1. Kindred Bravely Nursing Sleep Bra
One of our top picks is the Kindred Bravely nursing sleep bra, which has been designed with comfort and convenience in mind. It’s made from a blend of organic cotton and spandex fabric, and features a simple-crossover design that offers optimum stretchability. Moreover, it doesn’t have any underwires, making it one of the best sleep bras on the market. And the easy one hand pull-aside breastfeeding access is a huge advantage for nursing mothers.
There are no hooks or clasps either, which makes breastfeeding easy, and there are no metal parts to poke the skin while sleeping. Aside from that, the gentle support keeps the nursing pads in place. So, it’s ideal for pregnant mothers or just about anyone who wears it. We were also impressed with the range of sizes, especially for women with cup sizes ranging between E and I. Likewise, there are multiple colours to cater to different user preferences.
Drawback
Since this sleep bra is not made from 100% cotton, it doesn’t keep you cool in hot weather.
Verdict
Designed with the right blend of comfort and utility, this bra is suitable for various purposes like exercising, jogging, walking and breastfeeding. Plus, the absence of an underwire and hooks don’t irritate the skin even if you wear it for prolonged periods.
2. Motherhood Maternity Plus-Size Sleep Bra
As the name suggests, the Motherhood Maternity plus-size sleeping bralette is especially designed for wide or heavy chested women. Much like our last pick, it’s made from 95% cotton and 5% spandex, which makes it soft and breathable to wear for long hours. Besides, its seamless front-wrap style doesn’t show any ugly outline on your dresses, shirts, or tops and makes breastfeeding more convenient. And there are no metal parts to pinch your skin.
Talking about variation, this bralette is available in 3 sizes and 2 colours, which don’t burn a hole in your pocket. Each of them provides lightweight, comfy coverage that doesn't make the breasts pop out uncomfortably. This is possible due to the sturdy elastic band under the cups that keep your breasts in a comfortable position. And you can easily wash it in the machine to cut down on maintenance efforts.
Drawback
The fit of the larger sizes may be a little too tight during the first few wears.
Verdict
Providing comfortable and lightweight support to the breasts, this affordable sleep bra feels soft and breathable. Furthermore, the front wrap design makes for easy nursing access and seamlessly blends with your outfits.
3. CAKYE 3 Pack Women's Maternity Nursing Bra
Whether you’re looking to buy a pack of some of the best sleep bras on the market for yourself or for the forthcoming baby shower, our next pick will surely fit the bill. This 3-pack maternity nursing bra from Cakye is made from ultra-soft cotton material that offers both comfort and flexibility at a pocket-friendly price. The crisscross front design has a one-hand easy pull nursing access, so you don’t have to worry about unhooking the bra every time.
One of the highlights of this bra set is that each one comes with in-built pockets to store your nursing pads. Hence, you can easily convert them into “removable pads” for optimum convenience. Aside from that, the soft cup design provides gentle support to your breasts, no matter your sleeping position. These bras are also available in different colours, prints and 4 sizes ranging from small to XL.
Drawback
The lace-like edges can become slightly uncomfortable when worn all night long.
Verdict
The wire-free Cakye maternity bras are sustainable, comfortable and can even fit your body during the 9th month of pregnancy or after. Additionally, the double-chested design is flexible enough to accommodate fluctuating breasts and doesn’t feel tight, especially when lactating.
4. Lamaze Maternity Cotton Spandex Sleep Bra
The Lamaze maternity sleep bra is designed from a combination of 95% cotton and 5% spandex, making it ultra-soft and breathable. In fact, it can be stretched 4 ways, meaning it will adhere to the shape and size of breasts to facilitate optimum comfort for nursing mothers, pregnant women and practically anyone who has to sleep in a bra.
Coming to the design, it features familiar pull-aside nursing access on both sides. It’s further reinforced by the deep V-neck design, which provides a perfect fit without employing any hooks or clasps. Similarly, the full-back opening makes it easy to wear and remove the bra even with one hand. Plus, it comes in 5 sizes (small to XXL) and 5 colours so that you can pick the best one according to your needs.
Drawback
Some users have mentioned that the fit may be small, so we’d suggest going one size up.
Verdict
Lamaze presents a seamless bra design that is both supportive and breathable for your breasts. Likewise, it facilitates the right coverage that helps maintain a comfortable position for your breasts, irrespective of your sleeping style or posture.
5. WingsLove Seamless Nursing Bra
If you’re on the hunt for a full-coverage bra that doesn’t feel too tight on the breasts, then this nursing bra is worth checking out. Although the name may say otherwise, you can use it even if you aren’t expecting or nursing. Right off the bat, we liked how the inside of this bralette felt soft to touch, thanks to the 100% cotton material. Moreover, the removable pads minimise friction between your skin and the fabric.
