6 Sustainable Nursing Bras

Last Updated on July 3, 2023

I tried avoiding maternity-specific clothing as much as possible during my pregnancy and get things secondhand, however bras was one area where I definitely needed to get some new pieces. Of course I wanted to find sustainable and ethical bra options so here are some of the nursing and maternity bras I tried as well as some other great brands I’ve found.

Comfort and easy accessibility are obviously high priorities for nursing bras and I would recommend trying a few different styles to see what you like best. I personally found I preferred the crossover style vs the clip but glad I had both depending on what I was wearing.

So we’ve collected a variety of styles, sustainable materials and ethically made nursing bras from brands based in the USA, Canada, and Europe to help you find some good options!

(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)

Nursing Bras & Maternity-to-Nursing Clothing

Boob Design is the brand to check out, they exclusively design sustainable maternity and nursing clothing! They have a full collection that transitions with you from a pregnancy to nursing. I especially loved their nursing dresses with easy-access designs!

For nursing bras they have a large variety of styles and sustainable materials to choose from; including organic cotton, Tencel, recycled nylon, and even organic merino wool. Their styles range from soft to extra firm support and they even have styles for larger cups and smaller bands! (This is my biggest issue with bralettes)

Boob Design Nursing Bra Review

I used 3 of their bras while I was nursing – the 24/7 Bra, Fast-Food Bra, and Fast-Food Sports Bra. The 24/7 bra was definitely my favourite and so comfortable (I still wear it all the time even though I’m no longer nursing) and because it’s a crossover style instead of clip it doesn’t feel or look like a nursing bra. I personally preferred Boob’s natural material bras over the recycled nylon ones and would recommend sticking with those.

Boob is fantastic if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop to get a maternity and nursing-friendly wardrobe.

Cost: €55 – €75
Values: sustainable materials, GOTS certified, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabrics, production transparency
Size range: S – XXL
Ordering: Based in Sweden, ships international

100% Organic, Undyed Cotton Nursing Bra

Have sensitive skin or concerned about toxic dyes or plastics in clothing? The Very Good Bra is the brand for you! They are committed to fully plastic-free and compostable bras and underwear (even with natural rubber elastics!) and just recently added a nursing bra option.

TVGB nursing bra is design with crossover/fold-down cups and has an adjustable band to accommodate size fluctuations. It features soft organic cotton and think, supportive straps. The design also makes it easily wearable as a regular bra.

Cost: $99 AUD
Values: all natural materials, biodegradable, low waste, production transparency, B Corp
Size range: proprietary sizing, check website
Ordering: based in Australia, ships international

Sporty & Size-Inclusive Nursing Bras

When the designer behind Sustainable activewear brand Girlfriend became pregnant they naturally expanded their line to include a few maternity and nursing options!

They have 2 bra styles depending on your preference – the Ellie Clip Nursing Bra and the May Crossover Nursing Bra.

Girlfriend’s bras are made from a stretchy recycled nylon (from fishing nets) and the Ellie includes removable cups made from recycled plastic bottles. Both styles are designed fit fluctuating cup sizes and the Ellie also includes adjustable straps and back.

For working out, the Ellie is for low-medium impact and the May is low impact. And if you’re looking for maternity workout leggings they have an option too!

They’re also the most size-inclusive brand I’ve found with size options from XXS-6X!

Cost: $52/$48 USD
Values: recycled materials, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabrics, SA8000 certified factory, body-inclusive models
Size range: XXS – 6X
Ordering: based in USA, also ships to UK, Australia, and Canada

Best Variety of Styles (Including Sustainable Pumping Bras!)

I wish I’d know about Bravado Designs while I was breastfeeding (and then exclusively pumping), they have so many styles and options including seamless, racerback, full cup and extended cup, both underwire and wire-free, nursing cami, and a combo nursing/pumping bra, as well as innovative pumping attachment which transforms their nursing bras into a hands-free pumping bra (this would have been exactly what I needed!)

Bravado has a sustainable collection which uses eco friendly materials such as a blend of organic cotton and Tencel Modal, and recycled nylon but not all their styles are made from these materials (however all their materials are Oeko-Tex certified). They also have a goal to transition to 100% sustainable fabrics by 2023.

Their sizing can be confusing and varies by the style so use their size calculator and check each product.

Cost: $42 – $57 CAD
Values: some sustainable materials, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified fabrics, WRAP certified factories, body-inclusive models, products are tested for longevity
Size range: S – XXL (including full cup options)
Ordering: based in Canada, has a Canadian site, US site, and UK site.

Most Beautiful – Reclaimed Lace Nursing Bra

Most nursing bras are very utilitarian looking, so it’s a delight to see Savara Intimates’s stunning and sustainable Aveline Nursing Bra.

It features a soft Tencel cup with gorgeous deadstock lace, and the option of removable cup padding. The cup is detachable with a hook while the strap stays in place.

Savara Intimates has a unique sizing model and design which uses adjustable back elastics to combine the comfortable and flexibility of a bralette with the adjustability of a bra. Their bras are specifically designed to accommodate size changes and weight fluctuations – perfect for everyone, but especially maternity and nursing bras!

While I haven’t used their Aveline nursing bra, I have the Willow bra from Savara Intimates and it is such a beautiful and comfy bra. As someone with larger cups and a smaller band I really appreciate the adjustable back straps.

Cost: €69,95
Values: sustainable and reclaimed materials, production transparency, carbon offset, made in Europe
Size range: XS – XXL+
Ordering: based in the Netherlands, ships international

Most Affordable Organic Nursing Bra

Sustainable clothing brand Pact also has a maternity collection which includes an organic cotton crossover nursing bralette and organic cotton nursing camisole. At just $35 each for organic cotton and fair trade certified garments these are the most budget-friendly nursing options we’ve found (besides shopping secondhand of course).

I especially like the crossover style of nursing bra since it doesn’t look or feel like a nursing bra and can easily be worn after.

Both styles look comfy and I’m a fan of Pact’s baby clothing so it could also be a good opportunity to grab some baby essentials too!

Cost: $35 USD
Values: GOTS certified organic cotton, Fair Trade certified factories, carbon offset shipping
Size range: S – XL
Ordering: based in USA, ships international.

How Many Nursing Bras Do I Need?

3-4 generally seems to be an amount that works well for many people. Although it’s important to consider:

• what you’ll likely be wearing most days
• if you’re planning on pumping
• what activities you’ll be doing (for example do you need a sports nursing bra?)
• how often you do laundry

Use those to help determine what type and how many nursing bras you need. Sticking to fewer is typically fine though as you can always get additional bras later if needed.