Product Spotlight 3/19: Nursing Clothes/Bras/Gear

SmashJam

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... Nursing! What clothes, bras and accessories could you not live without while nursing the last time around?

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.  

For S+TMs: 

• Any specifics that may differentiate your preferences:
• Favorite [Nursing clothing/accessory]:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• Age appropriate for:
• What you like about it:
• What you don't like about it, if anything:
• Is there a [nursing clothing/accessory] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
• Is there a [nursing clothing/accessory] you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: 
• Additional thoughts on [nursing clothing/accesory]?:
• Any topics you'd like to see in the Product Spotlight that aren't there (check the spreadsheet link below!):

For FTMs

• [summer survival item] you're interested in:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?
• Any topics you'd like to see in the Product Spotlight that aren't there? (Check the spreadsheet link below!):

Spreadsheet link here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nhSR3UAwJx8UitC9b2hRx57c4hHkK6BU679FjqXMeHQ/edit?usp=sharing

moguippy

Not using the format because I just have a question for STMs at this point. What do I need to get to be able to pump at work?  

zande2016

@moguippy will you have a private room to pump in? If so, just your pump, a bag to carry it in (get one that fits all the stuff you'll need), spare parts (maybe keep some at work just in case), a pumping bra if you want to be hands free (HIGHLY recommended), whatever you're going to store the milk in (I pumped straight into the Medela bottles but  transferred it to storage bags so I could keep reusing the same bottles during the day), and a cooler with ice packs to bring the milk  home in. I also used a wet bag to keep my parts and bottles in during the day, and I'd stick it in the fridge along with my milk. If you keep the parts and bottles refrigerated, you only have to wash them once a day, so I'd wash them once I got home. I also had a car adapter because I have a long commute and pumped in the car a lot. 

If you don't have a private place, or you prefer to pump at your desk and it's not private, look into the freemie cups. I got sick of going into the filing room to pump, since that's the only space my office has, so I started pumping at my desk with the freemies. My office has a glass wall so it's only semi-private. They go right into your bra so you can't see anything. 

chaser61

@moquippy Did you pick your pump yet? I had a Medela Freestyle last time, so I bought the hands free bras so I could sit in an empty office and work while I pumped. This time, I bought the Willow. It is a hands free pump that you can stick in any nursing bra. It is supposed to be quiet too, so I can run to the bathroom or take a phone call while I pump. I am excited. At first I used those steam bags to clean the parts between pumping (which is time consuiming) but at some point, I ended up keeping the whole set up in the fridge or cooler and just cleaned them when I got home. 

I always kept the cooler with the blue ice packs under my desk, hands free bra, extra diaphragm (they wear out at the most inconvenient times), extra bottles or bags for milk storage, and a cloth / paper towels on hand to clean up drips.

zande2016

Nursing bras: I am large chested so most did not work for me. I found the Anita brand the best, it is unlined but does have underwire, and comes in larger sizes. 

Pumping bras: I used this bravado pumping bra, and loved it. I'd just unclip my nursing bra but leave it on, pull it down so my boobs were uncovered, and clip the bravado bra over it. I found it compatible with most nursing bras, not just bravado brand nursing bras. The simple wishes one I found to be less comfortable and convenient, but if I was pumping before bed and not already wearing a bra to clip the other one to, I'd wear the simple wishes one. 

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/bravado-designs-clip-and-pump-hands-free-nursing-bra-accessory-in-grey/3346110?skuId=63016024&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_feeding_online&product_id=63016024&product_channel=online&adtype=pla&adpos=1o2&creative=86802366060&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&mrkgadid=2998484548&mrkgcl=611&rkg_id=h-de189584c0bace77ab222cdb2a532268_t-1521463717&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1uLSgLb42QIVEgOGCh0TCg4MEAQYAiABEgLec_D_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Wishes-Signature-Pumping-XS-Large/dp/B00295MQLU?th=1

Nursing clothes: I hated nursing camis, the shelf bra was always way too small for me and not comfortable for me. I'd wear regular or maternity camis that I could just pull down over my breasts. I always wore a cami under my shirt, and to nurse I would pull the cami down and the shirt up. You can't really see much that way. I did not bother with nursing covers because my son hated them. 

