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Once you’re cleared by your doctor and genuinely feel up to physical activity, establishing a workout routine after giving birth can be a welcome experience.

Postpartum exercise can give you a chance to get in tune with yourself and notice how you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Working out postpartum may offer an abundance of benefits. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, exercise can help:

That said, you might wonder what to wear on top, especially if you’re nursing. You want comfort and practicality, but you also know you might need to pause your workout to feed a hungry baby.

We’ve got you covered with our top picks for nursing-friendly workout tops. The seven tops on our list are designed to support your movements through your fitness routine — and they also feature various types of nursing access for convenient feeds.

The short answer: It’s up to you.

Just know that your favorite pre-pregnancy workout tops might prove a little less functional than you need while nursing.

Getting back into a fitness routine can be enough of a challenge without trying to fit your postpartum chest into a cropped T-shirt or the wildly strappy Lululemon tank you used to wear to yoga.

But it turns out, you have plenty of options for workout tanks made specifically to support nursing bodies.

You can wear these intelligently designed tank tops on their own or as a base layer, with other favorite pieces on top. And, hey, if a workout routine feels far off, you might just want to wear these items as loungewear — we fully support that, too.

You’ll want to consider a few key details when shopping for a nursing-friendly workout top. Consider features such as:

  • discreetness and coverage, which includes strap thickness and shirt length
  • support, such as a built-in bra
  • adjustable straps
  • nursing pad pockets
  • machine washability
  • breathability

Additionally, you have a few main types of nursing tops to choose from. These include:

  • Clip-down straps: These tops have a clip on the strap, which you can undo to fold down the top panel. This style of top often features a built-in bra.
  • Pull-down: These tops usually have a V-neck or crossover fabric so you can simply pull down the top.
  • Lift-up: This design features a mid-length top layer you can lift up and a bottom layer you can pull down for chest access.

When you’re thinking about caring for a new baby, a new workout routine, and everything else in between, you may have less time to spend scouring the market for just the right top.

We narrowed down your choices by researching the market, reading customer reviews, and taking advice from fitness bloggers. Many of our chosen brands also feature female designers who created their products after noticing a lack of availability on the market.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $40
  • $$ = $40–$80
  • $$$ = over $80
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The tops on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.

Best breastfeeding-friendly top for yoga

Belabumbum Luxe Nursing Tank

  • Price: $$
  • Style: pull-down access
  • Pros: soft fabric, flattering style
  • Cons: no built-in support, only one color choice

This two-layered tank is a great option for easing back into your yoga practice. The soft fabric, a Pima cotton and modal blend, allows for gentle movements, and the top layer of the tank moves to the side for easy nursing access.

However, this top doesn’t have a built-in bra, so you may prefer to layer it over a nursing bra.

On the plus side, it doesn’t scream “workout top,” so you can also wear it alone, or layered under a cardigan or hoodie for a post-yoga coffee date or errands.

This top has only a few reviews, but people say it’s soft, comfortable, and flattering.

Shop now at Belabumbum

Best breastfeeding-friendly top for running

Seraphine Active Maternity & Nursing Top

  • Price: $$
  • Style: lift-up access
  • Pros: sweat-wicking fabric, super stretchy
  • Cons: no built-in support, can’t go in the dryer

This activewear top features moisture-wicking material to help you stay cool and dry, which is key for more intense activities like running. The soft, breathable fabric stretches to ensure just the right fit — during pregnancy and after baby arrives.

It features lift-up nursing access, but it doesn’t include a built-in bra.

This top can go in the washing machine, but according to the care instructions, you’ll want to skip the dryer.

Shop now at Seraphine

Best breastfeeding-friendly top for strength training

Boob Classic Tank Top

  • Price: $$
  • Style: lift-up access
  • Pros: sustainable cotton fabric, five color choices
  • Cons: uncomfortable seams, may run a little small

Most reviewers praise the comfortable, flattering fit of this organic cotton tank by Boob. The stretchy fabric allows for a full range of motion during strength workouts, and the fabric overlap across the chest can be easily lifted for quick feedings. In fact, you can even lift it with one hand, freeing up your opposite hand to hold your wee one.

The stylish tank also doubles as a basic, so you can add it to your wardrobe. Reviewers say it works well under cardigans and shirts. People also love that the entire Boob collection is made of sustainable materials.

While most people rate this with 5 stars, a few people say the white tank is a little transparent. Another reviewer writes that the black tank fades after a few washes.

Shop now at Boob

Best breastfeeding-friendly top for HIIT workouts

Nursing Queen Padded Nursing Tank Top

  • Price: $
  • Style: clip-down access
  • Pros: medium support shelf bra, cotton fabric
  • Cons: fabric may attract fuzz and pet fur, only one color choice

If you’re starting to ramp up into higher intensity workouts, you might want to ramp up your support, too. This top features nursing clips and a medium support shelf bra with sewn-in padding, which many people love for its extra coverage and absorbency.

