You may remember spending ages deciding on the best breast pump for you and your baby a while ago, so now it's time to invest in some pumping bras to make your pumping journey easier. If you have decided to move on from breastfeeding your baby but still want them to enjoy breast milk, or you want to get your partner more involved in feeding your little one - you may want to consider investing in a pumping bra to help streamline the process of expressing your milk.
Put simply, a pumping bra (also know as a breast pump bra) are special bras that hold your electric breast pump in place for you, leaving you hands-free rather than needing to hold it. As a busy new mum, it can feel like you have a million and one things to do at once, so hands-free pumping will help you tackle your never-ending to-do list.
The best breast pump bras at a glance:
• Best pumping bra overall: Medela Easy Expression Bustier, £23
• Best pumping bra with non slip straps: LEAPOVER Women Hands-Free Breast Pump Bra, £12.89
• Best pumping bra for nursing and pumping: iLoveSIA Women's Bra For Breastfeeding, £16.14
• Best adjustable pumping bra: Chrome Cherry Truly Hands-Free Pumping Bra, £9.95
• Best pumping bra clip in insert: Bravado Nursing Bra Clip and Pump Insert, £23
Pumping bras are designed to take the strain out of expressing, but at first glance, they can look a little intimidating, and there are a few things to consider, such as size and pump compatibility. We're here to help with our guide to help you choose the best one. Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists.
The best breast pump bras 2024
Best pumping bra overall
Description
Giving you the freedom to get on with other activities while you pump, the Medela Easy Expression breast pump bra is perfect for multi-tasking while you're busy being a mum. Number one on our list, it's easy to put on and take off, thanks to the stretchy and very comfortable-to-wear fabric. The double-ply front panel and single-ply back panel offer increased support for your chest.
Review: "So glad I purchased this! Makes my life easier with two kids and allows me to pump whilst doing other things. Holds pump in place so no spills, better when standing than sitting. Ordered a large after reading reviews, I'm a 36E, and it fits perfectly, not as fitted after I drain my boobs but still stays put and holds the pump. Wish I'd found this sooner. If you keep it on when not pumping, it's not that comfortable when worn for long periods. Compatible with a single and double pump."
Pros
- Stretchy and very comfortable to wear
- Easy to put on and take off
- Supportive
Cons
- Zip can get in the way occasionally
Best pumping bra with non slip straps
Description
Pretty in pink, we absolutely love this LEAPOVER Women Hands-Free Breast Pump Bra as it's both stylish and practical, but most importantly - it's super comfortable. The X structure of the cups makes it easy to insert and remove a breast shield, while the elastic opening helps keep bottles in place while you're pumping.
Review: "This pumping bra is absolutely spot-on. The quality is high, and it is really comfortable and soft to the touch. Comes with an extra set of hook and eyes if you need it to make it a little bit bigger if you have a broader back."
Pros
- Has adjustable shoulder straps
- Very comfy
- Can be bought in a two pack
Cons
- Hand wash only
Best discreet pumping bra
Description
Looking for a brilliant pumping bra that you can wear all day long? The combination of cotton and spandex on this Springcmy Women Hands-Free Breast Pump Bra provides comfort while you go about your day-to-day routine. It is also smooth enough that it will look discreet under clothing - how convenient!
Review: "The design of this bra is so good for busy new mums - firstly, you can wear it as a bra for support (more on that later). You can open a cup for nursing discreetly, and the fact that you can do both of these things makes it less of a faff to express milk via a pump, keeping your hands free. I wish I had this while I was in the hospital so that I could pump easily without having to switch bras or take off my top with other people around. The fact that you can open the cups for nursing makes it easier to put in and adjust the breast pumps. As for size, I was a 34C before I was pregnant, and I bought a medium, which suited me."
Pros
- Cups can be opened for feeding
- Adjustable shoulder straps
Cons
- Not machine washable
Best pumping bra for nursing and pumping
Description
Suitable for nursing and pumping, this iLoveSIA Women's Bra For Breastfeeding will support you at whatever stage you are in your baby's feeding journey. The breathable, stretchy fabric will feel comfortable against your skin all day long, while the detachable clips make the cups easy to drop for trouble-free pumping.
Review: "Love these bras! Great price, they look a lot more expensive than they actually are! Very very comfortable and of good quality. I am 36D and ordered XL, fits well, maybe a bit on the tight side, but plenty of stretch means it's still comfortable and will prob loosen up a bit with wear. Can't recommend it enough, especially at the bargain price!"
Pros
- Easy drop cups for convenient breastfeeding
- The layer of removable padding creates a smooth look
- Machine washable
Cons
- Testers found the removable pads require adjusting
Best adjustable pumping bra
Description
There's no need to worry about your size changing with this Chrome Cherry Truly Hands-Free Pumping Bra. The waistband is highly adjustable as you can extend the distance between the cups using the front fastener, so it'll fit a wide range of sizes and is therefore likely to last for a while.
Review: "I've only been pumping for a month, and it has been hard work to hold it in place (neck and arm issues), and I have wondered if something like this existed, then I found this! I've only used it for two sessions so far, but it has paid for itself in comfort even in that time. I don't feel like I can wander around and get on with life, but I appreciate having a free hand to pick up the box to see how long I've done or got to go! (Legally blind). Now I can relax when I pump, so positive energy will be carried into the milk, not frustrated energy. Well worth it!!"
