal preferences can differ widely, there should be something among these star picks to catch your eye. These nursing bra styles are our personal favourites but you can check out each brand’s range for more designs and variations. Do note that most people have to try out a few maternity bras before finding the one that fits them best, and also that some bras may fit well now but not later in your evolving motherhood journey.
With a name like that, what bra wouldn’t be a huge success? The Bodily Do Anything Bra is dubbed like the superhero of nursing/pumping bras, assuring every new mommy that she can still do anything—even while nursing and pumping. Hailed by Forbes as the Best Nursing Bra Overall, and by Harper’s Bazaar as the Best Overall Pumping Bra, among other accolades, this bra takes first mention in our list.
Using a soft Italian OEKO-TEX certified fabric for rich comfort and silky support, this hands-free pumping bra was designed with a lactation consultant in NYC especially for active mummies who need to pump and nurse on the go. You can pump on one side while nursing baby on the other, or enjoy hands-free pumping while working or essentially “doing anything”. Compatible with most leading pump brands including Spectra, Ameda, Motif Medical and most Medela flanges up to 8cm in diameter, the Do Anything bra offers easy front clip nursing access, easy front slider strap adjustment for getting into pumping mode, converts to racer back for added support, and offers five rows of hooks for a super adjustable back closure—catering generously for breast size fluctuations in your maternity journey.
While pretty, its major downside is the pleated design that doesn’t sit flush under tighter clothing. It’s also crafted from a single fabric layer which some conservative mummies may feel is too thin, though that’s easily solved by adding nonslip breast pads (as pictured). Do note that this is a Stage 3 bra (designed for 6 months postnatal and beyond) so you should probably wear it loosely and periodically at the start of your nursing journey to avoid engorgement.
This silky-smooth seamless design by Bravado makes a beautiful silhouette without any wires. With luxe fabric and high-quality shoulder clips that are easily operated with one hand, a lot of nursing mummies swear by the comfort of the Bravado Body Silk nursing bra. Designed with sustainability in mind, this bra is knitted with recycled nylon for a 360 degree stretch that hugs your changing shape. Its 3D moulded cups are further enhanced by knitted fabric and removable foam inserts.
Adaptable with the Clip and Pump Hands-free Pumping bra attachment, this nursing bra is easy to open with one-handed clips, and drops away fully for maximum skin-to-skin contact. Tested and certified to Standard 100 OEKO-TEX requirements, you can rest assured that baby and you are both safe from harmful chemicals. Although highly stretchable, some larger-breasted women have complained about sizing issues. If you are more generously endowed, our next pick might be the one for you.
Named “Best Nursing Bra For Large Breasts” by Forbes, this “lacy but deceptively comfortable” option is a good one for larger breasts, particularly in the Curvy and Ultra Curvy lines. Crafted using soft semi-sheer scalloped lace, this gorgeous Italian floral lace collection is a strong contender for your lingerie collection. Stretchy and definitely sexy, available in a variety of shimmery colours, the Never Say Never Mommie Bralette is wireless and slinged with padded cups for supportive full coverage. With adjustable nursing straps and easy clips for one-handed opening, this pullover style with its dainty sweetheart neckline is easy to wear, comfortable enough to sleep in, and pretty enough to keep wearing even after you’ve stopped nursing.
It’s best suited for exclusively nursing mums with an established supply though, and certainly not made with pumping in mind. Also, being a pullover style without a hook and eye closure means it’s not very adjustable and won’t offer as much allowance for your changing body as you may find yourself needing over the months.
Proudly local, Our Bralette Club has a lovely maternity range designed with a strong focus on size inclusivity, comfort and uncompromising aesthetic. The brand’s popular Sweet Kisses style has been produced in over 30 colours, and has now been adapted into a nursing-friendly model which opens up to a supportive single sling with an easy one-handed clip release. Lined with a signature cooling and quick-drying Lycra blend, these cups feature removable padding amply supported by a sturdy underbust band and connecting horizontal straps.
Available in more than 20 other colours—from deep muted to pretty pastel combinations to quirky prints, there’s something for everyone here. Those who love lingerie ensembles will also be delighted to find that Our Bralette Club has matching panties for almost every bralette design.
Another gorgeous home-grown label is Lovemère, an exclusively maternity-focussed brand whose mission is to make mothers happy by removing “the discomfort in mummies’ lifestyle” with comfortable bras and garments. Offering a wide range of maternity products including tops and bottoms, dresses, swimwear, and accessories like postpartum binders and nursing covers, you will find a variety of pleasing styles in their nursing bra category too. For this list, we’ve chosen to feature one for the sporty mum who will be needing an active nursing bra in her repertoire.
The Dorset Active Nursing Bra combines the support of a sports bra with the functionality of a nursing bra in a neat racerback-styled package. Breathable, moisture-wicking and lightweight, made from luxuriously soft cotton with adjustable straps and convenient shoulder clips, the Dorset will serve you well from pregnancy to postpartum. Suitable for low to medium impact sports like yoga, Pilates and aerobics, the Dorset comes in black, navy or stripes.
Our third featured Singaporean label may be one you’ve come across. Inspired by Parisian chic and feminine empowerment, Perk By Kate was created by Kate in her passionate pursuit of style and comfort, beauty and confidence. The Do-it-all Maternity Nursing Soft Bra is a fine token of that passion, sustainably crafted from eco-friendly milk silk and an OEKO-TEX certified cotton blend for a luxuriously soft and smooth feel. Wireless and padded with removable pads, the Do-it-all features adjustable straps, easy clasps and a supportive sling for easy nursing access. It is also available in five lighter colours, a full range of sizes and three padding options—unpadded, normal or push up padding.
Traditionally offering “intimate services” such as personal measurements, fittings, lingerie alterations and refurbishments, Perk By Kate now also caters for the sophisticated mommy with maternity fittings and by offering a mother’s room in their CBD Lingerie Studio.
Book their fitting-slash-nursing room for an elegant nursing or pumping boudoir experience at 134A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068000. Visit their website for more information.
Ultra-soft, light and stretchy, this stylish classic crossover design grants easy pull-aside access for nursing on the go or middle-of-the-night feeds. With removable padding and adjustable straps for your desired customisation, this spandex-blend pullover nursing bra will adjust to your changing breast size, taking you from pregnancy to postpartum and throughout your entire nursing journey.
Designed for supreme sleep comfort, the wireless wrap bra comes without any itchy tags or hard metal clasps. It also dresses well under tees, V-necks and dresses, making it an all-day and night closet staple. Exuding mom chic and a certain relaxed sophistication, This Mom’s Choice Awards Winner definitely looks worthy of its fame.
An absolute game-changer, the revolutionary Lilu Lactation Massager + Bra necessarily deserves mention. While costly for a bra, this US-based femtech invention promises to make your pumping sessions more comfortable and productive than ever. Its lactation massage cushions sit firmly in place within the bra, creating a compression motion that massages both breasts as you pump hands-free, helping to increase milk flow and supply. This naturally also helps alleviate clogged ducts and prevent engorgement, offering relief and comfort for newly nursing mothers in particular.
Equipped with a rechargeable battery, rechargeable controller and USB charging cable that lets you pump even while charging, the Lilu bra offers superior bottle support for pumping with standard suction breast pumps and flanges. It is also highly adjustable with Velcro shoulder straps and an underbust band, allowing for greater freedom of movement while pumping. Made of a breathable, moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial fabric blend, it can be worn alone or on top of any nursing bra.