Year: 2023

Must-Have Products, Tips & Tricks

Do I need to sterilize pumping supplies?

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With all the stress on properly cleaning your pumping and feeding supplies, Is sterilization necessary? I often see this step listed as *optional.* Why is that the case? (And what sources back up your decision to, or not to, sterilize your bottles and pump stuff?

Image: Electric bottle sterilizer from PMP’s antiques collection

To sterilize or not to sterilize?

According to the CDC, sterilization is “for extra protection.” They suggest doing this at least once daily for newborns (they count “newborn” as any infant under 2 months old), babies who were born prematurely, babies with a weakened immune system, or babies undergoing medical treatment (such as chemotherapy). For healthy babies, they stress proper cleaning of bottles and pump parts with hot soapy water after every use, followed by air drying. HealthyChildren.org cited the same information from the CDC, and adds that if you use a dishwasher with a heating drying cycle, a separate sanitizing step is not necessary. 

According to WebMD, this practice comes from olden days when water supply was not reliably clean. If your water supply is safe for you to drink, it’s safe to wash/rinse baby bottles with, without additional sterilization. It’s not necessary to sterilize what is already safe. They do suggest getting well water tested if you use a private well.

According to Baby Center, a Canadian publication, it’s not enough to wash bottles in soapy water alone. Before proper cleaning/sterilization, babies would often become sick with thrush, gastroenteritis, viruses, and parasitic infections. They suggest sterilization by boiling or steaming equipment after washing for at least the first 4 months. This reduces the risk of baby getting sick during their vulnerable first year.

According to the NHS (UK), sterilizing after a complete wash and rinse is recommended up until 12 months of age. This protects baby from infections, in particular diarrhea and vomiting that can cause baby to become severely dehydrated. They suggest sterilization by steaming, boiling, or using a cold water sterilizing solution. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, NCBI, sterilization is only necessary when a pump and pump supplies are being used by more than one infant. They state that breastmilk collection kits should not be used by different mothers unless they have been properly sterilized, and that nipples and pacifiers should be used by only one infant. They go so far as to say that in a hospital, if a pacifier or bottle nipple touches any unclean surface, that it should not be cleaned but discarded altogether.

According to the AAP, concerns of water safety come into play when a family is using a private well. Illness resulting from children’s ingestion of contaminated water can be severe. (This also goes for using private well water to prepare formula. More information on well water usage can be found on their website, linked below under “Sources.”

*** ALL baby bottle and pump companies suggest an initial sterilization before the first use of their products. (Be sure to read the instructions provided with your pumping supplies to see what parts can be sterilized!) ***

Sooooo… like many things, educate yourself and do what you feel is best for your baby. 

I do highly suggest sterilization for premature or medically fragile babies, or if your tap water is unsafe to drink, or if you are using a private well.

How do I sterilize baby bottles?

If you’ve decided that sterilization step is important for you, you’re going to need to know how to do it! First, clean your bottles and pumping supplies with hot soapy water. Any dish soap is fine, but you might find that Dapple or Babyganics bottle soap best removes the greasy film left behind from breastmilk. Then, proceed with sterilization. The two most common ways of sterilizing are boiling and steaming.

Boil

  • Place your disassembled pump parts and bottles in a large pot and cover with water
  • Bring to a boil
  • Boil for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally (Set a timer!)
  • Remove all items with tongs and air dry
  • WARNING– Over-boiling or overfilling pot with items that come to rest against the side can result in damage to your pumping supplies!

Steam

  • Use a microwave steam bag or plastic microwave steamer. Follow product directions, adding a bit of water and not exceeding the microwave time they recommend. Vent and allow steam to escape before touching items and allowing to air dry.
  • Suggested microwave steamers: Medela microwave sterilizer bags (20 uses per bag, great for travel/work!) Evenflo silicone microwave bag, Philips Avent steamer, Dr. Brown’s microwave steamer, Munchkin steam sterilizer,

Self-contained electric steamers

  • Follow product recommendations to sterilize pump parts and bottles using a self-contained electric steamer designed for this use only.
  • Suggested steamers: Baby Brezza bottle sterilizer and dryer machine, Dr Brown’s All-in-one, Philips Avent premium sterilizer/dryer, Papablic baby bottle electric sterilizer, Wabi Baby electric sterilizer
  • UV sterilizers like this one by Grownsy

Dish washer

  • Remember, if you use the heat dry or sanitize settings on your dish washer, no additional sterilization is necessary!
Save on Sarah Wells Bags with code PUMPMOMMAPUMP15

* Melissa’s own experience *

Boiling freaked me out. I accidentally warped a bottle so from then on, I was more careful. Personally, I sterilized via microwave steam sterilization twice a day for my early babies, since my first baby was premature and I was used to that level of care with my second, early-term baby. I eventually moved to once-a-day sterilization for about 6 months or so (mostly out of habit, honestly.) My favorite product was the Medela Microwave Sterilizer Bags but if I did it all over again, I’d either use a reusable microwave sterilizer like this one by Philips Avent, or spring for an electric sterilizer. If money were no object, I’d definitely get a countertop dishwasher for all my pumping supplies!

Sources:

Click each link below to read cited sources in detail

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

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Pumping Support

Do I Have Elastic Nipples?

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How do you know if you have “Elastic Nipples?” (and what does that even mean???)

Our skin is naturally elastic (I mean, just think about how much our skin stretches in pregnancy, doesn’t it!) and all nipples swell during pumping. However, some mommas have more elastic tissue in their nipples that can be problematic when pumping. I’ve previously posted about flange sizing, but this post is all about elastic nipple tissue.

So how can you tell?
An elastic nipple may stretch lengthwise and even reach the end of the flange tunnel.
An elastic nipple may swell widthwise to fill the flange tunnel no matter what size flange you use. THAT’S the kicker- If you don’t have elastic nipple tissue and your flange is too large, you’ll experience what I call the “nipple mountain”, pulling in a lot of areola with a little nipple pulsing on top with each suck of the pump. The nipple itself wouldn’t swell or stretch like an elastic nipple would. Check the video below for a visual:

The Nipple Mountain!

(I really should copyright this term! 😜)
When I do flange sizing consultations, this is the easiest way to know whether your flanges are too large or whether you have elastic nipple tissue (as you saw in the video above.) When a flange is too large, part or all of the areola gets sucked inside the flange tunnel while pumping, and the nipple pulses on top like a little nipple mountain. That signals to me that the flange is too large. When a momma has elastic nipple tissue, the nipple itself would swell either sideways to fit the whole flange tunnel and/or extend down the length of the flange tunnel toward the end. Notice in the drawing above how the nipple itself is not swelling. This momma would want to consider selecting a flange that is smaller in diameter.
Why does this matter? When a flange is too large it could hurt- rubbing the areola resulting in friction blisters, peely skin, or a red raw feeling. A flange that is too large might also not remove milk efficiently. The mother might take a long time to empty or experience ‘clogs’ or reduced milk supply. A flange that is too large can easily become off centered which could result in some milk ducts being stimulated more than others, which could cause a ‘clog’ (inadequately emptied breast, in this case) as well.

