Genius ways to get lazy? Sign me up! As my favorite podcaster Kendra Adache, creator of The Lazy Genius, says, “Be a genius about the things that matter, and lazy about the things that don’t.” Whether you’re a longtime listener to her podcast, or a brand new fan, you’re absolutely going to love using these principles to be a Lazy Genius about pumping!
*Disclaimer* The terms Lazy Genius and the 13 Principles listed here are used with permission. Blog author Melissa Guerriero does not benefit monetarily from this blog post or any of the Lazy Genius products, productions, or books. This is not an affiliate or sponsored post, just a big big fan! To dive into the world of the Lazy Genius, head to https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/ Learn helpful strategies and practical wisdom from Kendra Adachi, a three-time New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and expert on compassionate time management.
Ready to see how these principles can help you as a pumping momma? Let’s get started!
The 13 Principles
(Scroll down to see these applied to breast pumping!)
- Decide Once: Make a decision about something and stick with it to avoid decision fatigue.
- Start Small: Begin with tiny, manageable steps rather than tackling a whole overwhelming task at once.
- Ask the Magic Question: Ask yourself, “What can I do now to make something easier later?” to make smart, forward-thinking choices.
- Live in the Season: Acknowledge your current life stage and make choices that are appropriate for your present circumstances.
- Build the Right Routines: Develop helpful daily habits and routines that work for your life and help you get things done.
- Set House Rules: Establish clear, simple rules for your home to make life smoother for everyone living there.
- Put Everything in its Place: Create a system where everything has a designated home to reduce clutter and disorganization.
- Let People In: Allow others to help you and be open to receiving support when you need it.
- Batch It: Group similar tasks together and do them all at once to be more efficient.
- Essentialize: Identify what is most important in a situation and focus your energy there, letting go of the less critical things.
- Go in the Right Order: Understand that the sequence of tasks matters and arrange them in the most logical and helpful way.
- Schedule Rest: Proactively make time for rest and recovery, recognizing its importance for your overall well-being.
- Be Kind to Yourself: Practice self-compassion, understanding that it’s okay to struggle, be imperfect, and embrace both the success and struggles of your life.
1. Decide once
What’s one decision you can make once about pumping? In our family, I decided that since I make the milk, my husband would do the dishes. This way, it was decided once. I didn’t have to ask all the time, and I didn’t get bitter about all the dishes.
You could decide once that you’ll have a high-protein snack every time you pump. Decide to drink an entire cup of water during each pumping session. You could decide once that you get a treat during your middle of the night pump, so you look forward to it every night. Decide once that since you’re home with baby all day, your partner gets diaper duty on the weekends. Decide once that visitors can feed your baby while you visit. You could decide once that you don’t even want visitors for x weeks after birth. Getting the hang of it now?
2. Start small
Beginning with small steps can help overwhelm. Got a pile of baby clothes demanding attention? Why not just organize the 0-3m clothing right now and leave the rest in a bin? Concerned about your milk supply? Start with a flange-sizing consultation instead of tackling the whole topic at once. Want to work on making mom friends? Start by going to just one meet-up instead of signing up for a whole class series or stroller workout group (or ask to go to one class for free to see if you even like it!). Got an intimidating pile of books to read? Maybe an audiobook might work better for you right now, with one earbud in your ear while you care for baby and pump.
3. Ask the magic question
This one is great for pumping mommas! Ask yourself the magic question: What can you do now so future-you can feel a little lazier? (In a good way, of course!) This can be assembling your pumping supplies so they are ready to go when it’s time to pump (Or better yet, assigning this task to a partner or helper!) Got a bit of extra time during a nap? Prepare an easy meal or snack to eat later in the day when you don’t have time to do it! Someone visiting? Use that time to do a chore you’ve been avoiding with them, or ask them to do it, so you don’t have to do it alone later!
4. Live in the season
This might be my favorite one to apply to pumping. Momma… this stage doesn’t last forever. Consider it a season of your life. This is not your season to start projects. Maternity leave is not vacation. If “all you did” today was care for your baby and make milk, you are rocking this season of life. There will be time again for hobbies, I promise. This season ain’t it. It might not be your season of life to join your older child’s PTA or to volunteer at church. Feel free to turn down the extras in your life to focus on what matters right now. Join the PTA or volunteer for church next year if you feel called! No one is going to blame you for not doing it right now.
In the middle of the night, when your baby starts crying just when you sat down to pump, take a deep breath… this is only for now. This stage will not last forever. This stage is just a season in your life.
5. Build the right routines
I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t like maternity leave. It really sucked and I really wanted to go back to work. Building a routine helped me deal with the long days alone with my baby. I paid attention to wake windows, and I planned small outings around those windows. We had a routine of walking just about every day, the fresh air did me a world of good. I prepared a snack ahead of time so I could routinely eat and drink during pumping sessions. That routine helped me stay hydrated and fed. I practiced feeding, lifting, carrying, burping, and even changing baby while pumping so that my pumping routine would not be interrupted by their needs.
6. Set house rules
Communication is key here. If you have a partner, be honest about how things are gonna go once baby is home. Perhaps a rule is that if you feed, they change diapers. Or if they get a morning of golf, you get a solo trip to Target. Perhaps a rule is that your in-laws need to text before coming over. A house rule could also look like this: When you’re pumping, the older kids get screen time. Or if a visitor wants to hold the new baby, they need to wash their hands and be sitting down. Be confident in setting boundaries. This is your house, your baby, and your postpartum. YOU make the rules, momma.
7. Put everything in its place
Set up a pumping station! Many people use one of those 3-tiered carts to keep all their pumping and diapering stuff in one place. Maybe the top rack is diapers, wipes, and butt paste. Maybe the middle rack is your pump, nipple butter, and protein bars. Maybe the bottom rack is hand-towels, swaddles, receiving blankets, and spit-up rags. Get crazy and set up one station upstairs and one downstairs! If everything has a home, you’ll always know where it is.
8. Let people in
If people are willing to help, momma LET THEM! Let people set up a meal-train for you. Let them hold your baby so you can shower. Let them do the dishes if you’d rather hold your baby. Let your big kids have a bit more independence and become your right-hand-man, skipper, or buddy! They will probably LOVE having a silly new title and bringing mommy things.
