How Many Nursing Bras Do I Need?
As you get ready for the birth of your baby, you start gathering things you know you’ll need, and you might find yourself wondering – how many nursing bras do I need?
Nursing bras are a specific type of bra created for breastfeeding mothers. Latches on the straps make it easy to hold down parts of the bra for easy nursing access, and they often have a thicker lining to help reduce leaks that might go through your shirt.
Some nursing bras, like sleeping bras, are crossed over in the front, giving you flap access to your breast.
No matter the style that you buy, whether it be a nursing bra, nursing sports bra, nursing tank, or nursing camis, the goal is to make nursing your baby easier whilst still giving your body the support it needs.
So, if you plan to breastfeed your baby, nursing bras are something you want to have on hand.
Don’t start buying without knowing how many nursing bras you need to have.
And if you love this guide on when to start buying nursing bras and how many you’ll need, then make sure to check out our guide on the best bra for breastfeeding moms, how many nursing pads do I need, and best nursing bras for large breasts. Or even these breastfeeding tips for new moms.
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When it comes to maternity bras, your comfort is the up most important! And that's why we love these wirefree nursing bras! They are soft, seamless and super supportive and even come with matching bra extenders to ensure maximum comfort.
These bras offer full courage, and they have removable padded cups for discretion. In addition, the straps have easy drop-down cups that give you easy access for your baby.
How Many Nursing Bras Do I Need?
Here are our recommendations for how many nursing bras to buy depending on the style that you choose:
| Style | Quantity | |
| Traditional Nursing Bras | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Sleeping Nursing Bras | 2 | BUY NOW |
| Nursing Sports Bras | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Nursing Tank Tops / Camis | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
Are Nursing Bras Really Necessary?
Women forego nursing bras all the time, but it’s something that will make breastfeeding more accessible and more comfortable.
So, if you plan to breastfeed for several months, investing in a few nursing bras or nursing tanks will definitely help you.
Women with smaller breasts often breastfeed without these bras; a regular bra or sports bras are substituted. However, if you have larger breasts or find that you’re engorged often, nursing bras are meant to give you all the support you need.
A lot of new moms, think they’re a necessity including us!
When Should You Buy Nursing Bras?
One of the most common mistakes women making is shopping too soon and buying nursing bras too early. It’s hard to know how your breasts will change during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some women experience little cup size changes, and others might increase three cup sizes!
The truly best time to invest in nursing bras is three to four months after delivery, but let’s be honest, we need them much earlier. So, you should buy nursing bras when you’re around eight months pregnant.
By the eighth month of pregnancy, you have gained most of your baby weight, and your breasts are starting to change. The size that they are now should be similar to the size they’ll be around eight weeks postpartum.
How Many Maternity Bras Do I Need?
So, how many maternity bras do I need?
The absolute bare minimum number of nursing bras you need is three – one to wear, one in the wash, and one extra. All it takes is a super heavy letdown, and you’ll need to change your bra.
After nursing several babies, I can tell you more is better. So here is what we suggest for breastfeeding mothers.
Two to Three Real Bras
“Real bras” are going to lift your girls where they need to be and provide the support needed. If you work outside the home or need to go more places, these will be a staple. Clothes look better with the proper support for the girls.
It’s best to avoid underwire nursing bras. The wire often presses on your breast tissue, and it might increase the chances of mastitis.
When it comes to maternity bras, your comfort is the up most important! And that's why we love these wirefree nursing bras! They are soft, seamless and super supportive and even come with matching bra extenders to ensure maximum comfort.
These bras offer full courage, and they have removable padded cups for discretion. In addition, the straps have easy drop-down cups that give you easy access for your baby.
Two Sleeping Nursing Bras
Before babies, you may never have slept in bras, but wearing them to bed while breastfeeding can really give you the extra support and comfort you need.
Sleeping bras help with engorgement and leaking, and if you want to wear nursing pads (you really do), you need bras to keep them in place. If you try sleeping without a bra, at least for the first several weeks, you’ll probably soak the bed.
These sleeping bras are a soft double layered bra with no padding no underwire to provide you with maximum comfort while sleeping. The criss cross front allows for easy one hand pull aside access for nursing at night which is just what you need when you are half asleep and trying to settle your baby.
Two Comfy Support Bras
Then, you want two or three comfortable bras that you can wear around the house but still look decent enough that visitors don’t get blinded by nursing nipples and leakage.
These will probably end up being your favorite type of nursing bras, and after a few months, you’ll probably still be living in them.
If you prefer the comfort and support of a sports bra, then you will love this Playtex nursing sports bra! The fabric is designed to keep you cool and comfortable, whilst the pull-over racer back design with back adjustable straps gives you the support you need. We also love the extra side sling in cup which are there to provide additional support and security.
Don’t Forget Nursing Camis and Tank Tops!