The high-quality cotton fabric is thick enough to offer a bit of coverage and support, and one reviewer calls it a “heavy-duty” top. What’s more, the tank makes for a solid wardrobe staple beyond your workout, since you can easily pair it with a skirt, jeans, or leggings. People say it’s comfortable with a fitted, flattering look.

Shop now at Nursing Queen

Best breastfeeding-friendly top for Pilates or barre

Bamboobies Seamless Nursing Tank

  • Price: $
  • Style: clip-down access
  • Pros: unpadded shelf bra, seamless design, breathable fabric
  • Cons: may not be supportive enough for some, bottom may roll up

The seamless design of this nursing tank features an unpadded shelf bra, nursing clasps, and drop-down cups so you can easily feed your baby. The comfortable, lightly supportive design lends itself well to low impact workouts like Pilates or barre.

The loosely fitted style helps you move through your workout freely, and reviewers love the soft rayon fabric of this tank top.

People mostly rave about this tank top, saying it fits well with a stylish design. It has a longer length, which could make it the perfect base garment if you want to layer something else on top.

Bamboobies uses renewable resources and recyclable packaging.

Shop now at Amazon

Best breastfeeding-friendly top for cold weather workouts

Boob B-Warmer Hoodie

  • Price: $$$
  • Style: lift-up access
  • Pros: comfortable, has a pocket
  • Cons: runs small, too thin for some

Cozy up with this comfy hoodie for warmth and coverage during cold weather workouts. This roomy hoodie is made of sustainable Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified materials.

The design features a fleece-lined front overlap for warmth, a kangaroo pocket, and a horizontal nursing panel for easy nursing access. Just note this hoodie doesn’t have a built-in bra, so you may want to wear a supportive nursing tank or nursing bra underneath.

Reviewers call this a practical, flattering, and comfortable hoodie that works well for discreet feedings. A few people do say it runs small, so you may want to size up for a better fit — especially if you plan to wear another shirt underneath.

Shop now at Boob

Best budget breastfeeding-friendly workout top

Peachymama Bamboo Nursing Tank

  • Price: $
  • Style: lift-up access
  • Pros: bamboo fabric, lightweight
  • Cons: runs large, only one color option

Many new parents rave about the soft breathability of this tank top — and its appealing price tag. The adjustable layers of this top allow for quick feedings while still keeping your bust and belly covered, and reviewers say it’s convenient for nursing.

The tank is fitted without being overly tight, so you can go about your workouts with ease. You can easily style this versatile tank with the rest of your workout clothes or dress it up with a favorite jacket or cardigan.

Reviewers praise the comfortable bamboo fabric and the flattering fit. A few reviewers do say the top runs large, so you may want to size down unless you prefer a more generous fit.

Shop now at Peachymama

To choose the best nursing-friendly workout tops for your needs, it may help to consider the following:

  • Features: Nursing-friendly workout tops often have padding, which can reduce visible stains, and built-in bras. This is great if you want more support. Other features include pockets, adjustable straps, and multiple layers.
  • Fabric type: Do you prefer natural fabrics, such as cotton and bamboo, or synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester? Natural fabrics may feel better against your skin and offer more breathability, while synthetic fabrics may wick moisture more effectively and dry quickly.
  • Fitness routine: It can help to consider the type of physical activity you plan to do. You may only need a shelf bra for light to moderate workouts, like yoga or brisk walking. For more intense exercise, like running or aerobic dancing, you may want a more supportive top.
  • Versatility: If you plan to weave these tank tops into your everyday wardrobe, you may want to opt for basic tops you can dress up or down, as you prefer.
  • Price: While stocking up on bargain tops may seem like a great idea, a better option may be opting for a few higher quality pieces that will withstand months of workouts and feedings. It’s always a good idea to read reviews to find out how a top holds up to multiple washes.

Still have questions about nursing-friendly workout tops? Get the answers below.

What’s the difference between a regular and a breastfeeding-friendly workout top?

Unlike typical workout tops, nursing-friendly workout tops feature a design that offers quick chest access so you can easily feed your baby. They may have clip-down straps, multiple fabric layers, and pull-across, pull-up, or pull-down features.

Can you wear a breastfeeding-friendly top after you’re done breastfeeding?

Absolutely, you can continue to wear a nursing-friendly top after you finish nursing. There’s no reason to toss a comfy top if it fits well. You can even try altering it, if you’re feeling crafty.

Does exercise have any effects on breastfeeding?

According to 2020 research, exercise doesn’t affect nursing, milk production, or the composition of your milk.

Of course, you may find it more comfortable to feed your baby or pump milk before exercising, just to help prevent discomfort and breast engorgement. Drinking plenty of water before and after your workout can also help you stay hydrated and boost your energy.

You can use this guide as a starting point to select a new workout top (or two) that will allow you to easily and discreetly nurse. Opting for comfort and practicality can help you make nursing as fuss-free as possible.

Many of these tops are versatile enough to mix into your usual wardrobe or wear as loungewear. Just keep in mind that you may want to consider how your usual bra will affect nursing access, if you plan to wear a top without a built-in bra.