A good quality pumping bra significantly affects your breast comfort, milk output, and pumping experience. It needs to support you on your breast-feeding journey and through everything else you have going on from exercising to maybe even being intimate again (woohoo!).
I have to say that no one seems to talk about just how uncomfortable post-partum boobs can feel. Sometimes my chest doesn’t even feel like my own, if that makes sense. It’s the one thing I think I won’t miss from being a new mom. Let me know if this is similar to your own experience, because I am very curious if my feelings are the norm!
I went through many a lack-luster pumping bra (I won’t name names here) before I got hooked on Kindred Bravely. If you need maternity clothes, post-partum, delivery, swimsuits, lounge wear, etc. I highly recommend them- not just for bras. Their products are ultra comfy and lasting through many, many wash cycles.
Here are my candid thoughts on several of the nursing/pumping bras I’ve purchased from them. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Sports Pumping Bra
The Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping Bra allows you to nurse, pump, or both with it’s really simple clip system. It has a universal breast pump fit for all standard pump flanges, including Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, Ameda, Hygeia, Philips Avent, Motif, and Evenflo. It also works with wearable pumps like Elvies or Willows.
Hands Free Pumping
This bra is great for pumping in general, but ah-mazing with wearables! I slip my Elvies in and I think my output is fantastic because the bra applies just the right amount of pressure to hold up the pumps snuggly against my chest.
No complaints what-so-ever pumping with this bra with either my Spectra pumps or Elvies.
Sexiness
This bra doesn’t actually look like a pumping bra. Win! It provides enough support to lift your chest and give a really flattering profile. The ombre design options are also very cute.
Support
So. Much. Support.
I can comfortably jog on the treadmill in this bra, even as over a “D” sized chest. Out of all of the pumping bras, this one is the most supportive I have had and my absolute gym must-have.
T-Shirt Bra
The Kindred Bravely Minimalist Maternity & Nursing T-Shirt Bra is for you if you have been missing looking and feeling like your old self again (hallelujah!). It has all the bells and whistles of a good nursing/pumping bra, but it is actually cute.
Hands Free Pumping
Yes, these work great for pumping with your regular pumps. You simply unclip the first layer, slip the flange through the whole in the bottom layer and you are good to go. No holding up your pump flanges for half an hour (I’ve been there!).
These lose a star from me for pumping with wearables. I am a heavier chested gal, so the wearables plus my boobs are a bit too much to fit in the cup. I have experienced leaks, although infrequently, when using this bra with a wearable.
Sexiness
Girllll- if you want to feel sexy and get a taste back of pre-pregnancy boobies, get one of these in every color and two in the lace version!
This bra is amazing for wearing anything a little lower-cut or with a V-neck. You don’t have the “obvious” pumping bra totally covering your chest. You also have the option to convert it into a racerback.
Support
You’re not going to be running marathons in this one, but it is a t-shirt bra after all. If you have a larger chest like me, you may find that you billow out of the top of the bra. This helps with the sexy factor, but if you’re looking for something with full coverage this may not be what you’re looking for.
These have fixed padding – I could not love this more! No searching for lost padding somewhere in the laundry or going sans padding.
Hands-Free Pumping Bra
The Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands-Free Pumping Bra is a staple for your pumping bra arsenal. I consider it the OG of hands-free pumping and nursing bras that’s going to get you through your breastfeeding journey. It has hook-eye closure in the back for easy on and off and of course comes with the top layer and bottom pumping layer you need to be hands-free.
If I could only get one bra, it would be this one as I feel if functions the best all around.
Hands-Free Pumping
It’s not called the hands-free pumping bra for nothing! You’re going to find the right level of support here for both regular and wearable breast pumps. I find my spectra flanges are perfectly supported and I can walk around freely with my Spectra S1 or the bra works really well with my wearable Elvies. These press the wearables firmly against my chest and definitely seem to improve my output when I’m using my wearables.
Sexiness
This bra, in my opinion, is mostly for function. It will give you a nice shape under a sweater or blouse, but it is not meant to be a “sexy” bra to show off. If you wear something with a lower neck, the bra generally shows but it could possibly pass as a camisole.
Support
This is certainly a very supportive, full coverage bra. If I wore this to the gym, I’d probably avoid jogging or jumping jacks (more than I already do- ha!).
This bra is going to get you through your day and definitely hold you up in all the right places. The liners are not attached and can be removed.
The Bottom Line
For literally weeks I genuinely held my pumps up to my chest for each session. I also tried to use a “pumping hack” where you use a regular nursing bra for pumping. Spoiler alert: this does NOT work well.
Learn from my mistakes and get yourself a genuine, high-quality pumping and nursing bra. Your boobs will thank you!
Baby Talk 