The cotton interior can also help regulate temperature to reduce the discomfort often caused by wearing a bra for long hours. While the cups have a wireless design that doesn’t stab you, the bottom of this sleep bra is marked by a wide, densely knitted under-bag to provide maximum coverage. Furthermore, you can easily uncover your breasts using the one-hand access clip located just below the strap.
Drawback
The nylon exterior and metal clips on the back (extender) can feel uncomfortable.
Verdict
The WingsLove sleep bra is multi-purpose lingerie that makes for easy breastfeeding and supports the breasts to prevent from sagging. Additionally, the adjustable straps and extra extenders with each piece allow you to customise the fit according to the changes in your breast shape and size.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should You Sleep In A Bra?
Truth be told, the decision will entirely come down to your personal preference and health conditions, if any. However, there has been no medical study to suggest that sleeping in one can cause any harmful side effects.
On the flip side, some people believe that an optimally supportive sleep bra can be beneficial for women with large breasts, who tend to move frequently in their sleep. As the constant movement can feel uncomfortable on the chest, having a structured bra that keeps the breasts firmly in place can reduce discomfort and, in turn, sleep disruptions.
The same can be true for people with lumpy, swollen or painful breasts, as the constant shifting can further aggregate the problem.
That said, it’s important to ensure that the bra you choose is soft and fits you well to offer the best support. Too small or too large bras can cause several problems like fungal infections and rashes.
2. Which Material Should You Opt For?
The good news is that most sleep bras are designed to be extra soft so that you can get the right amount of comfort and breathability. In this regard, you can opt for materials like organic cotton, spandex-cotton mix, or even bamboo blend. In addition to being breathable, they can absorb sweat and moisture to keep you cool and infections at bay.
You can also choose a bralette that’s made from a stretchable or flexible fabric. This is required for pregnant women or nursing mothers, who may experience changing breast sizes due to the changes in the body.
3. Are Underwire Bras Bad?
The decision to opt for a wired or wire-free bra will completely depend on your preference and comfort. As you may already know, the wire that runs on the bottom half of the bra cup can offer more support and provide that “push-up” effect.
Moreover, wired bras can take the stress off your back and shoulders, especially if you have larger breasts and experience frequent pain in the said areas.
However, it’s no secret that this underwire can poke the skin, leading to bruises and chafing when worn for too long. You may also find it difficult to get the right fit for your cup size. Or, they may be a gross ill-fit for your upper body if you have wide-set breasts.
That’s where wireless support bras come into the picture, as they are often deemed to be more comfortable in the absence of any metal parts stabbing you in the ribs. Their biggest advantage is that they can provide similar (if not more) support than their wired counterparts, making them ideal for night-long wear.
Aside from that, wire-free bras fit your body more naturally and can offer better coverage so that no part of your breast hangs out awkwardly. They are also less likely to form any harsh outlines, especially if you’re wearing body-hugging dresses or tops. Plus, they come in quite a few styles.
4. Are Sleeping Bras Designed Only For Pregnant Or Nursing Women?
Sleeping bras are made for anyone who wants to support their breasts while sleeping. However, if you're pregnant or nursing, you’d want to look for bras that are wire-free and stretchable to accommodate the changing cup size. Other than that, we’d suggest opting for designs that facilitate easy nursing access and don’t depend on any clip or hooks for the same.
Some women also prefer nursing or maternity bras having adjustable straps with metal hooks and expanders that can be used to increase the width and front removable cups. Likewise, a seamless design makes it easy to wear and take off the bra as and when needed.
Long story short, you should consider your requirements and convenience before making the purchase.
5. How To Measure Your Bra Size Correctly?
Given the different cup shapes, band sizes and styles available on the market, it’s important to measure your size correctly to avoid buying ill-fitted bras, whether you plan to shop online or offline.
Start by measuring your band size, for which you’d want to wear a normal, non-padded bra that has the right coverage. Then, take a measuring tape and hold it all around underneath your breasts (where they touch the rib cage). Ensure that the tape sits snugly but isn’t too tight, and note the measurement in inches. This will give you your band size, but add 5 inches if it’s under 33 inches or 3 inches if it’s more than that.
If the band size is an odd number, then round it up to the next even number.
Then, measure your bust by placing the tape the same way over your nipples and note the measurement in inches. Subtract this number from the band size, and the difference will correspond to your cup size like this:
- 1-inch = A
- 2 inches = B
- 3 inches = C
- 4 inches= D
- 5 inches = E (or DD)
- 6 inches = F (or DDD)
- 7 inches = G
- 8 inches = H
Your bra size will be the band size followed by the cup size, for example, 34D.
Verdict
That brings us to the end of our guide; hopefully, we could equip you with all the information to pick the best sleep bra.
But before we leave, here are a few words of advice: firstly, try to try the bra before buying it, even if you think you’ve got the measurements right. Secondly, follow the manufacturer's instructions when it comes to maintaining it to ensure its longevity.
We will see you next time. Goodbye!