If you are pumping breast milk regularly, being able to do it without holding up your flanges the entire time is life-changing! Here are the eight 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, your nursing bra itself is your pumping bra, as it has fabric panels to hold up your breast shields.
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.
Best Hands-free Pumping Bras
Here are the top pumping bras to consider.
Larken X | ✅ Comfortable enough too sleep in ✅ Simple design and easy to use ✅ Extremely lightweight | Check Price Use AMANDA10 for 10% off | |
Pump Strap | ✅ Adjustable and secure fit with velcro closure ✅ Works well with combined breast shield/connector | Check Price Use EPUMP for 10% off | |
Kindred Bravely | ✅ Comes in busty sizes ✅ Easy to pump on one side and nurse on the other | Check Price Use EPUMP15 for 15% off | |
LactaMed Simplicity | ✅ Small and doesn’t need to be washed frequently ✅ Easy to do breast compressions | Check Price | |
Davin and Adley Amelia | ✅ No wires and no clips ✅ Works with traditional pumps, wearables, nursing, and milk catchers | Check Price Use EPUMP for 10% off | |
Simple Wishes | ✅ Works well for plus-sized and large-breasted women ✅ Adjustable as your body changes postpartum | Check Price | |
Bodily Do Anything | ✅ Lightweight, comfortable, and silky | Check Price |
Below is more on eight of the best hands-free pumping bras, and the pros and cons of each.
1. Pump Strap
Type: Corset-style, Adjustable Velcro Closure
Price: $$
The Pump Strap is a corset-style pumping bra that’s made of neoprene, is stretchy and comfortable, and has an adjustable velcro closure.
Pros:
- It’s one-size-fits-most, so no need to worry about complicated sizing charts – and you can adjust the size as your body changes postpartum
- Comes with an additional strap for around your neck that you can use for more support
- It’s easy to use with pump parts that have a combined connector and breast shield (like the Spectra)
Cons:
- Opening the velcro can be a little loud, which can be an issue if you take it off when your baby is sleeping
- It’s machine washable, but hang dry
If you want to see more, here are some stories I did about it:
2. Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping and Nursing Bra
Type: Integrated with Bra
Price: $$$
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.
It also comes in a t-shirt bra version.
(Bonus – use code EPUMP15 at checkout for 15% off!)
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)
You can see the Sublime in the below stories:
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. Larken X
Type: Integrated with Bra
Price: $$$
The Larken X is a super comfortable integrated nursing and hands-free pumping bra. It consists of two fabric panels in the front. When you’re ready to pump, you just cross the panels over each other to hold the pump parts in place.
You can get 10% off the Larken X with the code EPUMP.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight, and a great option for warmer temperatures
- Comfortable enough to sleep in
- Simple, effective design and easy to use once you get the hang of it
- You don’t have to worry about your nipples being in the exact place that the bra designer put the holes
Cons:
- Might not be the best option if you need a hands-free pumping option but already have plenty of nursing bras.
You can see more of how the Larken X works in the below stories:
5. Davin and Adley Amelia
The Davin & Adley Amelia is a cute cropped cami that you can wear all day.
You can get 10% off the Amelia with the code EPUMP!
Pros:
- It works well for both pumping with traditional flanges and wearable pumps
- It’s simple to use – no clips and no wires
- You can wear it all day and don’t need an extra accessory
- You can nurse on one side and pump on the other, or single pump
Cons:
- This bra doesn’t have any padding (if you prefer padding)
You can see more of the Davin & Adley Amelia in the below stories:
6. Simple Wishes
Type: Corset-style Zip Up
Price: $$
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
7. Bodily
Type: Integrated with Bra
Price: $$$
The Bodily Do Anything bra is another integrated nursing/pumping bra solution.
Pros:
- Material is silky and very comfortable; it’s lighter weight than the Sublime
- No need for an extra accessory
- Easy to pump on one side and nurse on the other
- Easy to position the flanges and do breast compressions
Cons:
- As with other integrated solutions, you’d have to buy a couple of them to be able to pump hands-free around the clock
You can see the Bodily Do Anything in the below stories:
8. Lilu Massage Bra
Type: Corset-Style Bra (with straps)
Price: $$$$
The Lilu massage bra is a hands-free bra that does breast compressions for you. It’s good for people who have to constantly massage to get any milk out at all, so that they can truly be hands-free.
Pros:
- Does breast compressions for you
- Easy to use with breast shields that are attached to a connector
Cons:
- It’s a little heavy – it’s kind of like wearing a crop top bulletproof vest
- Washing it is more complicated than other bras because you have to disconnect the connector and remove the massage cushions
You can see more of the Lilu massage bra in the below stories.
Use AMANDAGLENN20 to get 20% off this bra.
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 purchased a bunch of 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.
Since 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 make more sense.
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!
Comments & Chitchat
Rachel says
My favorite pumping bra is the baOmosi bra. You can wear it all day and doesn’t require any additional equipment and it’s super comfy!! Plus they r inexpensive!!
BAOMOSI 3PACK Hands Free… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGS6VD8?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
Meredith says
I used the Medela Easy Expressions at home, when I often wasn’t wearing a bra, and got the Rumina Relaxed and Classic Pump & Nurse for work (after a few weeks of fumbling to get the Easy Expressions over my nursing bra 3x/day).
The Rumina bras are fabulous, once you understand how to position the flange; they held up heavy bottles with no problem and were super-comfortable. They are fabric, but if you slip in a nursing pad, you won’t get nipple showing through form-fitting clothing (or leakage, for that matter). When I had milk blisters, they were helpful for holding a compress/olive oil-soaked cotton ball to help open me up.
My only quibble was that eventually one of the hooks on the Classic got loose (it is your typical bra hook-and-clasp in the back, whereas the Relaxed just slips over your head). But I was alternating between these 2 bras pretty constantly at least 5 days/week for over 10 months, so I think that’s fair, I have plenty of regular bras that happens to as well.