Gear: I used freemies so I could pump in my office instead of going into a closed room - that way I could still work while pumping. They are compatible with the Medela but not the Spectra, which sucks because I prefer the Spectra. They're also great for pumping in the car, I would put them in before I left and just take  them out whenever I got to my destination. Just have to be careful not to lean over or you will spill. A good pumping bag was key for me. I used a Sarah Wells bag, and my Medela fit perfectly in it. It has room for everything you need pumping wise, and I could also fit my regular purse items plus my lunch and some work stuff in there just fine. 

moguippy

@zande2016 and @chaser61.  For reference: I will have a room to pump in with a table so I can bring my laptop and keep working. I am not overly gifted in the chest size area lol.  I did not pick my pump yet, but my SIL just gave me a TON of medela bottles so I am thinking of going with that brand. The pumping room doesn't have a fridge and I'm not sure I would want to put my milk in the regular fridge (it is always full of people's lunches. There isn't a ton of room).   Also, what is a wet bag if I may ask.. sorry I have no idea. 

wildtot

@moguippy i think we had a previous pumping thread that might also help you out. If you don’t have access to a fridge you’ll need a cooler and ice packs. I used a hand pump because the electric got heavy to carry around. I pumped into one bottle and poured into bags. I also carried around quick clean bottle wipes for when i wanted an extra cleaning at work (medela brand). 

I didnt bother much with nursing clothes. I maybe have 2/3 tanks, 2 night bras, and 2 day bras. I eventually just used button up shirts i had instead of buying more shirts. Nursing pads are a must to save your clothes. I leaked every time DS cried or just even think about him. At night if i had to pump i just cut holes in an old sports bra that i wore with pads so i didn’t have to think much about it. For night feedings or pumps i had a little light i can clip on me so i wouldn’t have to turn lights on and wake everyone. The light also helped with quick night diaper changes.

zande2016

@moguippy a wet bag is a reusable bag that is meant to store wet items, I think some may use them to store wet bathing suits/clothes, or maybe wet cloth diapers, and it stays dry on the outside. You could also use a gallon size zip lock, which I did sometimes as well. I had this bag, which is specifically meant for storing pump parts in the fridge (and comes with a pad to put parts on so they stay clean while setting yourself up), but I think amazon has a lot of other options. You just have to make sure to wash the wet bag often to prevent it from getting smelly. 

https://sarahwellsbags.com/products/pumparoo-navy

ETA: my office has a tiny fridge that we all share for our lunches, but I never felt bad about squeezing my pump parts and milk in there. No one ever gave me a hard time about it. Check your state's laws, there might be a requirement that you are provided a place to store milk. You can get by with a cooler if you have to though, just bring extra ice packs. 

cseley321

I am already large chested before having a kid, but while BFing it's like I have two boulders full of milk. I had a nice Jessica Simpson underwire nursing bra and a few nursing camis with bras built in (the camis were more useful later after my supply started to regulate and my boobs werent as full and heavy as often... big sarcastic yay for being an overproducer.

Anyway, as a PP mentioned, I used the shirt over the cami method to limit exposure when nursing in public. It takes a little bit of practice, but once you and your baby get it down, it's easy street.

moguippy

Perhaps I will try the upstairs or downstairs fridges. Those floors have less people.  So hopefully they have more room.

I would love some recommendations on hands free pumping bras if anyone has one they liked. Preferably one that would work well for work. (A clip on? I honestly have no idea, but I don't want to be taking my entire shirt off every time to change into a pumping bra. Is it bad I feel like I need a lesson on this stuff?)  

@zande2016 I added that wet bag to my amazon registry, thanks! and will check out that pumping bra

@wildtot I picked up a few reusable nursing pads at the BRU clearance. Would you suggest the disposable or reusable ones?

What brand milk storage bags do you ladies recommend. Are they all the same or are some better?

zg49

Reusable nursing pads! I went through so many, the disposable just wasn't cost effective anymore. I also loved using receiving blankets tucked up under my breast to cover my clothes as I fed baby because I produced a bit too much and would always get excess on my shirts. 

I loved having the nursing bra and nursing cami combination so they both clip down and then any kind of top shirt to pull up. I'm big chested so pulling the whole shirt down never worked for me because I stretched it out too much.

Other nursing items I would suggest are things to up your supply. I made a big batch of lactation cookies before baby was born and froze them. I would eat 1-2 a day to keep supply going (and it helped with bowel movements too!) I also used Mothers Love supplements and Fenugreek supplements. These weren't need until baby ws around 9 months.