What can you do about elastic nipples?

So you decided that you DO have elastic nipples, and you are finding it to be problematic. What can you do about it?
You can’t turn elastic nipples INelastic (like, you can’t make that go away) so you have to work with it instead of against it! I highly suggest that you get sized professionally for the correct size flange, and you find the size and style flange that is both the most comfortable and fully empties the breast most efficiently. (Book a consult or flange sizing here.)
What do I mean by “style” flange? This can mean selecting a flange cushion, a silicone flange, an angled flange, and/or adding or eliminating lubrication while pumping. Confused? That’s why it’s best to work with a lactation professional 1:1 to figure this out! Check out my go-to flange style options below.

BeauGen Breast Pump Cushions

My go-to solution for elastic nipples that extend down the entire flange tunnel: BeauGen cushions! (They fit into flanges sized 21-27 and bring the size down by 2mm so are ideal for mommas who need a flange size of 19-24) They gently hold back the stretchy nipple tissue so that the nipple can’t stretch all the way down the flange tunnel. SAVE on BeauGen cushions with code PUMPMOMMAPUMP.

Lacteck Silicone Flanges

⭐️ MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ⭐️
I wouldn’t even say I’m “team silicone” over here because I’m just straight “team Lacteck!“ They are SO COMFORTABLE… great for elastic nipples, YES, but I do not have elastic nips and my nips also love ‘em! Use code PUMPMOMMAPUMP10 to save on Lacteck flanges.
(Spectra/Motif users will need this additional connector to use Lacteck flanges)

PumpinPal Flanges

PumpinPal flanges are angled, silicone or plastic flanges. While they aren’t for everyone, I’ve had many a momma tell me that they “saved their pumping journey.” They can be good for elastic nips because the silicone variety (smaller sizes) help hold the areola back from the tunnel and all styles provide a different, more ergonomic way of pumping. They also come in a variety pack as opposed to being individually measured in mm. Save on PumpinPal flanges with code PUMPMOMMA5.

What about coconut oil as lubrication?

I always suggest using a food-grade coconut oil as lubrication when pumping. However, for mommas experiencing problematic elastic nipple tissue, I caution against coconut oil. While it can relieve friction, it can also make elastic tissue stretch even more! Mommas who are experiencing width-wise expansion, definitely try coconut oil. Mommas who are experiencing length-wise expansion, you might benefit from NOT using coconut oil. Try it and see! Pumping is all about experimentation and finding what works for you.

*I make sure to get discount codes for you on all product links, and for select products, I receive a small commission on those purchases at no additional cost to you.*

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

Tips & Tricks

Yes, You do Need a Ceres Chill® Breastmilk Chiller

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We’re talkin’ all things Ceres Chill today. In my opinion, their breastmilk chiller is a MUST-HAVE for pumping mommas on the go. There’s nothing out there as compact, as versatile, and honestly as genius as this chiller and if it takes a whole blog post to prove it to ya, that’s what I’m gonna do! If you’re reading this, you probably a) are considering getting a chiller and want to know if it’s worth it, b) already have the chiller and want to get the most out of your purchase, or even c) never heard of the chiller but you’ll admit… now you’re intrigued. Read on my friend, read on….

I get really pumped about cool pumping stuff, ok?

Why the Ceres Chill?

Why not a Yeti, or Stanley, or other insulated cup? Wouldn’t that be just as good? Short answer: No. Long answer: Nope, and here’s why! If you put warm, freshly pumped milk into a regular insulated cup, it will keep your breastmilk warm. (And we don’t want that! We want to get that milk chilled, right?) If you put freshly pumped milk into a thermal cup and place that thermal cup into the refrigerator or cooler with ice packs, you are actually insulating your milk FROM the cold! Yup! You’re keeping it warmer, longer, and the cup will actually protect your milk from the cold, not chill it. Enter the Ceres Chill, which chills your milk from the inside, and then insulated it from the environment around it, keeping it chilled.

How do you use it?

For a complete user’s guide, visit CeresChill.com It’s so simple: To store a smaller amount of breastmilk (up to 12oz): Fill the Outer Chamber with enough ice to be in contact with the bottom of the Inner Chamber and a splash of cold water (no more than 1/4 cup), so that the Inner Chamber is immersed in the ice and water when reassembled. Shake
the ice and water around a bit to screw the Connector and Inner Chamber back on to the Chiller. To store a larger amount of breastmilk (up to 24oz): Pour milk into the Outer Chamber. Fill the Inner Chamber with as much ice as you can fit, and a splash of water, and submerge inner chamber into the breastmilk.

Heating up breastmilk on the go

This is a question I get A LOT. How do you heat up breastmilk on the go? When I told you that Ceres Chill has thought of everything… I wasn’t kidding! Fill your “chiller” with hot water before leaving the house (no internal chiller chamber needed) and when it’s time to head baby’s bottle, attach the bottle securely to the inside of the lid and warm milk. (Warmed milk should be no warmer than the inside of your wrist, so make sure to check!) SO convenient!

Mommy juice

YES the chiller can be used beyond breast pumping! I love when baby items have lasting use, long after the baby stage… it’s the best bang for your buck, ya know? Get the Happily Ever After bundle to turn your chiller into a water bottle with infuser! The bundle comes with an infuser attachment, a sippy cup attachment, and a straw lid for mom! Oh… and it can also fit an entire bottle (750ml) of wine WITH the internal chilling chamber to fully chill a bottle of wine in 30 minutes!

Save on the CeresChill with code: PUMPITUP

F.A.Q.s

Check out the full list of frequently asked questions on the CeresChill website. Here are the questions I get over at Pump Momma Pump:

  • “Can I add freshly pumped milk to chilled milk?” YES (See video below!)
  • “Why can’t I just use my stanley cup? It’s cheaper!” I hope I fully answered this for you under ‘Why Ceres Chill?’ above. If not, DM me and I’ll explain it!
  • “Can I fly with it?” You absolutely can! (And this is a GREAT use for the chiller!) When you go through security, just dump the current ice water and refill with ice and water at any dining location in your airport!
  • “Do you use it yourself?” Yes I did, and I now use it for wine! I just got the DemiGoddess and I want to find creative ways to use that one as well.
  • “How long does it keep breastmilk cool for?” ALL DAY! (And you can very very easily add more ice once the current ice melts!) Kristen from @bemybreastfriend recently did a pretty intense temperature study and the original CeresChill won by a landslide!
[Adding freshly pumped milk to chilled milk]

Other ways to buy:

Disclaimer 1: I was originally gifted the Ceres Chill back in MARCH OF 2020… yup, I kid you not. A chiller for “on the go” when I wasn’t allowed to goooo anywhere! While it quickly became an ESSENTIAL item for essential workers, I’m kicking myself for not getting it sooner, when I was back to work as a pumping mom before the world shut down. Disclaimer 2: While this blog post was sponsored by CeresChill, I do not currently make money off of sales for the chiller.