How many nursing tanks do I need? Well, you don’t need to have a nursing camis or tank top, but if you have any extra money in your budget, we highly recommend including a few nursing camis and tank tops.
They are fantastic for summer babies, and they give you all the support you need whilst also giving you that extra feeling of support around your stomach area.
Plus they work great for layering or lounge clothing!
If you prefer an all in one bra and tank top combo then you'll love these! With built-In, molded, double layer cotton this tank top provides the full support of a nursing bra as well a stylish empire waistline for a flattering fit.
How to Decide How Many Nursing Bras You Need
Just like with your first tween bras to your every day bras, everyone has different needs when it comes to how many nursing bras are needed. Some women stay home and like to wear comfortable bras all the time. Other women enjoy putting a nice outfit on and want to wear more structured bras.
Here are some suggestions to help you decide how many nursing bras you need.
How Often You Want to Do Laundry
If you only have two bras, you’ll be washing them more often than not. Breastfeeding moms leak – a lot – and bras get messier and need to be washed more than your typical bras.
Think about how often you do laundry, especially with a new baby.
If you do a weekly laundry wash, you will find two bras aren’t enough, especially if you know you leak a lot in the first few weeks. You’ll need enough bras to last through all week before they need to be rewashed.
The Season Your Baby is Arriving
If you have a summer baby, you’ll probably find you love your nursing tank tops as much or more than your nursing bras. They give you the support you needed while also helping you stay cool.
If you’re having a summer baby, consider picking a few nursing tanks instead of nursing bras. You might also want to find some bras that have racerbacks to wear with tank tops easier.
If You Work Out of the Home
Women who work out of the home will need more nursing bras, and you also may want to invest in pumping bras that let you pump hands free. Some tops look better with more structured bras that keep your girls where they belong.
How Many Nursing Bras Should I Take to the Hospital?
Bringing nursing bras to the hospital is a good idea; you’ll spend a lot of your time breastfeeding your baby and waiting for your milk supply to arrive.
Packing two or three nursing bras when you go to the hospital.
Your breasts become sore and swollen after giving birth, so make sure you bring comfortable bras, like sleeping ones.
Common FAQs About Buying Nursing Bras
How many nursing bras should I buy? The absolute bare minimum number of nursing bras you need is three. You’ll need one to wear, one in the wash, and one extra in case you experience a heavy letdown, and you need to change your bra.
Are nursing bras really necessary? In our opinion, if you are planning to breastfeed, then yes nursing bras are necessary! They provide you with the support and comfort you need whilst nursing and also provide you with quick and easy access to feed your baby.
What week should I buy nursing bras? You should wait until at least your 8th month of pregnancy before you buy your nursing bras. This allows for changes in cup sizes due to weight gain or loss, as well as major body shape changes that you may experience during your pregnancy.
It is generally recommended that you should change your bra when breastfeeding after every two wears. This is assuming that you haven’t leaked through, and it is not milk stained or soiled in other ways like sweat. Using nursing pads in your bra can help to extend its wear by absorbing excess milk.
Final Thoughts on How Many Nursing Bras Do You Need
Nursing bras are a must-have item on my list of breastfeeding essentials, but you need an idea of how many nursing bras you need. Having a plan stops you from overbuying since you only need a few bras while breastfeeding.
And if you’re looking for more great guides, then check out these guides on best lactation supplements, how many nursing pads do I need, My Brest Friend vs Boppy nursing pillows, and do I need a nursing chair.
| Style | Quantity | |
| Traditional Nursing Bras | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Sleeping Nursing Bras | 2 | BUY NOW |
| Nursing Sports Bras | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
| Nursing Tank Tops / Camis | 2-3 | BUY NOW |
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$32.99Buy NowIf you prefer an all in one bra and tank top combo then you'll love these! With built-In, molded, double layer cotton this tank top provides the full support of a nursing bra as well a stylish empire waistline for a flattering fit.
04/10/2024 11:04 pm GMT -
$34.00$12.99Buy NowIf you prefer the comfort and support of a sports bra, then you will love this Playtex nursing sports bra! The fabric is designed to keep you cool and comfortable, whilst the pull-over racer back design with back adjustable straps gives you the support you need. We also love the extra side sling in cup which are there to provide additional support and security.
04/15/2024 01:03 pm GMT -
$29.99Buy Now
When it comes to maternity bras, your comfort is the up most important! And that's why we love these wirefree nursing bras! They are soft, seamless and super supportive and even come with matching bra extenders to ensure maximum comfort.
These bras offer full courage, and they have removable padded cups for discretion. In addition, the straps have easy drop-down cups that give you easy access for your baby.
04/09/2024 04:03 pm GMT -
$34.99Buy Now
These sleeping bras are a soft double layered bra with no padding no underwire to provide you with maximum comfort while sleeping. The criss cross front allows for easy one hand pull aside access for nursing at night which is just what you need when you are half asleep and trying to settle your baby.
04/09/2024 12:04 pm GMT
