When I was pregnant with my first child four years ago, I didn't appreciate quite how much my body would change, or how quickly my favourite bras would stop fitting. Now well into my second pregnancy, I've already packed away most of my everyday designs in favour of the best maternity bras that are far more forgiving. Even before my bump became obvious, the extra stretch, softer fabrics and wire-free support made them infinitely more comfortable to wear throughout the day.If you're wondering whether maternity bras are really worth buying, I'd say the answer is yes – whether you plan to breastfeed or not. Unlike standard bras, maternity bras are designed to accommodate fluctuating breast size, increased tenderness and the changes that happen throughout pregnancy and after birth. They typically use stretchier fabrics, wider straps, flexible support and additional hook-and-eye fastenings, while nursing bras add drop-down cups that make feeding or pumping much easier.It's worth thinking about how you'll use them, too. A supportive everyday bra is essential, but I also like the idea of having a softer sleep bra for overnight comfort and something that works well with a wearable breast pump once baby arrives. Look for soft, breathable fabrics, easy one-handed nursing clips, a comfortable underband, plenty of stretch and an extendable back so the bra can adapt as your body changes.To help narrow down the options, I've spent time researching some of the most popular maternity and nursing bras available, revisiting brands I remember from my first pregnancy alongside newer designs that have caught my eye this time around.Read more: The best pregnancy pillows, testedI tried a range of maternity bras in different styles and fabrics to find the very best (Sarah Jones/The Independent)The best maternity and nursing bras for 2026 are:Best overall – M&S body invisibles non-wired maternity bra: £22, Marksandspencer.comBest budget buy – Asda maternity grey comfort bras 2 pack: £16, Asda.comBest for support – Momcozy jelly strip seamless nursing bra: £39.99, Momcozy.comBest for sleep – BabyGo nursing sleep bra: £22, Babygo.ukRead more: Best breast pumps, tested