This begs the question: Are underwired nursing bras good or bad? And should you wear a flexi-wired nursing bra?
If you’ve been bra shopping while pregnant, you would have noticed that the vast majority of maternity and nursing bras are wireless. However, there are a handful of flexi-wired nursing bras on the market.
Admittedly, I am not a big fan of underwire nursing bras but they can make or break some moms’ breastfeeding journey.
Let’s take a deep dive:
- Should nursing bras have an underwire?
- What is the difference between flexi-wire and underwire?
- What are the benefits of wearing an underwire bra?
- Features of a good flexible wired nursing bra
- What are the disadvantages of wearing an underwire nursing bra?
- Underwire bra vs wireless bra
- Should you wear an underwired bra while nursing?
- Is an underwire bra bad for nursing moms?
- When can a nursing mom wear underwired bras?
- What dose the Australian Breastfeeding Association say about flexi-wired bras?
- What type of bra should a nursing mother wear?
- To wrap up
Should nursing bras have an underwire?
If all the nursing bras in the world had to be either wireless or underwired, I would choose wireless. But life is never so simple.
Nursing bras should be wireless because most breastfeeding moms have fluctuating breast sizes, intermittently engorged breasts and sensitive skin. Wireless bras do a better job at being flexible, soft and comfy.
However, underwired bras provide much better support, lift and shape. Moms with large breasts and those who need more breast support need flexi-wired nursing bras to provide the much needed structure.
The Cake Maternity Croissant Nursing Bra is a flexi-wired nursing bra that is also super soft and comfy:
Check it out on Amazon
What is the difference between flexi-wire and underwire?
An underwire refers to the traditional firm and rigid moon-shaped underwire we get in our regular wired bras. Regular underwired bras are 100% not recommended when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
A flexi-wire bra contains a lighter, more flexible wire which sits in the wire channel in much the same way as an underwire bra but is more supple and bendy. The moon-shape is wider to help ensure that it sits around the breast tissue and doesn’t press on it.
You can see the half-moon curve of the Zest Nursing Sports Bra flexi-wire is much wider than a regular underwire curve:
Check it out on Amazon
When you first start breastfeeding, your breasts will go through many changes, which is why flexi-wires are designed to be accommodating.
Flexi-wires provide fit and support without being too rigid so that they can flex and move with you.
Because of their composition and design, they will be less likely to encroach on your actual breast tissue when you are wearing the correct size. This prevents painful clogged ducts.
All underwired nursing bras have flexi-wires and the terms ‘underwire’ and ‘flexi-wire’ nursing bra are used interchangeably.
What are the benefits of wearing an underwire bra?
Underwire nursing bras are designed to provide support for the breasts and are generally worn by women who have large breasts or prefer more support. No matter how many support features a wireless bra has, nothing beats an underwire for support.
Flexi-wired nursing bras also provide much needed lift to sagging breasts and give your breasts a more flattering shape.
Plus, they often look better, like this Cake Truffles Nursing Bra:
Check it out on AmazonRead my detailed review of the Truffles Nursing Bra.
Features of a good flexible wired nursing bra
There are many features that make a flexi-wire nursing bra worth its price. However, the most important points to consider are:
- Despite the underwire, the bra should feel comfortable.
- The flexi-wire should sit under your breasts and should never be pressing on your breast tissue, not even at the sides.
- It should have other support features like wide straps and double knitted cups.
- At least 6 hook and eye options so you can keep on adjusting the bra to fit perfectly as your body changes.
The Cake Tim Tams Nursing Bra ticks all the boxes:
Check it out on Amazon
What are the disadvantages of wearing an underwire nursing bra?
Underwire bras can be uncomfortable for some women during pregnancy and when breastfeeding due to the changes their bust goes through.
They can dig into your breasts, causing discomfort and pain.
Underwires are not recommended in new moms at all. In fact some experts recommend breastfeeding for at least 4 months before even considering flexi-wired nursing bras.
While the flexi-wires are able to accommodate breast fluctuations to some extent, they are nowhere near as stretchy as wireless bras.
