3 Easy Ways to Repurpose Your Nursing Bra For Pumping

This post is all about how to repurpose your nursing bra for pumping. A hands-free bra is an absolute MUST when you’re exclusively pumping because it makes it possible to multitask. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck holding onto your pump for 20-30 minutes, 10 times a day, and you won’t have your hands free to do anything else.

Why Make Your Own Pumping Bra

You can either buy one or make one yourself. There’s a few reasons why I prefer DIY hands-free bras to store-bought ones.

First, they tend to be more comfortable. You can choose the comfiest bra you can find and convert it into a pumping bra. Then, you can wear it all the time and even sleep in it, which makes nighttime pumping sessions even easier. If you’re already wearing your pumping bra, that’s one less step and one less thing to think about.

Another reason is that sometimes a DIY bra will work even better than a store-bought one because you can completely customize it to fit your unique chest. 

And my favorite reason is that when you make a hands-free bra yourself, you can save money (and reduce waste!) by using what you already have. You may have bought or received a nursing bra before you gave birth and you’re wondering what to do with it now that you’re exclusively pumping.

3 Easy Ways to DIY a Hands-Free Bra

Here are 3 different ways you can repurpose your nursing bra and turn it into a hands-free pumping bra. Each of them are super easy with only 3 steps. You might find that one way works better for you. I’ve listed them in order with the simplest way first, so I recommend trying them in order. If that way doesn’t work for you, then move on to the next one.

1. The Stretch

This is the simplest method because all you need is your nursing bra. This way works best with an unpadded bra that’s made with stretchy material.

Instructions:
1. Unclip your nursing bra and pull the strap over your breast to the opposite side. You may need to loosen the strap a little.
2. Place the flange on your breast and center it on your nipple.
3. Pull up the top part of the bra, wrapping it around the flange, and clip it to the strap. Repeat on the other side.

2. The Hair Tie Hack

Here is another simple method. For this hack, you will also need:
-4 hair elastics

1. Loop 2 of the elastics into a figure 8. To do this, fold one elastic over the other. Then tuck the top part of the folded elastic underneath the bottom part. Pull the tucked part while holding onto the other elastic until it’s secure.
2. Unhook your nursing bra and hook one elastic onto the clip. Place the flange through the other elastic and center it on your nipple. 
3. Repeat with the other 2 elastics on the other side. 

3. The Cut

This is the way that worked best for me, but the reason I listed it last is because once you cut your bra, you can’t go back. It’s a pumping bra for life!

I made a few of these out of unpadded, wireless nursing bras that I bought before I had my baby. For me, it had the most secure hold, and it was easy and quick to hook up to pump. When I was done pumping, I’d put breast pads in and just continue wearing it day and night.

You don’t need a nursing bra for this method. You can use any sports bra or other wireless bra. (You want to use a wireless bra because the pressure and irritation from underwire can cause clogged ducts!)

You will also need:
-marker
-scissors
-needle & thread, optional 

1. Put the bra on and use the marker to make a dot where the center of your nipples are.
2. Depending on the type of fabric, you’ll either cut a line or a circle. In either case, it’s better to go small first, then cut a little more if you can’t get the flange in. You want it to be a tight fit so the flange stays in place while you’re pumping.
   Also make sure the center of the line or circle is the same as the dot, so that the flange will be perfectly aligned with your nipple.
   If the material is stiff, cut a circle just wide enough to fit flanges. Again, make the circle slightly smaller at first, then cut a little more if the flange won’t fit.
   If the material is stretchy, cut a straight line a little shorter than the diameter of the flange. Do this instead of cutting a circle because the fabric will stretch and you don’t want it to be loose.
3. Depending on the type of fabric, you might want to stitch around the hole to prevent the fabric from fraying. 

And there you have it! Three ways to make your own pumping bra. Which of these ways worked best for you? Or do you know another way? Let me know in the comments!

A hands-free bra is just one of the essentials for exclusive pumping. Click here to find out what the others are!