These are my top must-have items for exclusively pumping (I will refer to this moving forward as EP)! These made exclusively pumping a lot easier for me when I first started off and still do till this day! I am 9 months in and only have 3 more months left. EP has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. EP challenges you in all aspects. But the Lord has been good and has given me the strength to stay focused and determined. I take it one day at a time with a goal of reaching 1 year but every month it’s a small victory! Below are some items that made EP a lot easier for you. Let me know if you have tried any of the below and if they worked or didn’t work for you. If you have other items you have used and it is not listed below please let me know! Even though I only have 3 months left, sometimes its the last stretch that is the hardest!

1. Nipple cream is so important!! I personally used the brand Boobease and I loved it! This really helped lubricate and helped me get used to my pump. It is also all organic and safe for baby! This gets my thumbs up! You can find it at target.2. A good breast pump  is a MUST! If you are EP you want to make sure you have a really good pump since baby is not latching on you want to make sure the pump you are using has enough suction to draw out as much milk as needed. I started off with the Medela pump in style advance pump but then migrated to a Spectra S2. I love the Spectra S2 because it has a lot more pumping options, has a light for night pumping, has fewer parts to wash and has a display screen with a timer. Something to keep in mind is that the spectra S2 is bigger than the Medela advance. However, they are both great pumps and either one will do the job. It is just preference really! You can get these through your insurance. If you do not have insurance or it isn’t covered you can check target/ amazon. 

3. PUMPING BRA!! My goodness this is so necessary! Holding flanges gets old FAST! Invest in a pumping bra you will thank me! Trying to hold 2 flanges in place for 30-45 minutes can get very annoying. Not to mention can make your pumping experience not a good one. A pumping bra makes life so much easier because your hands are free to attend baby if needed or to keep your self entertained on your phone etc. as you pump! Trust me you won’t regret it. I purchased the Medela pumping bra. It’s a little harder to fit in the Spectra flanges into it but it works for me! You can find this a target or on Amazon.

4. OK! Let’s talk about the Freemie cups. I did go out and purchase these and did use them a lot when I first started EP. This is a great tool to use if you are out in public because they are discreet and no one will notice that you’re pumping. These do have Pro’s and Con’s. I would not use these to replace your normal Spectra or Medela flanges. I would just recommend using these on the go. In my experience I pumped out about an 1/2 ounce-1 ounces less than I normally would. The suction isn’t great but will do if you are on the go and need to relieve some pressure. Also, you do need to be careful when removing these once you are done pumping as the milk could easily pour out. However, I did use this a lot and found the benefits outweighed the con’s. You can find this in Amazon, Walmart or buy buy baby. Just make sure to get the correct one that is compatible with your pump.

5. A manual pump is absolutely necessary and everyone that is pumping should invest in one. These are great for on the go when you can’t plug-in anywhere or if your electricity goes out. I can’t speak enough about how great it is to have one on hand. I always keep it in my diaper bag whenever I go out just incase I need to do a quick pump in the car or relieve some pressure when I am out and about. It is also nice to have the option of not being stuck to a wall every now and then. I like this one because I am able to mobilize without any strings attached. This made life so much easier than carrying around a big electric pump everywhere. I purchased the Medela manual breast pump. You can find this at target or on amazon.

Let me know if you have any questions! Comment below! I am happy to answer any questions. I know this is a hard journey but you can do it momma!

 

Sincerely,

Eli<3