Snugabell PumpEase Hands-Free Pumping Bra

Breastfeeding moms do a lot of pumping, and a hands-free pumping bra that’s comfortable to wear and gets the job done can be a big help. Snugabell’s PumpEase Hands-Free Pumping Bra is a bandeau-style bustier that's compatible with all electric breast pumps, and ranges from size small to extra-large with six colour and pattern options. Moms who tested this made-in-Canada bustier were impressed with its quality and how easy it is to use with zero or very minimal leakage. Plus, this machine-washable bustier offers some serious stretch for a snug fit, so you can get a good fit. Bonus: If you're a mama who's looking for eco-friendly products, it's available in organic cotton.

EASE OF USE

Putting on and removing the PumpEase is simple, but it has six hook-and-eye fasteners, so it takes a little more time and dexterity than a Velcro closure, which can be opened in one fell swoop. There's an inch of adjustability on the closure, which gives a little bit of of wiggle room on the fit but not a whole lot. On the plus side, the sizing chart is clear and easy to read, and the fabric is very stretchy, so our testers were able to find their correct fit. Most of our testers found it very comfortable, though one didn't—not terribly surprising considering there's no one bra out there of any kind that's going to work for everyone.

Our parent testers and editors had no problems correctly fitting the breast flanges into the bustier for optimal pumping, regardless of the type of pump they used. The bustier lived up to its hands-free name, as it was simple to wear and remove, with little to no spillage. Our parent testers felt it didn’t get in their way while they performed simple tasks. (We suggest leaving the more physical things on your to-do list for another time.)

The PumpEase Hands-Free Pumping Bra is similar to a bathing suit bandeau top: It’s soft on the skin, snug across the chest and keeps everything in place. However, there’s no elastic along the top or bottom of the band, so it lacks the support of other bustiers we’ve evaluated. During our lab testing, we found the weight of a nearly full bottle caused the breast shield to pull slightly away from the body, which weakened the suction. But most of our testers said the bra holds breast shields securely against their body so they can get good suction. Depending on your bust size and the fit of the bustier, you may need to keep a hand on bottles when they're close to full to ensure a proper position. In terms of leakage while using the PumpEase, only one of our parent testers reported the occasional drop of milk leaking, compared to two of our testers experiencing dribbles when pumping without the bra.

FABRIC AND CLEANING

The polyester-spandex blend fabric of the PumpEase Hands-Free Pumping Bra has the stretch to fit the curves of your body, and the material—especially the soft backing of the hook-and-eye closure—is non-irritating to skin. While you can wear the PumpEase over your nursing bra, some of our parent testers found it comfortable and breathable enough to wear on its own underneath regular clothing—something we found to be a rarity among pumping bras.

Conveniently, the PumpEase can be tossed right in the washer, but you'll need to let it hang or lay it flat to dry—but don't worry, its swimsuit-like fabric allows for speedy drying. The tight stitching and quality of the materials keeps the colours vibrant and the bustier in shape—our lab found no signs of fraying or shrinking.

FINAL WORD

All of our mom testers were satisfied with the PumpEase Hands-Free Pumping Bra. The majority of our testers gave the PumpEase very good ratings for quality, ease of use and value. It's similarly priced to other quality pumping bras, and our testers felt that this bustier's pleasing look, stretchiness and breast pump compatibility are major bonuses that add to its value. The majority of our testers wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other moms and felt this hands-free pumping bra is deserving of the Today’s Parent Approved seal. Offering a truly hands-free experience for our mom testers—in some cases, even prompting them to pump more often—the Snugabell PumpEase Hands-Free Pumping Bra is a comfortable, functional option for easier pumping.