If no one is offering to help, ASK them. At my lowest point, going through postpartum anxiety after my second baby, I distinctly remember asking 11 people for help in one way or another. A few said no, a few said not right now, a few asked clarifying questions, and a few said yes. The people who said yes were not who I assumed would say yes, which hurt. And, YES I had to pay a few for some of this help- I got a mother’s helper for a few hours, and I got some help cleaning. Sometimes you gotta build your own village, and sometimes you gotta pay some of the villagers… that’s the society we live in, unfortunately.
9. Batch it
This is when you do a whole batch of a chore at once. I know mommas who use multiple sets of pumping accessories and wash them all in one big batch once or twice a day instead of after every pumping session. I use to do laundry with my husband only on weekends, so we could tackle it together and not have to do it every day during the week. I’d batch email correspondence during pumping sessions so I could catch up while also being productive making milk! I’d prepare a few bottles at a time in a batch, so I’d have one ready when baby was hungry and not be stressed out while they are crying. I froze milk by laying a “batch” of 3-4 bags of milk on a cookie sheet in the freezer and labeling them all at once.
10. Essentialize
If you are feeling overwhelmed, pare that to-do list down to what matters. Kendra suggests 4 categories: Right now, Soon, Later, Nevermind. It feels GOOD to take things completely off your to-do list!
For example, if your to-do list today includes: Pump every 3 hours, take a shower, shave your legs, go grocery shopping, pay the electric bill, donate money to church, read your book club book, do laundry, put away clothes, water the indoor plants and weed the outdoor plants, feed the cats, call your mom back, make dinner, bath night, hang with your husband. That’s A LOT, right? It COULD look like this: RIGHT NOW: prioritize pumping, pay that electric bill so your lights stay on, feed the cats and your family. SOON: Take a shower when you can. Do that laundry when you need to, but it’s ok to live out of a clean stack in the laundry basket for awhile. Water those indoor plants so they don’t die, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get to it today. Hang with your hubs when you can or do a chore together. LATER: Order groceries online and pick them up later, or have them delivered. Call your mom when you have time, or while you are multitasking. Donate when you can, the church won’t turn off your lights if they don’t get their money. Nevermind Category: Don’t feel like you need to shave those legs. Forget the weeding outside. And… maybe this isn’t your season to be in a book-club, eh?
11. Go in the right order
You’ll figure out pretty quickly when you do things out of order, and you’ll find a new order that works better for you. Do you ever sit down to pump and your baby immediately wakes up and starts crying? What if you changed the order to pumping after you feed and change your baby? Do you feel like as soon as you shower in the morning, something gets on your clean clothes and newly washed hair? What if you switch your shower to nighttime? Does your baby ever spit up while being burped? What if you changed them into fresh clothes after feeding? The order in which you do things matters.
12. Schedule rest
Repeat after me- “I deserve unconditional rest.” You don’t have to earn rest, momma. If you don’t take it when you can, your body will force it by becoming ill or mentally breaking down. They say “sleep when baby sleeps” and I encourage you to do so. A little nap or shut-eye can recharge you for the next few hours. Don’t feel like you have to be a multi-tasking maniac when you pump. Pumping itself is productive. You can use that time to scroll on your phone, watch a show, observe an older child at play, pet a cat, etc. Think of other types of rest, as well. Spiritual rest could look like using pumping sessions to meditate, pray, or read teachings or scripture. Do you miss a creative hobby? Give yourself creative rest by doing some light sketching while pumping, or crochet. This doesn’t sound restful to you, then it’s not rest, for you. Do whatever calms, centers, and recharges you.
13. Be kind to yourself
My way of saying this is always, “Have grace with yourself.” Having a newborn is HARD. Breast pumping is HARD. If you’re worried about being a good mom, you likely ARE a good mom. This ish is just hard as heck!!! So please, have grace with yourself, your body, and your baby.
Kendra Adache’s podcast and books! Thanks, Kendra!
Hopefully these 13 principles gave you some ideas to find some sanity in pumping and motherhood. I enjoyed diving into each one and may extend this further in the future, who knows! What one are you going to try? Tell me in the comments below:
MomCozy M9 Saves the Day for Working Moms
by Melissa Guerriero, CLC
Returning to work after maternity leave comes with a mix of emotions—excitement, guilt, anxiety, and pride. For breastfeeding moms, there’s an added layer of complexity: how to maintain your milk supply while balancing meetings, deadlines, and the daily grind. Did you know that “Returning to work” is a leading cause of mommas weaning before they are ready? Many mommas find it difficult to get the time and space to pump, even with legal protections in place. (Let it be noted that the author lives and works in the U.S.A. where mothers receive protected time and space to pump up until one year postpartum.) Breastfeeding while managing a career is no easy task—between tight schedules, limited privacy, and balancing both work and motherhood. To make things easier, Momcozy designed the M9 with the unique needs of working moms in mind.
Meet Rachel
To help us out with today’s blog post, I interviewed Rachel S, a pumping mom from outside of Philadelphia, PA, who uses the MomCozy M9 to pump for her son Tony. Rachel also happens to be my neighbor and good friend. When I learned that Rachel was worried about how she’d juggle pumping in her line of work, I hooked her up with the MomCozy M9. Rachel works in medical device sales and education, which means that while some days she works from a home office, she also has days where she is in and out of the car for 8 hours, and days where she’s assisting in the operating room up to 12 hours. If anyone needs the flexibility of a wearable pump, it’s Rachel! She’s been breastfeeding for 7 months and returned to work at 12 weeks. She describes her work as “everywhere, all the time, all over the place.” When she’s working in a hospital setting, she’s a guest at that hospital without a designated place to pump. With MomCozy, she is able to pop in her pumps and scrub into the operating room. She is also able to pump during her long commutes. While I tell you more about the pump, you’ll hear Rachel’s own words about how easy pumping has become for her after finding MomCozy.
What’s special about the MomCozy M9?
The updated M9 features the Momcozy PowerFlow™ 3.0 motor, ultra-quiet hospital-grade suction, a food-grade Tritan milk container, and the DoubleFit™ dual-layer flange—all designed to make pumping more efficient and discreet during the workday.
I asked Rachel how the feels wearing the MomCozy M9 and without skipping a beat, she answered, “I feel like I’ve got a nice rack!” (This is why we’re friends, folks… the woman is hilarious.) All jokes aside, Rachel doesn’t mind the additional volume up top. “It feels comfortable. I attempted to ride my Peleton while pumping and it didn’t spill!” The design of the M9 is longer, more oblong than rounded, which she finds to be a more comfortable fit. The dual-layer flange acts acts a kind of “suction cup” (Rachel’s apt words used here) so it doesn’t leak during movement. “I’m an active human. I bend over, I pick up kids, and it doesn’t spill!”