The Sarah Wells Allie Sling Bag was designed to hold a full-size chiller in the outer pocket! (What a great combo!)

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

Here’s your sign- Just get it. Pumpables Genie Advanced. You’re welcome. Save with code PMP10
Pumping Support

Dealing with the Mental and Emotional Toll of Weaning from the Pump

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First, let me tell you… Weaning from exclusive pumping is as much a MENTAL shift as a PHYSICAL one! We spend so long being concerned with, fixated on, even obsessed with producing more more more milk…. and now all of a sudden we have to shift that mindset to making less less less milk! It’s a weird shift, right? It can be really hard, too! On top of that, we often experience GUILT about weaning, which is ridiculous because we have enough to worry about as it is! On top of THAT, our hormones can really throw us for a look while weaning. *Sigh* It can be rough. So… what can we do about it?

Disclaimer- this is not a post about how to wean from excluvive pumping. (You’ll find that page HERE.) This is a post about how to deal with the effects of weaning, and how to make that essential mindset shift.

Making the shift

Raise your hand if you’ve spent days, weeks, even months concerned with building and protecting your milk supply. Me too, momma. You’re going to shift that mindset of “More More More” to “Less Less Less”. Work on getting excited to see fewer ounces- that means that your body is getting the message to create less milk, and that weaning is working! Trick your mind into switching this perspective by saying celebratory things aloud like “Yes! Half an ounce less than yesterday!” or something similar.

Feel your feelings

Let yourself sit with your emotions as they come. Be sad when you feel sad, and be happy when you feel happy! Without apology. There’s no one correct way to feel. Talk about your feelings with a trusted friend, journal, meditate, pray… whatever makes sense to you! Have grace with yourself along the way, you deserve it.

Guilt is a very common feeling when weaning. I weaned during the initial wave of C*vid, so I should know! You might feel guilty if you didn’t reach the goal you set for yourself, but many mothers feel guilt even after reaching their breast feeing goals. This guilt is common no matter if momma nursed directly at the breast or exclusively pumped, so you’re definitely not alone. One helpful tip I saw online was to change the way you talk to yourself others. Instead of “I only breastfed for 3 months” take the word “only” out and confidently say, “I breastfed for 3 months!”

Relief is also common! Pumping is a huge commitment and time suck! It’s natural to feel the freedom that follows weaning from the pump. Channel the energy you once gave to pumping into whatever makes you feel like YOU again!

One of my very last pumping sessions

Get support

If you need logistical help with weaning, call on your lactation professional to set up a weaning consultation and formulate a plan with them. If you are having trouble processing the emotional side of weaning, consider talking to a therapist/counselor, (you know I’m super pro-therapy!) or a mom friend who has already weaned and can relate. Share your weaning journey with your partner or another support person… even during the process of weaning, you can always use a cheerleader!

Hormones are a b*tch!

Just as your body underwent a huge hormonal shift giving birth and beginning lactation, your body goes through a hormonal shift when weaning. “We know that the hormones so important in breastfeeding – prolactin (milk making hormone) and oxytocin (the hormone of love and responsible for the milk ejection reflex) – play an important role in how we feel emotionally. Both oxytocin and prolactin contribute to feelings of calm, love, relaxation, closeness and contentment. As breastfeeding ends, both prolactin and oxytocin levels will lower – and so may your mood and sense of wellbeing.” (LaLeche League)
This will not last forever. You may experience mood swings, even depression or anxiety (even if you did not struggle with postpartum depression/anxiety earlier on.)

One momma shares her story- “I was easily upset, crying, and and feeling like I wish I could turn back time to when she was younger. This set in when I officially stopped pumping and lasted no more than 5 days. It was similar to my experience with the baby blues during those first days home from the hospital. It helped to look at pictures and videos of my daughter and focus on work and upcoming events/travel now that I had weaned.”

Other things to expect

  • Return of your period- The drop in prolactin increases ovarian function, and return of the normal rhythms of estrogen and progesterone…. so if you haven’t gotten your cycle back, it may be coming soon!
  • Engorgement- Another reason to wean slowly (Tips HERE) is to help your body adjust to infrequent milk removal. Use ice and antiinflamatory medicaiton to reduce engorgement. You may experience this days or even weeks after your last pump…. in that case, you may wish to pump just enough to relieve yourself.
  • Weight gain- Now that your body is not expending so many calories on creating breastmilk, you may begin to gain weight. If this is an issue for you, it may be helpful to bring it up with your GP.
  • Breast/Nipple changes: Your breasts may reduce in side or appear flatter after weaning. Your nipples may appear darker or longer, or even point in a different direction than below. This may rectify itself in the next few months, or in some cases, this change may be more permanent.
  • Low Sex Drive- The drop in oxytocin, your “feel good” hormone, can result in a lower sex drive. As your hormonal levels even out, this may rectify itself quickly.
  • Increased Sex Drive- Conversely, some mommas experience increased natural lubrication and decreased breast tenderness after weaning, which as you can imagine, can benefit your sex life.

Honor your journey

Finding ways to honor your journey can REALLY help with the emotional shift of weaning. It can help you get into a celebratory mindset and find closure on this chapter of your life. To celebrate my own two weaning journeys, I got a tattoo, made a trophy, had breastmilk jewelry made with milk from both of my babies, went drinking/dancing, wrote a thank-you letter to my body, took up running again, began eating dairy again (I had been on an elimination diet), and best of all… started Pump Momma Pump, LLC!

There are so many ways I’ve heard that mommas celebrated their breastfeeding journey… maybe you can find one or two things on this list to honor your own journey! Here are some ideas:

  • Journaling/meditating/praying words of gratitude
  • Writing a letter to your body/pump
  • Going out to eat
  • Making or ordering a cake
  • Planning a vacation
  • Pumping photoshoot
  • Donating your pump or pump accessories
  • Smashing their pump (this makes me sad, but you do you!)
  • Returning to a favorite hobby or getting a new one
  • Getting breastmilk jewelry
My own personal breastmilk jewelry collection

Breastmilk jewelry companies I have personally worked with:

Sources:

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

Pumping Support, Tips & Tricks

Nipple Care for the Pumping Momma

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Take care of those nips, mommas! To effectively treat nipples that have become injured from breast pumping, you have to figure out what’s causing the pain in order to prevent further damage. Let’s heal those hurting nipples and problem solve together so it doesn’t happen again!

