Can You Sleep in a Nursing Bra If You're Breastfeeding?

Find out if there are any benefits to sleeping in a nursing bra if you're breastfeeding, plus get tips on choosing a bra to wear to bed.

mom and newborn baby, mom breastfeeds her baby lying on a white background on the bed in the bedroom

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To sleep or not to sleep in a nursing bra ... that is the question. And there's actually no right answer, as the matter is largely dictated by personal preference. Some people find that sleeping in a nursing bra is more comfortable than going without one; others welcome a nightly break from the bra.

If you're wondering whether to sleep in a nursing bra, keep reading to learn about the pros, cons, and other considerations. We also break down alternatives for people worried about sore or leaking breasts.

Deciding Whether to Sleep in a Nursing Bra

Are you deciding whether or not to sleep in a nursing bra? You'll want to consider a few important factors, including your breast size, how much you're leaking, and personal comfort.

Breast size

If you have small breasts, wearing a bra is a matter of preference. But if you have large, full breasts, a bra can feel more supportive and comfortable.

Even if you have smaller breasts, you may appreciate the support of wearing a nursing bra to sleep during the first few weeks after your baby is born. That's because your breast milk is still adjusting, which can lead to fullness and discomfort.

Leaking breast milk

Some nursing parents suffer from leaking, which often slows down as your body adjusts to breastfeeding. Nursing pads can catch this extra milk, and if you use them, you'll need to wear a bra to hold them in place. This will save you from waking up in a puddle of breast milk and having to change the sheets every morning.

If your breasts don't leak very much, you don't have to worry about nursing pads, which makes the bra less necessary.

Comfort

Personal comfort is important! The last thing you need is to be uncomfortable when you're trying to get some much-needed rest. If you have smaller breasts, it may be more comfortable to go without a bra, and if you have larger breasts, it may be more comfortable to wear a bra. The choice is up to you.

Choosing a Nursing Bra for Sleeping

If you decide to wear a nursing bra at night, find one that works for you. Make sure it's comfortable and fits you well. A soft cotton nursing bra is a good choice for both day and night, but you may also prefer a sports bra for nighttime use. Some manufacturers sell nursing bras specifically designed for sleeping.

Avoid underwire bras or any bra that's tight and puts pressure on your breasts. Tight bras and underwires can cause clogged milk ducts or mastitis.

Here are some other things you might want in a sleep nursing bra:

  • The ability to be pulled down easily for nursing
  • Proper support (though it shouldn't be too restrictive)
  • Adjustability
  • Comfort-enhancing features seamless cups, soft fabric, and nonslip straps
  • Padding or lining for leaky breasts

Nighttime Alternatives to Nursing Bras

If you prefer braless sleep, consider using something like Lily Padz. These breast pads are made from comfortable, flexible, breathable, medical-grade silicone. They stick right to your breasts, so you don't need a bra to keep them in place. 

Another option, if you're worried about your breasts leaking overnight, is to wear a nursing tank top with a built-in shelf bra to hold your pads in place. For example, Japanese Weekend maternity camisoles are soft, comfortable, and stretch well to accommodate breast fluctuations, especially during the night.

Will Sleeping in a Nursing Bra Prevent Sagging?

Wearing a bra to sleep in general, not just while you're breastfeeding, might help prevent sagging breasts. When you wear a bra, both during the day and overnight, it supports the structure of your breasts, especially the Cooper's ligaments. These ligaments give your breast its shape, but the extra weight that breast milk adds to your breasts can pull and stretch your Cooper's ligaments.

However, while wearing a bra may help, it cannot completely prevent sagging. Saggy breasts are the result of a combination of factors including the number of pregnancies, weight, hormonal changes, and heredity. Also remember that it's normal and healthy to experience breast changes after pregnancy.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Breast Engorgement. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

  2. What to Expect While Breastfeeding. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 2021.

  3. Plugged Ducts, Mastitis, and Thrush. WIC Breastfeeding Support. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

  4. Experimental characterisation and modelling of breast Cooper's ligaments. Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2022.

  5. Breast Ptosis. StatPearls [Internet]. Updated 2023.

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