If you’re planning to breastfeed, one of the most important things to own is a nursing bra. It helps you feel comfortable throughout the nursing phase no matter your size or shape.
For women who need more specialized nursing wear, especially plus-sized women, it can be hard to get a few that best suit their body type.
At the nursing stage, your breasts get heavier, and without proper support, they can be very uncomfortable and also cause other issues such as mastitis or clogged ducts.
Many nursing moms also struggle to find not just a comfortable and supportive nursing bra, but also one that’s stylish for supersized breasts.
If you’re shopping for the best nursing bras for plus size women only to find out the sizes only go up to D-cup, our top 10 picks have you covered.
Best Nursing Bra For Plus Size Women
1. BRAVADO! Full Cup Maternity & Nursing Sleep Bra
The original maternity and nursing bra, and the original full cup maternity and nursing bra ensures every mom has something to wear whether in her hospital bag, on the go, or at home.
It has the cozy comfort of cotton and modal in the bralette style and wire-free design, which is a heritage for many moms from the beginning.
It combines being breathable and ultra-soft without a back closure so you can use it as a nursing sleep bra as well.
It also has the proprietary, easy open and close one-handed ‘b’ nursing clip design that’s signature to Bravado Designs nursing bras, and the full drop-away cup design ensures you and your baby have maximum skin-to-skin contact.
Also included is a bra conversion kit so you can convert it into a regular bra once you’re done with the breastfeeding journey.
Bravado Designs styles are all tested and certified to ensure they’re free from harmful substances in line with the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX requirements.
It’s made with 49 percent cotton, 32 percent modal, and 19 spandex, plus a lace-up closure.
This bra is dry-clean only and is available in awesome and extra-awesome, and a timeless range of colors.
It’s uniquely designed and re-engineered to support your unique proportions and needs and pairs perfectly with a clip and pump hands-free nursing bra accessory.
2. Gratlin Women’s Comfort Support Plus Size Cotton Maternity Nursing Bra
Its fabric is made with 96 percent cotton that’s breathable, and 4 percent spandex that makes it stretchy, allowing for changes in size while nursing.
It also has a racerback and wide elastic underbust band to fully support your bust all day and is a must-have for nursing.
The front drop-down cups make it easier to pump breast milk, nurse your baby, and still keep you comfortable and feeling your best during this phase.
Gratlin also has a pull-on nursing sports bra that can meet the needs of active moms.
The plus-size nursing bras come in S-5XL/32DD-48E sizes with full support for any of the sizes you pick.
The band at the bottom isn’t tight, but fully supports and flatters your bust, especially if you have a natural drop to your breasts.
The straps are also slightly wider and more supported, and the bras come in three different colors you can pick from.
3. Motherhood Maternity Plus-Size Seamless Clip Down Nursing Bra
The bra is made with 96 percent nylon and 4 percent spandex. It features a hook and eye closure with clip down function and removable cups.
The lightly lined full-busted, full coverage seamless nursing bra also sports a ribbed stitch center front that creates slight shirring at the bust of the bra and the bottom band is also ribbed.
The full-busted silhouette provides medium support and is great for plus size women with D cup or larger sizes.
An adjustable strap and clip down nursing feature ensures you get all the comfort and support you need all day long, and ease while nursing.
It’s machine washable and available in black, nude, space gray, and other colors.
4. Goddess Women’s Keira Nursing Bra
It also has Powernet wings, a hook and eye closure, and stretch microfiber material designed with comfort in mind for nursing moms.
The material is made with 29 percent nylon/polyamide, 6 percent elastane, and 65 percent polyester.
The wire-free nursing bra is great for well-endowed women and fits straight out of the package.
It’s great for larger breasts with good support, though the clips may take a bit of effort to use, the more popular clip style isn’t as sturdy for heavier busts.
It only comes in nude, but its sizes go from 42 all the way up to a size 46I.
5. Leading Lady Women’s Nursing Wireless Sports Bra
It boasts more than 27 items in its selection of nursing bras with different styles, colors, and fits, most of which are sleek and modern, but there are traditional pieces too.
This Leading Lady women’s nursing sports bra is wire-free, making it comfortable and flexible.
Its cushioned wide straps and lightly padded cups make for a flattering shape and supreme comfort, and it’s versatile for low impact and leisure activities.
Its material is made with 46 percent cotton, 46 percent polyester, and 8 percent spandex, and it has an adjustable band and straps so you can adjust to your liking for everyday convenience and comfort.
The fold-over cups enable simple and easy breastfeeding, and it has one-hand nursing clasps and inner (cotton) sling for comfortable breastfeeding without interrupting you and your child.