(Is it just me or do you see nipples everywhere?! 🎈😜)

A bit of soreness or sensitivity, especially at the beginning of your pumping session/journey, is normal. PAIN is not normal. And don’t let someone tell you “Oh you just get used to it.” If you’re experiencing pain with pumping, which has resulted in an injured nipple… there’s probably something causing that injury, NOT just the fact that you are pumping in general.

Possible causes for nipple injury:

  • 😖Incorrectly sized flange- Your nipple should pulse freely within the flange tunnel without rubbing the sides or pulling too much of your areola into the tunnel. For more on flange sizing, revisit my blog post about it HERE.
  • 😖Poor latch- Nursing mothers who think latch may be a contributing factor to their pain should make an appointment to get baby’s latch assessed by a lactation consultant. See if your insurance covers lactation appointments!
  • 😖Abrasion- Rubbing can cause the nipple/areola to become saw and sensitive. I suggest using a small dab of coconut oil on areola before pumping for lubrication. I do not suggest using nipple balm/butter, as it is too thick for lubrication.
  • 😖Pump suction is too high- Higher suction does NOT equal more milk! Turn that dial down for comfort. Pump at a strong but comfortable suction level.
  • 😖Mastitis- Flue-like symptoms, redness, and pain. These infections need to be treated by a doctor. Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed.
  • 😖Thrush- Yeast can really hurt and itch. Mommas often report random shooting pain in the core of their breast. Change nursing pads frequently and keep them dry! Talk to your doctor if you think you may have thrush.
  • 😖Elastic nipple tissue- If your nipple swells and stretches to fill the entire flange tunnel no matter what size flange, you might need a specialty flange like pumpin pals or beaugen cushions. I suggest setting up a consultation or flange sizing!

How do you treat injured nipples?

  • 😅Air nipples- When possible, go shirt/braless for 5-10 minutes to air out your nipples.
  • 😅Moist wound healing techniques (see below)- Wet/moist wound healing often works better for nipples because they constantly get wet.
  • 😅Warm saltwater/normal saline soak- Use an unscented Epsom salt in warm water. Do not use a Hakkaa suction pump. Many mommas dangle the breast into a bowl of water.
  • 😅Allow breastmilk to sit onto nipples- Your own breastmilk has wonderful healing properties! Dab some on, or wet a small cloth with your breastmilk and lay on nipples.
  • 😅Avoid soaps- Your montgomery glands self-clean your nipples. Avoid washing nipples directly with soap in the shower.
  • 😅Natural nipple ointment- I like Mother Love or Earth Mama! Consider staying away from anything containing Lanolin, as some women are allergic to this wool derivative.
  • 😅Silverette cups or Medela shells– Silverettes have natural healing properties and Medela softshells provide a nice barrier to allow nipples to heal.

What is “wet wound healing?”

💧 Usually what we think of when we think of healing cracked skin is DRY wound healing- airing the injury to form a scab. (This works well on your arms/legs/etc) HOWEVER, wet/moist wound healing works better for nipples because they constantly get wet. If that scab gets repeatedly wet and pulled off, healing can take forever.
💧 Instead, consider practicing WET wound healing for cracked nipples!
Apply a dab of breastmilk on the nipples. Consider a barrier that allows the nipple space to heal, like using Medela soft shells or Silverettes. Use a natural nipple butter after pumping for healing. A doctor may prescribe an all-purpose nipple ointment (commonly called APNO cream).
💧 Make sure you are applying a lubricant before pumping (food-grade coconut oil works well) to avoid further abrasion. Use the lowest suction allowable while still removing milk, and some light compressions to the breast to allow for full emptying. In extreme cases, hand-expression may be necessary until cracks heal.
AVOID soaps. Change breast pads frequently.

⚠️*The key is figuring out WHY nipples are becoming damaged- flange size? Strong suction? Poor latch?

⚠️You should speak to your health visitor or GP if you have signs of infection (like abnormal swelling, inflammation, discharge, fever and/or chills, or feeling ill), or if your wound doesn’t heal after a few weeks.

PAIN is not normal during nursing or pumping. Pain is not something you’ll just get used to. Your nipples will not get calloused or toughened up. If you are experiencing pain, it’s a sign that you may benefit from a latch assessment or flange sizing with a lactation professional.
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When you first begin breastfeeding, you and your baby are learning together. They might not automatically form a good, comfortable latch. Watching videos on good latch will help you know what a good latch looks like, but working with a lactation consultant as soon as possible will 100% help getting baby into and out of a latch and avoid damaging your nipples.
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Breast pumping should not hurt either. Yes it might be slightly uncomfortable. Some women do experience briefly painful letdown. With a correct flange size, lubricant if you need it, and suction that is high yet comfortable, pumping can be pain-free.

Other types of pain you might experience-

  • 😖Engorgement as your mature milk comes in- Use ice packs and make sure you are remove that milk regularly and frequently! Do “reverse pressure softening” before nursing or pumping.
  • 😖Clogged ducts- Check my “Pain” highlight on Instagram for my best tips for unclogging clogs as soon as possible so it doesn’t turn into mastitis.
  • 😖Mastitis- Usually comes with a fever and flu-like aches and fatigue. Can be a red and painful breast. Contact your doctor for treatment!
  • 😖Thrush- Yeast infection of the breast- needle/lightning like pain in the core of your breast, can be white patches in baby’s mouth- see your doctor or a lactation professional for treatment
  • 😖Vasospasm- nipple turns white and extremely painful when you unlatch or take the flange off- applying immediate warmth will help. Look up this term for more info.
  • 😖Nausea during letdown- The sudden rush of oxytocin during letdown causes smooth muscle contraction which can make you feel nauseous or need to use the bathroom. Sip ice water or suck on ginger or peppermint lozenge.
  • 😖DMER- Extreme feelings of rage, anger, anxiety, depression, during letdown that passes quickly. Look up this term for more info.

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

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Pumping in the NICU

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Welcome to the NICU club. You probably didn’t plan to be here…. but here you are. Let’s make the best of it, together. See what keeps pumping mommas motivated during their time in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), and make sure to check out the ultimate Pumping Supply List for NICU Mommas!

First, my own NICU experience:

I am often hesitant to talk about my NICU experience because we were only there for two weeks. Recently, I was reminded by Project NICU: “There is no such thing as “ONLY” in the NICU. Regardless of your length of stay, your NICU experience matters. Regardless of the degree of medical complexity, your NICU experience matters. Regardless of your baby’s gestational age, your NICU experience matters. Regardless of what your NICU journey looked like, your NICU experience matters. Do not compare your journey to someone else’s. What you experienced in the NICU and all of the emotions and thoughts you have surrounding it are valid.”