Pros
- Firm hold
- Adjustable waistband
- Include a semi-transparent pump carrier bag
Cons
- Only one size
Best pumping bra clip in insert
Description
You can easily turn your nursing bras into a breast pump bra with this insert. No more needing to switch to a bra specifically for pumping, you can just clip onto the one you're already wearing, making the Bravado Nursing Bra Clip and Pump Insert super convenient.
Review: "This product is so good!! I highly recommend this for anyone using a breast pump. The ability and freedom of being hands-free is just amazing and a total game changer! I love this in particular because I don't have to take off my nursing top or bra and replace it with another one for pumping; this one fits over and clips onto the one you're already wearing - so convenient! Absolutely love it!"
Pros
- Discreet
- Adjustable 4-row hook and eye closure at back
- Can be securely attached to the B clips of Bravado's nursing bras
Cons
- Lack of colour choices
Best pumping bra with magnetic clips
www.marksandspencer.com
Description
Designed to support you in your feeding journey, the Freedom Non Wired Pump and Nursing Bra is not only comfortable, but it has magnetic nursing clips to make switching between nursing and pumping easy. It's a stylish design to make you feel more confident too.
One review said: "I love this bra it has good coverage and fits really well. I love being able to be hands free while I'm pumping. I'm going to get a second one, if your breast feeding and pumping milk just get several of these! It's actually supportive too."
Pros
- Added stretch
- Magnetic clasp for ease
- Suitable for pumping and nursing
Cons
- Some said the magnetic clasp takes time to get used to
Best pumping bra for design
Description
With zips at the front and Velcro at the back, this LOVELYBOBO Easy Expression Hands-Free Pumping Bra is all about a comfy and flexible fit. It can be worn in strapless, tank, racer-back or halter style, offering versatility in how you choose to wear it. Breast shields can easily fit through the opening in the cups, so there's no need to detach them from the pump.
Review: "Had to get a double breast pump to express for my little one, and this was just amazing. Really comfortable and easy to put on and off. Didn't sag or lose shape after washing, and held the bottles firmly in place so I could go hands-free and get on with other things. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Hook and eye closure to easily adjust
- Bottom opening engineered for easy breast shield insertion and removal
- Front zipper design for easy nursing
- Comes with an extender
Cons
- Straps may sometimes need untwisting
Your guide to breast pump bras
A breast pump bra has holes around the nipples, which are designed for the flanges of a breast pump to sit in, holding them to your nipples and freeing up your hands for all manner of tasks.
Whether you have a single or a double breast pump, the best breast pump bra will give your arms a rest, and as your hands will be free, you will be able to do a spot of multi-tasking. While pumping, you'll be able to tick off some jobs like feeding yourself and cleaning. Or you'll simply have a free hand to hold your phone, so you can scroll through social media and do a spot of online shopping as you take a moment to yourself. Using a breast pump in this way makes it easier to pump for longer periods, such as when power pumping. You're essentially getting all the benefits of a hands-free breast pump but without needing to buy a whole new pump.
How to choose a breast pump bra
There are a few different things to consider when it comes to choosing the best breast pump bra for you. Here's what you should be thinking about:
Adjustability: As your body changes a lot during postpartum and while you're breastfeeding, you will want to choose a bra that will accommodate this. Depending on how much you are pumping, your breast size can vary daily and can even be different throughout the day. It will be bigger when your breasts are engorged or swollen and can shrink once you have expressed. The bra you pick will need to fit a range of sizes because of this.
Suction: Pumping bras require a tighter fit than usual maternity bras to help the pump stay on and get a good suction to express your milk. It's worth noting, however, that this shouldn't be too tight as this may block your milk ducts.
Comfort and material: There can sometimes be nothing worse than an uncomfortable bra. Nobody wants a bra that will dig in and that you are constantly having to adjust to a more comfortable position, especially when you are pumping. The material of your bra will be a major factor on the comfort scale, as you will want to make sure your choice won't irritate the sensitive skin around your chest. You will want to look for a bra that has elasticity so that it stays put while also offering support.
Stability: Your breast pumping bra is doing an important job, and it's important that it feels stable and can hold your pump and bottles firmly and doesn't feel wobbly or like it may come loose. You should be able to move around and get on with daily tasks without them shifting or even falling. This may depend on whether you're using a manual breast pump or an electric one.
Pump compatibility: The biggest thing, of course, is making sure your chosen pumping bra is compatible with your breast pump. You'll find many have a universal design, so you should be able to use it with most breast pumps, but it's always best to double-check.
Breast pumping bra FAQ
Can I wear a pumping bra all day?
Should you wish to and are comfortable enough, you can absolutely wear your pumping bra all day. Just ensure that it is not too tight, so it won't impact your milk supply.
Is there a difference between nursing and pumping bras?
While a nursing or maternity bra is designed to support your breasts during breastfeeding and can provide easy access for your baby at feeding time, a pumping bra accommodates a breast pump itself with holes or flaps for it to sit in.
How tight should a pumping bra be?
Your pumping bra should be tight enough to hold the breast pump shields securely against your breasts but not tight enough to be uncomfortable.
What are the benefits of pumping bra?
Because a pumping bra means that you don't have to hold your breast pump in your hands, it means that you can wear it and pump while getting on with spending time with your baby and daily tasks, whether that's doing the washing, cooking or making a cuppa.
Is there a difference between a pumping bra and a hands-free breast pump?
A pumping bra essentially converts an electric breast pump into a hand-free breast pump. In comparison, a hands-free breast pump is much more discreet and sits within your bra. These breast pumps are battery-powered and express and collect milk all in one unit.
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Rosie Floyd is a Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media, working across a number of brands including Yours, Mother&Baby and What’s The Best.