Feeling the Freedom
Unlike traditional pumps that tie you to a wall outlet and require a private space (and time), wearable breast pumps fit discreetly into your bra and allow you to move about freely. Whether you’re catching up on emails, leading a Zoom call, or even walking to grab your lunch, a wearable pump lets you reclaim your time. For many moms, this means no more rigid pumping schedules or awkwardly blocking out time on the office calendar. You can pump while working, and in most cases, no one even notices.
Rachel is definitely feeling the increased freedom from using this pump. “It’s comfortable enough that if I finish pumping before I arrive I can just keep it in there until I can stop safely, which is nice.” When asked how a wearable pump compares with her previous experience using a traditional electric pump, Rachel says, “In the car, in the hospital, and in my home office it’s so nice not to be tied to tubes and cords. With little ones at home who need you desperately every single second of the day (she says, with laughter) you can continue to be the sandwich-maker, and the dish-doer, and the pony tail-maker.”
Flexibility That Adapts to Your Day
Working life is unpredictable—meetings run late, projects shift, and to-do lists grow. Wearable pumps allow you to stay flexible and avoid missing pumping sessions, which is key to maintaining milk supply. They enable you to pump on the go, adapt to your schedule, and relieve the pressure (literally and figuratively) of trying to make everything work perfectly. You’re no longer bound to the office lactation room or forced to carry a bulky bag of equipment. The ability to multitask while pumping helps you feel less like you’re constantly choosing between your baby’s needs and your professional goals. With a wearable pump, freedom follows you, not the other way around. This confidence and control over your time helps reduce stress and can even extend the duration of your breastfeeding journey. You’re not just surviving the workday—you’re thriving in it, all while providing the best for your baby.
Rachel had terrible pumping anxiety when she tried to pump for her first two children. “Her heart would “”My heart would start racing just looking at the pump. It would make me feel physically sick” She knew she needed something different this time. She even said that if she were tied down with a traditional electric pump, she’d probably have given up pumping by now.
Final Pep-talk for the working mommas
Wearable breast pumps represent more than just convenience—they symbolize progress. They acknowledge that working moms shouldn’t have to choose between their career and their commitment to breastfeeding. In a world that often demands too much from mothers, wearable pumps give a little bit back: time, freedom, and peace of mind.
To all the working moms out there navigating the balance with strength and grace—you’re doing an incredible job. And now, you have a tool that moves at the speed of your life.
Momcozy M9 website
: https://cozy.top/zQDzE9fq
Momcozy M9 Amazon
: https://www.amazon.com/Momcozy-Hospital-Grade-Leak-Proof-Personalized-Multi-Modes/dp/B0DM4X6BZ9/
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by MomCozy. All parties featured here have been compensated for their time and have given permission for their images to be shown by Pump Momma Pump, LLC and the MomCozy brand.
#7- How Important the Pump Momma Pump Community Would Become (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s the final part of the series, #7: I wish I knew how important the Pump Momma Pump community would become.
I wish I knew how important Pump Momma Pump would become to me:
My mom used to joke that Pump Momma Pump was my second baby. I began PMP right between my two babies, and I celebrate the birthday of PMP every April 27th. Like children, this business is a work of heart- it’s challenging at times, but a great joy. I wish I knew how pumped I would become about pumping, and pumping education. It truly is a passion.
Yes, it’s a business, true… I do consults and flange sizing. I also provide advice and motivation on the website… but it’s much more than that. Pump Momma Pump’s main platform is Instagram, where we’ve grown a true community. Community matters greatly when you’re a new momma. There’s nothing worse than feeling alone. Exclusive pumping can be so isolating. I started PMP to be what I needed when I started pumping- a community of pumping mommas sharing what works best and feeling a little less alone. I wish I knew how many others needed that same thing!
I wish I knew how important Pump Momma Pump would become to my mommas:
To you. Someone recently asked me what I call my followers… you know, like… Taylor Swift’s Swifties? I simply replied, “My mommas.” and I do call you that. How many times over the past 7 years my husband has heard me say, “Let me ask my mommas…” or, “One of my mommas told me…” or, “The mommas are going crazy about…..” etc etc etc.
So this final birthday post is dedicated to you. Your words, Your successes, Your pictures. (Thank you to everyone who shared! I wish I could post all of them, but that would be one super long blog post!)
“I didn’t even know what exclusive pumping was. You taught me EVERYTHING about pumping and helped me breastfeed my first preemie baby for a whole year!” ~Meredith ((Oh I’m so glad to hear it, Meredith!))
“You have helped me not feel guilty about EP and built my confidence with pumping.” ~Emily ((Aw, much love Emily!))
Where do I even start…I learned almost everything I know from you! I had a rough start with my first preemie baby but by the time I had my second I felt so empowered thanks to you. I combo fed my first for 9 mos and EP’d 13 mos for my second. I just finished last week and have been wanting to reach out and thank you!” ~LGJ ((So glad you felt empowered, L!))
“You taught me that there is nothing wrong with exclusively pumping! I even chose to do it the 2nd time around bc of all the knowledge you shared on pumping!” ~Caitlin ((Darn right, Caitlin!))
“Haven’t pumped in about 2 years but I did pump for 13 months and your account gave me the confidence to exclusively pump. I don’t know anyone else who EPed but through you I learned the right language and how to push back when people said my child wasn’t breast fed. The most game changer for me though was learning about the manual pump, changed the game altogether.” ~JM Dunn ((I’m so glad, JM!))
“I found you because I was an exclusive pumper by choice with my first baby (so far) and your posts helped me drop my MOTN session and then eventually wean after 11.5 months.” ~Kendall ((Way to go, Kendall!))
“You helped get over some huge bumps in the road for my last two babes. How to make my pumping system better, how to figure out a schedule when I went back to work, how to minimize washing, how to optimize storage, how to use the haaka and manual pump (my fave because of you when baby 3 arrived)” ~Jess ((Thank you, Jess!))
“You are the only reason I even knew EP was an option, a huge part of how I was able to EP for over a year and then choose to EP from the beginning for # 2! Invaluable knowledge, guidance, encouragement and support” ~Sarina ((Sounds like my story, Sarina!))
