News

Mar 27, 2023

Maternity bra: Why, when, and what to buy

Styles that will keep you comfortable for all nine months

Styles that will keep you comfortable for all nine months

Updated May 17, 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

You might think that you don't really need any new bras until you deliver your baby and start nursing. But you are missing out on one of the best pregnancy inventions of all time: the maternity bra.

Maternity bras are meant to give you a bit of extra breathing room, some structure as your breasts grow, and may help with breast tenderness during pregnancy as well. Many double as postpartum bras, too.

Maternity bras, like all bras, come in a wide array of styles, sizes, fabrics, cuts, and designs. It can take some trial and error to find one you love, so keep those receipts.

Enter your email:

The Hatch Everyday Nursing Bra isn't bulky and works great under t-shirts too.

You don't have to be nursing to love this go-to everyday bra for maternity and postpartum. It has gathering and a center band to keep everything in place and well-supported, and features Pima cotton for a super soft feel.

The Everyday Nursing Bra is also available in six colors, giving some variety to your black and nude colored bra drawer. Their easy size guide gives specific directions on how to measure easily.

The Everyday Nursing Bra features a soft-feel Pima cotton material that allows all day wear to be possible without any discomfort.

The journey into new motherhood can be overwhelming enough. Think ahead and make your day easier with a 3-pack of comfy bras.

Some maternity bras are just…not cute. The Everything Bra from Bodily definitely are, and all of them have a ribbed material that keeps you comfortable from early pregnancy through postpartum. The three-pack is worth the investment because you are going to want to wear this all week.

If you are missing your bralettes from pre-pregnancy, also check out their Effortless Bra.

Bodily combined comfort and convenience to make the Everything Bra 3-pack, available in multiple color combinations.

Workouts don't have to be put on pause just because you're nursing.

Sports don't stop when you have a baby on board. The Born Primitive Milk and Muscles Nursing Sports Bra has expandable straps that are great for nursing but also adjust to give you a bit more room as your chest expands through pregnancy.

We love both the wide selection of sizes, from X-small through 2X large, and six colorways including a super pretty watercolor floral.

The difference between other nursing sports bras and this one, is that Born Primative's option features no metal or plastic cups with full support for extra room.

This maternity bra from Davin and Adley is functional and stylish.

If you need a bit more support than a plain cotton bra, the Busty Ella bralette offers just that, with all the bells and whistles you could want in a slightly fancier bra. Gold hardware on the adjustable straps and a lace underlay that peeks out of the top make this an out-of-the-ordinary maternity and postpartum bra.

Pay special attention to the size guides on this one, as it comes in "busty" for larger busts, and regular options.

This bra makes it easier to nurse on the go with magnetic locking nursing clasps that you can twist or slide to release easily.

If you need a supportive bra for a larger bustline, look no further.

If you are missing your underwire regular bra in a sea of less supportive maternity bras, the Lively Busty Nursing Bralette is your ticket to the perfect compromise. The extra connector fabric between the cup area keeps you well supported and lifted, which you might not get with other styles of fabric bras.

These also lay nicely under t-shirts, giving enough coverage without being too bulky.

Again, consider whether busty or regular is right for you, and go for the Terracotta colorway.

The thick, sturdy straps on this nursing bralette reinforces that extra support you need so you can remain confident while wearing it.

Motherhood offers a wide range of size options for the Maternity Full Coverage Underwire Maternity and Nursing Bra.

If you are a die-hard underwire fan, the Maternity Full Coverage Underwire Maternity and Nursing Bra is the best for maternity and postpartum alike. It's so popular that it's often sold out in multiple sizes, so keep an eye out for restocking, additional colors, and frequent sales.

Described as a best-selling customer favorite, this maternity bra comes in a variety of inclusive sizes.

The key components of a maternity bra are softness, no underwire, and they are often highly adjustable, allowing for multiple sizes as your breasts expand in pregnancy and postpartum.

They also tend to be versatile, some offering easy access for breastfeeding or pumping so you don't have to buy a whole new set of bras after giving birth.

There's no reason your pre-pregnancy bras won't support you through those nine months, with some exceptions.

In pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimester, your bump doesn't just extend forward, but also upward, causing your rib cage to expand as well. It's not unusual for your regular bra to feel too tight all of a sudden, especially if you are used to underwire.

In addition, breast and nipple sensitivity might mean you want something softer, or a higher quality fabric on your breasts during these sensitive months.

Finally, you might have your eye on postpartum bras that allow for nursing, and can be on the lookout for maternity bras that do double duty.

Maternity bras can be used as early as 6 weeks, all the way up to when you're breastfeeding your toddler.

The American Pregnancy Association reports that breasts start to get bigger and grow through pregnancy, starting at around six to eight weeks. So, bra shopping might be on your to-do list before you’ve even seen your first ultrasound or announced your big news to the world.

You can expect to go up a size or two, and might also experience itchiness, stretch marks, tenderness, sensitivity, and leaking, in addition to nipples that protrude more. All of these can contribute to your timing for bra shopping, though it can vary for everyone.

Most retailers offer specific directions on how to measure your chest at home so you can then decide your best size using a sizing chart. Many request that you use a soft tape measure to measure around your chest under your breasts, and then again around your chest across the nipple line. These two measurements together often make up your bra size.

Many maternity bras are adjustable, both in the band tightness and in the length of the straps, though it's hard to have an adjustable cup, so that stays the same.

Given this, you might not want to buy a super tight bra that will only last your first trimester. Instead, choose one that is a bit roomier, or wait until your second trimester to determine your actual cup size.

You also might find you need to buy one bra earlier in pregnancy, and another one closer to your due date as you get a better gauge of how much your breast size will increase.

To determine your current size, you can get measured in person at a bra retailer, or you can measure your own chest at home using size guides from online retailers.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.