I tried breastfeeding with my newborn for over two months. He would sometimes latch while other times he would need a nipple shield or didn’t want anything to do with the boob at all. This caused me have to pump to release the breast milk or I’d become engorged and get clogged milk ducts. I had only bought nursing bras because I thought my baby would be on the breast not bottle. Nursing bras do not work with a pump because all/most of the bra goes down to allow the baby access to the breast. This didn’t allow me to be hands free while I was pumping because I had to hold the flanges/bottles so that I wouldn’t lose the suction on the breast. My lactation consultant told me that I could make my own pumping bras at one of my lactation appointments. It was a lifesaver for me!
Hands Free Pumping Bra
A pumping bra is different than nursing bras as it has an opening on both sides of the bra to allow a flange to be inserted and hold it while you pump. If you decide or have to pump, a pumping bra is AMAZEBALLS. It helps mothers be able to be hands free while pumping. Which means that you won’t have to hold on to the flanges/bottles as you are pumping and can do other things at the same time (i.e. wash dishes, make food, scroll through your phone, etc.)
You can buy a pumping bra or you could make your own.
Yes, you read that right you could make your own pumping bra! Sometimes the pumping bras can be outrageously priced. So instead you can make your own by using things that you may already have in your drawers or closet. It also doesn’t take more than 10 minutes to do.
Ultimately it is up to you whether you want to buy or make your own. I will instruct you on the materials that you would need and how to do make a pumping bra in case you want to try it.
What you will need:
-old bra (sports bras with no wire or padding are usually best)
-sharp scissors
-pen or permanent marker
Making Your Own Pumping Bra in 5 steps:
1. Put the bra on, make sure it fits.
2. Using the pen or marker stand in front of a mirror or have someone help you put dots where your nipples are on the outside of the bra
3. Take the bra off and lay it on the your counter or table.
4. Fold the bra lengthwise where your mark is and cut a slit vertically using the dot as your starting point. You don’t want to cut too much otherwise it could be too big for your flange so start small and see if you can fit your flange through it. If not cut a little more
5. Once you are done with cutting the bra double check that the flange fits in the slit. Put the bra back on, put only the flange through the bra slit, attach the rest of the pumping parts to the flange and start pumping with your new hands free DIY pumping bra while scrolling on your phone and sipping on a beverage of your choice.
Again, it is your choice whether or not you want to buy a pumping bra or make your own. If you are pumping I recommend that you have and use a hands free pumping bra because it is a game changer for mothers and their sanity.
