In a nutshell

A good, comfy and supportive bra that caters well for the larger bust, but it's let down by its synthetic fabric and old-fashioned styling.

What we tested

  • Comfort
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Support
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Discreetness
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Pros

  • Generous cups, wide shoulder straps, supportive, good for feeding discreetly, available in large sizes

Cons

  • Synthetic fabric, old-fashioned print and styling, hand wash only

If you’re blessed in the bosom department, it can be hard to find a nursing bra that fits. Freya’s Pollyanna nursing bra caters for an impressive range of sizes up to an HH cup, making it comfortable and supportive for the bigger bust, but the styling may leave you feeling somewhat matronly.

Advertisement

Lingerie specialist Freya prides itself on providing great fitting bras for every size, and the new Pollyanna nursing bra is no exception. It comes in a range of sizes from 30D to 40G, and even goes up to an HH cup in sizes 30-38. The generous cups support the entire breast, and the thick adjustable straps and four rows of hook-and-eye fastenings mean it’s easy to adjust the fit as your bust size fluctuates.

The Pollyanna has drop cups for easy access. It comes in a choice of white, ivory and black with a mock broderie anglaise print, and matching underwear is available in a choice of three styles: brief, shorts or thong.

What we love

The best feature of the Pollyanna nursing bra has to be its generous coverage. Some nursing bras are cut rather skimpily, which leaves you at risk of ‘popping out’ at an inopportune moment, but the large cups of the Pollyanna cover my entire breast, making embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions near enough impossible. It also holds my breast pads securely in place.

The bra is comfortable to wear, with a thick under-bust band and wide straps that help take the weight of a larger bust.

It’s easy to unclip the cups to feed my baby, and when the cups are dropped, there’s a triangular ‘frame’ of fabric around my breast, which helps make feeding that bit more discreet.

While most nursing bras cater for my fairly average bust size, the Pollyanna’s wide range of sizes is a real bonus for larger chested mums ladies who find it hard to find an off-the-peg bra.

What to watch out for

My biggest gripe about the Freya Pollyanna is that it’s so synthetic. The fabric is predominantly polyester and lacks breathability. I find that I quickly start to feel sweaty and sticky when wearing the Pollyanna, and would much prefer a natural fibre, such as a cotton blend.

The styling also lets the Pollyanna nursing bra down. It’s billed as fresh and feminine, but to me, the mock broderie anglaise print looks rather old-fashioned. The combination of this dated print, wide straps and large cups – great for support, but not so hot on the aesthetic front – makes me feel like I’d borrowed a bra from my grandmother.

The other downer is that the Pollyanna bra is hand-wash only – and what new mum has time to hand-wash her undies?

Who is the Freya Pollyanna nursing bra best for?

Well-endowed breastfeeding mums who value good coverage and support in a wide range of sizes.

Advertisement

MadeForMums verdict

The Freya Pollyanna nursing bra is a good choice for mums with larger busts who find that standard bra ranges don’t cater for their cup size. It’s generously cut and supportive of the bigger bust, but the synthetic fabric and matronly print make it a functional rather than fashionable option.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandFreya
ModelPollyanna nursing bra
Price£29.00
Available sizes30D-40HH
StyleNursing
Features
Mechanism to allow feedingDrop cup
FasteningHook and eye
UnderwiredNo
Made from80% polyester, 13% elastane, 7% cotton
Washing instructionsHand wash
Features
  • Large cups to support entire breast
  • Drop cups
  • Four rows of hook-and-eye fastenings
  • Broderie anglaise print
Accessories
Optional extrasMatching shorts, brief or thong
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement