Tag: exclusively pumping

Tips & Tricks

13 Genius Ways to Get Lazy About Breast Pumping

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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!)

  1. Decide Once: Make a decision about something and stick with it to avoid decision fatigue. 
  2. Start Small: Begin with tiny, manageable steps rather than tackling a whole overwhelming task at once. 
  3. Ask the Magic Question: Ask yourself, “What can I do now to make something easier later?” to make smart, forward-thinking choices. 
  4. Live in the Season: Acknowledge your current life stage and make choices that are appropriate for your present circumstances. 
  5. Build the Right Routines: Develop helpful daily habits and routines that work for your life and help you get things done. 
  6. Set House Rules: Establish clear, simple rules for your home to make life smoother for everyone living there. 
  7. Put Everything in its Place: Create a system where everything has a designated home to reduce clutter and disorganization. 
  8. Let People In: Allow others to help you and be open to receiving support when you need it. 
  9. Batch It: Group similar tasks together and do them all at once to be more efficient. 
  10. Essentialize: Identify what is most important in a situation and focus your energy there, letting go of the less critical things. 
  11. Go in the Right Order: Understand that the sequence of tasks matters and arrange them in the most logical and helpful way. 
  12. Schedule Rest: Proactively make time for rest and recovery, recognizing its importance for your overall well-being. 
  13. 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.

If you liked these principles, you’re going to love
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:

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

Must-Have Products

MomCozy M9 Saves the Day for Working Moms

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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.

The author, Melissa Guerriero of Pump Momma Pump, with Rachel Senker

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.

Uncategorized

#6- Partner support helps exclusive pumping work (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)

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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.

Leaving the hospital with pumping 1 and pumpling 2

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!

Any other NICU dads here?

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.)

Candid shot of my husband in our old kitchen, washing pump parts

>>> 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!)

Uncategorized

#3- Pumping is EXPENSIVE! (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)

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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!

For example, you can use my discount code to save on PUMPABLES! Just use code PMP10

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

Uncategorized

#1-Exclusive Pumping IS “a thing!” (“7 Things I Wish I Knew” Series)

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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.

Our NICU grad

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.”

Love a good pumping selfie

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.

Meet the pumping mommas of the PMP community!

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!

Meet the pumping mommas of the PMP community!

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!)

Pumping Support, Tips & Tricks

Exclusive pumping: How do you know when it’s time to quit?

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[Exclusive pumpers, this is for you.] You’ve heard the phrase “Never quit on a bad day” but how do you know when it’s a “good” day to quit? It can be a really hard decision, and sometimes you’re not even in control of the decision in the first place! (Totally unfair, I know!)

I asked the mommas over on Instagram and compiled a list of reasons mommas end their pumping journey. If you are trying to decide when to call it quits, hopefully this list helps! (And if you’re not the one in control of your journey ending, hopefully this list helps you feel a little less alone.)

Your priorities change

It’s okay if your priorities change. If sleep deprivation is making you crazy, maybe it’s time to prioritize sleep (and that’s okay!) If you are missing out on time with your baby or older children, maybe it’s time to prioritize time with them instead of time spend pumping (and that’s okay!) It’s a good idea to honestly review your priorities every now and then and see if exclusively pumping can still top the list. Need permission? Here’s permission. It’s okay if pumping cannot be a priority in your life right now.

Your mental health is suffering

Something I repeat often is: “Any amount of breastmilk you can give your baby is beneficial UNLESS your mental health is at stake.” I am a huge proponent of supporting maternal mental health through therapy and medication. I love how both are being normalized in social media and daily conversations I’ve heard between new moms. Your mental health is incredibly important. If exclusively pumping is damaging to your wellbeing, please prioritize your mental health. Your baby needs a happy, healthy momma.

Your body tells you it’s time

Hormones are powerful. They are the reason you lactate in the first place. They can giveth and they can taketh away! Some mommas reported a drastic reduction in supply that came with the return of their period or a new pregnancy that made them quit pumping altogether. Other mommas reported bad cases of mastitis or recurrent clogged ducts that greatly reduced their milk supply and caused them to end their pumping journey prematurely.

