One of the questions that often comes up when you're preparing for breastfeeding is:
"How many nursing bras do I actually need?"
The good news is that you don't need to buy a huge collection before your baby arrives.
Your body can change throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, and you may not know which styles you'll love until you've actually worn them. So rather than buying lots of the same bra, we'd recommend starting with a small selection and building your collection from there.
Start with around three nursing bras
For most mums, three nursing bras is a good starting point.
Think:
- One you're wearing
- One in the wash
- One ready to wear
That's enough to get you started without filling your lingerie drawer with bras you might not end up wearing.
You can always buy more later once you know what you like.
Why might I want more?
Once you've started breastfeeding, you may find that having a few extra nursing bras makes life easier.
You might experience milk leakage, particularly in the early days, meaning you'll appreciate having a clean bra ready to go.
You may also discover that you want different styles for different parts of your day.
For example, you might love a soft, wireless nursing bra for relaxing at home or sleeping, but prefer something with a little more structure when you're heading out.
And if you're someone who likes having plenty of clean laundry available, you may simply find that three isn't enough for you!
There's no magic number. The right number is whatever makes your life easier.
Do I need different nursing bras for day and night?
Not necessarily, but you might find it useful.
A soft, flexible nursing bra can be lovely for sleeping or relaxing, while a more supportive style can be useful during the day.
You don't have to buy a specific "night nursing bra" if you don't want to. If your everyday nursing bra is comfortable enough to sleep in, that's absolutely fine.
It's all about what works for you.
Should I buy all my nursing bras before the baby arrives?
We wouldn't recommend buying a huge collection before you know what you like.
Your breasts can change during pregnancy and after your baby arrives, so the fit that feels perfect now may not be the fit you want a few weeks later.
Instead, start with a couple of good-quality nursing bras in styles you think you'll enjoy wearing.
Once you've started breastfeeding, you'll have a much better idea of:
- Which styles you find most comfortable
- How much support you prefer
- Whether you like wireless or flexi-wire
- Which size and fit works best for you
- Whether you want something pretty, practical or a bit of both
Then you can add to your collection.
What about a nursing bra for the hospital?
It's a good idea to have at least one comfortable nursing bra in your hospital bag if you think you'll want to wear one.
Choose something that's easy to open and comfortable rather than taking a brand-new bra you've never worn before.
And you don't need to pack three just because that's the number we're recommending for your overall collection!
One or two in your hospital bag is plenty.
We'll be covering what to pack in more detail in our Hospital Bag & Birth Guides.
So, how many nursing bras should I buy?
If you want the short answer:
Start with around three.
Choose a couple of different styles rather than buying three identical bras, and see what works for you.
You can always buy more.
Your nursing bras need to work around your life, your body and your breastfeeding journey — not the other way around.
And remember, nursing lingerie doesn't have to be purely practical. Choose styles that make you feel comfortable, supported and, most importantly, like yourself.
Looking for nursing bras?
Explore our nursing bra collection and find a style that's right for you.