Choosing the right maternity or nursing bra is a key part of any woman’s journey into motherhood. Many women need to purchase a maternity bra early on in their pregnancy, as the growth and hormonal changes can make breasts feel tender, and your ribcage will naturally expand later in pregnancy to accommodate the baby.
After birth, a supportive nursing bra is essential. Easy-to-open cups will make breastfeeding simpler, while a supportive design can help reduce discomfort and even lower the risk of issues such as mastitis. The right nursing bra isn’t just practical – it boosts your confidence and wellbeing, too. I personally loved Momcozy’s jelly strip seamless nursing bra, which was great to wear, gave breasts a boost and made feeding straightforward.
Many modern designs will combine both maternity and nursing into one transitional bra, meaning a single purchase could theoretically see you through pregnancy and beyond. The most crucial thing, though, is correct sizing. Getting a professional fitting – which is offered as a service at the likes of John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Boux Avenue – will help you start with the best fit for your needs. Some maternity bras are only available in generic small, medium and large sizing, while others are available in more specific cup sizes.
How I tested
I tested the maternity and nursing bras over the course of one month, a couple of weeks after giving birth to my daughter. I tested them in every area of my life, from day-to-day activities at home to feeding, as well as overnight in bed. For each bra I tested, I considered materials and whether they were breathable and comfortable, how supportive it was, the range of sizing, and ease of use. I also closely looked at the design – practicality should never compromise style. You can read a detailed breakdown of my testing criteria at the end of the review.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s product reviews section, IndyBest, hosts product reviews from expert testers. Our knowledgeable reviewers use the products they test in the same way you would in your own home to bring you an impartial list of the very best. IndyBest’s expert parenting writers have tested everything from baby monitors to high chairs and travel cots. Katie Byrne is an experienced parenting writer and product tester. Having recently given birth to her second daughter, she was really able to assess each maternity bra in real-world testing conditions.
The best maternity and nursing bras for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Momcozy jelly strip seamless nursing bra: £39.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget option – New Look maternity black triangle clip nursing bra: £12.99, Newlook.com
- Best for overnight – Marks and Spencer lounge nursing maternity bras two-pack: £18, Marksandspencer.com
- Best for workouts – Fabletics principal low impact bra: £54, Fabletics.co.uk
- Best for pumping – Medela three-in-one nursing and pumping bra: £33.19, Amazon.co.uk
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Momcozy jelly strip seamless nursing bra
Best: Maternity bra overall
Size range: S-3XL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Provides comfortable lift
- Irritation-free breathable fabric
- Wide range of colours to choose from
Take note
- Higher price point compared to other options on our list
Momcozy’s jelly strip seamless nursing bra ticks all my boxes. The easy-to-use nursing clips make it easy to feed your baby, and the stretchy, supportive design feels comfortable – and the bra also provides a lifting boost.
It’s been designed to be worn by everyone. There’s a shade to match any skin tone or preferred colour palette, and a vast number of sizes. I tested it in a medium (I currently wear a 36D) and it was the perfect size for me: snug and supportive, without being uncomfortable.
The bra’s jelly strip technology provides a gentle boost that many other non-wired bras lack – according to the brand, the jelly prevents breasts from drooping. When I put it on, I instantly felt supported and perkier (well, as perky as you can feel postpartum), but with none of the tightness or discomfort that a wired bra can sometimes cause.
With its smooth, seamless cups, it made me feel like I was wearing a T-shirt bra, and it provided a defined shape under clothing. And it was even comfortable enough to wear in bed. Really, I cannot find fault with it.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon.co.uk
New Look maternity black triangle clip nursing bra
Best: Budget nursing bra
Size range: S-L
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Stylish design
- Low cost
- Extra wide underband
Take note
- Limited size range
New Look’s nursing bra is a stylish yet affordable option that features removable padding and a fuss-free clip-and-eye back. The wide ribbed underband felt soft, stretchy and comfortable against my rib cage. As for ease of use, the nursing clips were simple to unclip and the cups folded down smoothly, making feeds easy for both me and my baby.
