Top Nursing Activewear Manufacturers: What to Look for in 2025
The global rise in maternal wellness, postpartum fitness, and women’s health awareness has created a unique market opportunity: nursing activewear. These garments bridge the gap between functional maternity wear and high-performance sportswear, serving new mothers who want to stay active, confident, and comfortable.
But success in this niche doesn’t start with design — it starts with the right manufacturing partner. In this guide, we explore what sets top nursing activewear manufacturers apart in 2025 and how to choose the best one for your brand.
1. Proven Experience in Maternity or Nursing Wear
Manufacturing postpartum garments is not the same as standard leggings or sports bras production. New mothers experience rapid body changes — increased bust volume, fluctuating waist sizes, heightened skin sensitivity, and a need for quick breastfeeding access. A top-tier manufacturer should be deeply familiar with these physiological changes and design implications.
Key Indicators:
• A portfolio of previous maternity/nursing garments (e.g. nursing bras, maternity leggings)
• Skilled in pattern grading for postpartum silhouettes
• Aware of common fit issues like underbust pressure, belly support, or seam discomfort
• Ability to advise on functionality like discreet nursing access or bust support
Partnering with a manufacturer experienced in this sector dramatically reduces your sampling time and increases your chances of launching a product that meets real user needs.
2. Function-First Design Support
Designing for postpartum athletes or active moms requires combining performance wear expertise with maternity functionality. This means your manufacturer must be able to go beyond aesthetics and ensure that each design element serves a purpose.
Look for manufacturers who:
• Offer in-house designers familiar with sports and maternity hybrid wear
• Can modify your tech packs to include features like one-hand nursing clips, crossover openings, or zip access
• Understand how to integrate built-in shelf bras, removable pads, and elastic underbands
• Provide design advice based on feedback from past mom-focused brands
3. Wide Range of Sustainable & Technical Fabrics
Mothers today — especially millennial and Gen Z parents — prioritize health and sustainability. Fabrics used in nursing activewear must be:
• Soft and non-irritating, as they come into contact with baby skin
• Durable and stretchable, to support body movements and weight fluctuation
• Breathable and sweat-wicking, to avoid moisture buildup and overheating
• Eco-conscious, with a preference for GOTS-certified organic cotton or recycled nylon
Top manufacturers will:
• Provide a variety of tested technical fabrics suitable for nursing wear
• Offer sustainability certifications (GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, Bluesign®, etc.)
• Share fabric performance reports (e.g. stretch recovery, shrinkage, pilling)
• Allow you to choose from eco-fabric catalogs or source your own material
4. Flexible MOQs and Sampling Process
If you’re testing a new line or catering to a niche postpartum segment, you need a partner who supports low-volume production without sacrificing quality.
Important considerations:
• Can you start with 100–300 pieces per style?
• Do they offer small-batch production for MVP (minimum viable product) launches?
• How quickly can they create samples and prototypes? (7–14 working days is ideal)
• Can they handle multi-size or multi-color breakdowns within a single order?
5. Strong OEM/ODM Capabilities
In 2025, the best manufacturers offer end-to-end support — whether you have a full product blueprint or are starting with just an idea.
OEM Services:
• You provide full tech packs, they handle production to your spec
ODM Services:
• Manufacturer provides base designs, you apply custom branding/colors/sizes
Look for:
• An in-house development team (pattern makers, designers, sample sewers)
• Support for custom logos, heat transfers, embroidery, or silicone labels
• Branding services including custom packaging, hangtags, wash labels
6. Certifications, Quality Control & Ethical Standards
Your end customers are new mothers — and trust is everything. Any manufacturing partner you choose must prioritize safety, transparency, and ethical responsibility.
Look for:
• Factory certifications: ISO9001 (quality), BSCI/Sedex (ethical sourcing), WRAP
• Product safety certifications: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (textile safety)
• Detailed quality control process: from raw material inspection to final packing
• Photo/video QC reports or third-party inspection options
7. Global Shipping, Logistics & Brand Support
A reliable manufacturer doesn’t disappear after production. They help manage logistics and ensure your product arrives on time and in perfect condition.
What top manufacturers offer:
• Assistance with freight forwarding, customs documents, and import/export paperwork
• Options for FOB, CIF, or DDP shipping terms
• Coordination with warehouses or Amazon FBA centers
• Clear delivery timelines and real-time tracking
8. Track Record with Recognized Brands
Experience breeds confidence. While many manufacturers operate under NDA, the best ones can share:
• Past projects with maternity, activewear, or DTC brands
• Product photos (with labels blurred if needed)
• Testimonials or referrals from B2B clients
• Export records for your target markets
Conclusion: Choose a Manufacturer That Understands Mothers — and Markets
In 2025, nursing activewear is no longer a side category — it's a performance-driven, design-focused, wellness-inspired movement. Moms want more than just functionality; they want garments that support their strength, identity, and style.
Choosing the right nursing activewear manufacturer can make or break your product launch. Prioritize partners who offer design insight, fabric innovation, flexible MOQs, quality control, and clear communication. The result? A nursing collection that resonates with modern mothers and builds lasting brand loyalty.