Nursing bra manufacturer · Drop-cup · Wireless · Soft construction

Nursing Bra Manufacturer: Drop-Cup Clips, Wireless Structure & Soft Fabrics

KnitUnderwear is a Shuyang factory, making underwear since 2011. We make nursing bras with drop-cup opening mechanisms, wireless structures and cotton or modal fabrics. OEM from your spec or ODM from our pattern library. MOQ 50 pcs per style per colour.

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At a glance

ConstructionWireless / light underwire
OpeningDrop-cup clip or hook
FabricsCotton · Modal · Bamboo
MOQ50 pcs / style / colour
Sample time7–10 days
Bulk time30–45 days
Payment30% deposit, 70% after inspection
Band elastic recoveryWash-tested before cutting
Team150 staff, 92 on the sewing floor
Founded2011

Nursing Bra Construction Details

Three design elements specific to nursing bras that require specialist pattern work.

01

Drop-Cup Opening Mechanism

Hook-and-ring clip on the strap for one-hand release, or centre-front hook for full-cup drop. Secure enough to hold during activity, easy enough to operate with one hand.

02

Wireless & Soft-Cup Structure

Nursing bras are predominantly wireless for comfort. We reinforce the under-band with a non-wire firm elastic and foam-backed cup for shape without pressure. Light underwire versions with extra-wide wire casing also available.

03

Soft, Skin-Friendly Fabrics

Cotton and modal are the default for skin-contact comfort, with bamboo terry and organic cotton on request. If your market has specific textile-safety requirements, put them on the brief so they are checked against the fabric and hardware before sampling.

Nursing Bra Manufacturer Product Styles

Styles

Drop-Cup, Front-Open & Sleep Nursing Bras

Drop-cup, front-open and sleep styles in stretch cotton and modal.

Who Orders Nursing Bras From Us

Three buyer types, one factory. MOQ 50 pcs per style regardless of category.

Postpartum & new-mom brands

Building a nursing-specific range from the start

Launching with nursing as the anchor product, not an add-on. Fabric certification (OEKO-TEX or GOTS), skin-safe hardware and soft hand-feel take priority over price. First runs from 50 pcs per style.

Typical order: 50–200 pcs · everyday + sleep styles · 2–4 colourways

Maternity fashion brands

Extending an existing maternity line into nursing

Already producing maternity clothing and adding nursing bras as a natural category extension. Need styles that match existing label spec and packaging, with a drop-cup or pull-aside mechanism. Label batch matched to existing orders.

Typical order: 50–300 pcs · 1–2 core styles · matching colourways

Medical & hospital supply

Hospital gift packs and clinical maternity wards

Simple construction, OEKO-TEX 100 fabric, neutral colourways, reliable one-hand clip. Certification documentation provided. Reorders to the same spec without a new sample round from the second order onward.

Typical order: 200–2,000 pcs · 1–2 styles · white, black, nude

Which nursing bra style are you developing?

Opening mechanism, cup structure and fabric choice all vary by use case. Knowing which category you are in means the first sample is built to the right spec.

Everyday

T-shirt & Everyday Nursing

An anchor style for a nursing range. Foam-backed soft cup for shape without wire pressure. Hook-and-ring strap clip for reliable one-hand release. Wireless or light-underwire versions available. Full coverage neckline, adjustable straps and multi-row hook-and-eye back.

Opening: Strap clip (one-hand) · Cup: Foam-backed soft cup
Fabrics: Cotton/modal blend, microfibre

Night & lounge

Sleep & Lounge Nursing

Minimal structure for overnight and rest-period wear. Pull-aside panel opening: no clips or hardware against skin while lying down. Unlined soft cup, crossover or racerback front. Wide, non-elastic shoulder straps to avoid dig. Works as both a sleep bra and a light loungewear piece.

Opening: Pull-aside panel · Cup: Unlined soft cup
Fabrics: Modal, bamboo viscose, organic cotton

Hands-Free Pumping

Compatible with breast pump flanges via a circular cup opening or zippered panel that holds the flange in place without hands. Functions as a nursing bra when not pumping. Specify the flange diameter (typically 21 – 36 mm) and target pump brands in your tech pack so the opening geometry is built to the right dimension.

Opening: Circular cut-out or zip panel · Spec needed: Flange diameter + pump brand
Fabrics: Cotton/nylon blend, power mesh panel

Active wear

Nursing Sports Bra

Medium-impact support with a nursing opening. Strap clip or pull-aside panel, compression lining, moisture-wicking outer fabric. Designed for yoga, walking and low-impact activity during the postpartum period. Wide underband and padded straps for load distribution without underwire pressure on breast tissue.

Opening: Strap clip or pull-aside · Impact: Low to medium
Fabrics: Nylon/elastane, performance mesh panels

Clip & Access Mechanism — What to Choose

The access mechanism is the first decision to lock in on your tech pack. It affects the strap pattern, hardware sourcing and one-hand usability rating.

