Best Bras for Wearable Breast Pumps And Cups
The best bra is going to be one that properly fits you, and has enough room to accommodate the pump or cup you are trying to use.
(Updated November 2023)
One of the top questions people looking to use a Wearable Breast Pump or Wearable Pump Cup have is, “What bras work well for them?” The reason this is such a big question is your bra can literally make or break your success with a wearable breast pump.
And the reality that I see as a lactation professional is a lot of women are wearing bras that simply don’t fit their current bodies, and it can ruin their experience with a wearable pump or cup.
The biggest reason their bras don’t fit - they haven’t measured for their current bodies! Most people check their bra size at the end of pregnancy, but very few account for the shift in size that happens postpartum when the ribs come down in size, and the cups go up. Nursing bras tend to be a stretchy, forgiving material, and a little sizing concern typically doesn’t pose many challenges… Until you decide you want to go hands-free with a wearable pump or cup.
Do Wearable Pumps and Cups need different fits?
No! The basic principles of a good fit are universal- if it sits in your bra to pump your milk it needs to be fully supported, have a good seal, stay in place with movement, and not compress the breast tissue to block milk flow.
Wearable pumps are heavier and sometimes larger which makes them trickier- but a larger wearable cup may be just as finicky. You are more likely to find a decent enough fit with a lower end bra for a cup than a full pump but it’s not a guarantee. And lower end cheap nursing bras tend to end up with overly large bands and cups that are too small so it’s an all around fail for most moms.
Let’s start with the basics on how to get a good bra for your needs:
Just like I repeatedly tell everyone with nipples that you need to measure yourself, you need to measure for your bra! You can’t guess on size. You can’t eyeball it.
Do yourself a favor and bust out the measuring tape, or buy one if you don’t own one and get to measuring! This one listed on Amazon does a great job!
For a basic bra measurement, you are going to measure in these two places:
Measure snugly under your bust. This measurement is your band size. You should not need to add anything to this number. That practice is a hold-over from when bras were made from stretch-less firm fabric compared to the stretchy elastic fabrics we use now.
Measure around the largest part of your bust using a mirror or assistance to make sure it’s level. Where exactly you measure will depend a lot on your unique breast anatomy.
I also highly recommend joining this Facebook Group that focuses exclusively on how to size bras to achieve a good fit. Their method is a bit more in depth and really seems to result in a good fit for many people! I know when I found that group a few years back it was a game changer for my bra fit personally.
To use the recommended Boob or Bust Calculator follow this link here.
Then, take a peek at the manufacturer’s size chart and their directions for sizing.
Bra Companies are in charge of their own product sizing, and many nursing bras come in sizes like L or XL, versus a 38D. The stretchy cups and fabric may make it so there is a range of two sizes you could try.
What you want to do is identify where your sizing falls on their chart, and make sure that you select a size where there is a little extra room in the range in the cups to accommodate your wearable pump or cups. If you are at the max for that size cup, where are the pumps supposed to go comfortably?
Different companies will have different size ranges as well. If you find your sizing doesn’t fit well with their recommendations, you may want to consider exploring a different brand of bra that may be a better fit.
The Stretch of the Cup Matters!
Typically, wearable pump and cup manufacturers recommend using a bra that is stretchy with no underwire or padding. The reason for this is that non-stretchy material such as some padding or a structured underwire bra, traditionally, have very little give to them.
Some brand manufacturers padded or underwire bras have a decent amount of stretch to them, which means if this is your preferred bra style, it may work. Of course, size also matters here, as some cups are just larger in absolute size, meaning the larger pumps may fit, where as a smaller cup sizes may have no luck.
The Fit Test: What to check for when you are trying the bra on
Is your band snug? If you can comfortably pull the band away from the body on it’s largest setting (which is where you start with a new bra so you can tighten the snaps as the bra stretches with time) more than 1-2 inches its too large. When you add the weight of the pump or cup, it’s likely going to pull the band away from the body meaning all the support of the band is null and void. The optimal band is only going to stretch 2-3 fingers from your body to assure the breast tissue is supported. Any bigger and the pumps or cups will sag into the tissue versus sit supported.
Do the cups fit? Is your breast tissue easily contained in the cups without tissue poking out of the top or the cups cutting in and giving you a quad-boob situation? Are the cups following the curve of the breast nicely, some separation and lift of the breast tissue? Are the cups hanging off your body or gaping when you bend over? Are the cups holding all of your breast tissue or is there tissue in your armpits and back that isn’t making it in?