You can’t make it work with work

Keep in mind that here in the U.S. employers need to give you time and space to pump for up to one year. (Read more about your legal rights to pump here) However, some jobs are harder to work a pumping schedule into, right? It sucks, but it’s true. You might have “space” to pump, but are disgusted by the supply closet they make you pump in. You might have “time” to pump, but the pumping room is in a different floor of the hospital you work in, and you can’t make it work with your schedule. You might be facing pressure from your boss (They should really go read this book by Sarah Wells, by the way.) or pressure from your coworkers. For that, I am sorry. Sometimes people can really lack empathy for new mommas, and that sucks. It’s definitely a reason mommas quit pumping, and I wish it weren’t.

You met your breastfeeding goal

[Reminder: Pumping IS breastfeeding] Setting a breastfeeding goal can help you know when to end your journey. I always suggest setting a manageable goal (which looks different for everyone) and reassessing when you hit that goal. You might hit your goal of pumping for 3 months, celebrate, and box up that breast pump. You might hit your goal of 6 months and feel that you’ve found ways to make pumping more sustainable, so you set a new goal of 9 months! Either way, setting and reaching a benchmark goal can help you feel like you’ve accomplished something- because you have! Celebrate yourself and your achievements, momma!

You have enough milk in your freezer

Some mommas have enough of an oversupply to create a freezer stash of milk. Mommas use an app like PumpLog to calculate how long their freezer stash will last, and quit when they have enough milk. Read this before starting a freezer stash!

Maybe you just… know.

For some mommas, it’s not about a schedule, goal, or external factors. Maybe you just feel, in your gut/soul that it’s time. Some people meditate about it, some pray about it… either way, some mommas simply feel like a peace has fallen upon them, letting them know it’s okay to quit.

From TheBump, Mia Gorell photography credit

*Important note*

Ending your pumping journey is YOUR decision, NOT someone else’s. Be clear and honest about your goals with your family, friends, and doctor. If your spouse gets whiney and tells you it’s time to quit, it is NOT their decision. If your mother-in-law doesn’t understand your determination to exclusively pump, it is NOT her decision. If your pediatrician tells you that your baby is 1 year old and can switch to a different kind of milk, but you still want to pump past age 1, it is NOT their decision. If your employer won’t give you time to pump past age 1, then yes, they can legally stop you from taking as many pumping breaks, BUT you can still pump at lunch, on any other shorter breaks, if possible, and before/after work. I’ve seen it work. Your milk supply may decrease at that point, but it’s still YOUR decision.

What if you still want to make it work, for now?

Okay, you read through this whole list and you STILL want to make it work, for now at least. I support you! Consider making an appointment with me to talk through the roadblocks you are facing. Consider downloading my Pumping Sucks guide and troubleshooting some things that make pumping suck.

When your pumping journey does draw to a close:

  • Wean safely from the pump (See: How to Wean from the Pump)
  • Process the emotional rollercoaster of weaning (This blog post may help!)
  • Have GRACE with yourself, and gratitude for your body!
  • Honor your journey.
Lovevery,com

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

Pumping Support, Tips & Tricks

Managing Your Freezer Stash

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Freezer Stash- n. Collection of surplus breastmilk frozen for later use. Whether you are considering starting up a freezer stash or looking for advice on how to use yours, this post is for you! You might be wondering why it might be beneficial to freeze milk, how best to store it, when and how to begin using it, and how to figure out how long it’ll last! All this and more is coming your way. Read on, momma!
*Trigger warning- This blog post contains images and descriptions of large breastmilk freezer stashes. If this troubles you, please close out of this blog post.*

Disclaimers: This post contains affiliate links and codes from trusted brands. All images in this post were either donated with permission or taken by me.

Do I need a freezer stash?

There’s no cut-and-dry answer for this.

Many mommas who predominately nurse baby at the breast do not choose or need to store extra milk. It may be wise, however, to save a few day’s worth of ounces in the freezer (breastmilk fed babies can take up to 30 ounces a day) in case of emergencies. One momma I worked with was admitted into the hospital with appendicitis without warning and was glad she had a bit of milk stored up! Saving a bit of milk can also come in handy if you’re planning to be apart from baby. If you are planning to be separated from baby over the time you’d nurse, you’ll need to leave milk for the baby, and pump at the time you’d normally nurse.

For exclusive pumpers with oversupply, it’s wise to keep a day or two ahead in the refrigerator, and freeze the rest. This milk can be fed when you begin to wean and extend the time you are able to offer breastmilk. Some mommas choose to donate their extra frozen milk formally (milk bank) or informally (mother-to-mother, directly.)