Mechanism How it works One-hand use Best for Hardware note
Strap clip
(hook-and-ring)		 Clip on shoulder strap unclips cup ✓ Yes Everyday, sports nursing Standard; finish in black, white or nude
Pull-aside panel Stretch panel moves sideways — no hardware ✓ Yes Sleep, lounge, night nursing No metal against skin
Centre-front hook Hook on front band drops both cups Two hands preferred Full-cup drop, fuller bust styles Low cost; specify hook size in tech pack
Magnetic closure Magnetic snap at strap — one touch ✓ Yes Premium range, adaptive / one-hand difficulty Premium hardware cost; confirm with quote

Hardware finish (colour) is sampled before bulk production. Specify in your tech pack or confirm with us on quote.

What to put on a nursing bra tech pack

A nursing bra is judged on one-hand opening and on how it holds shape through daily wear and washing. These six items decide both. A reference bra or photo is enough to start.

1. Opening mechanism

Strap clip, centre-front hook or pull-aside panel, and where the opening sits on the cup.

2. Cup and support

Wireless or light underwire, foam-backed or unlined, and cup coverage.

3. Size system

Band and cup sizing or stretch sizing (S to XL), and the size range.

4. Fabric and seams

Fibre content or swatch, stretch, and seam finish on the cup edge and under-band.

5. Compliance and labels

Your target market, any textile-safety requirement, and the care and fibre-content labels needed.

6. Packing and quantity

Polybag or box, hang tag, styles and colours, units per size.

Everyday constructions are on the bra manufacturer page, extended sizing on plus-size bras, and OEM vs ODM explains which development route fits you.

One-Hand Clasp

Clip & Hook-Front Opening Systems

Single-hand drop-cup clasp for feeding ease. Strap clip or front hook.

Nursing Bra Manufacturer Clasp Detail

Fabric options for nursing bras

Nursing bra fabric sits against both the mother’s skin and, when feeding, the baby’s face. These four options cover most commercial requirements, from budget-friendly basics to organic cotton.

Natural fibre

Organic Cotton

Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and processed without harmful bleaches. Soft, breathable and low-irritant. Suited to brands targeting EU organic retail channels. Washes well and becomes softer with use.

Certification: Specify GOTS or OEKO-TEX requirements in your brief
Best for: Premium, eco, EU/UK market positioning

Smooth & durable

Modal

Semi-synthetic fibre derived from beech wood pulp. Smooth hand-feel, softer than standard cotton against sensitive postpartum skin. Holds its shape through repeated washing. Slightly more moisture-absorbing than cotton, which suits sleep styles.

Certification: Specify OEKO-TEX requirements in your brief
Best for: Sleep nursing bra, everyday comfort, premium basics

Natural feel

Bamboo-Derived Viscose

Soft, silky finish with natural moisture-wicking properties. The bamboo-to-viscose process involves chemical treatment. Fabric should carry OEKO-TEX certification to verify residual chemical levels are within safety limits. For brands marketing natural or eco credentials.

Certifications: Specify OEKO-TEX when ordering
Best for: Comfort positioning, eco-friendly range, warm climates

Versatile blend

Cotton-Modal Blend

Combines the breathability and familiarity of cotton with the silkiness and recovery of modal. Common ratios are 80/20 or 70/30 cotton/modal. More dimensionally stable than 100% cotton. The fabric holds its stretch after washing, which matters for the band and cup sections that need to maintain their shape through heavy use.

Certification: Specify OEKO-TEX requirements in your brief
Best for: Everyday nursing, value-positioned range, US mass market

How we keep nursing bra bulk the same as your sample

With nursing bras the usual complaint is a band that loosens after a few washes. It is invisible at inspection, so we treat it as a separate step.

1

Grading is done in-house

Patterns are graded on our own CAD system, so the size run is built from one base pattern instead of being passed between workshops.

2

Recovery is tested before we cut

Elastic recovery is wash-tested on the production fabric. The report goes to you before cutting starts. AQL inspection at the end checks visible defects.

3

Same batch as your sample

Band elastic comes from a designated supplier and the spec sheet ships with your goods. The elastic in your sample and in your bulk order comes from the same batch and dye lot.

Payment follows inspection: 30% deposit to start production, 70% balance after you approve inspection. How we run QC →

Private Label Finishing — Included in Every Order

Woven labels, hangtags and polybags are sourced and attached at our factory — no third-party finisher required.

Woven & care labels

Brand size label, care/content label and country-of-origin label stitched in during assembly. Certification compliance text added to care label on request.

Printed hangtags

Custom card printed, hole-punched and attached before packing. Supply a print-ready PDF or we apply a standard template at no extra charge.