How does the bra fit with your wearable pump or cups in place? Is the band being pulled out from your body, are the cups stretching to cover the pumps or cups? Is anything cutting into the tubing or pressing against the motors/controls based on your particular pump?
Bra Fit Check for Wearable Pumps
So, which bra of the many is the best option for you with your particular wearable pump or cup? Stay tuned for updated reviews throughout April 2022 as we discuss which bras to consider after testing with the following pumps:
Willow Pump
Willow Go Pump
Elvie Pump
Elvie Stride
Tommee Tippee’s Made for Me Wearable
Silicone Wearable Pumps including the Imani pump, MomCozy pumps, and other similar pumps
Wearable Cups for use with more traditional or portable pumps
The Reviews of the Bra’s!
Bra fit is so important to your success with a wearable pump and everyone’s needs are a little different! Here are some of the brands with the best reviews for wearable bras across the board and my thoughts on how they have worked for the clients I have used them with. As we review more bras we will add more information, and if you want to see information about a particular bra comment here on the blog and I can try to get one!
Do note though- the best bra poorly sized won’t do anything for you!
Willow Collaboration Bras
***Willow bras have been designed as collaborations with The Dairy Fairy***
Willow has created a unique targeted line of bras that are aimed at improving the pumping experience with these incredible pumps. Willow pumps are the largest of the wearable options and the most finicky to find the right bra for- these bras may help that learning curve. They were designed in combination with The Dairy Fairy which is one of my all time favorite pumping bra brands!
The Perfect Pumping Bra
This bra is a unique, one-of-a-kind bra designed for Willow Pumps. One of the challenges with the Willow Pumps, which are some of the largest on the market, has been finding a bra that fits your body without the pumps but stretches well enough to accommodate the pumps. The challenge in doing that often stretched out the bra prematurely rendering it useless. So, Willow and The Dairy Fairy teamed up to create a bra that was designed to adjust - the snaps on the straps have two settings to gain almost 4 inches in the bust size when you set it on the lower setting to pump!
The Luxe Pumping Bra
This bra is a redesign of the Perfect Pumping Bra that removed the mesh panel inside that wasn’t a huge success, added padding to help shield those post pumping nipples, and continued with the double snap strap style that accommodates the addition of the Willow Pumps beautifully. This bra is designed with luxury in mind and is incredibly soft and silky. The band is comfortable, but supportive, and it provides a nice shape to the breasts for those looking for a bra that smoothes their silhouette. The padding is also removable which is nice if it’s not your thing or doesn’t work with a particular bra/outfit!
The Daily Nursing and Pumping Bra
This bra takes a daily comfort and athletic style fit approach to a wearable pump bra. Like the other Willow Collaboration bras it does not feature the design for traditional flanges but is a great option if you are using a wearable pump or cup.
This style does run a touch small and is better for the smaller bust sizes. The front of the bra is on the shorter side which can be an issue if you are a larger chested mama.
The colors on this bra are fabulous- the brown and blue add a touch of classy color to your pumping bra wardrobe which is a nice change over beige as far as the eye can see.
The Dairy Fairy Bras
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This brand focuses on making pumping and nursing bras functional without sacrificing aesthetics. These bras look like your pre-baby bras, but they are designed to work for the way you actually feed your baby!
Have you ever looked at a piece of clothing or a bra and thought, “If someone just put a slit there this would be so much easier to use?”
Dairy Fairy is doing that! And, their extended sizes are designed for the normal fluctuations in your postpartum body leading to a bra you will love!
Do note some of the Dairy Fairy bras I highlight here were not intended for wearable pumps but are bras I have found to be useful in very particular cases. As a professional helping moms with a wide spectrum of breasts, I love having options for everyone, so I will highlight them and their benefits and considerations for you to consider. Almost all of the Dairy Fairy Bras are compatible with wearables- these are just our top recommendations.
The Sydney 2.0 Bra
The Dairy Fairy has outdone herself with this bra. This bra combines lacy beauty and support for even heavier wearables. This bra is a remake of the original Sydney Bra that combined the design of the first Willow wearable bras with the slits for standard pumps. This remake removes the inner mesh panel and has a slightly higher cut that adds support! My favorite feature for this bra is the lightweight nature of it since any pumping bras are thick in nature, and in the heat of the summer with postpartum hormones, can be a bit much. Despite the stretch and support, this bra offers a lightweight feel and stays as comfortable as a bra in the heat can be.