Mommas who supplement with formula can offer partial breastmilk and partial formula, and freeze the rest. This can actually help exclusive pumpers reduce the number of times they pump daily and have proven to pump for longer than they originally planned because their schedule becomes more manageable. A partial diet of breastmilk is still hugely beneficial to your baby, offering white blood cells and antibodies in addition to daily nutritional benefits.

My personal stash story:

With my first baby, I set a goal to exclusively pump for six months. When I hit the six month mark, I began to reduce my pumping schedule to gain a bit more freedom, and began supplementing with formula. Since my son was starting many other foods at this age, supplementing was not a huge mental hurdle for me- I grouped formula in with all the other foods nurturing my baby that I did not personally make. (You don’t give yourself a hard time for not producing pureed yams and apples with your breasts, right? Just group formula in with other additional nutrition!) I switched to 50/50 breastmilk and formula. I stashed my extra milk in the freezer and was able to not only surpass my original pumping goal, but to offer breastmilk longer than I imagined!
With my second baby, who I also exclusively pumped for, I created an unintentional freezer stash because she was having trouble digesting my milk in addition to a milk protein allergy. I donated 1,000 ounces of frozen breastmilk that contained dairy to another baby. When we discovered that she was digesting my milk comfortably with a 50/50 breastmilk-formula ratio, I was able to stash extra breastmilk and once again feed greater freedom with my pumping schedule and offer breastmilk longer than I imagined.

Check for high lipase!

Lipase is an enzyme found in all breastmilk that helps break down fats. It’s a good thing! But some women struggle with high levels of this enzyme, causing their milk to smell or taste funny. You usually won’t notice the smell until you defrost your milk after freezing. High lipase can cause your milk to smell soapy or metallic. (Breastmilk without high levels of lipase usually has a mild smell or no smell at all, and slightly sweet taste.) High lipase milk is ok for baby to drink, but they may not want to. I strongly encourage you to TEST EARLY for high lipase before stashing away a ton of milk! Freeze and defrost milk early to test this out. How do you “test” your milk? Just thaw some breastmilk and give it to your baby! If baby takes it, no problem! If not, you’ll have to scald your milk BEFORE feeding or try one of the tricks listed in my blog post on high lipase.

How do I store all this milk?

Storing breastmilk in “bricks” can really help freezer space and organization…AND flat bags thaw quicker! I stored 5 ounces of milk per bag, removed as much of the excess air as possible, frozen flat on a tray, and then assembled into bricks of 50 ounces in gallon-size ziplock bags. When freezing super flat using a “freese-it-flat” or between boxes of fish sticks like me, you get reallllly flat bags capable of stacking together nicely in gallon ziplocks! This uniformity makes it very easy to stack and count. Check the image below and the storage page of my website for more information on the logistics of milk storage.

I highly suggest freezing in breastmilk storage bags instead of bottles. More and more companies are making silicone freezer bags as a reusable option. (Save on Junobie brand with code PUMPMOMMA10) Some mommas store smaller quantities of milk in silicone trays and then once frozen, transfer to larger storage containers. (Save on SouperCubes with code PUMPMOMMAPUMP10)

Many mommas end up buying a chest freezer for their breastmilk. I recently helped a friend stock their 5 cubic foot chest freezer with approximately 2,000 ounces of breastmilk. If you are a massive overproducer, you might need a larger chest freezer. We personally purchased a 3.5cu feet smaller model chest freezer and still call it the “milk freezer” to this date (even though it’s now full of chicken nuggets instead of breastmilk!)

How long will it last in the freezer?

Breastmilk is good for up to 12 months in the freezer. The CDC used to specify different lengths of time for different types of freezers. They changed their recommendations to “best by 6 months, good up to 12 months” regardless of freezer style.

First in, First out!

When it’s time to begin using your stash, think “First in, First out!” Make sure to rotate your freezer stash by feeding the oldest milk first, and freezing new milk. When doing the “brick method” as described above, write the MONTH really large on the sides/top of the brick- this way, you can immediately know what milk to pull from the freezer! (You can write a date range if you are really organized, but I find that the month is good enough.)

How do I begin using my stash?

This part is up to you! Here are a few ideas of how I’ve seen mommas use their freezer stash.

  • BOTTLE-A-DAY – Give one bottle of frozen breastmilk per day
  • FREEZER FRIDAYS – Choose one day of the week to use frozen milk
  • DAYCARE – Use frozen breastmilk on daycare days
  • SUPPLEMENT – Go 50/50 with thawed breastmilk and formula, either half bottles of breastmilk and
  • MIX IT UP- Combine frozen and fresh breastmilk in feeding bottles *must be used within 24 hrs of final thaw
  • DONATE – Consider donating excess breastmilk formally (through a milk bank) or informally (direct mother-to-mother donation)
  • EXTEND THE END – Extend the time your baby receives breastmilk by continuing to feed frozen milk after you have weaned from fresh milk production.

