Simple Wishes hands-free pumping bra (guest review)

Every now and then I get asked to review something that doesn’t quite work for me – either it’s for the wrong age or it’s for something related to pregnancy or a stage of breastfeeding that no longer applies to me.

Instead of turning down opportunities to introduce you to new products, and help determine if they’re worth your hard-earned money,  I decided to offer them to my readers to try out and write a guest review (usually via my Facebook page). They receive the products for free and get to keep them in exchange for their honest reviews. Like my own reviews on Mommy Gearest, receiving a product does not automatically earn a positive review. The product undergoes at least one week of rigorous testing in different environments and situations.

This marks the first of such guest reviews, for the Simple Wishes hands-free pumping bra, and is written by Kendra Michael – a mom to two kids under the age of three.

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Like most parents with young children, I often wish there were two of me: one to do whatever chores need to be done (laundry, dishes, pee!), the other to chase after my rambunctious toddler and nine month old. One of the hardest (and rarely done) things I have to do is pump – an almost impossible task while the kidlets are awake. When I do find the time, I get to sit at the dining room table, awkwardly holding the pumps to my breasts while I stare at the wall.

When Mommy Gearest announced the opportunity to try a bra for hands-free breast pumping (and with my imminent return to work looming), I jumped at the chance to test out this product.

THE GOOD

Simple Wishes (awful name), is a very easy-to-use bra. As a six-foot-tall, plus-sized woman, I was pleased to see that it came in a wide range of sizes (from AA to J, 30-48). I usually wear a 42C bra, so ordered the L/XL/XXL size in pink, but was a little unsure how

this would actually fit as I was right on the cusp of the two available sizes. As it turned out, sticking to my bra size worked fine.

I love the fact that the bra comes with an extra panel (though I haven’t needed it), for an almost customized fit. It also has straps, so that you can wear the bra as a halter, strapless or racerback. I don’t think I would ever wear this as a bra bra (more on that later), but

I adjusted the Velcro backing to match my current bra width and put it on (zipping it up the front). It felt a little loose, but worked well enough with my pump (I have the Medela Pump In Style Advanced). The second time I pumped, I tightened it up. Much more secure.nice to have the option.

Once the Simple Wishes bra is on, you simply slip the breastshields through the two slits (the outer one is vertical, the inner one is horizontal), which holds them firmly against your breasts – which is why you want the bra to be snug! I liked the fact that you can see your nipples in the shields – vital to knowing when you let-down.

One of the best things about this is that it truly is hands-free! I was able to text on my phone, read a book and work on my computer – all without the bra slipping or any complications with the pump (no milk in the hose and the breastshields stayed in place). I didn’t try walking around while pumping, but I doubt any bra would work!

It washed beautifully; I just treated it as I would any bra. One thing I’m not sure about is how well it will continue to hold the breastshields in place, after multiple washes but I guess only time will tell. The fact that it’s won the PTPA Seal of Approval is a good indication that this is a bra built to last.

At $39, the price point is reasonable – especially if you have more than one baby.

THE GAFFE

As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t sure what size to order. My actual bra size is on the divide between the two sizes that Simple Wishes offers. Definitely glad I went larger. I would have really appreciated a little note on Simple Wishes’ website about fit in its “Sizing” section. The only reference I could find was in the “Features and Benefits” section; it read that it needed to fit snuggly – but that does little to reflect the bra’s actual sizing.

The company claims that you can wear this as a real-life, everyday bra. All day. As I mentioned, the bra even comes with straps so it can be worn in different ways. I don’t think I ever would. I’m a C-cup and definitely did not find this bra supportive or flattering enough to wear as a regular bra. That said, not a big deal to slip this bra on to pump in comfort.

THE GEARS

4.5/5

So…where can you buy it?

• Belly Laughs
• Amazon
• Motherhood Maternity (warning: $10 more expensive here)
• Cherish Childbirth Care (very well-priced if you can do the local Vancouver, B.C., pick-up!)