Medela Easy Expression Bustier

Holding onto the pumping kits can be a real pain (quite literally) for moms who are pumping breastmilk, but the Medela Easy Expression Bustier makes the process easier and more comfortable. Ranging from size small to large, this bustier is ideal for use with Medela pumps, and is also compatible with electric breast pumps equipped with removable breast flanges. Moms who tested the bustier at home found it easy to use, without any spillage. In fact, the majority loved how well it kept the shields pressed against their skin, without any shifting, helping ensure strong, consistent suction. Our editors, meanwhile, found this pumping bra offers the most support among the bustiers we tested. Plus, you can throw it in the washing machine and dryer.

EASE OF USE

This bandeau-style bustier contains no complicated straps or hooks—you simply secure the top clasp and zip it up the front to put it on, and vice versa to take it off. It takes a little muscle to pull the sides together to get the zipper closed, but hooking the top closure first makes it easier. The fit is very secure and snug, keeping the flanges in place. It's worth noting that this bustier isn't adjustable, so correct fit is key. A colour-coded fitting chart on the packaging helps you determine your size based on your bra size, and we found that the bustier’s stretchy fabric fits the contours of the bust well.

Overall, the Medela bustier was easy to use and worked well for the majority of our testers. Our mom testers and editors found it simple to place the breast shields inside the bustier, and the majority of moms who used the bustiers at home found the bustier stayed in place and they were able to pump comfortably and effectively, with very minimal leakage (a few drops once or twice, for the most part). Some moms found it a bit tricky to remove the breast shields from the bustier without spilling milk, but others found it quite easy. Only a couple of our testers had used a pumping bustier in the past, but those that had found the Medela Easy Expression Bustier was better overall.

Overall, our mom testers said pumping was easier and more enjoyable with the Medela Easy Expression Bustier. Their hands and arms felt less cramped in comparison to pumping sans bustier, and only a few had qualms going completely hands-free. One mom in particular used the bustier with her battery-operated Medela Swing, allowing her to move freely about her home while pumping at the same time. Another was impressed that the bustier accomodated her large breasts and small band size. It's worth noting that moms with a larger bust who tested the bustier found it a bit lacking in support. One of those moms wished it had straps for extra support. She noted that when the bottles were nearly full, the weight pulled down on the material, and she worried the bra would lose its hold, so she felt she had to support the bottles. That said, another mom with a larger bust said that the strapless design let her fold down her nursing bra and put the pumping bra on overtop without removing her shirt.

FABRIC AND CLEANING

The Medela Easy Expression Bustier is made with comfort in mind. The nylon-spandex blend is silky soft, ultra stretchy and breathable. Elastic bands line the top and bottom, helping secure the bustier around your body, and there's also a panel of fabric behind the zipper to prevent chafing. Our editors were impressed with the fabrication, finding the bustier has tight stitching and durable fabric.

Not only does the fabric feel nice, it washes well and easily. It's machine washable in cold water on a gentle cycle (we recommend washing it in a garment bag), and, unlike a lot of other pumping bustiers and bras, the Medela Easy Expression Bustier can also be tossed in the dryer on low. Our parent testers noted that the fabric didn’t lose its integrity after several washes—there was no stretching, shrinking, bunching or fraying. Washing instructions are clearly printed on the back of the packaging and on the garment’s label. 

FINAL WORD

Our parent testers loved how the Medela Easy Expression Bustier made pumping more convenient and gave them an opportunity to multitask. With their free hands, moms could read or be doing things on the computer, play with their little one or even dry their hair while pumping. The majority of our testers gave the bustier good or very good ratings for quality, ease of use and value, and all would recommend it to other moms. It wasn't surprising that they all also think it's worthy of the Today's Parent Approved seal—and our editors agreed. The Medela Easy Expression Bustier is the most secure of the pumping bras we tested in our lab, doing a good job of keeping the breast shields in place. We really like that it can be machine washed and dried. And its price is right around that of other pumping bras. It's a quality product that does its job well and is easy to use.