For more info on introducing a bottle after exclusively nursing, visit my blog post on the topic.

This beautiful momma donated 2,000 ounces to our friend’s baby after she passed away last November

Safely combining frozen milk with fresh breastmilk or formula

It’s completely fine to combine your frozen breastmilk with freshly expressed breastmilk or formula as long as you do it safely. It’s a wise idea to make sure your baby takes frozen milk first, so you do not waste whatever you mix it with. For mommas with high lipase, mixing it with fresh milk or formula may disguise the stronger flavor of the thawed milk!

When mixing thawed breastmilk with freshly expressed milk, temperatures don’t matter as long as you are feeding it to baby right away. You can even thaw larger amounts and combine with fresh in a pitcher, as long as you use this combined milk within 24 hours of complete thaw (going by recommendations for thawed milk here instead of fresh!)

When mixing thawed breastmilk with formula, prepare formula as directed first, then add thawed breastmilk. Use within 24 hours after mixing. *DO NOT use breastmilk as a replacement for water when preparing powdered formula!* Breastmilk can actually help your baby digest the formula!

I recommend using the Dr Brown’s pitcher

Can I feed my older baby milk from when they were younger?

Absolutely! They will most likely need the same amount, or a tiny bit more, than they current drink. I suggest offering the amount you are used to offering, and heating up more if needed, so you do not waste milk. The only word of caution I have about this comes to colostrum. That thick yellow milk from the first few days after birth is still hugely beneficial to your baby, but may act as a bit of a laxitive if given in concentration, so I suggest diluting it in more mature milk. You can even give an older child your baby’s frozen milk! Some people use it in cereals, smoothies, or sippy cups!

Both my pumplings enjoying my milk!

How long will my stash last?

Here’s where you’ve got to do a bit of math. Take the amount of ounces you froze and divide it by the number of ounces your baby drinks per day. (Example- 1000 ounces divided by 30 oz/day = 33 days of milk.) Most breastmilk-fed babies continue to take the same daily total ounces until they are 12 months old, when most pediatricians suggest increasing solid meals and reducing milk to ~16oz/day.

What about a power outage?

The thought of losing an entire freezer stash is horrifying, isn’t it? I highly suggest equipping your chest freezer with a freezer alarm (they even make wifi freezer alarms now!), and taking the necessary precautions for impending outages. I have an entire blog post on what to do if your power goes out, so be sure to bookmark it incase your house experiences a power outage (especially during hurricane or winter storm seasons!)

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

Save on Sarah Wells Bags using code: PUMPMOMMAPUMP15
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!)

Save on Sarah Wells Bags with code: PUMPMOMMAPUMP15
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!

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

Shop Pumpables HERE and save with code: PMP10
Tips & Tricks

Let’s Go Pumping at the Beach

pumpmommapump

Summer is in full swing, which means mommas are on the go! If you are planning a beach vacation this summer, I’m guessin’ you’re already stressin’ about pumping at the beach. For an exclusive pumper, pumping at the beach may seem really daunting. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun, but you also want to protect your milk supply! Let me help! Below you’ll find my top tips, tricks, and must-have pumping goodies to help make your beach trip a breeze!

Beach Tips:

The last thing I want you to feel this summer is controlled by your pumping schedule. YES staying on schedule is important. YES you’ve still gotta pump on vacation. BUT… with my help, you can stay in control, and hopefully you can feel more FREEDOM!

Get a Manual Pump.

Two words… MANUAL . PUMP . Get a manual pump and learn how to use it (I’ve got demos in my Manual Pump highlight!) Why a manual pump instead of electric? It’s so compact, lightweight, and there aren’t a zillion parts to set up and potentially get sandy. It doesn’t need to be plugged in or even charged, and it’s super easy to use the fridge hack with it (more on this later) Sure you can use any other pump… this one is just the easiest in this situation! I prefer the Medela Harmony manual pump (not sponsored), but Lansinoh has a good one as well! Definitely learn how to use it before leaving for the beach!