For pumping, I have a private room but I don't have the ability to keep working so I either brought a book or played a game on my phone, just anything to not focus on the output of the pump. My insurance only covers purchases from one local supplier so I get to choose from the Medela Freestyle or Pump In Style. I liked both (had freestyle for DD and pump in style for DS) but the benefit of the Freestyle was it was battery operated so I didn't need to carry the whole bag around to plug in and it also has a timer on the pump itself. The pump in style was nice but I either had to plug it in or carry around the battery pack and the pump is secured inside the bag so the whole bag had to be near me. It also doesn't have a timer on it so I had to use my phone to keep track. 

chaser61

I felt a little uncomfortable getting naked at work for pumping so I wore a nursing tank and a shirt over it. That way I could pull the top up or open a nursing top without my belly out. I kept a pumping bra in my bag and just put that on over my tank. I am not sure what brand bra it is...they all seemed the same to me. They have a layer inside the bra with a whole that you can shove the flange through. Anyway, even though I was hands free, I felt like I had to be careful about moving and certainly couldn’t lean over or else I might spill or loose suction. I think the Medela Freemie would be a little better so you can just stuff a cup in your bra or the Willow like I mentioned. 

I pumped into a bottle and even split out the portions as I went along at work. That way I could just send in the bottles to daycare and not have to double handle. Fridays, I would pump into a bag and those would go in the freezer. For Monday, I would pull out older milk out of the freezer and put them in the bottles. That way your freezer supply stays current. I didn’t have a deep freeze, so I didn’t want to keep milk for too many months. I have used Medela and lanishol bags. No preference. You can fit bottles from different brands on some of the pumps.

Also, some insurance plans cover a pump. Did you check? They are usually not the fanciest ones out there but I got an Ameda for free. Then someone gifted me the Mandela freestyle. It was nice to have a back up pump. I liked the ameda bottles better because they came with a cap and an insert that you could take out and add a nipple. The ameda bottles fit onto the Medela pump.

wildtot

@moguippy i had both. I used reusable mostly at home. I overproduced so i did more disposable while at work to avoid over leakage in case i ran late to pump. My boobs got more sweaty with disposable too in the Cali heat. 

zg49

@moguippy For milk bags I had success with most of them so I went with the Target Up & up brand to save money and never had issues. 

moguippy

My insurance covers a pump but its definitely not a fancy one. But I will use the free one unless it's really not working for me. I think I am covered for the "Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump Starter Set" according to the Medela website.  I am asking my insurance what else is covered to see what my options are.  I have to go find the pump thread, but I suck at using the search function so I will check when I have more time to go through the threads and find it. 

What spare parts are good to keep on hand? I'm thinking of buying a manual for emergencies.

wildtot

Agree with @zg49 no need to get fancy with milk bags. The target brand worked just fine for me.
 If your doing medela, they have these white circular seals that i found needed to be replaced every so often. Depending on your nipple you may or may not need to get a different “cone” so it fits as necessary. 

noideawhatshesdoing

@zande2016 I saw that Freemie does have a style that works with Spectra, but it's more expensive than their others. I'm still wondering if it would work for me because I'm really large breasted when not pregnant, and am currently just shy of being all Dolly Parton-esque. It's already not fun. Just wondering how you use these, do you just wear a larger shirt? They seem like they'd take up a lot of space when you pop them in. I had already passed on the idea of even looking at these because they seemed like they just wouldn't work for a larger breast.

Also, thanks for the tip on the simple wishes bra, I'm already sized out of the cups on a lot of the hands free options, but not this one, at least not yet anyways. Gonna check that one out.

@cseley321 Is the jessica simpson bra supportive? I know it will be a while before I'll really know what size I actually need, but a lot of the ones I've been trying on to see what's out there already seem not supportive enough, and that's before adding milk to the equation!

chaser61

You really only need the diaphragm as a spare part. They flap back and form and create the suction (I know, terrible description) and they get warn out after three months of consistent use. I wasn’t a very good producer, so switching these out helped quite a bit. I could see a difference in ounces pumped. I had extra tubes but never used them. I had a hand pump but it didn’t work well for me personally. Some women responded very well to the hand pumps though. A lot of this will be trial and error.

