The short answer
| Stage | Daytime | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Bought before the birth, from about 36 weeks | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| Added at six to eight weeks | 2–3 | As needed |
| Total for established feeding | 3–4 | 1–2 |
Why three is the practical minimum
Nursing bras get wet. Leaks, spilled milk and a baby being sick mean a bra can need changing more than once a day in the early weeks. One on, one in the wash and one drying is the smallest number that keeps you in a clean, dry bra. A fourth gives some slack when the washing does not get done.
Why buy in stages
Your size changes through these months. Breasts are typically at their fullest in the first weeks, while the ribcage is still wide from pregnancy. By around six to eight weeks, supply has usually settled, the breasts are often a little smaller than at their peak, and the band has come down. Bras bought to fit week one are frequently too big in the cup or band by week eight.
So start small, and buy the bulk when you know your settled size. The timing is laid out in when to buy nursing bras.
What changes the number
- How often you can wash. If laundry is every two or three days, add one.
- How much you leak. Heavy leaking means more changes. Breast pads reduce it.
- Expressing. If you pump regularly, a pumping bra or a nursing bra that works with your pump is worth adding.
- How long you plan to feed. For many months, expect to replace your set once as it wears and as your size changes.
- Work and exercise. A smooth T-shirt nursing bra for under work clothes, and a nursing sports bra if you exercise.
A sensible set
- Two everyday nursing bras in a soft, supportive, non-wired or flexi-wire style
- One smooth or moulded nursing bra for fitted tops
- One or two sleep bras or crop-top styles
- Optional: a nursing sports bra, a pumping bra
What to look for in each is in best nursing bras: what to look for.
Making them last
- Rinse milk out promptly. Dried milk is hard on fabric and smells.
- Wash in a mesh bag on a cool, gentle cycle, clips fastened.
- Air dry. Heat destroys elastic.
- Change breast pads often, to keep the bra and your skin dry.
Frequently asked questions
How many nursing bras do I need?
Three is a workable minimum: one to wear, one in the wash and one spare. Most people settle on three or four daytime nursing bras plus one or two sleep bras.
How many nursing bras should I pack in my hospital bag?
Two soft, non-wired ones, plus breast pads. You are unlikely to need more for a short stay, and your size will change in the days after birth.
Do I need different bras for day and night?
Not necessarily. Many people like a soft, stretchy sleep bra at night to hold breast pads in place and give light support, and a more structured bra for the day.
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