Go Portable

Can’t get the hang of a manual pump? (It does take practice!) Go as portable as possible! Using a pump like the Pumpables Genie Advanced or the Baby Buddha can increase your freedom, momma! For maximum freedom, try a wearable pump. MomCozy has some more affordable wearable pumps. So treat yo self! Pumping is hard work, You deserve it! (discount codes for both can be found here.)

Keep that Milk Cool!

Bring a good quality cooler and hard ice packs, or refresh loose ice frequently. Store your milk AND your manual pump in the cooler- it will ensure that your pump is clean and keep it from getting sandy or broken! And if you’re out longer than you expected, you can use that pump again without washing it. (That’s called the “fridge hack”- Simply pump, empty out the milk into your feeding or storage container, reattach the flange to the pump’s bottle, and store it in the fridge/cooler until you pump again without washing it each time.) Make sure to wipe the inside of the flange (I use medela wipes) Breastmilk will stay good with ice in a cooler for up to 24 hours, but get that milk into a refrigerator as soon as you can, upon returning from the beach! For more milk storage tips, check my storage page. The CeresChill can also be a great way to keep your breastmilk cool while out in the hot sun- Gotta protect that liquid gold!

Bring All the Bags

Yes, all the bags. I love the new waterproof Austin bag by Sarah Wells Bags, but any pumping bag works! (Especially if you bring an expensive pump- you’ve gotta protect that investment AND look super cute, amiright?) I’d suggest bringing your bottles and accessories in a gallon ziplock bag to keep them sand-free until you need them. A wet-bag will work just fine for used pump parts after pumping, if you aren’t keeping them in your cooler. Speaking of bags… some mommas find it easier to use breastmilk storage bags as opposed to bottles for storing milk at the beach- a bonus to this is that before opened, breastmilk bags are sealed and sterile!

Stay Comfortable

If you’re feeling modest, pump under a light summer scarf or caftan, and wear a big sun hat. For extra coverage, drape a towel over two chairs and pump in between, like a tent! Or bring one of those sun shade half tents. Or simply turn your back toward the crowd. Believe me, no one’s looking that closely.

Keep Baby Cool

Did you know that you don’t HAVE to heat breastmilk to feed to your baby? Baby might enjoy the cold milk on a summer day! Remember, your breastmilk is all your baby needs as hydration- no need for water! Keep baby cool with shade- I am obsessed with THIS pop-up beach playpen with sun shade, but a simple beach tent will work just fine! Bring a clip-on fan for your stroller or wagon. Consider visiting the beach in the morning or evening, out of the day’s highest temps and brightest sun.

Or… Schedule around pumping

Alternatively, you can plan your beach excursion around your pumping schedule. Pump right before leaving for the beach, and pump right when your return. This will help you feel comfortable at the beach, and is a great plan for short beach visits. However, many exclusive pumping mommas pump pretty frequently, and planning to only pump at home/hotel can really cramp your plans!

Packing List:

$ = bargain, $$ = investment, $$$ = splurge (Always read reviews, look for sales/discounts, and consider that you often get what you pay for!)

  • Breast pump bag
    > Suggestions: $ Momigo pump backpack, $$$ Sarah Wells Austin (save with code PUMPMOMMAPUMP15)
  • Manual pump or portable/wearable pump
    > Suggestions: $ Medela Harmony, $$ Pumpables Genie Advanced (code PMP10), $$$ MomCozy S12 or M5 (code pumpmama)
  • Cooler
    >Suggestions: $ Coleman hard cooler, $$ RTIC Soft Cooler, $$$ Yeti Roadie
  • Ice Packs
    >Suggestions: $ Loose ice, $$ Contoured ice packs for bottles, $$$ RTIC Ice Packs
  • Breastfeeding-friendly Bathing Suit
    >Suggestions: $$ Davin&Adley Amelia swim cami (code PMP10) $$$ Kindred Bravely swimsuit (code: PMP15)
  • Wet Bag
    > Suggestions: $ 2 pack from Amazon, $$ Sarah Wells Pumparoo with staging mat! (code PUMPMOMMAPUMP15)
  • Gallon plastic bag
    > Suggested link: Ziplock brand
  • Flange wipes
    >Suggestions: $ Dapple pump wipes, $ Medela wipes, $$ Medela wipes, individual packs
  • CeresChill milk chiller
    >Linked here (code PUMPMOMMAPUMP15)
  • Shade tent for baby/mom
    >Suggestions: $ Beach shade tent, $$ Old Bahama pop-up, $$$ Pop’n’Go Playpen

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

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