Best Maternity & Nursing Bras in 2026

When you're pregnant, your to-do list is long.

At the same time as getting your home organised, investing in all the new baby gear, and mentally adjusting to how your life is about to change forever, your body is undergoing an extraordinary transformation.

One of the most overlooked changes? Your breasts.

As breasts fluctuate in size throughout pregnancy and into postpartum, finding a maternity bra that offers genuine comfort and support is crucial - but that's easier said than done when your size keeps shifting and mainstream retailers don't carry the range Australian women require.

This is exactly why She Science exists; we're a specialist bra fitting destination dedicated to helping women - including pregnant and postpartum women - find better breast support.

In this guide, I'll explain exactly what to look for in a good maternity bra, share my top nursing bra recommendations for 2026, and answer the most common questions about finding the right fit during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Let's get into it.

What to look for in a maternity or nursing bra

Unlike regular bras, the best nursing bras and the best maternity bras are designed to adapt to your changing body, and there are a few key features that you should be on the lookout for.

First up is adjustability. Because your breasts grow throughout pregnancy and will change again once you're breastfeeding, you want a versatile maternity bra that is easily adjustable with multiple hook-and-eye rows and stretchy cups that will adapt with you.

Drop-cup or clip-down access is a feature the best breastfeeding bras will offer, a handy mechanism that allows the cup to fold away for quick, convenient nursing without removing your bra.

When it comes to choosing wire or no wire, you'll find the majority of maternity bras are wire-free. Why? Underwire can place pressure on changing breast tissue and milk ducts, making them less comfortable and potentially increasing the risk of blocked ducts.

Underwire maternity and nursing bras you'll find at She Science all use a more flexible wire, often called a “flexiwire” which is a softer, safer option for those who want that feeling or shape and separation that an underwire will give, while still wanting to reduce risks of mastitis from a traditional underwire.

A maternity bra should use a soft, breathable fabric that feels gentle against sensitive skin, helping regulate temperature and minimising irritation.

And a quick pro tip from me: While traditionally, the band around the ribcage is best fitted firmly for traditional bras, this is actually not the case with maternity and nursing bras. We need a softer fit around the ribcage during this stage of life for two important reasons. Firstly, while pregnant, to ensure our expanding ribcage has room to grow without causing undue discomfort. Secondly, when nursing, to ensure we don't risk occluding milk supply which can lead to mastitis.

As you might have already realised, finding the best maternity bras for large busts can be challenging, as many retailers stop at an F cup. That's why we stock nursing bras from a A to KK cup.

The best maternity and nursing bras in 2026

I've been in the bra fitting game for a long time - plus am a mother myself - and know what separates great nursing and maternity bras from average ones.

Myself and my team of expert fitters have tested countless bras across multiple sizes, and these are the best maternity bras and best breastfeeding bras worth investing in.

With my credentials out of the way, here's my list of recommended nursing bras and the best maternity bras in Australia:

Best everyday maternity & nursing bra

Our Pick: Panache Katherine Nursing Bra

Perfectly suited to the D-H cup girlies, the Panache Katherine Nursing Bra has been our top seller since day one. Put simply, she is a crowd pleaser. Nursing Mum's love her for her strong support, full coverage and crop style design. She has enough strength in her fabrics to give great support, while still maintaining a lovely softness for all day comfort. At just a touch above $100 she is great value for money. With the only con being that she is at this stage only available in black.

Our Alternative: Miss Anita Spacer Nursing Bra

Another fan favourite in our fitting suites is the Miss Anita Spacer Nursing Bra. This style is built to feel a bit more like a traditional everyday bra. That familiarity is a great sense of safety for new Mum's already juggling so many changes. At a palatable price of around $100 she makes for an easy option that will work well under just about every outfit. The spacer foam cups do the job to hide nipple show, while still being light enough not to add unnecessary bulk. If you're opting for this style be sure to read out 'How She Fits' notes to get your accurate size in this german brand.

Best maternity & nursing bra for large busts

Our Pick: Elomi Molly Underwire Nursing Bra

This flexiwire style is produced in F-KK cup, for band sizes 12-22. Built off the frame of one of Elomi's best selling styles, the Morgan. She has all the makings of a strong, structured everyday bra with just a few tweaks to make her safe and functional while pregnant and breastfeeding. Those additions include a flexible underwire, nursing clips for cup access and extra hooks on the ribcage band.

This style really offers such a sense of relief for our busty breastfeeders.

Our Alternative: Anita Miss Orely Full Cup Nursing Bra

While this top selling style may not win any glamour awards, she is loved for all the right reasons. Her super strength wire free support. Most wirefree styles result in a less than ideal shape. The Miss Orely bra has done a great job of creating a nice natural shape without underwire for a larger bust. The super soft padded straps are also a lovely comfort and support feature that our nursing Mum's value. Available up to a HH cup, in Australian sizing, she is a truly valued bra in our maternity range.

