Best Hands-free Pumping Bras (in 2021)

If you are pumping regularly, being able to do it without holding up your flanges the entire time is life-changing! Here are the six best hands-free pumping bras currently available, and the pros and cons of each.

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Types of Hands-free Pumping Bras

There are three types of pumping bras – corset-style bras, pumping bras that integrate with your nursing bra, and hands-free bands.

Here are some more details about each type.

Corset-style Hands Free Bras

This type of hands-free bra wraps around your body and has holes where your nipples are.

To use it, you put the tunnel part of your breast shields through the holes, which (along with suction from the pump) holds up your pump parts.

The advantages of corset-style pumping bras are that they are easy to use, and they can be used with any nursing bra.

Hands-free Bras that Integrate with a Nursing Bra

Here, the nursing bra itself, which has fabric panels to hold up breast shields, also works as your pumping bra.

The benefit of these bras are that you don’t need to take them off or awkwardly push down your bra to pump hands-free, because it all works together.

Also, you don’t need to carry around an extra accessory – you’re already wearing everything you need.

Hands-free Band

This option actually isn’t a hands-free bra at all; it’s a band that goes around your neck and holds up the flanges with loops at your chest on either end.

The great thing about this method of hands-free pumping is that it’s really easy to do hands-on pumping because there’s no fabric compressing your breasts into your chest.

Six Best Hands-free Pumping Bras

Here are the top pumping bras to consider.

Below is more on six of the best hands-free pumping bras, and the pros and cons of each.

1. Pump Strap

Type: Corset-style, Adjustable Velcro Closure
Price: $$

The Pump Strap is a corset-style pumping bra that’s made of neoprene, is stretchy and comfortable, and has an adjustable velcro closure.

Pros:

• It’s one-size-fits-most, so no need to worry about complicated sizing charts – and you can adjust the size as your body changes postpartum
• Comes with an additional strap for around your neck that you can use for more support
• It’s easy to use with pump parts that have a combined connector and breast shield (like the Spectra)

Cons:

• Opening the velcro can be a little loud, which can be an issue if you take it off when your baby is sleeping
• It’s machine washable, but hang dry

If you’d like to try the Pump Strap, you can use the code EPUMP for 10% off!

If you want to see more, here are some stories I did about it:

2. Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra

Type: Integrated with Bra
Price: $$$

The Sublime hands-free pumping bra by Kindred Bravely is just your nursing bra – no additional equipment required! It’s super comfortable and has two layers – a pumping bra layer and then a covering over that.

(Bonus – if you use this link and are a first time customer, 20% off will be applied at checkout!)

Pros:

• No need to take off your bra or have an extra accessory – this does it all
• Easy to pump and nurse on the other side (if you are nursing or comfort nursing at all)
• Easier to position the flanges and no need to remove the flanges from the pump parts to get set up
• Easy to do breast compressions

Cons:

• You’d have to buy a couple of these since you need to be wearing this particular bra to pump hands-free (but then, you don’t need to buy nursing bras separately)

More info on the Sublime here.

3. LactaMed Simplicity Hands Free Bra Kit

Type: Hands-free Band
Price: $

This hands-free kit by LactaMed isn’t really a hands-free bra at all; it’s a band that goes around your neck and holds up your flanges using a loop.

Pros:

• Easier to do breast compressions
• No need to wash it (or buy extras for when it’s being washed)
• Very compact and doesn’t take up a ton of room in your pumping bag

Cons:

• Has a bit of a learning curve – and if it’s not positioned correctly, you may have issues with spilling
• The loop may cover the nipple within your flange, making it hard to see if you need to adjust positioning

4. Simple Wishes

Type: Corset-style Zip Up
Price: $$

The D*Lite Hands-Free Pumping Bra by Simple Wishes is a zip up bra that allows you to adjust the size using a velcro panel.

Pros:

• Ability to adjust size as your body changes postpartum; can get smaller if you lose baby weight or your breasts change
• Comes with additional (optional) straps that you can add for more support to help hold up the bottles
• Works well for large-breasted and plus-sized women

Cons:

• This style of hands-free bra may make breast compressions more awkward
• You may need to purchase an extra panel, depending on your sizing needs

5. Bravado Designs Womens’ Clip and Pump Hands-free Nursing Bra

Type: Integrated with Bra
Price: $$

With the Clip and Pump hands-free pumping bra attachment, you unclip the front of your bra (which folds down) and clip the Clip and Pump in it’s place.

Pros:

• No need to take off your bra
• Pumping gear is very well supported by the clip and pump attachment
• No need to remove the flanges from the rest of the pumping gear when you’re getting yourself attached

Cons:

• Only guaranteed to work with Bravado nursing bras, so it requires a bit of an investment up front in nursing bras

6. Dairy Fairy

Type: Integrated with Bra
Price: $$

The Rose 2.0 Nursing and Handsfree Pumping bra by Dairy Fairy is a nursing bra that also has the ability to support hands-free pumping.

Pros:

• Easy to do breast compressions
• It’s a wireless and comfortable nursing bra
• No need to buy a separate hands-free accessory

Cons:

• You’d have to buy a couple of these since you need to be wearing this particular bra to pump hands-free (but then, you don’t need to buy nursing bras separately)

What to think about when choosing a Hands-free Pumping Bras

Here are four things that you should think about when picking a hands-free bra.

1. Whether or not you need to buy new nursing bras

If you’ve already have purchased a bunch nursing bras (either for this baby, or maybe you still have some on hand from older children), and aren’t in the market for more, the type of pumping bra that integrates with your nursing bra might not be the best option.

Because you’d have to invest in at least 2-3 new nursing bras in order to make pumping hands-free every day workable, a corset-style bra like Pump Strap or Simple Wishes might be better.

2. Sizing considerations

If you’re plus sized or have larger breasts, you may have the best luck with the Simple Wishes pumping bra or the LactaMed pumping band.

Obviously, size isn’t an issue for a pumping band at all, and the fact that you can adjust the sizing on the Simple Wishes bra is a big plus.

3. How often you do breast compressions.

You can do breast compressions with any of these bras, but it will be easiest in the Kindred Bravely Sublime or using the LactaMed pumping band.

4. Ease of use

In my sleep-deprived state, I cannot count the number of times that I started pumping with my pump parts attached but not the bottles, or turned the pump on without attaching the tubing.

You know yourself, so pick the one that seems like it will be easiest to use when it’s 3am and you’re exhausted.

One final tip: Based on my experience, black is the best color for hands-free pumping bras, as the inevitable breast milk stains aren’t as visible.

Have you used one of these hands-free pumping bras? Let us know what you thought in the comments!