@noideawhatshesdoing I am concerned about the Willow for that reason. The cups are large and my chest will look huge. That is the one criticism about that pump.  I am planning to keep a fluffy sweater at work to hide it a little. Right now I am in DD bra size. I am hoping big boobs will be better than flanges and bottles hanging out.

michelle_bird

I was about to say, @zande2016 - I used Freemies with my Spectra!  They aren't as efficient as the pump horns themselves, so I only used them for 1 pump a day (while driving) and otherwise used the horns.  I think if I had tried to use them for every pump it would have decreased my supply because I wouldn't have been taking as much out.

I lived in nursing camis on maternity leave, but I didn't LOVE any of them or the nursing bras I had so I won't share any recommendations.  I do plan to get some Hot Milk bras this time once my supply regulates.

cseley321

@noideawhatshesdoing yeah it felt as supportive as my victoria secret "very sexy" underwire bras. They are basically heavy duty push up style.. I am a 34DDD in VS but if I remember correctly just a 36DD in JS nursing bra

gingerbride26

So the ladies that have done the freeme style - it sound like you had success?  I looked into them 2 years ago with DD but was basically warned to stay away by my BMB because my already minimal supply would probably be killed completed due to the efficiency issues. They still sound SUPER convenient for multitasking at work but I'm not confident I'll magically get an oversupply this time.

noideawhatshesdoing

@cseley321 I might have to look into it, but I'll probably be too big for the cups. I'm a 32F normally, currently wearing 32H, so I don't get a lot of options anyway     . There is a specialty shop on the other side of town that only sells D and up, I've been there for regular bras and I believe they have a good nursing selection, but haven't made my way over there yet to check out what they have because it's about an hour away.

acunamatada

No patience for the format on mobile today so bear with me.. 

I EBF but would pump with a hand pump while at school/work and a morning session at home with my PISA. The hand pump was less to carry, not as great for production but it got the job done. I’d keep the bottles in a cooler bag until I got home. 

For nursing in public, DS HATED being covered- I can’t blame him, he was a summer baby. The two shirt method worked for me, I stretched out some of my tank tops doing it but it was great for coverage. Eventually I used nursing tanks which were a game changer. 

These were my favorite nursing tanks, you attach them to your favorite nursing bra (so no shelf bra hassle) and you don’t have to mess with extra straps and snaps. I wore these even when I wasn’t nursing they were so convenient and comfortable. 
Undercover Mama Black and White Nursing Tank Set for Breastfeeding, S https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNGWIPO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xb.RAbJ6E3AXE

Nursing pads were a must have, the reusable ones didn’t cut it for my sympathetic let downs. I bought the lanosinoh pads in bulk on amazon. 

zande2016

Hmmm I looked at the time and did not see a way to use the Freemie with the Spectra, but that very well could have changed now. For those who asked about it, you do have to wear a looser shirt and have some extra room in your bra. I didn't care if my bra got a little stretched out because it was already an unlined nursing bra. If your shirt is really tight, it can be difficult to use them. Also, you will not look normal with it on under your clothes - one time my office manager made fun of me and said I looked like Madonna (pointy), but I honestly didn't care, it made my life easier. I did find the output wasn't as good with the Freemies, but I only used them 2-3X a day (at work and driving), and used regular horns the rest of the time. If you struggle with milk supply it might not be the best option, but it was sufficient for me. I am a DD normally, around an H while nursing, and I had no problem using them.

For bags, I prefer the Lansinoh brand. 

cseley321

@noideawhatshesdoing yeah I am not sure what the sizing goes up to. I seem to remember the cups went pretty large, but not sure if they had them in a 32

tarheelgirl8

STM here.  I nursed DD when with her and pumped at work.  I wasn’t too picky on nursing bras, though surprisingly I found that I liked ones without underwire (which is completely opposite of my non-nursing preferences).  Something about the underwire made it more difficult for me to fold down the cup to nurse, and the cup felt like it was in the way.  I bought nursing bras and a few nursing camis, but other than that I just found tops that were BF friendly and didn’t buy ones specifically made for BF.  I found that shirt styles like this with buttons part way down were really easy for me. 

https://www.fashionoutfit.com/women-s-half-button-down-plaid-shirt-with-3-4-sleeves-awtstl0444.html

tarheelgirl8

zg49 said:

Other nursing items I would suggest are things to up your supply. I made a big batch of lactation cookies before baby was born and froze them. I would eat 1-2 a day to keep supply going (and it helped with bowel movements too!) I also used Mothers Love supplements and Fenugreek supplements. These weren't need until baby ws around 9 months.

