When you’re nursing, your breasts increase in size and weight. While that might sound exciting for someone wishing for a bigger chest, it might strike horror into the hearts of us large breasted mamas!
If you have large breasts even before nursing, finding a decent fitting nursing bra that gives you the support you need is difficult, but worth the effort.
In the past, a comfortable and supportive nursing bra meant you had to travel to a specialty store. Nowadays, we are lucky to have the best nursing bras for large breasts available with a click and free shipping to boot.
We’ve scoured the internet to give you all the information you need to know about comfortable and supportive nursing bras for sizes from 30D to 40J. Read on to find out our recommendations for the best nursing bras for large breasts and some tips and tricks for finding a nursing bra you will use and love.
Note: this blog post probably contains affiliate links, which means we may receive small commissions from purchases made through links in this post (at NO extra cost to you). You can read our full disclosure for more information.
What Do You Mean, ‘Large’?
Nursing bras are much easier to find if you are under a D cup size. So that we’re on the same page for this article, we’re defining large breasts as D cup and larger.
Note: this blog post probably contains affiliate links, which means we may receive small commissions from purchases made through links in this post (at NO extra cost to you). You can read our full disclosure for more information.
The Top Nursing Bras for Large Breasts
We’ll start with the top nursing bras for large breasts. While we’re sharing a variety of options from sports bras to sexy lace underwire, all of our recommendations will provide support and comfort for large breasted women who are nursing and/or pumping.
Le Mystere Sexy Mama
When a nursing bra has the name Sexy Mama, you know it is going to be pretty AND supportive! The Le Mystere nursing bra is lined, underwire, lacy and has a one-hand nursing clasp. Besides supporting large breasts, it also will make you feel like a beautiful woman…not just a nursing mom.
Pros
- Sexy (not just utility!)
- Supports and enhances breast shape
- One-hand clasp for nursing
- Comes in two different tones, black and ivory
- Sizes from 32C to 40F
Cons
- Lace line can show through some thin/light colored shirts
- Handwash only
Le Mystere Mama Mia
The Mama Mia nursing bra from La Mystere has all of the support you’d expect from this brand in more of a t-shirt bra styling. It comes in three colors: black, natural and sugar plum and reviewers reported that it is best to go up a band size in this style (for example, if you are typically a 36F you should order a 38F). This nursing bra also has a one-hand clasp for easy access and includes underwire and memory foam to help keep the cup shape.
Pros
- Smooth cup fabric
- Great support and shaping
- One-hand clasp for nursing
- Comes in several colors
- Sizes from 32D to 38G
Cons
- Hand-wash only
- Memory foam makes it harder to bend cup down for nursing
Hot Milk Temptation
The Temptation style nursing bra by Hot Milk makes a great pregnancy and nursing bra for women with large breasts. It has a very large range of sizes from 30D to 38H and is sexy to boot. With gorgeous lace and flexi-wire (softer than underwire but still supportive) this nursing bra provides support where you need it and stretch at the top of the cup for breast growth.
This is my favorite bra (yes, I own it) and it’s super comfortable!
Pros
- Sexy and supportive
- Six hook and eye band extensions for rib cage expansion
- Large range of sizes
- 100% cotton for breathability
- Wider straps on larger sized cups
Cons
- Only comes in Jet Black color
Hot Milk Obsession
You’ll be obsessed with this comfortable t-shirt style nursing bra made especially for large chested mamas. The Obsession bra by Hot Milk has soft fabric cups with lace accents that make this sexier than your average t-shirt bra. It comes in three colors: nude, jet black and aquamarine. It is also equipped with features that will make nursing easier, including easy one-handed drop down cups for breastfeeding and a flexi-wire soft cup that allows for the breast growth that happens when breastfeeding. It comes in many different sizes, from 32F to 42H.