And, that chestnut color is beautiful!
Sydney Bra
This is the Swiss Army Knife of pumping bras! It’s designed for use with the Willow Pumps with a special extendable strap that accommodates the bulk of the pumps without risking stretching out your bra. Slits in the cups let you easily use a traditional pump. And, the drop down cups make nursing a breeze. The fabric is a thick, stretchy, material that holds its shape well and is supportive. This bra is perfect for the mom feeding all the ways in a single day!
The Sydney was redone and revamped to be the Sydney 2.0. The original Sydney was fabulous though so we recommend checking it out on the clearance section for sure!
Ruby
This stretchy bralette provides a surprising amount of stretch and support. It was not designed for wearable pumps but it held even the Willows well. It performed remarkably well with the Elvie and Elvie Stride - it strikes that perfect balance between stretchy and supportive and not overly firm which is perfection for the Elvie Pumps.
Pippa
This lightly padded bra is designed to provide shaping and lift with the lightest of padding. Not many nursing and pumping bras manage padding well - they typically are a folded mess of removable pads that shift non-stop. This bra nails a lightly-padded silhouette without compromising on the functionality of the bra.
One of my favorite uses for this bra as an IBCLC is seeing how it helps smooth out the silhouette a bit when breastfeeding comes with some asymmetries. It also helps to position breasts that trend more downwards in a better position for using a wearable pump.
I would not recommend using this bra with wearables if you are at the upper end of your size range or have a more significant fullness to your bust line.
Ayla
This has been the most surprising bra to test to date. This simple lace and underwire bra is not one I would have thought would be successful the way it has been. This bra was not designed for wearable pumps and may not be the right fit for many parents with a wearable, but for some it is just the answer they have been searching for.
Where it shines is when we are dealing with breasts that are no longer as full and firm as in the immediate postpartum period or with more tubular breast shapes. The ability to stretch with this bra to accommodate the smaller, squishier breast tissue and expand for the wearable pumps is fantastic. The underwire can help support and shape smaller and less dense breast tissue in a fabulous way when most nursing bras simply flatten the less dense tissue.
Cake Maternity
The Lotus Pumping Sports Bra
The Lotus Pumping Bra combines a supportive low impact sports bra with fabric that splits apart for easy pumping access. This bra does an incredible job with traditional pump flanges and lighter weight wearables like the Elvie and Elvie Stride or wearable cups. It is serviceable with the Willow Pumps if you are going to be using them with a limited range of motion. I have found it to be an excellent option for night-time pumping as the bra was not too constrictive for sleep, while being great for supporting even the heavier Willow 3.0 pumps in a side-lying position.
Davin and Adley
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This brand takes comfortable and convenient nursing bralettes in a wide range of sizes and makes them beautiful and functional. The heavy, stretchy fabric is designed to accommodate nursing easily, as well as various pumps. These bras feel luxurious, and more like a pretty bra than an average nursing bra.
Logan Maternity and Nursing Bralette:
This bra is perfect for the mom looking for support and comfort combined with simplicity. This bra is comfortable, but supportive, and lacks all of the bulk and finicky clips of the average nursing bra. This is a full coverage bra with a wide band at the bottom. Where this bra really shines is that it’s stretchy enough to easily pull down for nursing, yet handles the larger wearable pumps beautifully! If you are primarily using a wearable pump or cup, or nursing in combination with one of these options, and want a practical, yet beautiful bra that doesn’t feel utilitarian, this is a good one to consider.
Ella Maternity, Nursing & Pumping Bralette:
This combination nursing and pumping bralette has magnetic clasps that are a serious upgrade over the traditional nursing clips. The lace A-frame allows you to use traditional flanges, including large ones like the Lacteck and Pumpables flanges with ease. And, the thick, but breathable, fabric provides enough support for wearable pumps.
Are the magnetic clips strong enough to hold with the bigger pumps in place?
Much to my surprise: Yes!
I was skeptical at first - Willow Pumps are heavy, and I need them to be budge-free. These magnetic clasps held with as much, if not more, strength than the average clip. Bonus: the one-handed connection made hooking the bra up after aligning super easy compared to other bras.
