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DIY Pumping Bra

Home » All » DIY Pumping Bra

Published March 8, 2017 Last Updated September 24, 2022 / By Sarah 13 Comments

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With this easy DIY pumping bra tutorial you can make a few for the same price as buying ONE! Okay where was this when I had my last baby!? With this easy DIY pumping bra tutorial you can make a few for the same price as buying ONE!

Disclaimer: If you aren’t planning to ever pump (or breastfeed for that matter) then this post may not be for you! BUT for those who use a breast pump, this post could be potentially life-changing!

When I had my first babe, I ended up pumping a lot and I bought this hands-free pumping bra. That was a very good purchase and I was so glad I had it, BUT I wished I had two or three of them! However, at that price point I wasn’t pumped about buying more, with all of the other baby stuff we had to buy! (PUN INTENDED.) So, when I was at Walmart one day and saw some sports bras that had front zippers, I had a light bulb moment and realized I could totally make some at home, and that they would be even better than the one I already had!

Also– if you are pregnant or have a pregnant friend PLEASE check out these DIY Padsicles! They will save your life. 

So, just for fun I thought I would tell you the reasons that this DIY version is better than the one you can buy.

  1. It is cheaper, so you can have two or three pumping bras for the same price as one of that one.
    (The reason I want more than one is so I can rotate them through the wash. Enough said?!)
  2. It has straps. I didn’t love the strapless one to be honest.
  3. You can throw nursing pads into these and actually still wear them. (If you are waking up in the middle of the night to pump, for instance.)

Okay, so if I convinced you, here is what you’ll need to make your own!

  1. Sports bras (these are polyester blend) preferably zipper front and not cotton
  2. White gel pen
  3. Fabric Scissors
  4. Breast pump parts (for measuring)
  5. Lighter

shop-affiliate-disclosure

Sports Bra to Pumping Bra
Zipfront Sports Bra

Medela Breast Pump

Medela Breast Pump 

Singer Sewing Scissors

Fabric Scissors 

Medela Hands Free Pumping Bra

Hands Free Pumping Bra

STEP 1: Take out any pads that your sports bra may have in it.

STEP 2: Draw a circle 3/4 inch around with your gel pen, about 2 inches above the elastic. Cut out the circle and make sure that your pump parts fit through, but snugly.

Okay where was this when I had my last baby!? With this easy DIY pumping bra tutorial you can make a few for the same price as buying ONE!

STEP 3: This is where it is very important that you have a polyester/nylon blend bra! If you don’t, I can’t tell you if this next step will work or not. I only know that this has worked with THESE bras. Okay, ready? Take the lighter, and quickly melt the edges of the holes. This seals the edges so it won’t stretch or fray any more!

Okay where was this when I had my last baby!? With this easy DIY pumping bra tutorial you can make a few for the same price as buying ONE!

TA-DA! You are done! See how easy that was? I really like how these turned out and I guess I don’t need to keep bragging about how I think mine are better than what can be found at the store. Make a few of these and you will be ready to pump all day and all night. (Literally! haha)

Okay where was this when I had my last baby!? With this easy DIY pumping bra tutorial you can make a few for the same price as buying ONE!

PIN THIS FOR LATER:

Okay where was this when I had my last baby!? With this easy DIY pumping bra tutorial you can make a few for the same price as buying ONE!

AND you will want to check these out too:

Hospital Bag Checklist! DIY Padsicles for the postpartum period!  Pregnancy Survival

 
These padsicles will save your life:

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Comments

  1. Sharona

    March 14, 2021 at 10:45 am

    I was just thinking a zigzag stitch around the hole could work (perks of a sewing machine) but I would not have thought of a lighter to stop the fraying…great thinking 99 😉

    Reply
  2. Erin Rock-Ballard

    June 19, 2020 at 7:54 am

    YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!
    I am a big girl with large breasts and they do NOT sell a pumping bra for 44H anywhere! I bought a couple 3x ones but my breasts were too big. I am expecting again in February so this is amazing and you are a lifesaver!

    Reply
    • Jessica

      June 19, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Oh my goodness you just made my day! Thank you! And CONGRATULATIONS on your new sweet addition!

      Reply
    • Heather

      October 21, 2020 at 7:48 pm

      I feel you, trying to breast feed I cant even do because they are so big she gets so frustrated so all I can do is pump and I csnt find one for me either they are all too small. I’m going to try this.

      Reply
  3. Rachel McGovern

    March 21, 2019 at 9:42 pm

    This is genius! I didn’t invest in a hands free pumping bra with my first baby (price point was too hard to justify and the reviews were mixed). I had the occasional slip while attempting to do too many things at once while pumping. In the early days I felt like spilling breast milk was the end of the world (I’ve learned it accumulates pretty quickly). I hated wasting any little bit of it.
    I digress, the fit of a sports bra is so logical for this purpose. I can’t wait to try it!
    Thanks for the idea!!!

    Reply
  4. Ann

    December 14, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    This is great! Just made mine! Thanks!
    I didn’t have a sports bra with the zipper in the front but it still works pretty well! Thanks for the lighter tip too!

    Reply
    • Sarah

      December 17, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      Oh yay! I’m so glad it’s working for you!

      Reply
  5. Alice Russell

    August 30, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    I don’t have access this product or to a sewing machine, so thanks for the lighter tip. I could never bring myself to purchase a pumping bra (too expensive) Mine might not be as pretty but they’ll do the job. Thank you so much for sharing :)

    Reply
    • Sarah

      September 02, 2018 at 11:38 am

      YAY! You’re so welcome! They don’t have to be pretty – just functional! haha

      Reply
  6. Amanda Gold

    August 11, 2018 at 9:31 am

    Have you tried freycheck on the outside of the hole rather than burning it??

    Reply
    • Sarah

      August 13, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      I haven’t, but that’s a better idea! haha!

      Reply
  7. Miranda Cunningham

    May 22, 2018 at 7:37 am

    ALTERNATIVELY just sew a button hole if YOU HAVE a sewing machine.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      May 22, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      totally! Thanks!

      Reply

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Hey! We're Sarah and Jessica. We're BFF's and have known each other since we were 5 years old. This blog is our place to share all of our best recipes, tips, crafts and DIY projects.

You can read more about us on our about page and find us on instagram! We love making new friends.

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