“As an IVF mom I already felt like my body wasn’t made for motherhood so when baby was jaundice, wouldn’t latch, wasn’t gaining weight, moved to formula supplement and I started exclusively pumping, I felt even more like motherhood wasn’t for my body. Rhen, I found Pump Momma Pump. I learned that it was okay. My baby was still fed my milk and I wasn’t the only mom who had struggles.” ~Katie ((Thanks, Katie!))
“Pump mama pump gave me the confidence to feed my baby using whichever tools (breast, pump, bottle, breast milk, formula, combo) worked for our family at the time.” ~Cami ((I’m so glad, Cami!))
“I literally had no idea how to pump – I wasn’t exclusively pumping, but our breastfeeding journey started with triple feeding, ended with pumping at work into weaning, and every combination of feeding in between. This platform showed me that every journey is unique, and that every form of feeding my babies is valid and special. I struggled so hard through my postpartum and breastfeeding journey with my first, that I feared my second. Luckily – your page and other real pages – helped me see the beauty & pragmatism in being a really great REAL LIFE mom.” ~Michele ((Thank you, Michele!))
“Your tips and tricks help me to get through a rough day of pumping!” ~Jennalee ((I’m happy to help, Jennalee!))
Fuel the fun, hun!
I hope you enjoyed birthday week! It’s been a lot of fun over on Instagram! We did 7 days of giveaways, 7 days of blogging, 7 days of sharing YOUR pictures and YOUR stories! I’m going to go eat some birthday cake and celebrate.
*Cheers to 7 Years, my mommas* Much love, Melissa
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
#6- Partner support helps exclusive pumping work (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #6: Partner support helps exclusive pumping work. I wish I knew just how active a roll my husband would take in supporting my pumping journey!
Important note before I begin: My husband did not get paternity leave. He took a few vacation days while our first baby was in the NICU, but otherwise went to work every day of the work week. Working his day job did not affect his ability to support me when he was home, and I am grateful for a relationship where I felt fully supported during my maternity leave, sharing parenting responsibilities as 50/50 as possible, when possible.
He was one of my biggest cheerleaders
Every pumping mom needs a cheerleader! Someone to listen to their goals and help them achieve them! My husband was totally on board with whatever feeding goal I had in mind before giving birth and attended a prenatal breastfeeding class with me. When I ended up exclusive pumping, that plan changed, but the support did not. We ended up liking the exclusive pumping lifestyle because it helped him take on a more active role in feeding our children.
Not everyone was on board with my choice to exclusively pump. Some people didn’t hide their disappointment that I chose to pump instead of nurse. Others questioned what was in my bottle and judged me, assuming I was formula feeding. My own mom didn’t even “get” it, you know? But Greg did. He was totally on board and even talks to his friends about it! It was really hard at times, but he stuck by my side. He was and is one of my biggest supporters and I am so grateful.
He fed the baby more than I did!
This was especially true in the NICU! Most of the time we spent there, I was pumping while my husband fed and changed our baby. But even after the NICU, when we was home and I was pumping, he was usually the one feeding the babies. It was an incredible bonding experience for him and definitely a help to me!
He was nervous at first, because unlike my years of experience caring for a younger sibling or children I babysat, he had no prior experience with babies. He was also nervous because our first baby was small and connected to wires and tubes in the NICU! The NICU nurses showed him how to feed, burp, and change our son. With a bit of practice, he grew more comfortable. He had a whole routine for feeding and burping down, and quickly became a pro at it!
We split nights
We call this “protected sleep.” My husband is even a total fan of the method and talks about it often. From the graphic below, you can see that as an exclusive pumper, I pumped once in the middle of the night, until my babies slept through the night, staring at 1 month postpartum (I pumped twice in the night for the first month.)
Every time I pumped, I would leave out a bottle of freshly pumped breastmilk on the counter for the next feed (this is OK to do if you feed it within four hours) It really saved time from when we used to use bottle warmers, rookie mistake.
My husband is a night owl so, he was often good to be awake until midnight or so, so taking the first shift was easy for him, and preferable. This way he also got that solid block of sleep right before work. No, he did not get any paternity leave, and he had a desk job, so it was OK if he was a little tired. I mean come on, mom is literally caring for another human being all day and we think it’s OK for her to be the tired one? …Patriarchy. Ugh.
How was my sleep protected?
When I was off-duty, I’d sleep in our bedroom with a loud A/C on. Getting that solid block of sleep did a world of wonders for me in those early months, we were both as rested as the other. It was great for empathy, let me tell you.
If baby needed to eat right at 2 AM, dad would feed the baby while I pumped. If dad already went to bed, I would either pause my pumping session and feed the baby, or feed the baby while I pumped, which became easier with practice.
He took on dish duty
We didn’t figure this one out right away. At first, I thought only I knew how to do this properly, so I did it all. That became tiresome VERY quickly. I taught him the safe way to clean pumping supplies (see advice for cleaning HERE) and soon he was able to help me out by taking on dish duty for pumping and feeding supplies.
After I had my second baby, I developed postpartum anxiety disorder and had a really rough time of it for awhile there. At this time, we reviewed our household jurisdictions and he took over ALL dish washing (did I wash dishes here and there? Of course… but feeding (whether it be pumping milk, packing lunches, or cooking meals) became mostly my duty and washing up became mostly his duty.)
As you can imagine, this helped support my exclusive pumping journey. I also did the fridge hack, which involves storing my pumping accessories in the refrigerator between sessions so he only watched the whole batch every morning and every evening. (I really should write a whole blog post on the “Fridge hack” but for now, you can read about it in the highlights on my Instagram page.)
>>> Note to the reader: I usually create blog posts to offer advice, tips, and tricks to apply to your own pumping journey. I kept this particular blog post personal, because I am sharing what worked for us, in our own family dynamic. Everybody’s family works differently and my experience may look similar or very different than yours. In no way am I instructing you in how your relationship should work or how your household should run. If you do get inspired to try any of the things that worked well for us, I hope they work well for you too!
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
#5- Supplementing is okay! (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #5: Supplementing is not only “okay” but can help you meet or exceed your breastfeeding goal!
I highly suggest setting an achievable goal, which looks different for everyone. (Yours might be week-to-week or month-to-month, 3 months, 6 months, etc!) When I was exclusively pumping for my first baby, I set a goal of 6 months. I had the support system and resources where 6 months seemed like an achievable goal. At the 6 months mark, I decided that I could keep going! I reduced my pumps to 4 per day to give myself more freedom, and began supplementing. Supplementing helped me far exceed my goal (I made it to 11 months with my first baby!)