Best sleep or wire-free maternity bra

Our Pick: Anita Essential Lace Nursing Bralette

For women who want comfort during sleep or rest, with minimal hardware, lovely soft fabrics and light support, the Essential Lace Nursing Bralette is one of the first styles we'd recommend. She is also very useful in the early postpartum period when tenderness peaks and size fluctuations are rampant.

Our Alternative: Cake Maternity Milk Bamboo Sleep Nursing Bra

As a seriously light option, best suited to sleep and lounging at home, the Milk Bamboo Nursing Bra is a great option for a DD cup and below ladies. The easy access cross over cups make feeding during the right a very easy venture and the racerback straps aids with a little extra postural support.

Best maternity sports bra

Our Pick: Popcorn Nursing Bra

Loved for her racerback design, clever button feeding clips that create a smooth look under workout gear, and lightly shaped cups; the Popcorn Nursing Bra makes for a solid medium impact option for Mum's returning to exercise. It's important to note that a maternity nursing bra will never be a super strength option as the materials need to have enough stretch in them to keep you safe while nursing. But this style is still suites really well to the typical activities new mum's do when returning to exercise like yoga, pilates, walking and weights sessions.

When should you get fitted for a maternity bra?

Knowing when to get fitted for a maternity bra can feel confusing, and as a bra fitter, I understand that better than most.

The reality is your bra size can change two or three times throughout pregnancy and again after your milk comes in, so it's generally worth being professionally fitted two to three times along the way.

A good time for your first fitting is around 14-16 weeks, when your breast size has usually started to settle after those early pregnancy changes. This bra should see you comfortably through to the third trimester. We recommend option for a loosely fitted nursing singlet for our early days post bub's arrival. The best time to have a nursing bra fitting is a few weeks after your baby has arrived, and your size had stabilised a bit.

Figuring out your fit can be a challenge to do on your own. Between fluctuating breast size, an expanding ribcage and changing support needs, recruiting the help of professional fitters who live and breathe bras is a worthwhile investment - if only I knew of a place…

At She Science, we have three welcoming fitting suites in Melbourne and a team of passionate bra fitters. You have enough to think about through pregnancy, so let us make sure you're comfortable and are getting the support you need throughout this incredible life stage.

Visit us any day of the week, and we'll help you find the right maternity bra for your body. Don't forget, our Bra Fitting suites run by appointment so be sure to book your fitting before you visit our suites.

FAQs

Can I use the same bra for pregnancy and breastfeeding?

If your bra is designed as both a maternity and nursing bra then you can certainly use your pregnancy bra when you breastfeed. When you're nursing, you will be juggling a lot at once, so having a nursing bra with stretchy cups and clip-down access that you can use with one hand will make your life that little bit easier. Expect fit changes as your milk comes in - your breasts will be at their largest at this point, so it's worth noting your pregnancy bra may not fit you postpartum and that is absolutely normal.

When should I stop wearing my regular bra during pregnancy?

You can wear your regular bra in pregnancy up until it starts to feel tight or uncomfortable, usually around the first or second trimester. You'll know it's time to move onto a new maternity bra when your band is feeling uncomfortably tight, your cups are overflowing or your straps starts to really pull at your shoulders.

Is underwire safe to wear during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

If your underwire bra fits perfectly, then it's generally safe to wear it throughout pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding. However, wirefree is what I generally recommend, because these styles provide greater levels of comfort and a little more flexibility than the structure of an underwire bra. Poorly fitting underwire may put pressure on breast tissue or milk ducts, which can be extra uncomfortable when your breasts are feeling at their most tender and sensitive.

How many maternity bras do I actually need?

I typically suggest women aim for 3-4 maternity bras to have on rotation. This includes everyday, sleep, and supportive options if breastfeeding. It's a good idea to have a few extra bras on hand, particularly when breastfeeding, as milk leaks are common and tend to mean frequent washing!

What size maternity bra should I buy if I'm between sizes?

If you're between cup sizes, I generally recommend sizing up to allow room for your breasts to continue growing throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. When you're trying on different sizes, make sure the band will allow for any potential ribcage changes, with enough adjustment to tighten or loosen it as the bra stretches over time. Look for styles with stretchy cups that can comfortably accommodate natural size fluctuations and if you're unsure which size to choose, a professional bra fitting is the best way to ensure you're getting the right support.

Shop maternity and nursing bras at She Science

Hopefully this article has helped you gain a better understanding of the best breastfeeding bras on the market, as well as the best maternity bras Australia has to offer. Shop Breastfeeding Sports Bras and see if any of our styles suit what you're looking for.

Of course, if you need further assistance, the She Science team would be delighted to help. As I've mentioned, we have three fitting suites in Melbourne and a team of experts who use a science-based fitting methodology to fit our clients. We know the ins and outs of maternity and nursing bras and will make sure you walk away with a bra to keep you well supported through this incredibly exciting stage of life. Book a Bra Fitting in Melbourne today.