Per-piece polybag

Clear polybag with header card, or printed branded polybag. Each piece bagged individually and size-sorted before carton packing.

Gift set packaging

Rigid box or drawstring pouch from 200 pcs per style. Popular for nursing starter kits and new-mom gift sets combining a nursing bra with a sleep style.

From First Contact to Bulk Delivery

Five steps, two milestones you control — quote approval and sample sign-off. Fabric certification status is confirmed before sampling starts.

1

Get a Quote

Send a reference bra, brief or sketches. Tell us your access mechanism, size run and any certification requirements. We reply within 48 hours.

2

Confirm Spec

Lock in fabric, clip mechanism, size run, label and packaging. Fabric certification status confirmed. We issue a spec sheet for sign-off before cutting.

3

Sample — 7–10 days

Physical sample made and shipped. Clip mechanism and one-hand operation are checked before dispatch. One free revision included.

4

Approve & Order

Sign off the sample and place the bulk PO. 30% deposit starts production; sample fee credited back against your order.

5

Bulk — 30–45 days

Production complete, elastic recovery wash-tested, AQL inspected, then FOB Shanghai or Ningbo. Certification documents and inspection report included.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your MOQ for nursing bras?

50 pieces per style per colour, with sizes mixed freely across the run.

What opening styles do you make?

Hook-and-ring clip on the strap for one-hand release, or a centre-front hook for a full-cup drop. Tell us the style and we will propose the construction.

Are nursing bras wireless?

Mostly. We reinforce the under-band with a firm non-wire elastic and a foam-backed cup for shape without pressure, and light underwire versions with extra-wide wire casing are also available.

How long do samples and bulk production take?

ODM samples take 7 to 10 days and new OEM patterns 10 to 14 days. Bulk production takes 30 to 45 days from sample sign-off.

How do I know bulk will match my approved sample?

Patterns are graded in-house on our own CAD system. Elastic recovery is wash-tested on the production fabric and you receive the report before cutting. Band elastic comes from a designated supplier, the spec sheet ships with your goods, and sample and bulk use elastic from the same batch and dye lot.

How does payment work?

30% deposit to start production. The 70% balance is due after you approve inspection.

Do you sign NDAs?

Yes. We sign an NDA before spec review, and your design is not shown to other buyers.

Do you ship DDP or FOB?

Both. We quote FOB Shanghai or Ningbo, or DDP delivered to your door, whichever suits your import set-up.

Can you make a hands-free pumping bra or a bra compatible with a breast pump?

Yes. We make dual-function styles that work as both a nursing bra and a hands-free pumping bra. The cup opening is either a circular cut-out sized to hold the pump flange in place, or a zippered panel that opens flat. To build the opening to the correct dimension, include the flange diameter (typically 21 – 36 mm) and the target pump brands in your tech pack. We will propose the opening geometry and a fabric combination that holds the flange securely without slipping during use.

Do your fabrics meet any safety or skin-contact standards: OEKO-TEX, GOTS?

It depends on the fabric. If certification is a requirement for your market or your retail buyer, tell us in the brief and we will confirm the status of each fabric we propose before sampling.

What Nursing Bra Brands Say

“

We needed OEKO-TEX 100 on every fabric and every piece of hardware. They confirmed certification status before we agreed on the spec, not after sampling. No surprises at compliance audit.

Rachel · Bloom Maternity

Germany · Postpartum brand · OEKO-TEX certified range

Certification-first

“

We already had a maternity dress range and needed nursing bras with the same label spec and colour palette. The label batch matched exactly, and the delivery came in one shipment with the rest of our season order.

Sophie · Mère et Bébé

France · Maternity fashion · Range extension

Range extension

“

The one-hand clip was the whole product. Our customers are feeding with a baby in one arm — if the strap clip is too stiff or too loose, we get returns. The sample came back with the clip tension we specified and held it through the wash test.

Anya · Nurture Basics

USA · DTC postpartum brand · Everyday nursing

Clip-focused

“

Hospital procurement requires consistent sizing and neutral packaging. We get 500–1,000 pcs twice a year, always in white and black, always the same spec. The second order reused the approved pattern with no redevelopment cost.

Mark · MaterniCare Supply

Canada · Hospital & clinical supply · Bulk reorder

Medical supply
Quote Request

Get a free quote in 24 hours

  • ✓  Low MOQ — from 50 pcs per style / colour
  • ✓  OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 & GRS 4.0 certified fabrics available on request
  • ✓  Full OEM / ODM & Private Label — your design, labels & packaging
  • ✓  DDP worldwide shipping — door to door, duty included
  • ✓  We reply with pricing usually within one business day
120+
Brands served
32
Countries shipped to
200+
Base patterns on file
7–10
Days to first sample

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📱  WhatsApp: +86 189 5124 3330

✉  Email: abby@knitunderwear.com