Let’s talk about supplementing. It’s way more common than you think. Supplementing is a fact of life for many mommas, but can also be the key to prolonging your pumping journey!
How? Read on to find out:
*This post is NOT sponsored by any formula brands, nor is any specific brand mentioned/suggested/promoted within this post*
Coming to terms with supplementing
The need to supplement can leave mommas feeling guilty about not being able to provide a complete diet of breastmilk for their baby. I get it, I’ve been there. Keep in mind, even if you can’t provide 100% breastmilk for your baby, they are still getting 100% of the benefits of your breastmilk. Read that again, because it’s true. That amount still matters. (For example, did you know that one teaspoon of breastmilk contains up to 3 million germ-killing cells? Wow!) Still, it can be hard to start supplementing. There can be feelings of failure. There can be feelings of guilt and grief. Let yourself feel your feelings, because they matter. Then, try reframing your mindset about supplementing. Formula was scientifically designed to help infants thrive. A mindset shift that helped me personally was this: Soon, there will be lots of things your baby will eat that you didn’t personally create with your body. Do you give yourself a hard time because you can’t create bananas, bread, or broccoli with your body? Of course not! Just group formula in with all the new foods that will nourish your baby.
I promise, there are so many silver linings to supplementing!
The benefits of supplementing
- Supplementing can help improve baby’s bilirubin levels to combat jaundice.
- Supplementing can help while a momma is actively working with a lactation professional to improve nursing or pumping.
- Supplementing under a doctor’s guidance can help a baby who is struggling with weight gain.
- Supplementing helps a momma with low supply keep offering breastmilk.
- Supplementing can help mommas reach their breast pumping goal.
- Supplementing can help momma ease up on her pumping schedule and potentially pump longer than anticipated because it feels more sustainable!
- By combo-feeding, you can ensure baby is still getting the benefits of your breastmilk, no matter what amount you are able to provide. Think of it as the most personalized vitamin you can give them!
Since this is a topic I feel passionately about, I’ve blogged about it before. Today’s blog is an abbreviated version. For the full blog on supplementing, click HERE.
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
#4- Calories Count [to support your milk supply]! (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #4: Calories Count! Breastfeeding expends an average of 500 calories per day. It wasn’t until my second exclusive pumping journey that I realized how a big ol’ cheeseburger would increase my milk supply for the day (and dehydration would kill my milk supply!)
Fuel for the Flow: How Calories & Hydration Can Boost Your Milk Supply
Breastfeeding is an incredible way to nourish your baby — but did you know that nourishing yourself is just as important? Make sure your body is set up for success- calories and hydration are two of the biggest players in the game.
Let’s break down why eating enough and staying hydrated can help increase milk supply — and how to do it right.
Milk Production is a Metabolic Workout
Producing breast milk takes a lot of energy. On average, your body burns an extra 500 calories a day just by making milk. That’s like going for a 45-minute run! Woah! So if you’re not getting enough calories or fluids, your body may not have the fuel it needs to keep up milk production. It’s kind of like trying to drive cross-country on an empty tank.
Your body prioritizes nourishing your baby, but if it’s running low on energy, milk supply can dip. Here’s how to make sure you’re eating enough:
✅ Eat Often
You don’t need fancy meals — just consistent fuel. Aim for 5-6 small meals/snacks a day to keep energy (and milk) flowing.
✅ Focus on Nutrient-Rich Foods
- Good fats: Avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil
- Proteins: Eggs, dairy, meat, tofu, beans
- Whole carbs: Oats, quinoa, brown rice, fruits
✅ Don’t Fear the Snack
Trail mix, granola bars, smoothies, nut butter on toast — these are easy, one-handed fuel-ups you can manage even when you’re running on baby snuggles and no sleep.
Save with code PUMPMOMMA
💧 Why Hydration is Key
Milk is about 88% water, so staying hydrated is essential to keeping supply steady. Dehydration can make you feel tired, sluggish, and even reduce milk output.
✅ How Much Water Should You Drink?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good rule of thumb is to drink to thirst and aim for about 8–12 cups a day. More if you’re sweating, exercising, or in a hot climate.
✅ Pro Tips to Stay Hydrated:
- Keep a big water bottle next to your pumping or nursing station.
- Sip while you feed — make it a habit!
- Don’t like plain water? Add a slice of lemon, cucumber, or berries to keep things interesting.
- Diet Coke doesn’t count! Soda, Coffee, even Teas are not great ways to hydrate and can even lead to greater dehydration!
🚫 What to Avoid
- Skipping meals: It’s easy to forget to eat, especially with a newborn. But skipping meals can tank your energy — and your supply.
- Caffeine overload: A cup or two of coffee is totally fine, but too much caffeine can be dehydrating.
- “Dieting” too soon: Trying to lose baby weight too quickly can lead to a drop in milk. Focus on nourishment first — your body will find its balance in time.
Find correlating factors
What’s a correlating factor? It’s a variable that shows a relationship with one or more other variables, indicating whether changes in one variable are associated with changes in others. Huh? Pay attention to a pump session that is greater or less than average, and see if there are any factors that might have correlated with this increase or decrease. For example, I found that after I ate a high-protein meal (like a cheeseburger,) I’d pump more milk. I found that after a day drinking barely anything, I’d pump less milk, booooo.
Every body is different — and while hydration and calories are two of the biggest contributors to milk supply, they aren’t the only factors. Hormones, stress, latch issues, and even pumping frequency all play a role. But making sure you’re eating and drinking enough is one of the easiest (and most empowering) steps you can take.
Milk-making mamas are athletes — your body is working hard to nourish your baby! Treat it with the care it deserves: eat enough, hydrate often, and rest when you can. The better you take care of yourself, the better you’ll feel — and the more your body can show up for your baby.
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
Have favorite snacks or hydration hacks? Drop them in the comments below. Your go-to smoothie might just be another mom’s game-changer!
#3- Pumping is EXPENSIVE! (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #3: Pumping is expensive! I always heard mommas say that breastfeeding is free… but let me tell you- pumping is NOT! I wish I knew how expensive it would get and better yet, how to save money on the things I needed.
