Is It Time to Invest In a Pumping Bra? Here Are 5 Signs You Need One

Breast-pumping bras offer a variety of benefits to nursing parents. For one, a pumping bra can express milk more efficiently.

woman standing

For nursing moms, having an excellent, high-quality pumping bra is an absolute time-saver and an essential product to have multiples of around the house. Not only do they provide some support to your breasts as you're pumping, but they are also blissfully "hands-free." Simply attach your breast pump through the opening on the front of the bra and turn it on. The pumping bra will hold each cup in place while you wait, freeing up your hands for some much-needed mom time — can you say reading quietly or catching up on new episodes of your favorite shows?

5 Signs You Need a Hands-Free Pumping Bra

1. Multitasking. 

You want to be able to multitask while pumping. Using a pumping bra, you can hold your baby, eat, work, iron, and do whatever else you fancy.

2. Mobility

You want to be able to move around while pumping (provided you have a portable breast pump).

3. Pain Relief

You want to save yourself the pain and trouble of holding flanges and bottles up for half an hour multiple times a day.

4. Convenience

You want to make life much easier when operating breast pump controls and dealing with your bottles or bags of expressed milk.

5. Support

You want great support with ample breast coverage. 

What is the Difference Between a Pumping Bra and a Nursing Bra?

A nursing bra usually has clip-down cups or pull-aside flaps for convenient breastfeeding.

A hands-free pumping bra has specially-designed holes or slits for you to insert breast pump flanges. They are often double-layered to hold your flanges in place and support your milk bottles. 

Some mothers find pumping breast milk a tedious but necessary task. Pumping bras can make the process easier and more convenient by holding pump parts in place, leaving your hands free for other tasks. A good pumping bra can offer the following benefits:

Adjustability and Different Size Options

A good pumping bra should fit a variety of body types and breast shapes. As you breastfeed, your breasts may change in size and shape over time, even on a daily basis. The straps and fit of a good pumping bra can be adjusted to fit your bust. A well-designed bra should be available in a wide range of sizes. Pumping bras allow you to customize exactly where the breast shields sit on your body, so you don't have to shift or squeeze your breasts.

Stability

Pumping bras are designed to hold breast shields and bottles, so you don't have to. Bras should be firm enough to support pump equipment without feeling loose or wobbly. Shields should not slip or spill when you turn, sit back, stand up, or lean forward.

Suction Control

Your pumping bra should give you good suction but not so tight that it blocks milk ducts, which can result in less full breasts or even infections. Ideally, the bra's material should be rigid enough to keep the breast shields close to the body yet stretchy and soft enough to be comfortable.

Accessibility

The bra must fit snugly enough to hold the pumping equipment in place and maintain good suction, but you should also be able to adjust it with your hand. Milk removal is often assisted by compressing or massaging the breasts. Bras shouldn't interfere with that.

Comfort

You may feel sore, achy, or engorged, and you may have irritated skin or cracked nipples. Pumping bras should be made of soft materials and shouldn't dig into your shoulders or ribs. It should be comfortable and supportive enough to wear all day and have a moisture-wicking liner to keep you dry.

Ease of Wear

A good pumping bra should be easy to put on and take off, with no hard-to-reach hooks. All styles should have easy-to-insert and easy-to-remove pump equipment.

The Bottom Line

A good, supportive pumping bra is essential when nursing to keep your breasts comfortable and your milk production high. Breast-pumping bras offer a variety of benefits to nursing parents. For one, a pumping bra can express milk more efficiently. A pumping bra usually has special flaps or openings that make it easy to access your breasts while pumping. In order to prevent breast discomfort and damage, it is crucial to find the right breast support. Moreover, a pumping bra can keep your breasts in the correct position while you pump, resulting in better results. With a supportive pumping bra, nursing individuals can reduce their pain and discomfort, save time, and keep their hands free.

Kellee Maize Team

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