Hands-free pumping bras are a must-have if you are pumping semi-regularly. These bras allow you to multi-task while pumping, a priceless gift.
How many pumping bras you need depends on how frequently you plan to pump and how often you do laundry. If you plan to pump every day, you will need at least three to four pumping bras. If you plan to pump only occasionally, you probably don’t need any.
Let’s take a deep dive:
How many pumping bras do I need when I am both breastfeeding and pumping at home?
If you are breastfeeding regularly and pumping in between to store milk or increase your supply, you only need three pumping bras – one to wear while you pump, one to wash, and one in case.
There are 2 ways you can do this:
- Use regular nursing bras and when you want to pump, put on a pumping corset like the Simple Wishes Signature Pumping Bra over it:
Check it out on Amazon- Use pumping bras you can wear all day and allow you to breastfeed at the same time, like the Kindred Bravely Simply Sublime Pumping Bra:
Check it out on AmazonI am not a fan of pumping corsets at all. They are not as comfy and involves extra steps in a pumping session. I definitely recommend wearing all-in-one pumping bras. Check out my review of the best multi-tasking pumping bras you can wear all day.
How many pumping bras do I need when I go back to work?
My beloved pumping bra was a life-saver when I went back to work. Pumping with the Spectra and hands-free bra allowed me to eat lunch and even continue working while I pumped.
I only worked 2 to 3 days a week and found that 3 pumping bras was just the right number. I wore one a day so even when I worked 3 days in a row, I didn’t have to worry about laundry. You could wear the same pumping bra 2 days in a row but there will be milk leaks and the usual musky smell from a whole day’s wear. For comfort and hygiene’s sake, I recommend changing into a fresh pumping bra every day.
The Dairy Fairy Ayla Pumping Bra looks so pretty that you can wear it as a regular bra later:
Check it out on AmazonDepending on how many days of the week you work and how often you do laundry during those days, you will probably need one pumping bra for every day that you work.
The cost adds up really fast. For best value-for-money, if you already know that you will be going back to work while breastfeeding, buy combined nursing and pumping bras up front. This way, you can wear the same ones all day, every day, regardless of whether you are pumping, breastfeeding, at home or at work.
Having said that, these combo nursing/pumping bras are not as comfy as regular nursing bras for breastfeeding. If you can spare the extra cash, it’s good to have a few comfy nursing bras for night use and those days when you are not pumping.
I used the Cake Maternity Lotus Pumping Bra every where. It’s a low impact sports bra that allows you to pump and breastfeed. In fact, I still wear it now as a yoga bra and no one can see it was a nursing bra. Read my detailed review of the Lotus Bra here)
Check it out on AmazonHow many pumping bras do I need if I am exclusively pumping?
You will need as many pumping bras as the days you go without doing laundry plus one. For example, if you do a load of laundry every 3rd day, you will need 3 + 1 = 4 pumping bras. More would be safer. You’ll need to change your pumping bra at least once a day. Pumping is just that little bit messier than breastfeeding and there will be the inevitable milk spill.
Even though you might not be breastfeeding, you are still better off buying a nursing/pumping bra that you can wear all day rather than a pumping corset.
The Momcozy Pumping Bra is one of the most popular on Amazon:
Check it out on AmazonHow many pumping bras do I need if I am only pumping occasionally?
If you are only an occasional pumper, just one combo nursing/ pumping bra will do. This way, you can wear it as one of your regular nursing bras and when you need to pump, you can do so hands-free.
Don’t buy pumping corsets. You won’t use it often enough to justify the cost.
If you don’t mind holding your bottles and pumping one breast at a time, you might not even need a pumping bra.
To wrap up
You need at least three to four pumping bras if you are pumping semi-regularly. For best value-for-money, buy combo nursing and pumping bras that you can wear all day. This way you can use them for both breastfeeding and pumping.
These are the best nursing and pumping bras on Amazon.
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