How to Choose the Best Maternity Bras

Finding the best maternity bras can feel like one more thing on an already long to-do list. Your body is changing, comfort suddenly matters more than ever, and the bras you’ve always relied on just don’t cut it anymore. The good news? Choosing a maternity bra doesn’t have to be confusing. With the right fit and features, you’ll feel supported through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and all the busy moments in between.

Are maternity bras and nursing bras the same?

At Rose & Thorne, we like to think we know a thing or two about bras, which is why we’re so passionate about helping women understand what options work best for their body. One question we’re often asked by expecting mums is, are maternity bras and nursing bras the same? The short answer is not always. 

A maternity bra gives you comfort and support as your body changes during pregnancy, with stretchy fabric, a soft underband, and flexible cups that move with you as your ribcage expands.

A nursing bra, on the other hand, is made with breastfeeding in mind. These usually include drop-down clips or front panels so you can feed your baby without removing the bra. 

At Rose & Thorne, you don’t have to pick one or the other.  All of our maternity bras are also designed for nursing, with drop-down clips for breastfeeding. That means you can invest in bras that you’ll fall in love with during your pregnancy and continue counting on once your baby arrives.

How do maternity bras work?

At their core, the best maternity bras come down to two things - comfort and flexibility.  During pregnancy, your ribcage expands, your breasts feel heavier, and your skin can be more sensitive. A well-designed maternity bra takes all of that into account, while still giving you support. All Rose & Thorne maternity bras have:

• Stretch fabrics that move with you and don’t dig in.

• Wider straps and an underband that spreads weight evenly across your shoulders and back.

• Flexible cups that accommodate size fluctuations, especially in the later months.

• Breathable materials to help with sensitivity and temperature changes.

Instead of underwire that can become super uncomfortable as your body changes, we use reinforced fabric that provides a similar level of support, without any hard bits. 

The outer layer of our maternity bras are designed to make you look and feel gorgeous, which unclips to reveal the functional dual layer below, to make breastfeeding easy and discreet. Because yes, a good nursing bra needs to work well, but it makes a world of difference if it’s something you love the look of in the mirror. Learn more about the importance of Embracing Your Post-Partum Body. 

When do you start wearing maternity bras?

There’s no such thing as too soon when it comes to wearing maternity bras, it really depends on your body and your comfort levels. For many women, the first sign they’re pregnant is that their usual bras feel uncomfortable, or too tight around the band or cup. For those women, that maternity bra can’t come soon enough! For others, their breast shape may not begin changing until well after the first trimester.

During early pregnancy, it’s actually ok to continue wearing your underwire bras, as long as they fit well, with the wire sitting flat against the body and well away from breast tissue. Make sure your straps and cups give you good support. Opting for wider straps will help distribute the extra weight more comfortably. If you still want to wear regular bras but need something softer, our wirefree bras are a great middle ground before you transition into maternity bras.

By the third trimester, it’s time to leave your wired bras behind. This guidance is backed by organisations like La Leche League NZ and the Australian Breastfeeding Association, which warn that wearing underwire bras during late pregnancy and breastfeeding can compress milk ducts, increasing the risk of breast inflammation and lactational mastitis - ouch! 

It’s a good idea to swap out two or three of your underwired bras for wirefree options early on, then switch to maternity bras as you move into the later months. Because maternity bras are built to adapt to your changing body, many women continue wearing them long into their postpartum phase, so they’re definitely worth the investment.

Read more about Breast Changes During Pregnancy.

How to size maternity bras

Sizing is one of the biggest worries for mums-to-be. Bodies change so quickly in pregnancy that it’s hard to know what size to buy or whether it will last. But with a little guidance, you can eliminate the guesswork.

Our bra gurus are here to make the process a breeze. No one likes having to get half-naked under artificial lights in a small changing room.  That’s why we offer expert fittings from the comfort of home. Book in today and say goodbye to the tape measure. 

Want to tackle sizing yourself? No problem! Here is everything you need to know about getting the best fit. 

How to measure bra size during pregnancy?

What sets Rose & Thorne bras apart is inclusivity and choice. We offer sizes 10–24 and C to J cups, so whether you’re looking for maternity bras for large breasts, smaller boobies, or plus size maternity bras that work with a curvier figure, you’ll find a fit that feels supportive and flattering. Use our bra size calculator to nail your size, by following these steps:

• Measure your ribcage just under your bust to find your band size. Do this while standing upright, with the tape firm but not tight.

• Measure around the fullest part of your bust to find your cup size.

• Compare the two measurements against the size chart. For example, if your band is 12 and your bust measurement lines up with a DD, you’d try a 12DD.

Because breasts can change quickly, it’s a good idea to re-measure every few months. Remember, even if you buy a maternity bra and grow out of it by the end of your pregnancy, chances are your body will cycle back to a similar size over time. So you’re really just doing your future self a favour!

Do you buy maternity bras in your normal size?

Not always. Most women go up at least one cup size and sometimes one band size during pregnancy. The best maternity bras use stretchy fabrics and flexible cups, so they’ll give you room to grow without being baggy at the start. While all our bras are designed with Forgiving Fit technology, if you’re in between sizes, size up, comfort matters more than what size is on the label.

And don’t forget that everyone’s body is different. Some women find they only need to go up one cup size, while others may need two or more. The goal is a bra that fits the body you have now and will continue to support you as it changes.

What are the best breastfeeding bras?

When it comes to design, the best breastfeeding bras balance style and support. You’ll be wearing them daily, often through long nights and busy days, so a good design makes a real difference. When we designed our maternity bras, we prioritised what customers told us were the most important features to them, including:

• Drop-down clips for easy feeding access.

• Layered a-frame design for more discreet feeding.

• One-handed clasps to manage baby and bra at the same time.

• Supportive underbands that hold everything in place without digging in.

• Stretch and flexibility to handle breast size fluctuations throughout the day.

• Inclusive sizing, including plus size maternity bras for large breasts.

• Fabric options so that you can still dress like ‘you’, not every other mum.

From breathable cotton maternity bras to lace maternity bras in both bold and classic shades, we balance style with substance to create bras you’ll love to wear. All of our maternity bras have the features above, and we also have additional features, like our leakproof bras, which have a firmer design and a middle layer of super absorbent fabric. 

You don’t need a drawer full of options. Two or three well-fitting nursing bras will usually see you through. Focus on the features that matter most to you, whether that’s maximum support, easy clips, or all-day softness.

Final thoughts: finding what works for you

Shopping for maternity and nursing bras can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The best maternity bras are the ones that fit your body now, support you through changes, and make daily life just that little bit easier. Whether you need something soft and stretchy, plus size maternity bras with extra support, or nursing bras that simplify breastfeeding, the right choice is the one that makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Take your time, trust how your body feels, and remember, you don’t have to settle for “good enough.” Browse our range of maternity and nursing bras to find the styles that fit both your body and your life.