We Put 3 Popular Nursing Bras From Bodily, Hatch, and Kindred Bravely to the Test
Do these Instagram-famous bras rise to the challenge of nursing twins?
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Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. At some point, many breastfeeding parents will face a bump in the road—whether it’s latch issues, clogged ducts, sore nipples, or a dip in supply. A good nursing bra (or three or four) is just one of the things that can make nursing easier and more comfortable for you and your baby.
“Typically, I say that if your grandmother didn’t have it when she was nursing, you probably don’t need it,” says Allison Walsh, an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and postpartum doula. “But for most modern moms, a few nursing bras are, if not absolutely necessary, really nice to have.”
Three Bras, Two Babies, One Tired Mama
Dazed and confused by the myriad of nursing bra options on the market, I leaped at the chance to test three popular nursing bras: The Everything Bra from Bodily, the Simply Sublime Nursing Bra from Kindred Bravely, and The Essential Nursing and Pumping Bra from Hatch. I brought them traveling with me over the winter holidays and integrated them into my pumping and nursing routines.
Photo: Laura Murphy Photo: Laura Murphy
Over the course of a couple of months, a clear winner did emerge from the pack. But comparing these nursing bras is much like comparing apples and oranges and . . . cantaloupes—all of the bras have particular strengths, and at different times and for different reasons, I was happy to have each of them on hand.
Photo: Bodily Photo: Bodily
Pros: Supersoft Oeko-Tex certified fabric. Gentle support for sleeping. Pretty colorway selections.
Cons: Not much of a pumping bra. May be too little support for many people. Just for maternity and months 0 to 3 postpartum.
How It Felt
When the nipples are raw (and believe me, they were), The Everything Bra felt like sweet relief. It offered a supersoft barrier between my breasts and the sequence of button-down flannels I wore in the early days after birth. Later, the bra became my pick for nighttime wear. I like the way it cradles my heavy breasts and protects them from friction under the sheets.
How It Fit
As a woman with narrow shoulders, I’m chronically shrugging off bra straps. I worried The Everything Bra’s delicate-looking sliders wouldn’t stay put, but they proved surprisingly snug. The underbust band has five settings that I could adjust for a comfortable fit. I could imagine that for a larger chested person, this bra might not have enough structure and support, but for my nursing size C’s, it worked just fine.
How It Worked
The Everything Bra is designed for maternity through Stage 1 breastfeeding, which Bodily defines as months 0 to 3 postpartum. During this time, the body goes through several phases, first producing colostrum, then transitional milk, and finally mature breast milk. It’s common for women to experience sore nipples and breast engorgement.
The Everything Bra’s supersoft fabric and gentle fit are meant to support breasts during these transitions. Bodily uses Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabrics, which means they’ve been tested and found free of over 1,000 toxic substances. The bra features clips at each strap, which can be unhooked in order to uncover the breast. The clips make audible snapping sounds, so you know when you’ve securely replaced them on the strap. Unlike a regular bra, the straps are anchored to the band at the front as well so that they stay secure when you unhook the fabric covering the breast.
I found the bra easy to clip and unclip for nursing and, just as Bodily claims, the fit and fabric are like a balm for sore breasts and nipples. I tend to reach for this bra at night, or on days when my milk flow feels a little backed up.
The Everything Bra, however, is not a pumping bra—not even in a pinch. The fabric is too flimsy to adequately hold a pump onto the breast. I tried to tuck my flanges into the straps, but it just didn’t work. I also tried tucking my wearable pump cups into the bra, but it didn’t feel like it would hold them on tightly enough and I worried I would wind up with a lot of spilled milk—and if you pump, you know that’s something to cry over.
Bodily doesn’t claim The Everything Bra is a pumping bra. The brand does carry bras meant to support pumping. But a tired or overwhelmed shopper might assume that The Everything Bra does, well, everything. It doesn’t.
How It Looked
I got The Everything Bra in lavender, and let me tell you, I was very pleased with how pretty it is. Nursing bras are functional articles, I get it. But early motherhood is a slog of round-the-clock feedings. It didn’t take long before my jokes about feeling a bit like a cow were less funny. Little things—like a nursing bra in a nice color with a flattering fit—went a long way in making me feel human again.
