Best Maternity & Nursing Bras Compared (UK Guide)

The best maternity and nursing bra for most people is a soft, wire-free, drop-cup style bought in a small number and fitted properly — and the six UK options below (£20–£65) cover everything from a budget two-pack to extended sizing up to an H cup. Our pick for a first nursing bra is the Mamalicious seamless two-pack or the M&S two-pack if you want an in-store fitting; for fuller busts, the Anita Basic Microfibre and the Cake Maternity Croissant are the structured choices. None of these has been hands-on tested by us — the comparison is built from manufacturer specs and retailer information.

What the NHS says about bras while breastfeeding

Two points from the NHS shape how to shop. First, the NHS advises avoiding tight clothes or bras so milk can flow freely from every part of the breast, and says to wear a well-fitting breastfeeding bra that does not restrict your breasts if you are engorged. Pressure on the breast, including from a tight bra, is also listed as something that can contribute to a blocked duct. Second, the NHS describes a soft, non-underwired bra as one that can easily be pulled up or down when you want to feed your baby.

That second point is why most of the bras here are wire-free. It is not a rule that every underwired bra is off limits — but if you are considering one, the NHS fit advice above applies even more strongly, and your midwife or health visitor can talk it through. For the fitting side, see our guide to maternity bra sizing and when to get refitted.

Maternity bra, nursing bra or both?

A maternity bra is built to stretch with a growing ribcage and bust. A nursing bra adds easy-access cups — usually a clip or drop-cup — for feeding. Several of the bras below do both jobs, which is the most economical route: one purchase can carry you from late pregnancy into feeding. Because your size changes again when your milk comes in, buy one or two to begin with rather than a full drawer, and add more once things settle.

Six maternity and nursing bras compared

Bra	Price	Support	Wire	Best for
Mamalicious Seamless	~£22 (2-pack)	Light	Wire-free	Budget, spares for washing
M&S 2pk Non Wired	£20 (2-pack)	Light–moderate	Wire-free	In-store fitting, size changes
HOTMilk Lunar Eclipse	£27.99	Firm	Underwired (nursing-safe, per brand)	Fuller busts wanting structure
Bravado Body Silk	£38	Light–moderate	Wire-free	Pregnancy through nursing
Anita Basic Microfibre	~£42	Firm	Wire-free	Larger sizes (to H cup)
Cake Maternity Croissant	£64.90	Moderate–firm	Flexi-wire / padded	Structure and lift, up to K cup

The budget picks

Mamalicious Seamless Nursing & Maternity Bra

Sold in multipacks at around £22 for two, this is a seamless, wire-free bra with simple drop-cup access. The appeal is practical: in the newborn weeks you will want a clean spare, and a multipack gives you one without a big outlay. The trade-off is lighter support and a simpler band than the pricier options, so it suits smaller-to-average busts best, with fewer size gradations than specialist brands.

M&S 2pk Non Wired Nursing Bras

At £20 for a pack of two, this is the cheapest per bra here. M&S describes a stretch-cup design meant to cope with changes in size through the day, with clip-down access and a cotton-elastane blend that is machine washable. Its real edge is that larger M&S stores commonly offer in-person bra fitting, which helps if you are unsure of your size. The wire-free support is less structured, so it may feel too soft if you want lift.

The mid-range picks

HOTMilk Lunar Eclipse Full Cup

At £27.99, this is the one underwired option, which the brand describes as nursing-safe, with a full-coverage microfibre cup and extended sizing for fuller busts. It gives more structure than the wire-free bras, but it is hand-wash only, which is more effort with a newborn. Given the NHS advice about avoiding pressure on the breast, check the fit carefully and stop wearing it if the wire digs in; speak to your midwife or health visitor if you have any pain or lumps.

Bravado Body Silk Seamless

At £38, this seamless, wire-free bra stretches across several cup and band sizes, so one bra can span late pregnancy and feeding. It is designed for all-day comfort and offers light-to-moderate support. If you are larger-busted or want firmer support, you may find it is not enough on its own, and many people pair it with a more structured bra for daytime.

The structured, larger-bust picks

Anita Basic Microfibre Wireless Nursing Bra

Anita is a specialist lingerie brand rather than a maternity-first label, and the range runs from a 32 to 48 band and C to H cup — wider than anything else here. The moulded microfibre cups are firm, the straps are padded from an F cup, and the back has three fastening positions to allow for ribcage change. At around £42 for a single bra it costs more per bra than the multipacks, and the firmer cups feel less soft against tender breasts in the early weeks.

Cake Maternity Croissant Nursing Bra

The most expensive option at £64.90, this padded, flexi-wire t-shirt bra offers contoured support, one-handed drop-cup access and sizes up to a K cup. It is the better pick if you want lift and structure, and it suits daytime wear. Because it is a bigger spend, buy one and check it works for you before adding more.

What to look for before you buy

• One-handed access. Feeding often happens with a baby in one arm, so check the clip or drop-cup can be opened and closed with one hand. Both the Anita and Cake Maternity bras are described as one-handed.
• Room to change. Look for multiple back-fastening positions, stretch fabric or a wide size run, because band and cup change on different timelines.
• Washability. You will wash nursing bras often. Machine-washable styles (M&S, Bravado, Cake, Anita, Mamalicious) save effort compared with hand-wash only.
• Comfort against tender skin. Seamless or soft-lined cups are kinder in the early weeks than firm moulded ones, which is the main compromise with the Anita and HOTMilk bras.
• Returns policy. Because fit is hard to judge online, check you can return or exchange an unworn bra before you order.

How many do you need?

Most people manage with two or three nursing bras in rotation: one on, one in the wash and one spare. A two-pack from M&S or Mamalicious covers that cheaply, and you can add a more supportive bra such as the Anita or Cake Maternity later if you find you want firmer daytime support. A sleep or lounge bra is a personal choice rather than a necessity, and the NHS notes that what you wear while breastfeeding is a matter of personal taste and comfort.

How to choose between them

• Unsure of your size: start with the M&S two-pack and use an in-store fitting.
• Tight budget: Mamalicious or M&S gives you two bras for about £20–£22.
• Fuller bust: Anita (wire-free) or Cake Maternity for structure.
• One bra for pregnancy and feeding: Bravado Body Silk.

Whatever you choose, keep the first purchase small: your size is likely to change again once your milk comes in, so it pays to add more bras only after the first couple of weeks. For the rest of your feeding kit, see breastfeeding accessories: what you actually need, and for the wider wardrobe our maternity capsule wardrobe guide. If the early weeks feel overwhelming, our postpartum recovery guide covers what to expect.