Best Nursing Bras for Large Breasts

Nursing Bras. Overpriced, beige, milk duct death traps. As if finding a good one isn’t hard enough, throw in the fact that you’re a 32DDD before pregnancy and it basically becomes mission impossible. Luckily for you small band, large cup ladies, I’ve done the work for you! This is your guide to the best nursing bras for large breasts.

Best Nursing Bras for Large Breasts

As I mentioned, I was a 32DDD (32f) before my pregnancy. By the time I was 6 months pregnant, I was wearing a size 34g / 34h maternity bra. When my Milk came in I was a 34i (with an extender, more on that later). I was majorly struggling to find a bra that fit well and would grow with me as needed. You also want something that’s comfortable and not too tight. Restricting bras can cause problems like mastitis because they’re stopping the milk flow and causing clogged ducts. Mastitis, I’ve heard, is really painful and hard to get rid of so it’s definitely something to consider when shopping for maternity bras.

Tips for buying the best nursing bras for large breasts:

1.) Invest in a couple of super comfortable maternity sleep bras for around the house.

If I’m being honest, I still wear my husband’s sweatpants and sweatshirts a little (or a lot) more than what should be socially acceptable for a 3-month postpartum mom who’s almost (just those 5 pesky pounds) back to pre-pregnancy size. Staying home and being at the beck and call of an adorable little baby has taken its toll on my daily wardrobe. I’m working on at least wearing cute comfy lounge clothes that are my size… kind of. One thing I’m not ashamed of is my super comfy maternity sleep bras I wear around the house and to bed. I now own 6 of these. Yes, SIX.

Shop This Sleep Bra >>

The Kindred Bravely Soft French Terry Nursing Sleep Bra for Maternity / Breastfeeding are so comfortable and seriously the best nursing bras for large breasts. I purchased a two pack of these from Amazon and it was hands down the best purchase I have made for nursing. It’s basically a necessity to have a bra on at all times when nursing because you also need to have a breast pad in place at all times. Leaking is real, people, especially at night when you’re (hopefully) not nursing or pumping as often.  These are so soft and the elastic band is not restricting at all. Plus it falls into the wireless maternity bra category, which you know I love. I purchased the Medium-Busty size and it works perfectly for my 32g/34h maternity bra needs. It’s super easy to pull to the side when nursing or pumping. There’s not much else to say other than buy them. They’re affordable and amazing. Seriously, do it. They are THE BEST nursing bras for large breasts.

Update: I still wear these at a year postpartum and there is no end in sight. I LOVE THEM. So great just for around the house. Like I said, I own 6 of them…

2.) Buy a wireless nursing bra.

I wanted most of my bras to be wireless maternity bras because wires can clog your milk ducts and are basically torture when you’re super full. Wireless bras for full-busted ladies are tough because the wire is what provides the support. Well, I happened to find a wireless maternity bra that is still supportive and is also designed to grow with you (bonus!). It’s one of the best nursing bras for large breasts.

Shop Wireless Nursing Bra >>

The wireless nursing bra I bought is no longer available but this one is very similar. Its flexible sizing and elastic band provide support and comfort all day long. The busty size is the key to success for my fellow small band, large cup ladies. It provides nice coverage and guarantees a great fit through the day, even with your ever-changing fullness. Plus, and this is huge when it comes to finding the best nursing bras for large breasts, these are super comfortable.

 

3.) Make sure you have one really supportive nursing bra.

This was actually the first maternity bra I purchased. When I was about 5 or 6 months pregnant I realized it was time to invest in a larger bra. I was overflowing my pre-pregnancy bra and needed something I could wear every day to work but would also carry through my pregnancy and into nursing. Let’s be honest, these bras are expensive and not all that attractive (understatement of the year, right?!). You want to buy bras that will work for the long haul so you don’t have 30 beige, confidence killers in your lingerie drawer.

