A practical guide for expecting, working, and at-home moms to choose the right nursing bra for comfort, feeding, and busy everyday life.
Motherhood changes everything your routines, your sleep, your priorities… and yes, even your bras. The shift from carefree to responsible is beautiful, but let’s be honest—it can also feel overwhelming.
Suddenly, your old favourites don’t fit, wires feel unbearable, and feeding your baby at midnight makes you think, “Why do bras even have hooks? Let me get my life together before I deal with this at 3 a.m.”
If you’ve ever stood in front of your wardrobe wondering, “Which bra am I supposed to wear now?” you’re not alone. Your bra needs change with every trimester, every feeding phase, and whether you’re spending the day at home, heading to work, or running errands.
Feeling confused? This guide is here to help you choose the right bra at the right time—comfortably, practically, and with real mom life in mind.
Why Choosing the Right Nursing Bra Matters (More Than You Think)
During pregnancy and postpartum, your body is doing some serious work to prepare milk for your baby. By week 3 or 4 of pregnancy, hormonal shifts can make your breasts more tender, sensitive, and fuller with darker nipples.
What many moms notice:
“In the second trimester, your bra size can increase by one to two cup sizes, and become denser, with visible veins due to an increase in blood flow. Your band size will probably increase too, since your ribs expand to make space for your baby. By week 12 or so, bras start to feel tight a good time to buy a maternity bra.”
As breasts enlarge, you may notice small bumps (Montgomery’s tubercles) around the areola that protect and moisturize the skin during breastfeeding.
These structures are actually helpful their oils can guide your baby to your breasts after birth.
What’s not helpful is wearing a bra that feels restrictive, digs into milk ducts, or makes you uncomfortable.
A well-fitting maternity or nursing bra should:
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Adapt to changing breast size
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Make feeding or pumping easier (especially when you’re tired)
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Provide comfort for long hours—day or night, at work or at home
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Reduce stress instead of adding to it
| Mom tip: Re-measure your bra sizes every few weeks during pregnancy and early postpartum. Your size will change, and that’s okay. |
1. Sleep Nursing Bras: For Night Feeds & All-Day Home Comfort
When should you choose a sleep nursing bra?
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During pregnancy
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In the early postpartum weeks
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For night feeds
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For stay-at-home moms who prioritize comfort
Why it works
Night feeds are hard enough. You wake up to a crying baby and your eyes can barely open. While half-asleep, the last thing you would want is to struggle with hooks or wires.
The Mom Store Maternity Nursing Sleep Bra is designed for exactly these moments:
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Soft, stretchable fabric (95% Cotton 5% Spandex) for all day comfort
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Deep V neck with easy pull-aside or easy access during feeding
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Gentle, elastic-free waist support with slip on closure (no wires or clasps that can dig into your milk ducts, yay!)
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Full coverage that adapts to changing breasts
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Regular scoop back without hooks
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Machine washable for easy laundering
Best for:
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Midnight feeds
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New moms healing postpartum
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At-home moms who value comfort during feeding, napping, or sitting down with a cup of chai.
When sleep is broken and feeds are frequent, the Maternity Nursing Sleep Bra from The Mom Store can be your friend to make feeding easy and comfortable without hooks, wires, or pressure points.
Fact: By around week 15 of pregnancy, milk-producing cells in your breasts become active, and by around week 22 they start making milk. Don’t worry your body absorbs most of this milk to prevent buildup.
| Mom tip: As milk comes in, if your breasts begin to feel hard, warm, and throbbing, use warm compresses as they help relieve tension and facilitate milk flow. |
2. Non-Padded Nursing Bras: For Workdays, Outings & Custom Fitting
When should you choose a non-padded nursing bra?
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When returning to work
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For outings, errands, and social meet-ups
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For better shape and adjustable support
Why it works
Once you start to step out more back to work, client meetings, or even just a long day outside (like a day trip to the zoo or for some shopping for yourself, finally!) you may want a bra that provides a more structured fit while still being nursing-friendly.
The Mom Store Non-Padded Nursing bra offers:
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Adjustable strap with back hooks for custom fit
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Clip-down cups to make feeding simple even when you are out
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Lightweight and breathable fabric (92% cotton, 8% elastane) without bulky padding for comfort
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Full coverage with anti-slip design to accommodate fluctuating breast sizes
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Machine-washable
Best for:
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Working moms juggling home and work (you do it well, mama)
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At-home moms during outings or having visitors
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Moms who prefer adjustable support without padding
If you’re looking for adjustable support for long days, Non-Padded Nursing Bras from The Mom Store are designed to balance comfort and practicality.
Mom tip: By week 16-22 of pregnancy (3rd month), your breasts begin to produce colostrum, the highly nutritious, thick, yellowish, first milk for your baby. Washable breast pads by The Mom Store can help you prevent visible leaks and maintain hygiene.
3. Pumping Bras: For Working Moms & On-The-Go Days
When should you choose a pumping bra?
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When you’re back-to-back in meetings
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During commuting or travel
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With a wearable breast pump for hands-free pumping
Why it works
Pumping bras hold pump flanges securely, allowing you to pump on-the-go and save time without sacrificing your baby’s well-being. You can pump during your morning flight or between meetings to have milk—and your presentation ready, by lunch time. No compromise on work or your baby. (Bye, mom guilt)
The Nursing Pumping Bra from The Mom Store offers:
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Supportive, overlapping layers of cotton mix fabric
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Elastic at back for secure fit
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Secure zip-front design to maintain a tight seal for bottles and cover breasts
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Option to wear strapless or with straps
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Machine washable
Best for:
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Working moms
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Travel and on-the-go pumping
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Moms using wearable breast pumps
The Mom Store Nursing Pumping Bra works best for moms who want motherhood and work to coexist, and has got you covered (literally), wherever the day takes you.
| Remember: Feeding your baby breastmilk directly or pumped is still nourishing, loving, and enough. |
How to Choose the Right Bra for You
Your needs differ by time of day, lifestyle, and feeding choices. Most moms find that having different nursing bras for sleep, work, and pumping makes daily feeding routines easier and less stressful.
Ask yourself:
Am I feeding mostly at night or during the day?
Am I at home, at work, or constantly on the move?
Do I need comfort, structure, or pumping support right now?
| Mom tip: Rotate between bras instead of buying just one type. Choose a sleep nursing bra for nights and home, a non-padded nursing bra for work and outings, and a pumping bra for busy or travel days. |
No, it’s not overdoing it’s adapting.
A Gentle Reminder for New Moms
There’s no single “right” way to feed or parent. Whether you breastfeed, pump, formula-feed, or combine them your choice is valid and your love is what truly nourishes your baby.
Choosing the right bra isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about giving yourself one less thing to struggle with on long days and sleepless nights.
Comfort matters. Support matters. And you matter.
While we can’t promise uninterrupted sleep, The Mom Store maternity and nursing bras are designed to support you through every feed, every phase, and every tired-but-trying moment so you can focus on what matters most: your baby, and yourself.