The story

Our first baby arrived, much to our surprise, one month early. While the birth went well and he aced that initial APGAR score, he lacked the stamina to nurse, which landed him in the NICU for two weeks. Leaving the hospital without my baby was heartbreaking, but only for a moment- I reminded myself that I had a baby, and he was well cared for in the NICU. He was gavage-fed through a tube that ran into his nose, down his throat, and into his stomach, until he could latch and transfer properly from a bottle. His vitals were monitored with several wires attached to various places on his small body- baby robot. Since he was otherwise healthy, we were able to hold him, change him, and eventually feed him.

Speaking of feeding… here is where I owe an eternal debt to one very special NICU nurse- She taught me to exclusively pump. I saw three lactation consultants employed by the hospital, each forcing the idea of nursing and not even mentioning pumping. It was this NICU nurse who not only taught me how to use a pump, but gave me much-needed tough love to stay on my frequent pump schedule of every 3 hours, day and night. The nurses celebrated every mL of breastmilk I brought in as though it were quite literally liquid gold. I pumped while my husband fed, and we both did skin-to-skin holding our son before leaving until the next visit. It was because of this experience that I discovered that exclusive pumping worked so well for our family that I chose to do it again for our second baby. It was because of this experience that I started Pump Momma Pump, in fact. See? Eternal debt.

If you asked my husband, he’d agree- we loved the NICU. It was like “How to be a parent 101.” The nurses taught us everything, which was extremely helpful for my husband, who had no prior experience with babies. We got time to finish doing what we planned to do in that 9th month of pregnancy I didn’t get to have- build the crib, put the baby gifts and clothes away, install and get the car seat installation approved (surprise, we did it incorrectly. Go get your car seat checked!). We even got one last date and pedicure.
We spent the night before discharge in the NICU “family room” which was like a mock hotel room a family can sleep in to practice their first night with their baby. So cool, right? While I am aware that our NICU experience differs from other’s… I remind you about what Project NICU said- “Do not compare your journey to someone else’s. What you experienced in the NICU and all of the emotions and thoughts you have surrounding it are valid.”

My mommas were asked… What helped you survive pumping in the NICU?

The NICU can be really Here is what kept my mommas motivated to pump for their NICU babies: (All are direct quotes from the Instagram, community)

  • Watching baby grow stronger because of my milk.
  • Pumping kept us linked through distance. I thought about my baby every minute of every pumping session. It was the only motivation I needed.
  • Pumping for my twins in the NICU was rewarding and stressful but luckily I got the point and made more than enough for them. Pumping helped me navigate through my emotions during that difficult time
  • Every milk delivery was relief baby was getting some antibodies. 
  • Pumping was actually a way to get my mind off things, it was something mindless for me- since I was stressed the whole time my baby was in the NICU.
  • Knowing I was giving my baby food to stay alive is what kept me going.
  • Our hospitals had cameras we could access at home so I could watch baby live while I pumped
  • Creating a daily routine/schedule and sticking to it!
  • The nurses! They were so positive and upbeat- They treated his like normal people!
  • I took photos and videos to watch at home
  • The feeling of wanting to help my little one grow so he could come home sooner.
  • A strong support system goes a long way
  • This was the only thing I could do for my babe when he was going through so much. It made me all the more determined to be able to give him this one thing!
  • Asking for a screen to pump next to the crib instead of going into the pumping room
  • Using the hospital-grade pump
  • Watching my milk come in. I felt like it [pumping] was the one thing that I could control.
  • The nurses! No matter how much I pumped, they made me feel like it was huge.
  • Honestly I didn’t like pumping while she was in the NICU. But I was unhappy the entire time, any moment I spent away from her. I did eventually start pumping in the NICU while I watched her sleep. That was more enjoyable 

Pumping for Your NICU Baby

Like many of the mommas in the Pump Momma Pump community said, pumping can be a way to feel connected to your baby while you are apart, to focus on what you can control, when everything else seems out of control.
Here are my top tips for pumping in the NICU:

  • Get a manual pump and learn how to use it. (This post could help.) The manual pump could be more effective in extracting colustrum in those first days after birth.
  • Use the hospital’s pump- it should be stronger, and they should be able to provide you with all the accessories you need.
  • Bring your own pump to the hospital so that someone can show you how to use it at home. If you didn’t get one through insurance yet, do that now.
  • Book a lactation consultation if you cannot get one at the hospital.
  • Get your flanges sized by someone who knows what they are talking about. If the hospital’s staff sizes you above the standard 24mm, I can almost guarantee you that they are wrong. Trust. Me. Purchase some correctly sized flanges on Amazon.
  • Wash your accessories well and sterilize every time. (You can do this less often once you get baby home- be extra careful about cleaning while in the hospital.) Use my list below to see what items could help, if the hospital does not supply everything you need.
  • Do skin-to-skin with your baby/babies or have your partner do skin-to-skin. Heck, if you have another family member who is willing, any skin-to-skin can really help, if you are able.
  • If they allow it, bring something into your NICU to help you feel comfortable while pumping, like a lap blanket and pillow, or a fuzzy cardigan, jacket, or robe sweater to drape over your shoulders. It can get cold in there!
  • Read or sing to your baby. Hold your baby’s small hand while talking to them if you cannot hold them. There are so many ways to bond with your NICU baby!
  • Get on a pumping schedule of every 3 hours, around the clock, and stick to it.
  • Take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating and drinking. If you had a rough birth, REST and take the time at home to heal. Ask for help.
  • Now might be a great time to find a therapist if you don’t have one. I am super pro-therapy and you’ll have A LOT of emotions to work through. Helps to have some tools in your toolbox tow work through them- a therapist can help.
  • Treat yourself if you can. Go on a date, even if it’s a breakfast or lunch date. Get that mani/pedi or get your hair cut/colored, if that’s your style. You’ll get much busier when baby gets home!

Pumping Supply List for NICU Mommas

Your Neonatal Intensive Care Unit may supply everything you need to pump, so before you go buying everything off this list, make sure to ask your NICU nurses for pumping supplies. Then, cross-check this list to make sure you have everything you need!

Know a brand new momma with a baby in the NICU? Be a godsend and share this blog post! Better yet, ask her how you can support her on this journey! We NICU mommas can use all the support we can get!

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

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Tips & Tricks

Introducing a Bottle After Exclusively Nursing

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Hopefully you’re not reading this the night before your baby’s first day at daycare… *laughs nervously* …that’s actually a pretty common scenario for many mommas! Nursing is going so well, with no “need” to introduce a bottle, so the transition to a bottle gets rushed right before mommas returns to work. And how do you even transition baby to a bottle? Or, Maybe you’re planning ahead and looking for the “right” way to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby. You’ve come to the right place! You’ll find my own advice, plus links to trusted sources with valuable tips to help you on your way!