I tested it in a medium, which ran on the generous side, and the limited size range (small to large) could be restrictive. The smooth cups give it a T-shirt bra feel, though it doesn’t quite deliver the same level of support as the Momcozy jelly strip seamless nursing bra. That said, for £12.99, it’s a really great budget-friendly option.
Buy now £12.99, Newlook.com
Jojo Mama Bébé pink lace trim seamless maternity and nursing bra
Best: For maternity to feeding
Size range: S-XL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Six hook-and-eye fastenings
- Great choice for outfits with low backs
- Pretty lace trim
Take note
- No padding
With six hook-and-eye settings, Jojo Maman Bebe’s lace bra will see you comfortably from pregnancy into postpartum, and is a great investment at just £18.
I tested in a medium and found it generously sized. The cups don’t have padding, so I’d definitely recommend wearing the bra with breast pads if you’re cautious of leaks.
The subtle details really make it stand out – its dainty lace trim, for example, elevates it from just a maternity bra into one that feels a bit more elegant, while its stylish low back is a great match for tops or dresses with low-cut backs.
Buy now £18.00, Jojomamanbebe.co.uk
Marks & Spencer lounge nursing maternity bras two-pack
Best: For overnight wear
Size range: S-XL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Great value for money
- Pull-on design
- No-fuss feeding
Take note
- No padding
At just £9 each, Marks & Spencer’s two-pack of nursing bras easily deserves recognition as one of the best budget-friendly options. The stretchy ribbed fabric feels soft and gentle against the skin, but it doesn’t have padding or much support, so it’s less suited for daytime wear outside the house. Instead, I’d recommend this as a great option for overnight wear.
The simple wrap-over front makes breastfeeding fuss-free with no clips or clasps to fumble with during late-night feeds. I found it particularly useful under pyjamas or for slower mornings at home with my baby.
Their practicality also extends to care: they wash well, dry quickly, and are ready to wear again in no time – an underrated but very welcome bonus in the newborn stage.
Buy now £18.00, Marksandspencer.com
Medela three-in-one nursing and pumping bra
Best: For pumping
Size range: S-XXL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Brilliant option for mums who want to pump
- Stretchy ribbed design
Take note
- Fractionally more fiddly than a standard nursing bra
Medela’s three-in-one nursing bra is designed for breastfeeding, in-bra pumping and electric pumping, so it really does cover all bases. With four clip-and-eye settings and adjustable straps, it’s easy to get a good fit – though I did have to snip out four itchy labels near the clasp.
Medela has its own pumps, but the bra works with any brand. I tested it with a manual pump and found the dual-layer design – one for pumping, another for feeding – made the process easy and even a little more dignified. I worried the pump might shift if I moved around, but it stayed secure.
If you’re not planning to pump, this isn’t the bra for you. The additional layer means that access for feeding is more fiddly than standard nursing bras. Admittedly, it only takes a moment longer to unclip, but every second counts when it comes to an impatient (and hungry) baby.
Buy now £33.19, Amazon.co.uk
Boux Avenue nursing ribbed seamless heart embroidered bralette
Best: For gentle support
Size range: XS-XL
How to wash: Machine washable up to 40C
Why we love it
- Pretty, feminine design
- Soft, stretchy material
- Clips are easy to use for feeding
Take note
- Padding can move around
Boux Avenue’s bralette is as comfortable as it is cute, with its stretchy ribbed material that is both gentle against sore nipples and supportive of aching breasts. It proved genuinely helpful when I found myself facing mastitis, with its non-restrictive design and soft fabric providing the support I needed at a challenging time.
Due to its bralette design, there’s no fussing with a hook-and-eye back to put the bra on. The clips are easy to use one-handed, and the straps can be adjusted accordingly. It’s designed with built-in pads to offer a bit more in the way of shape and structure – as well as protect against unwanted leaks – although these can shift slightly overnight.