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The Cake Lingerie Nursing Bra is perfect for work, date nights, and going out with friends. It has a flexible underwire so it provides a lot of support while still being comfortable. This bra is what I use when I’m dressing up (a relative term when you spend all day in sweatpants wearing breast milk stains for accessories). The fabric on this one is also really flexible so the sizing works no matter your fullness. I ordered it in a 34h and it fit when I was actually needing a 34g maternity bra and when I got up to a 34i when my milk first came in. Overall, the Cake Lingerie Croissant Nursing Bra for large breasts is a great maternity bra.

***Update: I still love this bra at 11 months postpartum. The sizing is just super flexible so even though its a little large now its still totally wearable. I definitely got my money’s worth on this one!!

4.) For pumping mommas, you don’t need a dedicated pumping bra; nursing bras will work just fine.

At the end of my pregnancy, I purchased a Medela pumping bustier on clearance at Target. It turned out to be a great option when I was in the hospital because my nurses had me pumping after each feeding to build up my supply (and boy did that work!). I purchased a large and it fit my 34h size.

Shop This Pumping Bra >> 

When my milk came in I was at least a 34i and super engorged. Pumping was a major necessity but the bustier I had was too tight and restricting the ducts from letting out all the milk. I purchased a pumping bra in a larger size to accommodate my full bust and because I thought I would wear it to work so I didn’t need to put on a bustier when I needed to pump. Well, turns out the excessive fullness only lasted a week or so and for me, pumping bustiers and pumping bras are kind of a pain and unnecessary. The pumping bra I purchased would probably work better for a small busted woman. I had to order a large size to accommodate my full cup which made the band too loose to actually wear in public. In the end, it didn’t solve my pumping bra for work problem and was just awkward, even around the house. Through all of this, I found that the best nursing bras for large breasts work just as well for pumping. Instead of completely pulling your nursing bra to the side (or down), just tuck the breastshields into the bra and use it to hold them in place. So much more convenient for pumping on the go, plus it saves you money because you don’t need to buy anything extra! Win, win!

 

5.) Don’t limit yourself to only bras. These nursing tank tops are one of my favorites for around the house.

My favorite thing to wear around the house when I’m nursing or pumping is actually a nursing tank top. I purchased 2 of these for my hospital stay and while I didn’t actually wear them while I was there they have been awesome to have for around the house. Super comfortable and easy to use, they’re also great for sleeping and nighttime feedings.

Shop Nursing Tank Tops >>

I usually wear a size small in tops, even with my full bust. I ordered a Medium in these to be on the safe side. They fit well for comfort but not for having company. These are strictly at home, sans company, nursing tanks if you’re a full-busted lady. Small-busted gals can probably get by wearing these in public. Regardless they are great for maternity leave, if you’re a stay-at-home mom, or you just love comfort.

 

6.) Price shop. Nordstrom has an awesome selection of the best nursing bras for large breasts but you might find them cheaper on Amazon.

I’ve heard good things about shopping at Nordstrom for maternity bras. I did all my shopping online but some of the bras I ended up purchasing at Amazon are also available at Nordstrom. That’s great for the ladies who want to go in-store to try them on or if you want the option of ordering online and returning in-store. They also have a service where they will turn any regular bra into a nursing bra for you. How cool is that?! Of course, Amazon is also an amazing place to find tons of options and they have free shipping and returns on most bras for Prime members.

Nordstrom Nursing Bras

7.) Get a bra extender and save yourself some serious dough.

One thing that is hard to know is how much weight you’ll gain and how much your breasts will change when your milk comes in. One way to extend (pun intended) the life of your full-bust nursing bras is to buy a bra extender. This allows more room in the rib cage and in turn, a little more room in the cup. I used one right after giving birth to extend the Cake nursing bra I purchased. It saved me from needing to buy a new, 34i nursing bra (or dare I admit, 34j nursing bra). It’s cheap, buy it just to be on the safe side.

Nursing Bra Extender

Your search for the best nursing bras for large breasts is over.

Simply order one of each of the above and you’re set! Seriously, they cover all the bases. Daytime, nighttime, date night, lounging, nursing, pumping, full, drained, and everything in between.

Which of these do you think are the best nursing bras for large breasts? Let me know in the comments below and help a fellow momma out!

Happy feeding!

XO

Meg