As a new breastfeeding or pumping mom, there is quite a bit to know about the whole feeding process. A must-have item for breastfeeding moms is a pumping bra. Due to the nature of use, pumping bras tend to get a bit more wear and tear than a normal bra since you’re making adjustments throughout the day to feed or pump. To increase the longevity of your bras and ensure they maintain their shape, read on for the tips you need to care for your pumping bra.
Ideal Method for Washing Bras
In a perfect world, a bra should be washed by hand and hung to dry. When hanging to dry, it should be done away from direct sunlight to avoid dulling the color and fabric. This method tends to be the best, most effective way to help the bra maintain shape and last for a long time. The bras can be washed with mild soap in lukewarm water. Let the bra soak and use your hands to gently wash. Rinse well and avoid twisting and squeezing. The bra and padding should be washed separately.
However, as a busy new mom, it is not always possible to find the time to hand wash bras. Luckily, there is a safe way to wash bras in a washing machine and a drier that can also protect them.
Washing and Drying Bras in a Machine
When washing and drying your pumping bra in a machine, it’s a good idea to wash it alone or with other light items, such as other intimate items. The bra should be washed in cold water on a delicate cycle. When bras are washed in warm or hot water, it can cause the bra to lose its shape and cause the fabric to deteriorate. You can decide to place the bra in a lingerie bag to prevent the bra from getting caught up in the drum.
When drying the bra, use the tumble dry low setting to avoid too much heat that can damage the bra. You can leave the bra in a lingerie bag to prevent the fabric from catching on anything in the dryer, including other clothes. If you want, you can hang the bra to dry after washing it in a machine, as long as you keep the bra out of direct sunlight.
Increase Wash Frequency
For some people, bras tend to be worn a few times before they are washed. With a pumping bra, you will want to increase the frequency of the washes. It is recommended to wash a pumping bra after 2 uses, however, you may need to wash them more often depending on if they get messy. It is not uncommon to have to wash a bra after each use due to leaks or spills. Milk has a lot of sugar in it, which can cause bacteria to grow so try to avoid going too long without washing pumping bras.
Bra Cycling Strategy
Messes are bound to happen and you want to be prepared with plenty of nursing bras when you need them. You want to have at least 3 pumping bras: one to wear, one in the washer, and one spare on hand. Try to rotate them out so you don’t wear one out sooner than the others, which could result in losing one in the cycle and not having one handy when you need it. You can choose to have more bras if you need to. It’s always good to have a good supply on hand because accidents happen and you want to be prepared.
Tips for Storing a Pumping Bra
A drawer is one of the best places to store bras. Bras with padding in them should be laid flat so the padding can maintain its shape. Bras without padding can be folded in half and stored that way. Avoiding stuffing too many bras into one drawer. Your bra storage should leave enough space to keep bras loosely stored to maintain longevity.
You can choose to hang your bras as well by hanging both straps on the hanger. Your bras can be stored in your closet but, similar to drawer storage, avoid stuffing them among other clothes by storing them loosely. This helps prevent damage to any padding.
Conclusion
You have a lot on your mind as a new mom. With these pumping bra care tips, you have one less thing to stress over now that you know exactly how to care for this essential undergarment.