Davin and Adley Amelia Cami
The Amelia Cami in the crop style is a fan favorite with pumping parents. This bra is easy to wear, forgiving of shifting sizes postpartum, holds traditional flanges like a champ, and handles wearables like a professional! The crop length outer layer pulls up to reveal pumping access in the under layer- with the added bonus of pulling down to hold the top of traditional flanges in place securely. For heavier flange setups like the BabyBuddha, Zomee, or Pumpables setups this is an ideal option.
When it comes to wearables the two layer support and easily adjusted straps make it easy to get your perfect fit. This bra hold larger wearables like the Tommee Tippee Made for Me Wearable or Willow Pumps without any issues.
This bra is also easily customized for the bustier mamas- the inner layer holds the actual band which can be taken in by the company for a custom fee or by a seamstress making it possible to modify for even bustier mamas.
Davin and Adley Amelia Tank
The Amelia Cami in the crop style was already a fan favorite. Now, the full length version delivers even more to love! This is not simply the longer version of the crop cami though! This tank is made of a lightly compressive athletic material that smooths and supports without feeling tight or restrictive. This bra held all the wearables beautifully! Not a single hub budged or felt shoved in.
There are built in slits for use with standard pumps, but they can only be accessed by lifting the tank up. This was not problematic though. I would just pair it with a nursing/pumping top like Latched Mama or Nursing Queen tops that allow access with coverage IF that is something that is of concern for you.
This tank would be one of my top recommendations for moms looking for an option to use their wearable at night without having to wear a traditional bra. I wish I had this when I was pumping and nursing all night long!
Davin and Adley Sophie Bralette
The Sophie Bralette is a smooth, easy wear (no snaps in the back!!) bralette that is very comparable to the Ella Bralette (minus the lace and original racer back). The mesh back adds a classy little touch to help make nursing and pumping feel a little more glamorous. This bra handled most of the wearables well, but it did particularly well with lightweight cups and slimmer pumps like the Elvie Pumps. The lower front to this bralette is great for wearable pumps with motors on top as well.
Kindred Bravely
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Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands Free Pumping Bra
This bra takes its job very seriously! The thick band provides excellent support, and the cups easily stretch over every wearable pump! The multiple layers of high quality, thick fabric result in a bra with serious support. This brand has a generous size range including busty sizes for larger cup sizes.
This may not be the bra for you if you have a smaller cup size, more tubular breasts, or dislike heavy bras. These bras have a lot of fabric and can be a little overwhelming for some.
Kindred Bravely Minimalist Bra
This bra did not perform well with any of the wearable pumps other than the Elvie Stride Cups and Freemie SlimFit Cups. The support just lacked the ability to hold the additional bulk and weight. This bra is likely best to use with traditional flanges or the slimmer cup style options.
The lace version of this bra adds a small amount of additional stability and support but also reduced the stretch.
This bra still proves to be a great option for smaller chested moms and slim wearables.
Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands Free Pumping Sports Bra
The sublime sports bra combines the fabric of the sublime bra and inner pumping flap design with a racer back and lower cup height. This is not a bra you are going to wear as a sports bra though- this is lighter support than the traditional sublime bra for sure!
This bra is stretchy with no back hardware with an easy to wear fit. It easily accomodates wearable pumps and cups.
The racer back design provides more support for heavier wearables and larger cups but is not so tightly fitted that it shows in average neck line shirts.
Overall this bra is one of my most comfortable options for wearables!
Sisu Mom
Sold on www.sisumom.com
This bra is not the conventional bra we recommend with wearable bras- it’s structured with molded cups so the fit is trickier. This works well though for moms with smaller chests and thinner or slimmer wearables.
The structured cup can be dropped to access one of the best inner panel designs on the market. The inner panel has a wide overlap to allow for traditional flanges to be inserted with great coverage and support. The cup folds in half to support the weight of the flanges very nicely.
With smaller bust sizes we sometimes see challenges in getting a good fit with a wearable as often the breast doesn’t fill out a traditional nursing and pumping bra well. This bra works fabulously to fill this gap providing high level support even with smaller breasts.
I did struggle with finding the right size as this bra has generous cups but the customer service with this company is above and beyond what is expected- Bethany listened to my fit challenges and helped me pick a size that fit flawlessly. This shows me she really takes pride in her product and has the skill level to help moms find the best fit for them.