Bottom line: Best for sleeping, night feeds, and when your breasts need a little extra TLC.
Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime Nursing Bra
Price: $48
Shop: Amazon, Kindred Bravely, Target, Walmart
Photo: Kindred Photo: Kindred
Pros: Solid structure and support. Can double as a sports bra. Works with an electric pump in a pinch.
Cons: Nylon fabric. Not particularly soft. Aesthetically bland. Hand wash, line dry only.
How It Felt
Living in a postpartum body means that I’m extra-sensitive to texture. Unfortunately, the Simply Sublime Nursing Bra from Kindred Bravely does not pass the touch test. The nylon fabric is rough, and it feels kind of cheap.
Parenthood has also compelled my partner and me to greater awareness of the materials out of which our belongings are made. Unlike the Bodily bra and the one from Hatch, which we review in the next section, Kindred Bravely does not use Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabrics. Kindred Bravely makes no mention of any certifications on its site, and the Simply Sublime Nursing Bra is made of nylon—a synthetic material made from petroleum that can shed microplastics and is sometimes finished with potentially harmful chemicals. I’m not crazy about wearing this fabric on my breasts and nipples, particularly when they are “working sites” for hungry little mouths.
How It Fit
The Simply Sublime Nursing bra provides ample coverage and structure and adjusts easily for the appropriate fit. It comes with a band expander, and shoppers can select strap sizing based on bust size (Regular, Busty, and Super Busty).
I’m probably not the target consumer for the Simply Sublime Nursing bra. My A cups transformed into C’s when my milk came in, but that’s still a relatively small bust size in the breastfeeding community. It feels like a bit too much bra for me to wear on the regular. But I did discover that it makes a great sports bra. On the rare day I get out for a run, it provides excellent support without overly compressing my breast tissue and potentially causing clogs.
How It Worked
It took me a minute to get the hang of unclasping the clips one-handed, but once I did, it was a breeze. The clips snap audibly, so you know when you’re in and when you’re out.
Because this bra is so structured, I was able to use it with my electric breast pump by tucking the flange around where the strap is anchored to the band at the front. It worked pretty well in a pinch.
Kindred Bravely says this bra works well with wearables, and that is probably true for most wearables. I have the BabyBuddha, a wearable known for its aggressive suction, and I found that the Sublime bra pressed the cups a little too tightly to my chest for comfort. But generally, a snug fit is desired when using wearables to avoid milk spillage.
How It Looked
One night while washing bottles, I caught a glimpse of myself wearing this bra in the window. I can’t say that I liked what I saw. The cut accentuates the rounded shoulders I’ve developed from hours of nursing and pumping. The front looks more like a breastplate than a bra. It emphasizes function over form, which is understandable. But it made me feel like a workhorse. Or should I say, work cow.
Bottom line: A super-supportive bra that won’t romanticize the nursing experience, but it will get the job done.
Photo: Hatch Photo: Hatch
Pros: Soft but supportive Oeko-Tex certified fabric. As chic as a nursing bra can get. Works for pumping and nursing.
Cons: Expensive. Thick, ribbed fabric makes bra more visible under clothes. S/M/L sizing may mean a less personalized fit than sizing based on band and cup sizes.
How It Felt
In the blurry morning hours, as I donned my new mom uniform of leggings, nursing bra, and button-down shirt, I found myself reaching for the Hatch Essential Nursing and Pumping Bra day after day. The material—mostly Oeko-Tex certified modal, a semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp—is ultra-comfortable. It’s thick and soft and made me feel supported as well as appropriately covered when the button-down top came off.
How It Fit
This bra is for those of us who can’t stand a back clasp. The pull-over design worked well for me as I fit squarely in a size S. But someone who is between sizes may struggle with this one. I read a few reviews on the Hatch website from shoppers who decided to size up and found that the band rolled up uncomfortably. Sizing down, of course, could yield an overly constricted fit.
How It Worked
Like the other bras, The Essential bra features audible snaps that can be opened with one hand on each strap, then the fabric pulls down to reveal the breast.