[Disclaimer- A lot of this is going to be trial and error, so start EARLY and leave enough time introduce baby their bottle!]

WHEN? When should you start?

If your breastfeeding goal is to nurse (directly latching baby at the breast), concentrate on establishing good latch and milk transfer (often working closely with a lactation professional) in those first few weeks after birth. Once you and baby are comfortable with nursing and your baby’s doctor is happy with their growth, you can begin to think about bottle feeding. Ideally, you’d want to introduce a bottle before baby loses their automatic suck reflex. What’s an automatic suck reflex? If you touch the roof of your baby’s mouth with your finger, a pacifier, or a nipple, they will automatically begin sucking. This reflex can diminish as early as 2 months old. A good range to introduce a bottle is between 6-10 weeks postpartum after a good nursing latch has been established. (Latch by Robin Kaplan, M.Ed. IBCLC)
At the VERY least, Start two weeks before you’ll be leaving baby with a caregiver!

Special thanks to my client/cousins Josh & Shelley

WHY? Why use a bottle?

If you are planning to be away from baby during their feeding time, for any reason, you’ll want to ensure that they are able to successfully take a bottle. For some mommas, this means a solo-trip out of the house, girls night out, or a much needed date night to reconnect with a partner. For some mommas, this can mean returning to work after maternity leave. For some mommas, this can mean sharing the responsibility (and joy!) of feeding with a family member or friend. There’s no one reason to use a bottle, and some mommas choose to stay close to baby and offer the breast whenever they are able. This is not a space for division or judgement, this is a space for learning, together.

This is also not a space for guilt. If you are feeling guilty about giving baby a bottle… Let yourself feel it, yes, but let’s work on that. Your baby will be cared for. They will be nurtured and loved and nourished while you are separated and then nurtured and loved and nourished when you reunite. Will you feel guilt when they begin to use a spoon in addition to your breast? Probably not, right? Group a bottle in with all the other utensils that will eventually help nourish their bodies. That mindset may ease your mind a bit, so remind yourself of that when feelings of guilt creep in.

WHAT? What bottle should you use?

Every bottle is different… but it may be the NIPPLE that your baby is rejecting! Try a few different kinds! (For example, many babies prefer the narrower based nipples even though they aren’t marketed as the ones that have a wide base and look like a breast. Some babies find silicone nipples to be too slippery. Some babies like the slightly textured or angled nipples. Etc) It’s widely recommended to use a NARROW BASED nipple with a GENTLE SLOPE. These can be easier for a nursing baby to latch onto. In the image below, I show you a gradual slope (Lansinoh, one of my favorites) and a more rounded one (Comotomo). Select a SLOW FLOW nipple so that they can be paced-bottle fed and work for the milk, like they do at the breast.
What about “Nipple confusion?” When we hear that term, we can get scared that baby will never go back to the breast. What this comes down to is flow preference- with baby preferring the quick, passive flow of a bottle to the breast, which they have to work at. This is why selecting a slow-flow nipple and using paced bottle feeding is so important!

Some of my favorite bottles for nursing babies:

WHO? Who should feed baby?

There are two schools of thought on this tip- Some advise you to leave the house so baby can’t smell you. If you are present, they may wonder why they are latching to a bottle instead of you. On the other hand, some people swear by having your partner use your pajamas or something that smells like you next to baby while they feed from the bottle so they CAN smell you. You could try both!

HOW? How do you transition?

It helps to ease into this SLOWLY and gently. Allow baby to play with or suck on just the nipple, detached from the bottle. You can even dip the tip of the nipple into breastmilk to attract baby. Make it a sensory experience, don’t force it! Do it when baby is in a good mood. You might have heard advice to wait until baby is super hungry so they give up waiting for you and just take the bottle. This seems kind of drastic and sad to me… and a distressed baby is actually LESS likely to want to try a bottle. You could actually try the opposite- feed them partially from the breast, and switch to a bottle while they are still hungry but not starving.
Begin by allowing baby to play with the bottle nipple before attaching it to the bottle. Then, when you are ready to feed, stroke baby’s upper lip with the nipple and let them taste/smell it. Wait until they open their mouth wide, and let them latch onto the bottle. Make sure whoever is feeding baby is using paced-bottle feeding, holding the baby at an upright angle and holding the bottle more horizontal, allowing baby to have control over the flow of milk. Be sure to take frequent pauses for baby to burp and digest. Don’t rush it! Watch for baby’s hungry and full cues.

More tips and tricks from professionals I trust:

…But wait, we didn’t even talk about PUMPING!

Ah yes… this is a super common question I get over on Instagram. If you’re nursing… when are you supposed to pump? This depends on personal preference/situations. Some mommas pump once a day, to store a bit of a stash in their freezers. A great time to do this is after your first feed of the morning, when your body is naturally making more milk. Some mommas only pump before leaving baby, or only pump at work. Remember, if you are skipping a feed, you’ll need to pump instead. Regular milk removal is so important in protecting your supply and feeling comfortable, not engorged, when away from baby!

Pumping on my anniversary night away with my husband

Do YOU have any tips to share? Leave them in the comments for other mommas to try!!!

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

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Tips & Tricks

Protecting your milk when the power goes out

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It’s September! Storm season is upon us, in many part of the U.S. (Or maybe you’re reading this in the winter when there’s about to be a snow storm!) Here’s how to get prepared before a power outage, or react to an unforeseen outage, and protect your frozen breastmilk.

An outage is coming! What do I do?

If you have a heads-up about a planned power outage or impending storm, take precaution now. If you have a small/easily manageable amount of breastmilk, this will be an easier task. If you’ve amassed quite a freezer stash, this could take some more intensive planning. You’re already here reading this, so that’s a great start. *High Five* You’ve got this, momma!

Move your stash

With advance notice, you can move your stash to a safer location. Chances are, a neighbor is sharing the same electricity grid, so move it farther than next door. If you have family or friends with space, ask if you can store your milk at their house. In extreme cases, I have known families to load an entire chest freezer into a pickup truck and plug it in at their parent’s garage.
If your house is in danger of flooding and you must evacuate, transfer your milk to a quality, hard-sided cooler and take it with you. Pack the cooler with hard ice packs surrounding your breastmilk.

Dry or bagged ice

Run out for bags of ice to load into your freezer. Surround your breastmilk with the bagged ice. You may even want to double-bag the ice incase it begins to melt. If you choose to get dry ice, be sure to handle it carefully, with thick gloved. It is recommended to put your dry ice in a separate container away from your milk. If it comes into contact with your breastmilk bag, it can burn through the side of the bag and cause milk to leak out.

