Nursing bra recommendations
made by members of the Facebook group NWL Breastfeeding – November 2020.
Compiled by Cordelia Uys
The Hot Milk nursing bra from Bravissimo
To work out your bra size
Online
Boob or Bust: https://www.booborbust.com/bra-measuring-guide/?fbclid=IwAR24uPXxBtq6g7t69AaIWJL3Xdxla5hcA_WSut58EKyp9GkseW5YpKG8QJA
Hot Milk: https://uk.hotmilklingerie.com/pages/what-size-will-i-need
In person
Bravissimo and John Lewis do fittings for nursing bras:
‘Before the 2nd lockdown, Bravissimo were doing free fittings in store and over the phone. They sell the Hotmilk, Sugar Candy (most comfy feeding bra ever!) and other nursing bras.’
‘I was pregnant during the first lockdown and didn’t know how to buy the right sized nursing bra. I ended up buying 17 bras (!) from Bravissimo (I’ve always been a big fan) so that I could try several styles in a variety of sizes. I kept two and returned the rest. It wasn't ideal but was free delivery and very easy to return the bulk. They have a fantastic nursing range.’
‘I went to John Lewis where I was fitted and able to try lots of different bras. I then bought two and found the same make online for a cheaper price. Unfortunately, this was pre-lockdown.’
When during pregnancy to get fitted
It’s a good idea to wait until as late as possible to get fitted for a nursing bra, ideally not before 36 or 37 weeks. Nursing bras are amply proportioned because enlarged breasts need extra support and a breastfeeding bra should fully enclose the breast in the cups.
The recommendation is not to put any pressure on lactating breasts at any stage. A tight bra, or a bra that puts pressure on certain areas, puts a mother at risk of blocked ducts and mastitis.
N.B. Underwired bras (including flexi-wired ones) are not recommended earlier than 6 weeks. Before that, wearing an underwired bra can caused blocked ducts.
Bras recommendations:
Bras for pregnancy
The M&S 2 pack seamless nursing bras were recommended.
Night-time bras
Kindred Bravely French Terry Racerback Nursing Sleep Bra for Maternity/Breastfeeding.
Alternatives to regular bras
‘I use soft yoga bras and just move the boob out of the top.’
‘Crop tops are the easiest. No fiddly clips when baby can’t wait!’
ASDA nursing vests:
H&M nursing tops:
M&S:
‘M&S do great bralettes; you can just move the boob out the top.’
‘The M&S website explains that once your baby is born, you may be a cup bigger and your ribcage goes back down. It's not necessarily true for everyone, but gets you close. M&S also has a few decent nursing bras for cheap, including sports ones and all cotton!’
Regular bras
Sugar Candy (Soft cup):
Freya Pure:
‘This is a nice bra. They’re flexi-wire and pretty much feel like normal bras’
Hotmilk:
Lots of our members recommended Hotmilk, which are ‘pricey but great’: One member said Hotmilk bras are good: ‘especially if bigger boobed’. Both their wired and wireless bras were recommended.
https://uk.hotmilklingerie.com/?fbclid=IwAR25i9B4AozwBySlb8V4KSkHPYircaklykjtQehXKSuAWSABM3KJZ0Tw0KE
Hotmilk Projectme bras came highly recommended by members:
https://uk.hotmilklingerie.com/collections/projectme
Hotmilk Temptation bras also came highly recommended: ‘My favourite bra is Hotmilk Temptation, pricey but so worth it.’
https://www.bravissimo.com/products/temptation-nursing-bra-hh100/
Molke:
Lots of our members recommended Molke bras: https://molke.co.uk/collections/bras
H&M:
‘I found the H&M ones really good initially for the early days when you don't know what size you're going to be in the longer run... then I moved to more 'proper' bras after 3 months or so.’
‘I use H&M. I just guessed my size (went 2 width sizes up and one cup size up from my usual size) and it worked.’
‘The H&M ones I find are really good.’
‘I also really like the H&M nursing bras. I just ordered a couple of sizes around what I’d been wearing in the maternity range and returned the ones that didn’t fit comfortably.’
‘I like the H&M ones, they're really soft and comfy and actually nice colours!’
‘I love the H&M no wire, no padding, pull to the side ones. They’re less fiddly than clips when feeding out and about. Their maternity nursing tank tops are good for layering to make non-nursing tops into nursing tops.’
https://www2.hm.com/en_in/women/shop-by-product/maternity-wear/nursing.html
Lindex, bought via Asos:
Seraphine:
‘Seraphine are awesome’:
https://www.seraphine.com/en-gb/nursing-clothes/nursing-bras/
Bravado:
‘I would highly recommend the Bravado Silk Seamless nursing bra:’
Calvin Klein:
‘I had to shop online for nursing bras during the first lockdown and just went with a size up which fit well afterwards. I’ve had M&S and H&M with my first baby but never really found a balance between comfort and look, so I’ve opted now for this one in a couple of colours and cannot recommended it enough!’
https://www.calvinklein.co.uk/maternity-bralette-modern...
Six Studios:
‘Six Studios is an amazing brand, good quality and great fitting. Design by a breastfeeding mama herself... worth checking it out.’
https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/six-josephine-stretch-jersey-maternity-bra_218-3005321-SIX002/
Mumdabra:
‘So comfortable!’
https://mumbabra.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkqTS1Muq7QIVW-vtCh3pHwqDEAAYASAAEgKV0fD_BwE
Anita’s seamless nursing bra:
Converting a non-nursing bra
Several women said they preferred converting their own non-nursing bras:
‘My favourites have actually ended up the ones I’ve converted myself (well, my mum did as my sewing didn’t even stand up to my small boobs) using a really good, well fitting normal bra, and conversion kits. I bought mine from The Suckle Store and they’re about £4 with everything you need in them.’
https://www.suckle-store.co.uk/product/nursing-bra-conversion-kit/
Compiled by Cordelia Uys: https://www.cordeliauys.co.uk/