Whether you’re a working parent, dealing with latching issues, or simply want to share feeding responsibilities, pumping can be a crucial part of your journey — and a surprisingly expensive one. Let’s break down the true cost of pumping and how you can save money without sacrificing quality or comfort.
The Hidden Costs of Breast Pumping — and How to Save Money
The Real Costs of Breast Pumping
You’d think once you have a pump, you’re set, right? Not exactly. Here are some of the key expenses you might run into, and what I wish I knew about each:
1. The Breast Pump Itself
- Price range: $50 to $500+
>>> I WISH I KNEW- that most exclusive pumpers have more than one pump! Yes, many mommas can get a breast pump free through insurance but I didn’t realize how much trial and error there would be in exclusive pumping. I ended up with 4 pumps- 3 of which I purchased at full price. I even shelled out an extra $50 to upgrade my “free” insurance pump to a blue Spectra S1 (rechargeable) instead of the free pink version.
2. Replacement Parts
- Valves, membranes, tubing, and flanges wear out quickly, especially if you pump often.
>>> I WISH I KNEW- that I’d be trying out many flange sizes and styles and I experimented with the best fit and greatest comfort, so I’d be spending money on parts I didn’t even end up using very much!
3. Bottles & Storage Bags
- Milk storage bags are single-use, adding up fast.
>>> I WISH I KNEW- that I’d never end up using the larger baby bottles, as my babies never took more than a 5oz bottle could hold! I did spend a lot of money on storage bags for freezing, though… I found out quickly that the store brand from Target or Walmart are just fine and cheaper!
4. Accessories & Comfort Items
- Pumping bras, nipple cream, cleaning wipes, sterilizers, cooler bags — the list grows.
>>> I WISH I KNEW- that these aren’t luxuries, they were essentials for comfort and convenience since I spent months and months pumping! I also wish I put a lot of these things on my registry… but I didn’t realize I’d be exclusively pumping!
5. Food & Supplements
- Breastfeeding consumes around 500 calories a day, so it’s important to eat extra protein and healthy fats. Many mommas also end up buying cookies and supplements in an attempt to boost supply
>>> I WISH I KNEW- that supplements are not the best way to boost supply and can end up costing soooo much! And if you really want cookies, make them yourself! So much cheaper and tastier!
6. Time
- Time is money, honey. The act of pumping — setting up, cleaning, storing, and feeding — takes time out of your day, often unpaid.
>>> I WISH I KNEW- how to multitask to make the most of the time spent pumping. I wrote about many ways to multitask while pumping in THIS blog.
Tips to Save Money on Pumping
Luckily, there are smart ways to cut down on costs without cutting corners. I had to learn this over time… so go easy on yourself if you haven’t thought of some of these tricks on your own! Pumping is a labor of love — but it shouldn’t be a financial burden. The key is to plan ahead, know your options, and take advantage of resources available to you. Every penny saved is a little less stress and a little more support during an already demanding phase of parenthood.
>>> I’ll include my own advice to how to know whether to SAVE or SPLURGE on specific items for breast pumping!
✅ Check Your Insurance
- In many countries (like the U.S. where I live), insurance plans are required to cover a breast pump. Contact your provider early in pregnancy to find out what’s covered- you might find different pump options covered through different companies, so don’t limit yourself!
>>> SAVE- Take advantage of this! Even if you already have a pump, get that free insurance pump!
>>>SPLURGE- If you’re going to exclusively pump, use the free pump through insurance to get a sturdy workhorse of a pump (like Spectra) and splurge on a more portable option to give yourself more freedom and flexibility.
✅ Go Manual
- Manual pumps are inexpensive and useful for occasional pumping or on-the-go emergencies. You know I love love love my manual pump!
>>> SAVE- Put that manual pump on your registry! I know many nursing mommas who still use one from time to time!
>>>SPLURGE- If you already have an electric pump, get a manual, too! Believe me, you need a manual pump!
✅ Save on Replacement Parts
- Amazon offers compatible replacement parts (flanges, tubes, valves, etc) for a lower price.
>>> SAVE- Know what parts you’ll REALLY need to replace… the internet will tell you to replace everything. In my personal and professional opinion, unless something is damaged, only the valves need replacing regularly (monthly for EPers, 3 months for occasional pumpers)
>>>SPLURGE- I personally loved my Lacteck silicone flanges, which were more expensive. It was SO worth it for comfort and durability- I never had to replace them!
✅ Buy or find free pumps and accessories
- Many moms sell or giveaway lightly used pumps. If you buy one second-hand, replace all the parts that come into contact with milk (flanges, valves, tubing) for hygiene and efficiency.
>>> SAVE- Check your local mom groups on Facebook to see if anyone has a pump or accessories to give you. Breastfeeding moms know how expensive pumping can be and are often eager to help out!
>>>SPLURGE- While Facebook marketplace does not allow the sale of pumps, ebay does! If you can select a new one over a used one, that’s usually the way to go!
✅ Use Reusable Storage Bags
- Some brands offer washable, reusable silicone storage bags. A bigger upfront investment, but they pay off in the long run.
>>> SAVE- Honestly I love the cheap freezer bags from Walmart or Target, especially if you’re going to be a milk donor! (Actually, if you are donating milk to a local mom, THEY should buy your freezer bags for ya!)
>>>SPLURGE- The price on some of these might look $$ at first, but they are reusable! The Ceres Chill Milkstache freezing system works well for this! I wish I had this myself!
✅ DIY Sterilizing
- Instead of expensive sterilizing gadgets, sterilize pump parts by boiling them or using microwave-safe sterilizing bags (which are reusable up to 20+ times).
>>> SAVE- I wish I got a microwave sterilizer like THIS instead of buying all those disposable bags! I now get this as presents for my pumping friends.
>>>SPLURGE- My friend exclusively pumped for two babies and is SO glad she splurged on a countertop bottle washer and sterilizer! It wasn’t for me, but it was a game changer for her!
✅ Find Discount Codes
- A simple google search will help you find discount codes for name-brand products!
>>> SAVE- Here’s my list of discount codes to get started!
Melissa’s final thoughts:
>>> I’m glad I spent money on:
- Multiple pumps! Here are the pumps I had and my thoughts on them.
- Quality products like Lacteck flanges and Sarah Wells bags. The flanges were a total game changer for comfort, and the Sarah Wells bag was the treat I needed to keep me motivated!
>>> I regret spending money on:
- My Elvie pump. I shelled out $500 out of pocket and barely used it. I wish I would have found a gently used one for far less $$$ or opted for a lower cost wearable.
