The 7 best nursing and maternity bralettes

Nursing bras are great but they can have too much material and feel bulky under thin tops.

If you are looking for something light-weight and breathable, a nursing bralette has the same nursing function and provides support without sacrificing comfort or style.

These are the best nursing bralettes to take you throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding:

Best nursing bralette overall: Oh La Lari Ooh La La Nursing Bralette

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Why I love the Ooh La La Bralette

• bigger cups than the average bralette for more coverage
• thick underbust band for more support
• molded cups for a better shape under tight tops
• convertible to racerback
• the cotton-lined cups are comfortably soft on sore nipples
• beautiful, sexy lace –  isn’t that beautiful?

Check it out on Amazon

What I don’t like about it

• there are limited size options

Bear in mind

• sizes run small

Best nursing bralette for small breasts: Momanda Nursing Lace Bralette

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Why I love the Momanda Nursing Bralette

• the racerback design provides more support and prevents the straps from falling off your shoulders
• sewn-in lightly padded cups
• Deep V neckline for cleavage and allows you to wear low cut tops
• the band doesn’t roll up over baby bumps

What I don’t like about it

• it’s a pull over with no hook options

Bear in mind

• it’s not supportive enough for moms with larger breasts i.e anything over C cup

Best nursing bralette for large breasts: Cosabella Never Say Never Curvy Racie Bralette

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Why I love the Curvy Racie Nursing Bra

• one of the few nursing bralettes around that is designed for moms with large breasts
• has wide straps to distribute weight on your shoulders so they don’t cut in
• the lace is beautifully intricate
• comes in > 20 lovely colors to suit all skin tones

What I don’t like about it

• pull over design with no hook/ eye options

Bear in mind

• it’s only very lightly lined so you’ll need to insert breast pads for milk leaks and nipple protection

Best everyday nursing bralette: Calvin Klein Triangle Nursing Bralette

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Why I love the CK Triangle Nursing Bra

• made of the softest blend of cotton and modal
• breathable – great for hot and humid weather
• lightly lined for a nicer silhouette under tops
• has a cushioned back closure for comfort

What I don’t like about it

• you can see the Calvin Klein logo through light colored shirts

Bear in mind

• sizes run small

Prettiest nursing bralette: Hanky Panky Nursing Bralette

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Why I love the Hanky Panky Cotton Nursing Bralette

• made of amazingly soft supima cotton
• made in USA
• the lace trim is soft and feminine
• comfy enough for sleep

What I don’t like about it

• the plastic clips can be fiddly

Bear in mind

• it’s not supportive enough for large breasts

Check out my review of the cutest nursing bras on Amazon.

Best budget nursing bralette: Mae Modal Nursing Bralette

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Why I love the Mae Modal Nursing Bra

• made of modal, which is so much softer than regular cotton
• thin and breathable, perfect for hot weather
• very stretchy and grows with you throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding
• great for sleeping in – there is no fear your breasts will slip out

What I don’t like about it

• if you have a larger chest, it gives you uni-boob

Bear in mind

• it’s unline and unpadded so you’ll need to insert breast pads for protection

Best maternity bralette: Calvin Klein Invisibles Triangle Bralette

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Why I love the CK Invisibles Bralette

• No irritating seams and wires that poke into you
• practically invisible under clothes
• convertible to racerback for better support
• comes in more than 20 colors to suit any skin tone

What I don’t like about it

• has an annoying large tag that you need to cut out immediately

Bear in mind

• the underbust band doesn’t have hook/ eye options

Nursing bralette vs nursing bras

Nursing bralettes are basically a lighter version of nursing bras. They are usually wireless, unpadded, and have smaller cups.

Nursing bras, on the other hand, is an umbrella term encompassing all types of bras with nursing capabilities, including nursing bralettes.

Nursing bralette vs maternity bralettes

Maternity bralettes refer to bralettes that you wear while pregnant. These bralettes will stretch as your chest and body grow during pregnancy.

The only difference between a nursing bralette and a maternity bralette is that a maternity bralette doesn’t have drop-down cups for easy breastfeeding.

Benefits of nursing bralettes

The benefits of wearing nursing bralettes over nursing bras are:

• bralettes are so light-weight and airy compared to nursing bras
• they tend to look cuter and sexier
• they look less bulky under tops

Who should wear nursing bralettes

• moms with small breasts – nursing bras tend to have lots more material and can easily overwhelm small chests
• moms who don’t need as much breast support i.e while in bed or lounging at home
• moms who live in hot and humid climates
• moms who don’t like nursing bras because of how frumpy they look

Who shouldn’t wear nursing bralettes

• moms with large breasts
• moms who need more breast support

To wrap up

Nursing bralettes are awesome alternatives to the bulky and frumpy-looking nursing bra. However, make sure that the bralette you choose provide enough support for your breasts.

Looking for other nursing bra alternatives? Check out these options.

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Sharon James

Chief Blogger at The Sensual Mom

I am a mom of 2 bossy toddlers. I breastfed both and struggled through all the usual breastfeeding issues. Now I give nursing moms the info you need to make good decisions during your breastfeeding journey.

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