It’s a versatile, comfortable, and supportive nursing bra for plus-size women that lets you spend your nursing days enjoying a lightweight feel and fit that you can wear to the supermarket or just relaxing at home.
6. HOFISH 3 Pack Seamless Clip Down Deep V Neck Push Up Nursing Bra
Its bottom band gives extra support for a flattering and perfect image, and you can use it during pregnancy or for nursing.
It has adjustable shoulder straps with an extra-wide side, and its triangle cup design offers good support for your bust.
The modal material made with 92 percent nylon and 8 percent spandex that’s added to its fabric uses the latest technology to ensure the bra feels buttery soft.
It also has hook and eye closure, one-hand access, and easy drop cups for convenient feeding.
The stylish V-neck design ensures breathability for your breasts while keeping them comfortable and the unique push up padding ensures you get the proper support you need while looking attractive too.
Also included are a seamless side widening and removable molded foam cups, a three-piece nursing bra, and three pieces of extra matching bra extenders and bra strap clips.
Its compression fit minimizes motion so you have maximum support and enjoy nursing or other leisure activities without losing focus.
7. Daisity Women’s Seamless Sleep Nursing Bra
They believe that every mom has her own charm, which is why each of their products ensures practicability so it’s easy to hold everything with the support you need.
This particular nursing bra for plus size women is made with super cozy material designed from soft, premium fabrics that leave you feeling supported and give a flattering image.
The seamless maternity nursing bra also adds special cozy and convenience as you pump milk for your little one, and the fabric is soothing to the skin.
It features removable pads so you can feed your baby with less effort, prevent leaks from showing through, and adjustable straps to help you get the fit just right.
Its fabric is made from a blend of cotton and spandex, making it soft and strong and gives a stretchy fit too.
To prevent irritation, the bra has a seamless design, and for extra support when your breast is out, an inner cup sling is included to help you with that.
It’s great for light workouts pre and post-pregnancy, and the easy to open nursing closure helps you feed the baby quickly and with no struggle.
The silky soft touch of the fabric expands with your changing shape, and you can wear it whether you’re at home, going to the grocery store or for leisure activities, and anywhere else mothering may take you.
The one-hand nursing clasps are easy to use and easy fold-down cups for single or double breast pumping make nursing easy to do and comfortable for you and your baby.
This gives you the peace of mind you need that will last all day.
8. Lamaze Women’s Soft Cotton Spandex Maternity Bra
It features a stretchy elastic band underneath that ensures you go about your everyday tasks in full comfort, and wide shoulder straps that help the bra stay in place securely without slipping or being adjusted in any way.
The material is made from a blend of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent spandex, which makes it very soft and comfortable.
It’s easy to nurse your child while wearing this bra because of its V-neck style and low cut crossover design that makes it easy to nurse when the baby is very hungry and wants immediate attention.
The bra also has pull-on closure, and a U-back design to reduce the pressure on the back and shoulders so you can feel relaxed and comfortable while nursing your little one.
9. Gratlin Women’s Lace Full-Figure Wire-Free Nursing Maternity Bra Plus Size
This is another good nursing bra for plus-size women from the Graitlin brand.
It’s made from a blend of 92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex and is a non-wired soft cup bra for maximum support and comfort.
It features drop-down clips that are ideal for nursing and six rows of hook and eyes for extra support and adjustment to ensure you get the perfect fit.
It’s also full-figured for proper support for your chest while offering a flattering image so you can still look feminine and beautiful.
The bra is designed to support the changing needs of your body whether you’re pregnant or in the nursing phase and has easy release clips for drop cup nursing.
The lace detailing also leaves you feeling pretty, feminine, and special, while the unpadded cups are comfortable to wear after you’re done with a nursing session.
10. Curve Muse Plus Size Nursing Cotton Unlined Wirefree Bra
This particular nursing bra for plus size women is made from a blend of 93 percent cotton and 7 percent spandex, which offers soft and clean coverage, plus a sexy lace trim for a flattering look.
It also has a one-hand release clasp for easy nursing and it’s wire-free so you get that extra comfort you need while nursing your baby.
It combines sophistication and comfort and is designed with super-soft form-fitting cups for easy feeding.
The adjustable, non-chafing straps also won’t dig into your shoulders while nursing and you’ll feel secure thanks to the hard-wearing hook and eye back closure.
It comes in a range of sizes including DD for plus size women, and unlike other bras for your large bust, the beautiful design hasn’t been compromised.
It’ll complement your curves while giving you full coverage and a feminine look.
It’s great for voluptuous figures, as it blends bust control and support with a luxury lace detailing that gives you a classy look that many women love, and in chic colors too.
