Should You Wear a Bra to Bed?

Chris Ondatje September 20, 2021

Woman sleeping in bed in bamboo underware

By: Daisy Hemmen

Everyone has their own sleep preferences—chilled or warm rooms, blankets or duvets, fetal or supine positions, bamboo pajamas or sweats.

But what about lingerie? Should you wear a bra to bed? Is that even okay to do?

It turns out, the answer is beyond a simple yes or no. When it comes to our women's eco-friendly bras that are built for comfort and ease, the answer may be yes.

Wearing a bra in bed depends on your physical needs and comfort, which are unique to you. To discover what’s right for your body, let’s explore all factors that influence nightly lingerie choices.

Is It Okay to Sleep with a Bra?

First—is it safe to wear a bra in bed at all?

If you fear long-term damage from wearing bras overnight, rest easy. Zero medical studies say that sleeping in a bra will harm your overall health—no cancer, disease, or stunted growth in store.¹

In fact, wearing a bra at night may actually help with certain breast health concerns, such as:

Hormonal changes in size
Painful lumps
Breastfeeding pain
Swelling
Back or shoulder pain

However—while a normal bra can minimize breast sagging during the day, sleeping with a bra does not prevent sagging.² When lying down, gravity simply doesn’t have the same pull on your breast tissue and internal ligaments. If you’re wearing a sleep bra purely in hopes to prevent sagging breast, feel free to take it off.

Who Should Consider Wearing a Bra in Bed?

Just like the daytime, every person has different lingerie needs at night. Your average bra wearer may not need any supportive garments while sleeping. However, certain women are more likely to show symptoms that a bra in bed could soothe.

If you fall into any of these categories, a bra might add some comfort while sleeping:

Pregnant women – During pregnancy, hormonal changes can change the size, shape, and sensitivity of your breasts. A nighttime bra can ease this physical transformation, providing support to growing or swollen breast tissue.

Lactating women – At night, lactating breasts can ache, swell, or even leak. A supportive and flexible maternity bra reduces breast pain and can hold nursing pads in place to prevent any spillage.

Larger breasts – For those with bigger bustlines, nighttime bras might make the difference between a restless and peaceful night of sleep. That extra support can take away joint and muscle pain, as well as any extreme sagging sensation caused by larger breasts.
Breast implants – Particularly post-breast surgery, breast implants need a decent amount of protection. In fact, sleeping with a soft yet supportive bra can keep breast implants lifted for longer periods.

Wearing a Bra to Bed—Possible Side Effects

To repeat, wearing a bra while sleeping won’t create long-term health issues (brush aside those breast cancer rumors). However, you might experience some negative side effects with a poorly fit, uncomfortable, or dirty bra at night.

If you see notice of these symptoms when sleeping in a bra, consider changing your nighttime uniform:³

Poor circulation
Rashes or infections
Skin irritation or pigmentation
Sweating
Acid reflux
Disrupted sleep

What Kinds of Bras Work for Sleep?

Try as we might, no perfect bra exists. Different bra types exist for different purposes, from flexible athletic bras to formal strapless bras. And at night, certain bras will definitely support your sleep better than others.

Overall, sleep bras should be comfortable, stretchy, yet supportive. Start by looking for these qualities in your nighttime bra:³

Underwire-free – In most molded or padded bras, you’ll find an underwired bra lining the base of each cup. While this structure helps support your breasts during the day, it will not be a very comfortable bra at night. For sleep-ready bras, look for underwire-free designs.

Hookless – Similar to underwire, hooks or clasps on your bra can disturb your sleep or leave skin indentations. Go for full-band bras with zero clasps in the front or back.

Soft & breathable fabric – Sleep is not the time to worry about glamour. Leave behind any heavy or ultra-padded bras, and opt for a breathable, soft bra or bralette fabric. Cotton, lycra, or bamboo viscose (like Boody’s sustainable bras) are great options.

Form-fitting – The purpose of a sleeping bra is support—so you’ll need one that properly fits. Your bra should leave zero indentations or marks on the skin, but still support your breasts while lying down. When wondering how to know if a bra fits, learn how to measure your bra size.

Clean – At night, it’s easy to let little chores slide to the side. But there’s one you can’t avoid—cleaning your bra. Wearing a dirty bra at night is much worse than wearing none at all. Unclean bras can cause bacterial or fungal infection (or at least a bad smell).

Should I Wear A Bra to Bed?

So, should you sleep in a bra or should you be sleeping braless? The answer is—trust your body.

Sleeping in a bra comes down to comfort level. If a bra or bralette helps your sleep, then go for it! If it worsens or doesn’t change your sleep quality, then leave bras for daytime. Either way, the choice is personal to you.

If curious about wearing a bra in bed, Boody has your back (and front). Flexible yet ribbed fabric creates the perfect support level, whether in bed, on the street, or somewhere in between. Have an upcoming trip planned and wondering how to pack bras? We can help with that too. Visit our website today!

About the author:

Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community.

Sources:

Norris, R. Curious If it's Okay to Sleep in a Bra? OBGYN's Explain. https://www.byrdie.com/is-it-bad-to-sleep-in-a-bra-5025199
Mulvey, K. Is It Bad to Wear a Bra to Bed? Not Necessarily. https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/breast-health/is-it-bad-to-wear-bra-to-sleep
Perez, M. Is Sleeping in a Bra Bad For You? Here’s What You Should Know. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/sleeping-in-bra

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But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.