When I had my first baby, pumping felt extremely complicated. I remember sitting in the hospital bed holding Medela flanges to my chest with both hands, afraid to move and chance losing suction or spilling. Fast forward to baby number three, and let me tell you hands-free pumping is one of those things you can't truly appreciate unless you’ve experienced pumping holding your flanges first.

If you’re new to pumping (or just trying to make it easier this time around), you might be thinking, How does a pumping bra actually hold flanges in place? Let me break it down for you mom-to-mom.

What Is a Pumping Bra?

If we are starting with the basics, a pumping bra is designed to hold your pump flanges securely against your breasts so you don’t have to hold them with your hands. Unlike a nursing bra, which clips down for direct nursing at the breast, a pumping bra has built-in cut outs or slits that your flanges slide into and stay put while you are actively pumping.

Some bras are designed for pumping-only, and some (like Davin & Adley) are combo nursing and pumping bras, so you can do both without changing your bras 20 times a day (because no new mom has time for that!).

Why Flange Placement Matters

A flange is the plastic or silicone cone shaped funnel that is placed on your breast at the nipple and once connected to the breast pump motor, the flange will pull milk out of your breasts. If the flange is not centered or snug up against your breast, a few things can happen. You may lose suction causing little to no output, leak milk out the flange, or even cause damage your nipple, which we definitely do not want to do! This is where a good hands-free pumping bra becomes an essential tool for pumping.

So… How Do Pumping Bras Hold Flanges in Place?

Pumping bras are designed with reinforced slits or layers of fabric that your flanges slide through. Once the flange is placed in, the fabric hugs the flange from both sides and holds it securely against your breast. You shouldn’t have to push the flanges against you or hold your bottles in place with a well fitting hands free pumping bra, the bra does the work for you.

A good pumping bra fits snug to your body but not too tight. You never want to wear a pumping bra that is restrictive, just supportive enough to keep the flanges securely in place. The pressure of the fabric helps maintain suction of the flanges, which will keep your pump working efficiently. If your flanges feel like they’re slipping or pulling away, your bra might be too loose. To find out your correct pumping bra size, you can use these FREE BRA SIZING TOOLS to help!

How To Select the Right Pumping Bra

Stretchy and lightweight fabrics are comfortable, but you still need to have structure to keep your flanges from sagging. Seams for cup shaping, reinforced flange slits and supportive fabric that doesn't stretch out will prevent the weight of the bottles from pulling everything down while you pump. Your pumping bra fabric should feel just as comfortable as your favorite pair of leggings, which is important since you will be wearing your nursing and pumping bras 24/7.

It's a great idea to look for adjustable features when selecting your pumping bra. Adjustable straps will let you customize your flange fit and that’s key. Our bodies change constantly postpartum, so having adjustability means your bra can keep doing its job for longer. Especially if you’re fuller in the chest, having adjustability in the straps will be helpful for providing support for your breast tissue. If you are a mom with large chest sizes DD and up, we highly recommend this busty collection of nursing and pumping bras for the best support and coverage!

Is buying a Pumping Bra worth the money?

100% yes, a pumping bra is an important investment in your breastfeeding journey. We recommend having at least 2 so you can rotate and wash them. When your flanges are held in place properly, you will have better suction, improved milk flow, less leaking and a much more comfortable experience. Pumping hands-free will provide you with freedom to move around and grab your favorite snacks, a cup of coffee or best of all - snuggle your baby! And just remember, if you are struggling with your flanges and your pumping set up, check your bra before blaming your breast pump. I promise it's an easy fix with the right pumping bra!

Pumping is hard work. You’re feeding your baby with your body, your time, your energy, and a whole lot of love. A pumping bra might seem like a small thing, but when it holds your flanges in place properly, it can change your entire pumping experience. If you’re a new mom reading this, I just want to tell you that you’re doing an incredible job and you don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’ve been there 3 times — and I’m here cheering you on every step of the way. 💛

Check out my favorite hands free pumping bra to fit your flanges.