- So many bottles! My babies never even ended up using larger bottles!
- Cookies and supplements! Supplements are a band-aid fix at best, and lactation cookies are cheaper and tastier if you make them yourself!
- Baby shoes (Okay, this is not pumping-related, but why do people buy shoes for babies? So silly, LOL.)
Got more hacks or ways you saved money while pumping? Share them in the comments below — your tips could be a lifesaver for another parent!
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
#2- Flange Sizing is SO Important! (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the 7 Things I Wish I Knew at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #2: Flange sizing is SO important! I talk about flange size a lot because it’s one of the most impactful parts of your pumping accessories, next to your pump itself.
Education about flange sizing has been historically… awful. How many of you were even sized at all? Or perhaps you were told that the 24mm that came with your pump is good enough? Or, more absurdly, were told to size UP to a 27 or 30 when the average mommas is more like a 17mm? Lately, though, there have been great strides toward not only figuring out the best way to size a momma for a well-fitting flange, but also to educate lactation professionals in best practices to use with their clients.
What I wish I knew about flange sizing
In the beginning, I didn’t know any better. I spent several months using the flange that came with my Spectra pump- 24mm. Pumping HURT and took forever! My poor areolas were red and painful. It hurt to shower and when clothing touched my nipples. I never got a second or third letdown. I didn’t know much about flange sizing at the time, but I could tell that mine were too large, so I sized down to a 21mm and spend the rest of my entire first pumping journey using 21mm. For my second baby, I had greater knowledge about flange-sizing but the recommendation at the time was to size 4mm larger than my nipples, so I used a 19mm hard flange or a 18mm Lacteck flange. The silicone Lacteck was a much better fit and felt so much more comfortable! Still, with what I know now, I wonder how much better I’d respond to a flange much closer to my nipple size of 15mm. *shrugs* You don’t know what you don’t know… you know?
Why is flange sizing so important?
Flange sizing can REALLY improve your breast pumping journey. A well-fitting flange can increase comfort, help you empty quicker, and ensure that you’re fully emptying each time you pump. I suggest waiting until AFTER birth to measure. Also, it’s a good idea to measure before pumping, not after. You want to measure the median thickness of your nipple, before it widens out into your areola. Then, select a flange size that is close to the size of your nipple, or just a little bit larger. (Example, if you measure 15mm, select a 15-16mm flange)
HOWEVER, flange sizing is SO MUCH MORE than “here, go measure yourself.” Mommas don’t usually know where/what to measure, and there are other factors that play into successful flange sizing than measurement alone. What are those factors?
- FIT- Flange stays centered and does not gap or slide around
- FEEL- Pumping is comfortable without pain to the nipple or areola
- SPRAYS- Strong sprays of milk are a good sign it fits well (and good suction/settings on your pump).
- EMPTYING FULLY- Meaning that milk is not left in areas of the breast/frequent clogs
- EFFICIENCY- Sessions that take 15-30min max.
The Ultimate DIY Flange Sizing Guide
It can be difficult to measure yourself, so I created a guide to walk you through it. Access it HERE for free!
Read a more in-depth version of this blog post here: “How do I know what flange size to use?”
Confused? This is why a flange sizing appointment can be helpful! You don’t have to figure it all out on your own, momma! Get sized by a knowledgeable lactation professional.
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
#1-Exclusive Pumping IS “a thing!” (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)
To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the “7 Things I Wish I Knew” at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #1: I wish I knew… that Exclusive Pumping IS “a thing!” I wish I knew… That exclusive pumping IS breastfeeding! That exclusive pumping IS sustainable! That more people exclusively pump than you realize! That it can be an empowering CHOICE for your family!
Before giving birth for the first time, my husband and I took a series of prenatal classes offered by our hospital. One taught us about childbirth. One taught us about bringing home a newborn. And one, as you can guess… was on breastfeeding. I assumed I would breastfeed. That was our plan. In our limited experience at the time, we felt that the class “prepared” us for breastfeeding. Did they even MENTION pumping? One guess…. go ahead, guess…
Nope. We don’t even remember it being mentioned, let alone ever hearing the term “exclusive pumping.”
After giving birth a month early, my baby landed himself in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because he didn’t have the stamina to nurse/transfer milk well from the breast. Over the first few days, I met with 3 lactation hospital counselors (that’s unheard of!) Guess how many of them helped me use a pump, flange-sized me, or even mentioned pumping as an option- 0. ZERO…. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Fast-forward to years later, this doesn’t surprise me at all because I hear it all the time. Why are hospital lactation consultants so bad? Aaaanyway… it was one amazing NICU nurse named Pat who taught me to use a breast pump, got me set up with a strict pumping schedule, and gave me the tough love I needed to stick to that schedule. I need to find Pat and give her a big ol’ hug or something. I owe a lot to that woman. She taught me that exclusive pumping is definitely “a thing” and definitely “a thing” that I could do for my baby when he was in the NICU and I was feeling so powerless.
Exclusive Pumping IS “a thing!”
Exclusive Pumping (often abbreviated as “EP”) is totally absolutely 100% a thing! Exclusive pumping means that you feed breastmilk by pumping and bottle-feeding instead of nursing/latching directly from the breast. Even if you are supplementing with formula, you’re still exclusively pumping. It’s how women all over the world feed their babies when their baby is unable to transfer milk well from the breast. When they are separated from their baby. When their baby is on a nursing strike. When they go back to work. And yeah…. When they choose to because it feels or works better for them. I have often felt like an outcast, being made to feel that EPing is somehow a lesser form of feeding that breastfeeding. But guess what, buttercup… exclusive pumping IS breastfeeding!
Exclusive Pumping IS breastfeeding!
When my baby was very young, my aunt asked me if I was breastfeeding. I replied that no, I was exclusively pumping. She put one hand on my forearm, looked me in the eyes, and said “Pumping is still breastfeeding, it’s just not nursing.” Life. Changing. Revelation!
- Breastfeeding: n. the action of feeding a baby with milk from the breast. (Oxford English Dictionary)
If you ever encounter a scenario in which you need to educate someone about this topic, you can steal my aunt’s very simple reply- “Pumping is still breastfeeding, it’s just not nursing.”
Exclusive Pumping IS sustainable!