It’s a great workhorse bra (I own this one too 🙂 )
Pros
- 38 size options
- Supportive soft cups with flexi-wire
- Stylish combination of lace and fabric
- Six hook and eye band extensions for rib cage expansion
- Wider Straps for larger cups
Cons
- Molded cup can make it difficult to position breast for nursing
Panache Sophie Nursing Bra
You don’t expect a nursing bra for large breasts to look like pretty lingerie, but Panache has done just that with their Sophie nursing bra. With three colors featuring a nude base with a sexy lace overlay, there are options for many skin tones. There are 26 size options from 32D to 40J. The Sophie Nursing Bra is a wonderful option for large breasts because it has six hook and eye extensions and three section cups that will provide support and shape for changing breasts.
This bra is super comfortable and looks great. It was my favorite while nursing my first baby.
Pros
- 100% cotton for breathability
- Beautiful design to help moms feel sexy
- Many size options for large breasted moms
- One-handed nursing clasps
Cons
- Hand-wash only
Panache Women’s Sports Bra
When you’re ready to get back into vigorous exercise, the Panache Women’s Sports Bra can be a good option. Sports bras need to provide so much support, especially when you’re nursing. Although this sports bra is not nursing specific, many moms find it easy to lift the bra up to allow for nursing. This sports bra has underwire that will help support larger breasts and 11 color options. The Panache Women’s Sports Bra comes in an amazing 66 size options, from 28DD to 40GG.
Pros
- Designed to eliminate “uni-boob” look
- Provides support with underwire
- Straps are comfortable even with larger breast size
- Many colors and TONS of sizes
- Comfortable for day or night
Cons
- Not designed for nursing
Panache Eleanor Nursing Bra
The Eleanor nursing bra has smooth molded cups with just a touch of lace. This t-shirt style nursing bra has one-handed nursing clasps, underwire for support and 42 sizing options. The polyester blend fabric allows for some stretch to accommodate the changing breast sizes of nursing moms.
Pros
- Many size options for large breasts
- Fabric stretches to allow for changing breast size
- Molded cup looks smooth under clothing
Cons
- Only available in Latte color
The Different Types of Nursing Bras
When you’re looking for a nursing bra, you’re going to come across so many different types, including these options:
- Front Closure: Some moms will prefer the option of a front closure nursing bra (with the clasp in-between the breasts not on the back). While this allows for easy access for nursing, it is near impossible to close one-handed, for example if you are holding a sleeping baby.
- Sports Bra: Sports bras are probably one of the most comfortable styles of nursing bra because they distribute the weight of heavy breasts across the back and prevent painful shoulder strap issues. The drawback of using a sports bra as a nursing bra is that they don’t help with attractive shaping and it can be uncomfortably squishy when accessing a breast for nursing. They are a wonderful option for sleeping and do a great job of holding breast pads.
- Structured Bra: A bra that is more structured because of foam and/or underwire will give nursing moms with large breasts a better silhouette under clothing. However, some moms find the structure uncomfortable and inhibiting.
- Underwire: Nursing bras can have different underwire options, from a typical thick metal to a more soft and flexible plastic underwire. Underwire is immensely helpful to provide support for large breasts, but can be uncomfortable for nursing moms.
- Underwire-free: Whether you go the sports bra route or find a more classic shaped bra that uses elastic and foam for shaping purposes, there are many underwire-free nursing bra options available. They won’t provide as much structure or shaping as underwire, but if comfort is high priority (or you don’t plan on leaving the house much), this might be the best nursing bra style for you.
- Pumping Bras: If you are a pumping mama, there are supportive bras designed specifically to help you pump hands-free! Unlike nursing bras that have flaps to expose the breast, pumping bras have slits that are created to hold pump flanges in place so you can nurse while working or taking care of your little one.
Do You Need a Nursing Bra?