Buy now £28.00, Bouxavenue.com
Fabletics principal low impact bra
Best: For workouts
Size range: XXS-4XL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Inclusive size range
- Great for pregnancy workouts
- Supportive design
Take note
- Not helpful for feeding
I haven’t started exercising post-birth yet, but I can still spot a good sports bra when I see one. This low-impact bra from Kate Hudson’s membership-based activewear brand Fabletics is a great option for pregnancy workouts. I found that it fits snugly, so I recommend sizing up to allow for growth. But the brand offers a 45-day guarantee if you need to swap the size.
This isn’t a nursing bra, so there are no clips for feeding, but as a maternity sports bra, it delivers the goods. The breathable, stretchy fabric feels gentle on the skin, the padded cups are removable, and the strappy racerback adds a touch of style.
Buy now £54.00, Fabletics.co.uk
Marks & Spencer Jasmine lace non wired maternity nursing bra
Best: Lace maternity bra
Size range: 32B-42H
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Amazing price point
- Wide range of sizes
- Beautiful lace floral design
Take note
- Thin cups
If you love lacy lingerie, Marks & Spencer’s Jasmin bra proves you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort when pregnant or nursing. The floral lace design feels discreetly glamorous, while the nursing clips are colour-matched for a seamless look. It features four clip-and-eye settings, making it versatile enough to support you from pregnancy through to postpartum.
I found it easy to use: the nursing clips can be operated one-handed, while the straps are simple to adjust. The non-wired, unpadded design is comfortable enough for day to night wear. If you’re heading out, however, you might want to add breast pads to protect against leaks.
Buy now £10.00, Marksandspencer.com
Calvin Klein maternity bra
Best: Designer maternity bra
Size range: XS-XL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Designer twist
- Works for maternity and nursing
- Soft material with 53% cotton
Take note
- Thin cups
Calvin Klein’s maternity bra shares the same aesthetic as the label’s hugely popular lingerie line, meaning it’s ideal for adding a flourish of designer cool to your underwear drawer when you need a little pick-me-up.
It’s not just chic looks, though – it also felt soft against my skin, and it’s practical. The hook-and-eye back and adjustable straps are fairly standard features, but ensure that you have control over the fit of the bra. The nursing clips are easy to use, with the cups folding down effortlessly to ensure a fuss-free feed for your baby.
Buy now £38.00, Amazon.co.uk
Babygo sensory maternity bra
Best: Innovative maternity bra
Size range: S-XL
How to wash: Machine washable
Why we love it
- Clever design
- Made from bamboo fabric
Take note
- Smaller size range than other options
Due to their underdeveloped eyesight, young babies can see high-contrast black-and-white patterns more clearly than they can other colours. As such, monochrome can help them focus and stimulate their visual development. With all that in mind, Babygo’s innovative sensory bra is unlike anything else I’ve included.
Bralette in style, the bra is easy to pull on over your head and is made from a buttery soft fabric. Once unclipped for feeding, the front of the bra reveals a striking black-and-white pattern that can help capture your child’s attention as they feed. My six-week-old seemed unblinkingly mesmerised by the tiled pattern when feeding during the day or when the light was turned on; the pattern is almost impossible to view in the dark, which is probably a good thing when you’re trying to nurse a newborn back to sleep at 3am.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon.co.uk
What are the best maternity and nursing bras?
The best maternity and nursing bras should deliver comfort and support during one of the most physically demanding stages of life. Most nursing bras share practical features – such as drop-down cups for fuss-free feeding – with options split fairly evenly between pull-on styles and those that fasten at the back. After careful consideration, I found Momcozy’s jelly strip seamless nursing bra the best maternity bra. It’s supportive, comfortable and made from irritation-free breathable fabric.
But whatever style you choose from this list, it should adapt to your changing body, support your lifestyle, and help make both pregnancy and breastfeeding that little bit easier.
How I tested the best maternity bras
Two weeks after the birth of my baby, I set about putting a broad range of maternity and nursing bras to the test. I tested a plethora of different designs, and only those that scored highly across my testing criteria made the final cut. I considered and scored against the following:
After more maternity-wear recommendations? Read our review of the best maternity leggings