I have heard SO many mommas tell me that their pediatrician (or mom, or cousin, or friend, or random person on the street with too many opinions) told them that they wouldn’t be able to exclusively pump because it isn’t sustainable. Why do they say this? Here’s my best guess:
- Because EPing requires regular, frequent pumping right from birth to bring in the next stage of lactation, to build, and to maintain supply. That’s not always possible for some women, as life and other priorities get in the way.
- Because everyone responds to breast pumps differently and it can take a lot of trial-and-error to find one that works well for you.
- Because moms don’t always know how to find an effective flange size and pump settings to make the most out of their supply.
- Because there isn’t enough support for exclusive pumping. In my formal CLC training, we used a textbook with 350 pages and only 15 of them mentioned pumping.
- Because they know someone who couldn’t sustain an exclusive pumping journey and that’s all they’re going from.
So yes, barring any primary low supply issues (Primary low milk supply occurs when a mother’s body is unable to produce enough breast milk to meet her baby’s needs, even when breastfeeding practices are optimal.) with enough support and knowledge, exclusive pumping can absolutely be sustainable.
More people exclusively pump than you realize!
I remember standing in the kitchen at work, washing my pump parts. A table of coworkers were eating lunch when another walked into the kitchen and struck up a conversation with me about her current exclusive pumping journey. Two of the women eating shared that they had exclusively pumped for their babies, too. That’s FOUR women in one office kitchen that exclusively pumped- How cool is that? I got SO EXCITED as you can imagine! People aren’t used to someone cheering about EPing. Many view EPing as a failure in some way. The women didn’t all immediately high-five each other. I honestly think they thought I was weird. It wasn’t until I explained what I do here at Pump Momma Pump that they realized why i was so excited. I hope they left lunch feeling more “normal” and celebrated, than they did before lunch that day!
Over the past 7 years I have “met” thousands of mommas online from AROUND THE WORLD that exclusively pump! They’re out there, you just have to find them! I hope that you’ve found community here at Pump Momma Pump and feel as celebrated as my friends at work did that day at lunch! If I could give each of you a high five, I would!
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
Packing a pumping bag for work
Returning to work outside the home as a pumping momma can feel daunting. I’m here to help smooth this transition for you, momma! You’ll find lists for the absolute essentials, for leveling up your pumping game, and for extra items that are great to have on hand.
>> SAVE and SHARE<< with a friend who needs it!
Click HERE or more tips on pumping at work or HERE to read about your legal rights for pumping at work.
(This post was written by Melissa with some help from the mommas over at Pump Momma Pump on Instagram… but if you’d get a kick out of the AI version, check out “Packing a pump bag for work:” Chat GPT version The pictures in that post are hilarious!)
My Number 1 tip? Pack the night before, if possible! Print out a checklist and put it in a page-protector sleeve if you can’t laminate it, then use a dry-erase marker each day, wiping clean each night! If you’d like my list, download my Printable Pump Bag Checklist.
Also, select a pump bag that does double-duty. I like carrying just one bag for my laptop, lunch, pump & accessories, as well as other “mom stuff” in the smallest pockets. (I usually throw in a wristlet with all my essentials like phone, credit cards, and chapstick, instead of carrying a separate purse.) I find that Sarah Wells bags work the best for this, and will be useful for years to come! I still use mine for work, travel, and days out with my young children.
Pumping at Work: The Essentials
Don’t forget the absolute essentials for pumping at work, momma!
- Protective Pump Bag- Select a bag that has padding/insulation to protect your investments- your pump and hard-earned liquid gold! Preferred product: Sarah Wells Bags Kelly, Fiona, or Abby, discount code PUMPMOMMAPUMP15
- Pump & Accessories- It helps to make a list so you don’t forget the fiddly bits!
- Storage for milk- How will you keep your milk cold at work and during transit?
- Pumping bra- Some mommas like to wear a pumping bra all day, where others like to strap on one just to pump. Preferred product: Simple Wishes Hands-Free Adjustable discount code PMP15 or Kindred Bravely discount code PMP15
- Wipes- Keep it clean with regular and/or pumping wipes
- Ice pack- Have extras in your freezer incase you forget to unpack and freeze one!
- Washing stuff- If you wash your pump parts at work, bring a travel bottle brush, drying rack, and bottle soap! Yes they all come in travel-friendly sizes!
Pumping at Work- Level Up
Feelin extra? Level up your pumping game with these game-changers!
- Designer pump bag- There are many companies offering stylish pump bags- express yourself while you… express yourself! Preferred Product- Mimi & Pal Radley bag discount code PUMPMOMMAPUMP10
- Portable or Wearable pump- Some mommas appreciate having a portable or wearable pump to offer greater flexibility and freedom Preferred Products- Pumpables Genie Advanced discount code PMP10, Baby Buddha breastpump discount code PUMPMOMMA
- Milk cooler- Keep that milk cold until you get it safely home Preferred Products- CeresChill OG Chiller discount code PUMPITUP, MomCozy milk cooler
- Wet bag- Great for storing pump accessories, especially if you do the fridge hack during work
- Headphones or airpods- For pleasant distraction and a uplifted mood
- Flange lubrication- Pump in comfort by lubricating your flanges (I suggest coconut oil, personally and professionally)
- Entertainment- Get that milk flowing as you take some time for yourself! Catch up on a favorite show, read, listen to music, or scroll instagram
Pumping at Work- Extras
These helpful extras were suggested by the mommas at Pump Momma Pump to help pumping at work go extra smoothly!
- Spare pump to keep at work- If you have a spare pump, that’s one less thing to take back and forth every day. A manual pump kept at work is great incase you forget your pump or it runs out of battery. Preferred product: Medela Harmony manual pump
- Extra parts- Have an extra set of all your pump accessories? Keep them at work in case you ever forget anything!
- Extra baggies- Always a good idea to keep extra milk baggies at work.
- Charging cords- A charging cord for your pump and/or phone may come in handy.
- Spare shirt- Uh oh, spilled milk stains and stinks! Bring along a spare shirt.
- Towel or paper towels- To keep your area clean, especially for drips and spills.
- Snack and hydration- Increasing calories and staying hydrated supports lactation!
I know it’s a lot, momma. The first few days back to work might be a little overwhelming and perhaps a little emotional. I know because I’ve been there myself, twice. Know that you’re capable. You’re a problem-solver. You’re strong and resilient. You got this.
Have a minute? Check out my Perfect Pumping Room post!
Find all my favorites for Back-to-Work HERE on my Amazon idea list!
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
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