When you are spending money on the myriad of items you need for baby, it might be hard to “splurge” on an item especially for you. However, most moms will tell you that a good nursing bra is worth every penny! Some of the benefits of nursing bras include:
- Easy access to your breast for nursing: Whether you are out in public or in your baby’s nursery, you want to make nursing as easy as possible. A nursing specific bra will make it easier for baby AND more comfortable for you.
- Comfort for nursing breasts: A milk-filled breast is VERY different than a normal breast. Nursing bras have stretchy fabric that will allow for the literal ups-and-downs (in size!) of breastfeeding. When your breast is filled with milk, a nursing bra will stretch to allow for the growth which is much more comfortable for you!
- Support: Your breasts are considerably heavier when filled with milk and a nursing bra will provide support for that weight by using foam, underwire and thicker straps. You will need this added support especially if you are a large breasted mom. Your back will thank you for a nursing bra investment.
- Appearance: a supportive bra makes a world of difference to how you clothes sit and can help you feel just a teeny bit more put together. It can be really demoralising to realise just how frumpy you look with an ill-fitting bra that’s doing you no favors and giving you a saggy uniboob.
- Sleep: You’ll find people on both side of the spectrums when it comes to nursing bras and sleeping. While you don’t necessarily need a nursing bra during the night, many moms sleep more comfortably and it can help keep nursing pads in place to prevent leakage (and keep you dry!).
How to Choose the Right Nursing Bra
Now that you’ve seen the best nursing bra options for large breasts, here are some tips to consider when purchasing your nursing bra.
- Get fitted at a bra shop: If possible, the absolute best way to get the right bra is to get properly fitted at a bra shop, preferably one that specifically caters to larger breasts and/or nursing. Once you have your proper size, you can then shop around to find the best prices.
- Use Prime Try-Before-You-Buy option: One amazing benefit of shopping on Amazon is the ability to use the Prime Try-Before-You-Buy option. This allows you to order many different types of nursing bras without paying up front and easily send back the ones you don’t like! It’s like visiting a bra shop without leaving your home. Look for the Try-Before-You-Buy button beneath the price and fit information.
- Choose Support and Structure: Don’t buy anything soft and stretchy across the cup like this one except possibly as a sleeping bra. It isn’t supportive enough and will make you look frumpy and feel droopy.
- Expect to spend some money: A nursing bra is one of the few baby investments that helps out the mom-to-be! A decently supportive and quality nursing bra will help you with comfort and self-esteem…you are worth it!
How Many Nursing Bras Do You Need to Have?
Now that you know the benefits of nursing bras, let’s talk logistics. How many do you need?
When you think about factors including leaking, baby spit-up and washing/drying time, a good rule of thumb is to purchase at least 3 nursing bras. That way, you’ll have one to wear, one as back-up, and one in the wash.
We also recommend purchasing one or two nursing bras that are comfortable to sleep in. You might find that you don’t want to wear a bra at night, but having an option that will support achy breasts and keep nursing pads in place is a smart choice.
When Should You Start Wearing Nursing Bras?
Some moms to start the transition to nursing bras while pregnant while others wait until they have had their baby. If your breast size increases enough during pregnancy that you need a bigger bra size…it might be the perfect time to transition to nursing bras in preparation for baby. (Just note that your breast size could change even more when you are actually nursing so you could potential need a larger bra after birth).
If you choose a nursing bra with underwire, you might want to wear a sports bra or flex-wire for the first few months of nursing. A wire could increase your risk of developing mastitis and/or be uncomfortable for your changing breasts.
The Final Word on Nursing Bras for Large Breasts
Purchasing a high-quality, comfortable and BEAUTIFUL nursing bra will provide support and comfort for mom and make breastfeeding a little easier. Even though it might seem like a high price for an undergarment, purchasing a nursing bra will be an investment in your own health and well-being. You are important! You are worth the cost!
If you are blessed with larger breasts, we recommend starting with the beautiful lace Sophie nursing bra (lacy and supportive!), the La Mystere t-shirt bra and a sports bra like the Panache for those vigorous workouts.