When your breasts increase in size from milk production, your flexi-wired bra will suddenly be too tight and press on breast tissue, causing painful clogged ducts.
Underwire bra vs wireless bra
| Flexi-wire nursing bra | Wireless nursing bra |
| more supportive | less supportive |
| provides breast lift | no breast lift |
| less comfortable | more comfortable |
| not as flexible | more stretchy |
| higher risk of clogged ducts | less risk of clogged ducts |
| not for new moms | highly recommended for new moms |
Should you wear an underwired bra while nursing?
Most lactation experts say it’s best to skip the underwire when you are breastfeeding. Breasts change a lot as milk comes in. Often the wires can shift and be on the breast tissue itself instead of supporting the breast underneath.
Breast fluctuation doesn’t only happen to new moms. Even though your breast size stabilizes after about 3-4 months of breastfeeding, every time your baby feeds less, or if you start pumping at work and you’re not as regular, your breasts will get engorged with surplus milk. This happens throughout breastfeeding no matter how long you’ve been doing it.
There are many supportive bras available without wires, even fortified ones that are specially designed to support busty women.
The Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime Busty Nursing Bra is a very supportive wireless nursing bra:
Check it out on AmazonCheck out my review of the most supportive wireless nursing bras for large breasts.
Is an underwire bra bad for nursing moms?
Not exactly. Flexi-wire bras can be very helpful in some cases.
Though it is generally recommended to avoid underwire bras while breastfeeding, some women find that they still need the support that these bras provide. If you are one of these women, it is important to make sure that your bra fits well and your breasts don’t get engorged too often.
If your bra constantly compresses breast tissue where there are milk-producing glands, that can destroy the milk-producing cells and diminish supply.
But remember:
- Clogged milk ducts are not caused by underwire bras.
- Clogged milk ducts are caused by nursing bras that do not fit correctly.
- A properly fitted bra should never cut into your breast and around the underarms.
These are the best underwire nursing bras on Amazon.
When can a nursing mom wear underwired bras?
Generally, nursing moms can consider flexi-wired nursing bras after 3-4 months of breastfeeding. By this time, breast milk production has stabilized and your baby has settled into a feeding routine.
However, if you continue to have breastfeeding issues or still struggle with engorged breasts, underwire bras will make things worse.
Even if you have started wearing underwired bras and there is a disruption to your routine, causing surplus milk production, switch back to wireless bras.
Breast changes can happen throughout breastfeeding and if you feel your underwire nursing bra doesn’t fit anymore, you should stop wearing it.
What dose the Australian Breastfeeding Association say about flexi-wired bras?
The Australian Breastfeeding Association don’t recommend inflexible underwire bras as rigid underwires may put pressure on the breast when it is fuller, causing blocked ducts.
However, nursing bras with flexible low-gauge wires are designed to flex and change position with your changing shape. They still don’t recommend flexi-wires but concede that these bras are less likely to cause problems.
What type of bra should a nursing mother wear?
New moms should stick to stretchy and comfy wireless nursing bras as your breast size is fluctuating wildly at the beginning of breastfeeding. These are the best nursing bras for new moms.
After 3-4 months, when milk production is stable, if you have large breasts or you need more support, you can consider flexi-wired nursing bras. These are the best flexi-wired nursing bras for large breasts.
If you are going back to work and pumping, chances are you won’t be able to pump are regularly as you would like. I also found my breasts intermittently got engorged because I didn’t pump on time. I recommend going back to work wearing wireless nursing/pumping bras like the Momcozy Pumping Bra:
Check it out on AmazonHowever, if you really want to wear an underwired pumping bra, the Dairy Fairy Ayla Pumping Bra is the only flexi-wired bra I would recommend because it has a demi-underwire:
Check it out on AmazonTo wrap up
Nursing bras should be wireless. However, if you have large breasts or need more breast support, flexi-wired nursing bras can be your answer. Just make sure it fits well and the wire doesn’t sit on your breast tissue.
New moms should opt for a wireless nursing bras to avoid complications.
Not sure how to choose the right nursing bra for you? Read my easy nursing bra guide.
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