Fill your freezer

A full freezer stays colder, longer. Fill any large empty spaces with crumpled newspaper, or even a bed comforter! If you are using a cooler instead, make sure to pack any open space with crumpled newspaper. This reduces air flow and keeps the freezer colder for longer.

The coin trick

Freeze a cup of water and place a coin on top of it in your freezer. After power returns, check your cup. If the coin is still on top, everything has stayed frozen. If the coin is at the bottom of a cup of water, a full thaw has occurred. If the coin is at the bottom of a frozen cup of water, the freezer has fully thawed and frozen again. Breastmilk should not be refrozen once fully thawed. (Though if it’s only partially thawed, breastmilk can be refrozen!)

My power went out with no warning, what do I do?

Your freezer = a cooler

The power is out… no electricity… your freezer is now a really great cooler, so treat it like one. Surround your breastmilk with freezer gel packs, which stay cooler longer than ice made with water. Resist the urge to obsessively check on your freezer stash! The less you open it, the cooler it will stay, so keep it tightly closed! Consider taping the seal on your freezer to keep it from getting opened, and to resist the urge to open it yourself.

Winter = nature’s freezer

Are you living in an area with current snowfall? Consider double or triple bagging up your milk stash and moving it into a shady, protected spot, completely surrounded by thick snow.

Refreezing breastmilk

If you breastmilk has only partially thawed, and still has ice chunks or ice crystals, you can refreeze it! The clock does not start over, it’s still good for up to 12 months.

Fully thawed breastmilk

If your milk has thawed completely (no ice crystals left) it will need to be used within 24 hours. If you have milk that has thawed longer than 24 hours, give it a smell. If it smells ok, write “do not feed” on the bag of milk, refreeze, and use for milk baths! If it smells sour, dump it. (You wouldn’t want to bathe with spoiled milk!)

My own experience

The longest outage I have personally experienced was 35 hours without electricity. I had several bricks (See the brick method of storage HERE) of breastmilk in my chest freezer and harldy any of it thawed. A few baggies began to thaw and could be refrozen. We tried not to open the freezer during the outage, to keep it cooler, longer. Huge *High Five* to our chest freezer, right? Phew!

Sources:

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

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Must-Have Products

You Need A Manual Pump

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If you’re a breastfeeding momma, you need a manual pump. Period. I’m looking at you, nursing momma, and you, back-to-work momma, and definitely positively absolutely you, exclusive pumping momma! Sure, there are a lot of pumps that would be nice to have… but this one is a must. And here’s why…

Why get a manual pump???

A manual pumps is an essential tool for breastfeeding mommas. I’ll list out the reasons first, and then elaborate on each one below.

  • Freedom!
  • Small and quiet
  • Great for extracting colostrum
  • Clogged duct buster
  • Mini sessions
  • Different stimulation/variable speed
  • Pump one-handed
  • Helps with weaning from the pump

Freedom! Switch it up with a manual pump!

I felt much less controlled by my pumping schedule when I started taking my manual pump on-the-go with me. That way, if I couldn’t get home in time to pump, I had my hand pump with me! I’ve pumped so many many places, whether it was the mother’s room at Target, family gatherings, county fairs, or even my minster’s office! I could grab it on my way out the door and pump in the car (passenger) without having to wait to leave until after my pumping session. I could duck out of the room to pump quickly at events without having to lug everything and hook up to tubes and stuff.
Are you getting mentally drained by hooking all your pumping stuff and tubes up every time? Switch it up! Use this pump for a session to switch things up. Mentally, it just feels different!

Pumping on a road trip with my 3-month old

Manual pumps are small and quiet

This pump is so small that it fits effortlessly into my diaper bag or purse. I find that it’s much less awkward to pump in front of family or friends, than hooking up to something with tubes coming out of you. (I liked to wear a loose scarf overtop for modesty.) It’s nearly silent, too! The sound of the milk hitting the bottles is the loudest part about it! I’ve even used on on a zoom call and no one knew it!

Manual pumps are great at extracting colostrum

Colostrum is a sticky subject. Scenario: You just had a baby yesterday but nothing is coming out when you pump! A manual pump (or hand expressing) can often get that thick colostrum out better than your electric pump if baby can’t latch!

Pumping on the day I gave birth to my second baby- manual pumps work best for colostrum!

Manual pumps are great for busting clogs!

These pump are GREAT for clogged ducts because you can angle it toward the clog, and use the other hand to massage out the clog, and use deep slow squeezes of the handle to extract the milk! (Keep in mind that some ‘clogs’ are due to inadequate removal of milk, and some are from inflammation. Read more on that topic HERE.)

Great as a back-up pump

Storm season coming, with frequent power outages? Is your pump out of batteries? Are you away from an electrical outlet? Did you forget your electric pump when you left your work? Having a manual pump can really save the day!

Do a mini-session with a manual!

Don’t have time to strap everything on for a full pumping session? Get a mini-session in with a manual pump! A short pumping session is better than no pumping session, and there’s no huge set up tear down process with a little manual pump!

Pumping at the beach

A manual pump has different stimulation/variable speed

Different bodies responds differently to different pumps. You may respond really well to a manual pump! I know a few exclusive pumpers who use a manual exclusively! Also, YOU control the speed! You can go reaaalllly slow if you need that kind of suction speed (like me!) or any other speed that your body needs.

Pump one-handed!

Have a clingy baby? Manual pumps only take one hand! Comfort baby on the other side. You can even side-carry with a baby carrier and pump at the same time!

Taking a break to pump on Thanksgiving
with my 5-month old son

Weaning helper

If you are in the process of weaning and you are feeling so engorged but but don’t want to fully empty your breasts… Use a manual pump to relieve yourself while trying to wean. Use it just enough to relieve the pain, it will not trigger your body to produce more milk.

Pump Momma Pump’s favorite manual pump: the Medela Harmony

My love for the Medela Harmony knows no bounds, and NO they aren’t paying me to say that! (But they should. Anyone know a rep from Medela? LOL) I love the dual-mode handle shown in my video below. It’s so lightweight and there’s not a lot to clean!

Available HERE on Amazon, or in a Target or Walmart near you! (Amazon usually has the best price, in my experience)

How to use your manual pump

You might be scrolling through this post thinking… well that’s all well and good for some mommas, but I could never get my manual pump to work for me! Check out the quick tutorial below and practice with your pump! There’s a little bit of a learning curve, but once you know how to use it, you just might fall in love, too! Remember, start out quick for letdown, then go slow for expression.

Troubleshooting your Medela Harmony

Has your pump suddenly lost suction? Take it completely apart and make sure it’s set up correctly. Make sure your valve and membrane is snugly attached It’s a good idea to have extra white flappy membranes on hand to replace if it becomes worn out. Check that your diaphram stem still has a tiny white o-ring on it. (They can fall off over time especially with an older or well-loved pump.) Are you pressing down too swiftly during pumping? Try a long, slooow squeeze of the handle instead.

