How to Go Hands-Free With a Traditional Pump

Published on 06/11/2026

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How to Go Hands-Free With a Traditional Pump

Hands-free collection cups turn the electric pump you already own into an in-bra setup, so you can pump without holding flanges and bottles. For many moms they're the most affordable way to pump hands-free, as long as you choose cups that fit your pump and your flange size.

Instead of a flange and bottle hanging from each breast, the cups tuck into your bra and collect milk inside them. The pump motor and tubing stay outside, so it isn't a fully wearable pump, but it gets you a lot closer for a fraction of the price of buying a second pump.

How they work

The cups replace your usual flange-and-bottle set. The tubing still plugs into your pump as normal, but the suction runs to the cups instead of to bottles.

Milk collects in the cup. Most cups hold around 240 to 250 ml per side, with markings so you can see roughly how much you've expressed.
A closed system protects your pump. A membrane or backflow protector sits between the milk and the tubing, so milk and moisture don't travel back towards the motor.
Valves hold the suction. Small silicone valves keep the vacuum steady as the pump draws milk into the cup.

How mobile you can be depends on your pump. With a battery-powered pump like the Spectra S1, you can carry the pump with you and move around the house. With a plug-in pump like the Spectra S2, the cups still free up your hands, but you'll stay near the wall socket.

Who they work best for

They're a great fit if you:

Already own a compatible electric pump and want hands-free pumping without buying a whole new wearable pump
Pump at work, in the car as a passenger, or while looking after a toddler
Want to pump on one side while your baby feeds on the other
Pump often enough that standard bottles feel like a hassle

You might prefer standard bottles if you:

Like watching your milk flow to judge when you're done
Often pump lying down or reclined, as cups are designed for upright or seated pumping
Are building or protecting your supply and want maximum output from every session
Want the fewest parts to wash

Why flange size still matters

Flange size matters just as much with hands-free cups, arguably more. The cup holds the flange in place inside your bra, so you can't shift its angle mid-session the way you might with a handheld flange. A poor fit shows up quickly as rubbing, leaks or less milk.

The catch: most cups only come in 24 mm or 28 mm. That suits plenty of moms, but many need something smaller. You don't have to rule hands-free cups out if you're a smaller size, because a flange insert sits inside the 24 mm flange and narrows the tunnel.

Youha Express Cups come with a 22 mm or 26 mm insert in the box.
Youha Breast Shield Inserts come in 18, 20 and 22 mm and fit hard flanges from several brands, including Spectra.

Not sure of your size? Check out this Guide

Good to know before you buy

Collection cups get mixed reviews, and most of the complaints come down to fit and expectations. Here's what moms say most often:

Output can dip at first. Some moms get less milk with cups than with their usual flanges, especially if the fit isn't right. Try them alongside your regular setup for a few sessions before relying on them.
Stay upright. Leaning forward, bending or lying back can break the seal and cause leaks. Empty the cups before they're full.
You can't always see your flow. Without a clear bottle in view, it's harder to tell when you've finished. Use the cup markings or time your sessions.
A good bra helps. A snug nursing or pumping bra keeps the cups in place and the seal steady.
There are more parts to wash. Each cup has several small pieces. Take everything apart and wash it in warm, soapy water after every session.
Replace the small parts regularly. Valves and membranes wear out and are the most common cause of weak suction. Keep spares on hand.
Pour carefully. Detach the cup and pour slowly into a storage bag or bottle to avoid spills.

Pandylane Pro Tip: Check your flange size before you buy cups. Ill-fitting flanges are behind most "the cups don't work for me" stories, and a quick measurement can save a lot of frustration. Pop into our Parkhurst Experience Centre and we can help you check your fit.

Your Options

	Spectra Handsfree Collection Cups	Youha The ONE Express Cups
Price	R799	R999
Best for	Spectra owners who want the simplest swap	Medela, Philips Avent, Momcozy and other pump owners, or anyone who may switch pumps later
Works with	Spectra electric pumps, including the S1, S2, S3, Q and Dual Compact (not manual pumps)	Many leading electric pumps, including Medela, Spectra (S1, S2, M1, 9+, Synergy Gold), Philips Avent, Ameda, Momcozy and Tommee Tippee
Capacity	Up to 250 ml per cup	Up to 240 ml per cup
Flange size	24 mm or 28 mm (choose when you buy)	24 mm or 28 mm (choose when you buy)
Breast shield	Hard plastic flange	Soft, frosted food-grade silicone shield
Inserts	Not included; hard-flange inserts can size down	Included: 22 mm with the 24 mm shield, 26 mm with the 28 mm shield. 18 and 20 mm sold separately
Tubing	Included	Not included; adapters connect to your pump's own tubing (Y-tubing may be needed for both cups)
In the box	2 collection cups 2 flanges 2 silicone valves and 2 valve connectors 2 backflow protectors 2 tubes	2 collection cups (240 ml) 2 silicone shields with inserts 2 membrane caps and 2 valve bases 4 duckbill valves Tubing adapters Drawstring storage bag
Good to know	Valves and backflow protectors are specific to these cups, so keep spares on hand	Spare cups, shields and valves are sold separately. Check your pump model before ordering

Spectra Handsfree Collection Cups

R799

Best for: Spectra owners who want the simplest swap
Works with: Spectra electric pumps, including the S1, S2, S3, Q and Dual Compact (not manual pumps)
Flange size: 24 mm or 28 mm (choose when you buy)

See full specs

Capacity

Up to 250 ml per cup

Breast shield

Hard plastic flange

Inserts

Not included; hard-flange inserts can size down

Tubing

Included

In the box

2 collection cups
2 flanges
2 silicone valves and 2 valve connectors
2 backflow protectors
2 tubes

Good to know

Valves and backflow protectors are specific to these cups, so keep spares on hand

Youha The ONE Express Cups

R999

Best for: Medela, Philips Avent, Momcozy and other pump owners, or anyone who may switch pumps later
Works with: Many leading electric pumps, including Medela, Spectra (S1, S2, M1, 9+, Synergy Gold), Philips Avent, Ameda, Momcozy and Tommee Tippee
Flange size: 24 mm or 28 mm (choose when you buy)

See full specs

Capacity

Up to 240 ml per cup

Breast shield

Soft, frosted food-grade silicone shield

Inserts

Included: 22 mm with the 24 mm shield, 26 mm with the 28 mm shield. 18 and 20 mm sold separately

Tubing

Not included; adapters connect to your pump's own tubing (Y-tubing may be needed for both cups)

In the box

2 collection cups (240 ml)
2 silicone shields with inserts
2 membrane caps and 2 valve bases
4 duckbill valves
Tubing adapters
Drawstring storage bag

Good to know

Spare cups, shields and valves are sold separately. Check your pump model before ordering

Always check your pump model against the compatibility list before ordering.

Which should you choose?

You have a Spectra and want the simplest swap: Spectra's cups are designed for your pump and include the tubing.
You have a Medela, Philips Avent or another brand: Youha The ONE Express Cups are the more flexible choice, as they're compatible with many Medela, Philips Avent, Ameda, Momcozy and Tommee Tippee models. Check your model on the list first.
Your size is under 24 mm: Youha includes a 22 mm insert with the 24 mm shield, and 18 and 20 mm inserts are sold separately. For Spectra's cups, a hard-flange insert can size the 24 mm flange down. See the flange sizing section below.
You might switch pumps later: Youha's cups can move with you to another brand, as long as your new pump is on the compatibility list.