Unlike the other bras, this one was also designed with pumping in mind. There are two layers of fabric. To pump, you just pull up the top layer and tuck your flanges inside the slit opening to the breast. I have shallow breasts, so I had to hold the flanges in place for about 30 seconds, but then the pump suction took over and they stayed in place.
I still generally prefer my dedicated pumping bra when using my wall pump, but for my wearable, this bra is just right. It holds the cups in place without putting too much pressure on my breast tissue.
How It Looked
Nursing bra options tend to be a bit frumpy, but the Hatch Essential Nursing and Pumping bra appears to take its design cues from popular athleisure brands. The bra has enough coverage that I felt confident wearing it around the house without throwing on a button-down. I almost felt like my old yoga-going self. The thicker, ribbed fabric means that it’s more visible than my bralette under certain fabrics, but I wore it under a form-fitting bodysuit and didn’t feel that it was too much.
Bottom line: A comfortable, functional bra with cool mom vibes, not regular mom vibes.
How to Find the Best Nursing Bra for You
Like all bras, proper fit is paramount when shopping for a nursing bra. If you’re shopping online, be sure to look at the brand’s sizing guide and take your measurements before placing an order.
“Some women may see their band size change with pregnancy, as the ribs expand to accommodate the baby,” says Walsh, “but cup size is where you’re most likely to see the biggest difference.”
Because breasts can fluctuate in size after birth, I suggest only buying one or two bras during pregnancy and then holding off until after pregnancy to scoop up a few more. Shoppers should look for bras with good support that are not too tight, which can restrict milk flow and potentially cause clogged ducts. Walsh also says that when it comes to nursing bras, you can skip the underwire.
If pumping is in your future, you may want a dedicated pumping bra or a bra that can do both. My breast pump is the style that plugs into the wall, as opposed to a battery-operated wearable pump, so a dedicated pumping bra is my preference. While I do have to slip it on and off for pump sessions, it offers a more secure hands-free hold than a hybrid bra. I find wearable pumps are more prone to popping off and spilling milk, so you want a bra that can accommodate the collection cups as well as hold them firmly in place.
How Many Nursing Bras Do You Need?
It’s a good rule of thumb to have at least one nursing bra to wash and one to wear. You may also want a few different kinds. The bra you’re comfortable wearing around the house may not be what you want to wear out and about, under non-house clothes.
If you have larger breasts, you may need a few more nursing bras, Walsh says. Heavier breasts can strain the fabric of a bra over time, which can accelerate wear.
When to Wear a Nursing Bra
You can start wearing a nursing bra as soon as you feel ready, according to Walsh, who says, “The only thing I don’t recommend is wearing one to bed—it could lead to clogs.” If you just like the feeling of a little more support, you might wear a very loose bra to bed, like the Bodily bra I reviewed above. Also, many breastfeeding parents experience overnight leaking, and wearing a comfortable bra with absorbent cotton pads can help keep your pj’s—and your sheets—dry.
How to Wash Your Nursing Bra
“Definitely check the manufacturer’s directions to make sure the bra is relatively easy to wash,” says Walsh.
Nursing bras can generally be machine washed in cold water and hung to dry, but some brands suggest hand-washing. I can’t imagine adding hand-washing to the vast amounts of laundry newborn care entails, so if you ask me, the bra is going in the machine no matter what the tag says. Luckily, there are some strategies to mitigate machine damage to delicates.
“Using the delicate cycle and cold water will help,” says Richard Handel, CR’s senior test project leader for washing machines. “Putting the bras in a closable mesh bag will also help. This reduces the chance of the closures getting caught on other items or the drum.”
There are also ways to speed up dry time, which is particularly helpful if you have only one or two bras in rotation. Handel suggests adding a spin cycle without rinsing after the wash cycle completes. “You can also hang them up and direct an electric fan toward them to quicken the drying process,” he says.
If you’re using cold water and the delicate cycle to wash the baby’s things, feel free to toss your nursing bras in with them. You also don’t need a fancy detergent to get the job done. Just look for a laundry soap that is free of dyes and fragrances, which is recommended for baby items.