I had a lot of luck with Brewers Yeast powder. I mixed a spoonful in cinnamon/apple oatmeal which helped overpower the taste.  I could still taste it a little but it wasn’t a bother.  Oatmeal and brewers yeast are both common ingredients in lactation cookies, so it was basically my lazy version.  

wildtot

Mothers love and fenugreek made me and DS super gassy. But the homemade oatmeal cookies worked and were delicious! Even DH loved them. 

flockofmoosen3

Didn't read much because I am stuck using desktop version on my phone because the website/app sucks balls...save $$ on a pumping bra by buying a cheap bra that fits and cut a slit at the nipples to hold the pump in place. Wear double layers like you would for nursing so you can pull up/down and not expose much, and a manual pump can be a life saver. 

I wish there were nursing bras for big boobs that were more supportive.

zande2016

@flockofmoosen3 I was an H cup while nursing and had the best luck with Anita brand nursing bras....much more supportive than others I tried. 

zombiehoohaa

I went to Macy's and bought 2 maternity bras and a sports bra from their motherhood maternity section. The bras are pretty comfortable. The sports bra is my favorite! I feel so secure. 

Do we HAVE to have a special pumping bra or can we get by with a maternity bra when pumping? 

wildtot

@zombiehoohaa you don’t need a special pumping bra unless you want hands free pumping. Otherwise a regular nursing one will do.

zande2016

@zombiehoohaa pumping without a hands free pumping bra is miserable. You don't have to wear it all day, you can just put it on to pump. They do make ones you can wear all day like a regular bra, I forget which one I tried but it wasn't supportive enough for me. 

tarheelgirl8

@zombiehoohaa, I second what @zande2016 said.  If you’re going to be pumping with any regularity at all you really should get a handsfree pumping bra.  Otherwise you have to hold the shields to your breast the entire time you’re pumping.  For me, that’d be about an hour every workday just basically holding my boobs.     I had the Medela one and I think it was only about $30.  Money well spent. I just put it on over my nursing bra when I was pumping.  

morethanamama

I got the Spectra S2 for free with my insurance. I'm still unsure about how much I will have to pump but I don't go into an office ever so I don't think I'll get a pumping bra unless I have to. Somewhere in one of the blogs I followed they were talking about a brand called the dairy fairy? Pretty sure it's expensive but I haven't looked too closely into it.

I have 4 bras from motherhood, all of them are nursing and they are currently super comfortable! I can't go back to the underwire now...at the moment I'm a 36DD- let's say, meaning I have some room to grow into a full DD. Started as a 34C.

wildtot

Reviving this one. Anyone use/heard about the Haakaa pump? Pretty much it’s an attachment to collect letdown while breastfeeding. With DS i use to leak and lose lots of milk while he nursed on one side. 

zande2016

@wildtot ive heard good things so it’s on my amazon list of new nursing supplies to buy. No personal experiece but people swear by it To catch the letdown on one side while baby nurses on the other. My only concern is whether it’ll create an over supply.

wildtot

@zande2016 i had an over supply regardless and it was super painful but I would like to be able to save it. DS never like the left side much so my right side over supplied and had a strong letdown that DS could handle. Hopefully I’ll be more balanced this time. Although i wonder how this would work while out and about. I’m guessing if I’m public I’ll just have to lose that milk? Or maybe also use the Milkies Milk-Savers that are more discrete? 

millpe

@wildtot I also have no experience and had never heard of the haaka, but my sister (who had her first earlier this year) told me to get Neauty collection shells for this reason. It looks to be an identical concept. 

@zande2016 if you are worried about over supply it looks like haaka has an option with no suction or neauty is just a collection shell for leakage (no suction) so I can't imagine those would increase supply would they? I thought they would just collect what would otherwise be leaking.

wildtot

@MrsMiller8588 thanks! I’ll look it up. 

zande2016

@MrsMiller8588 yeah that’s what I wasn’t sure about, as long as there’s no suction then it shouldn’t be an issue. 

@wildtot my son also favored the right side. My right boob was noticeably bigger than the left until he finally weaned.