What about a haakaa?

Ah the Haakaa. Here is where the Haakaa company and I never agree- I say that the Haakaa is NOT a pump, in the truest sense. (Though the company would state that they are indeed a pump.) I say this because the Haakaa creates a continuous suck, not a suck-and-release cycle like a traditional “pump” or like a nursing baby’s suck.
Do I think this silicone suction style pump has its place in a breastfeeding momma’s life? Sure! They are GREAT for collecting milk on the side not currently being nursed on. They are also great for collecting milk on the opposite breast when a momma is using a manual pump. Would I use one as a replacement for a traditional electric, rechargeable, or even manual pump? I would not.

Image from Haakaa UAE

Manual Pump FAQs:

  • I usually pump for 15 minutes. Do I have to pump each breast with my manual pump for 15 min each? Nope! You don’t time a manual pump… you just pump until empty. When you see milk start to stop, lightly compress the breast with the opposite hand to ensure that you are emptying completely.
  • Milk is leaking from my other breast while I pump! Simply stuff a napkin or breast pad in there, or attach a haakaa or milk collector.
  • Can I use the fridge hack with this pump? Sure! (If you are comfortable with that method.) After pumping, wipe the inside of your flange with a medela wipe (or cottonelle, nothing with harsh chemicals/soaps.) Empty the milk into a feeding or storage bottle, reattach connector/flange to pumping bottle, and store in the fridge until the next time you pump! Do not rinse.
  • What do I have to wash? Everything that touches milk: Bottle, valve, connector. You don’t have to wash the handle and the disphram thingie under the handle.
  • Can I use two manual pumps at the same time? Techically, yes. I have a good friend who does. I ‘ve never even tried that sorcery! Haha!
  • My body just doesn’t respond to a manual pump. Are you using it correctly? Be sure to watch my demo video from today’s blog post! There are more demos in my manual pump highlight on Instagram.
  • Why did I completely lose suction? Take your pump apart. On the underside of the handle there is a stem with a tiny white o-ring on it. Is that missing? Is your yellow and white vale-and-membrane attached securely?
  • Do I turn the handle around to use the small side? Nope! As you saw in my video, it is designed to use at the top of your pump, to achieve small, quick fluttery sucks that stimulate your milk-ejection reflex or “let-down.”
The hot pink Sarah Wells Ally bag is perfect
for toting around your manual pump!

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

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Tips & Tricks

Family Vacations as a Pumping Momma

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How in the world do you manage a family vacation as a pumping momma? How can you find the time to pump AND enjoy your vacation without going absolutely crazy? It’s possible, I promise! You’ve come to the right place for tips, tricks, troubleshooting, and of course, a great packing list to help you stay sane!

PART 1: General Tips for vacationing as a pumping momma


🏝️*MOST IMPORTANT* Prioritize pumping to protect your supply. (I know it’s a drag, but skipping sessions for days in a row can hurt your supply!)
🏖️Remember all your gear! (Create a checklist to use as you pack)
🏝️Bring a manual pump as back-up (and learn how to use it first!)
🏖️See if you can buy or borrow a smaller, portable pump if you own a large bulky one, for convenience
🏝️Plan how you’ll wash and sanitize bottles and pump parts, especially in a hotel room.
🏖️Call the hotel to see if there will be a refrigerator in your room and access to a microwave if you’ll be using a microwave sterilizer.
🏝️Ask if you could use the hotel’s freezer if you need it.
🏖️Think about what you’ll do with your milk when you are out and about (the CeresChill is great for this, or you can bring a small cooler with ice/ice packs)
🏝️Pack pumping-friendly clothing and a light scarf if you’ll need to pump in public so you don’t miss out on all the action!
🏖️Practice pumping in public somewhere at home if you want to get used to it before vacation.
🏝️If you’re staying at a resort, or visiting a theme park, see if there are any spaces to pump if you are unable to return to your room.
🏖️Make sure to pump before a flight in case there are delays while on the plane.
🏝️Pack your pumping supplies in your carry-on in case there’s a delay while you are on the plane or incase they misplace your luggage!
🏖️Bring small activities for your older children to do while you pump, if needed

PART 2: Troubleshooting family vacations as a pumping momma

😩Crap, I missed a pumping session!
Relax, your milk supply likely won’t dip from one missed or late session, so pump as soon as you can. Plan a better way to get in your sessions tomorrow!

😩I forgot my pump parts!
Been there, momma! Many pharmacies will sell manual pumps, and I have videos for how to use on in my Manual Pump highlight on Instagram. See if you can overnight parts via Amazon.

😩I’m not near an outlet!
Another reason to bring along a manual pump or rechargeable portable pump

😩I’m missing out on all the fun!
Adjust your schedule around your planned outings, or drape a scarf or nursing cover over your flanges and pump in public

😩How do I wash parts?
wash in a separate basin. Amazon makes a cool collapsible one! There’s also a collapsible drying rack, use microwave sterilizer bags to use after washing for extra sanitation!

😩I won’t be able to get back to my room right away-
Use a cooler to store your milk and do the “fridge hack” with your pump parts until your next pumping session. (in hacks highlight on Instagram)

😩There’s no freezer in my room!
If you will need to freeze milk, see if the hotel will allow you to store your milk in their kitchen’s freezer. If not, you may need to look into a portable freezer, dry ice, or donating/discarding extra milk. (Informal donation like “Human Milk 4 Human Babies” on facebook often features women on vacation!)

😩I didn’t pump as frequently as I should have on vacation and my supply decreased!
When you are able, return to a frequent pumping schedule and try power pumping (in my power pumping highlight) to regain your supply. My Milk Supply page of my website has additional tips.

PART 3: Packing for vacation as a pumping momma

Check out my Travel List on Amazon for all links and my Discounts page for all discounts!

  • MUST HAVES:
  • -Pump and all accessories (make a check-list of accessories!)
  • -Power cord (if it detaches)
  • -Manual pump
  • -Pumping bra
  • -Feeding bottles
  • -Milk storage pitcher or bottles or bags
  • -Cooler and ice packs
  • -Basin, bottle brush, dish/bottle soap
  • -Drying rack/mat
  • -Microwave sterilizer bag
  • NICE-TO-HAVES:
  • -Extra parts (I’d pack an entire spare set of pumping accessories)
  • -Nursing cover or light scarf
  • -Wearable pump or cups
  • -Ceres chill milk chiller
  • – Highly rated cooler or cooler that can plug in
  • -Travel freezer or fridge if the room doesn’t have one
  • -Sharpie to write on freezer bags
  • – Activity bags for toddlers or older kids

Have you pumped on vacation?
Have any wisdom to share?
Comment below!

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