The bra is hand wash/dry only for underwire bras, as machine wash/dry can deform them easily and give them a shorter life span.
Buying Guide: What To Look For In A Nursing Bra For Plus Size Women
A great nursing bra should deliver the comfort of a sports bra with the support of an underwire bra when it comes to design, comfort, and support.
Each woman experiences their own changes in unique ways, as some see drastic changes in cup sizes during pregnancy while others see it during nursing.
When it comes to finding the best nursing bra for plus size women, which ideally are designed for nursing and pregnant moms, there are many options to choose from.
These include nursing, sports nursing bras, sleep nursing bras, and those with molded cups, pumping bras, and extra-support bras too.
When you’re out shopping for the best nursing bra for plus size women, there are several key things you need to look for as explained below:
Supportive and Comfortable Materials and Fabrics
Check for the cotton-spandex blends as these are not only soft and comfortable, but they’re also stretchy and breathable, and still offer the support you need while nursing your baby.
There are many other materials you can choose from, some with nylon and others with polyamide material. In most cases, pick the one that works best in terms of the bra you need.
If you’re active, go for the sports nursing bra, and if you prefer extra support, a bra with an underwire design will come handy.
Check also for materials that are washable by hand, which is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the label.
Weight support
Check for wider straps that offer better and added weight support for your large bust, which tends to grow bigger because of the milk production after pregnancy.
Inner linings
Not all nursing bras come with these, but if you want those included, go for the extra-soft cottony inner linings as these are not only breathable and soft but also offer more comfort all day long.
Adjustment features
These are things like hooks and eyes or clasps that allow you to adjust the bra, and they grow with your bust as it becomes bigger or smaller in some cases.
Foam cups
These are not a necessity, but if you do find a nursing bra with the foam cups included, they’ll give you added nipple coverage and ensure milk doesn’t spill or show through your clothing.
The cups can be made from poly-spandex material blends for better comfort.
Design
The bra’s design is constantly changing to be appealing but also practical. It’s possible to nurse your little one with one hand, but that should not compromise your own comfort.
Getting the right size ensures you get a comfortable and properly fitting nursing bra that you can adjust with shoulder straps.
Not all options available prove useful for the whole nursing period, which is why you should put comfort and function above other factors when you’re out shopping for a nursing bra.
You can start with a nursing bra design that looks similar to the regular bra and transition to other designs as you go along.
Difference Between Maternity Bras And Nursing Bras
There’s a tendency to use the same bra you wore when you were expectant as a nursing bra, but there’s one key feature that makes them different besides the support and comfort you get.
While a maternity bra offers you comfort while pregnant, a nursing bra ensures your breasts are easily accessible for your little one to breastfeed.
However, there’s an option to find a bra that will act as both a maternity and nursing bra for you, that’ll see you through the pregnancy journey and nursing phases while saving you some cash and giving you the support you need.
The best time to buy a nursing bra is during pregnancy preferably the third trimester and wear it as a maternity and nursing bra simultaneously.
This way, you get the support you need while pregnant, and still prepare yourself for nursing and your baby.
However, many lactation consultants recommend that you wait until your milk comes in so you can get an accurate measurement of the size you’ll need.
Tips For Measuring Nursing Bras To Get The Right Fit And Support
If you’re not sure what your current bra size is after pregnancy, there are some things you need to do so as to avoid buying the wrong size.
These include a measuring tape (soft fabric type), mirror, pen and paper, and bra size chart or online calculator.
To calculate and get your exact bra size, measure the rib band and cup size.
Rib band measurement helps you determine the size of the bra band that fits around the torso, so you can be comfortable wearing the nursing bra.
This way, there won’t be any lines showing where your straps were when you remove the bra or across your torso.
Cup size is crucial to measure because when you’re pregnant, the breasts tend to be sensitive and tender, so wearing an ill-fitting and unsupportive bra doesn’t help.
You need one that fits well while offering easy access during nursing for your baby.
Write down all these measurements and carry them with you when you’re out shopping at a physical store or send them to the manufacturer if you’re shopping online so they can advise on what will be the best fit for you out of the options they have available.
Wrapping Up
Ready to go out and get the perfect nursing bra? These 10 picks are a good place to start when considering a plus-size nursing bra.
They’re mom-approved and user-tested, so no matter which one you end up picking, you can’t miss one that’ll suit your lifestyle while giving you the comfort and support you need.
Diana Paul is a certified nutritionist who writes for leading health blogs. She is a master herbalist, yoga teacher, forager, and wild-crafting writer She is focused on helping people transform life blocks to opportunities. Based in NYC, she often holds health seminars and lectures.