Advertisement

In a nutshell

Not the most stylish of nursing bras, but if you are looking for comfort and easy accessibility this bra is ideal

What we tested

  • Comfort
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Support
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Discreetness
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.2 out of 5.

Pros

  • Comfortable, easy clips that can be worked with one hand, full coverage, wide straps for support and comfort

Cons

  • Not suitable to wear under strappy tops or dresses, not the most glamorous of bras, not supportive enough for active mums

Made for mums, by mums, Bravado, a now world-famous Canadian company, which specialises in maternity lingerie, has come from creating one bra, it’s Original Nursing Bra, to selling a range of over 11 different maternity underwear products.

Advertisement

But it seems that the Original is still the best, as it consistently remains one of the company’s bestsellers, 20 years after it was first devised, back in 1992.

The award-winning brand has a host of celebrity clients including Angelina Jolie, Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba, so I was eager to try the bra and see if it lived up to its Hollywood hype.

What’s in the box?

  • Original Nursing bra
  • Conversion clips

Any additional extra?

No

How comfortable is the bra?

The Original Nursing Bra from Bravado could very easily be the comfiest bra on the market; nothing digs in, nothing irritates and nothing is too rigid on my changing shape.

Made from a soft, stretchy, cotton material with a wide under band which goes around the entire body to help give extra support. The bra slips over the head so that there are no back or front closures and the weight of the breasts are evenly supported, which helps to relieve pressure on the back.

The fact it’s seam and wire-free means it’s lovely to wear and the no hook and eye design makes it perfect for wearing in bed.

What do you think of the style of the bra?

It comes in Basic, Plus and Double Plus styles, which offer full support and coverage for women who have a fuller breast and measure up to 46G; I tried the basic style. The wide straps and sporty racer-back design means this bra is far from ideal to wear in the summer, especially under strappy tops or dresses.

How was the Original nursing bra when breastfeeding?
It is easy to use during feeding; I wish I’d found it sooner. It has closers, which can be opened and closed with one hand and which is a definite benefit when you have a hungry baby on your lap.

I also loved that the cups unclipped at the shoulder and dropped down to give my baby full access to my breast, whilst providing me and my baby with skin-to-skin contact, something that my midwife thoroughly recommended to help with bonding and feeding too.

How did it compare to your normal bra?

I had always struggled to find the right size bra in the past, but the Original Nursing bra’s simple sizing system made finding the right size so easy. It comes in a medium, large or extra large, so there was no room for confusion. And because the fabric stretches, it fits multiple cup sizes and takes care of any change in shape.

The website also has a sizing guide, which I found very useful. There are also certified fitters that you can call customers who need a hand finding the right fit. Once you’re done breastfeeding the bra comes with ‘conversion clips’, so you can change it back from a nursing bra to a normal one.

Saying that, having to put the bra on over my head, rather than fastening it at the back, meant that there were days when it didn’t feel supportive enough (especially when out for a long walk or if I was having an active day). When there is a hook and eye fastening at least I can adjust the fit to suit how I’m feeling at the time.

Who is the Bravado Original Nursing Bra best for?
All pregnant or breastfeeding women who want a fuller fitting bra that’s comfortable to wear day and night.

Advertisement

MadeForMums verdict?
The Original Nursing Bra is a must-have for your hospital bag. It’s supportive, easy to use when feeding, discrete and perfect for those who want to be comfortable indoors and when sleeping. It comes in four different colours too, black, white, butterscotch and leopard. I’ll have one in every colour please!

Product Specifications

Product
BrandBravado
ModelOriginal Nursing Bra
Price£25.00
Available sizesMedium, large, extra large (cup sizes B-G)
StyleNursing
Features
Mechanism to allow feedingDrop cup
FasteningNone
UnderwiredNo
Made from88% cotton, 12% spandex
Washing instructionsMachine washable
Features
  • Recommended by lactation consultants
  • Conversion clips included
  • Seam free
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement