(Part 2) Best breast pump accessories according to redditors

This pump bag has been super duper helpful for me. I keep my spectra pump and all parts (gallon sized ziplock for the pieces I have to wash) along with pump wipes for when I can’t keep my pump parts in a fridge, a mini cooler bag with ice packs, breast milk bags, a sharpie, a pumping bra, some hand sanitizer, a hand towel, and a phone charger. It also fits a laptop but I pump in my office unless Im working offsite. It looks enough like any other work bag and it contains everything I need! Good luck mama

For what it's worth, I have a Purely Yours that I'm not using.

I've lost/broken parts, but I do have the 30.5 mm horn, the 28.5 mm insert, and the 25 mm horn. (I could have sworn I had the 22.5 mm insert but I can't find them.)

If you think you could use them, I'll nail them to you.

Congrats!

I use the Spectra and don't feel like you need many other accessories for it specifically. Rather, I found these things helpful to bring to work in my pumping bag:

• A bag for the pump (I bought this one on Amazon and it fits a lot of things!)
  
• A small cooler for milk pumped during the day
  
• Bottles or milk storage freezer bags to store milk in
  
• Hand sanitizer
  
• A little washcloth to wipe up any spills
  
  I did buy a replacement set of parts for the Spectra (flanges, bottles, duckbills) on Amazon from Maymom, and that was nice to have on hand when the suction wore down.
  
  Good luck!

I have a better idea http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CFLMNC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1DBCKGXGABBQV http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009R56U76/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AY2MQ6WIH9XEA http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3MY6V4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I had chronic low supply. I power pumped all day every day. I spent tons of money on supplements, extra pump parts, lovely pumping bras. I was able to make a very small amount and continued this way for months.

I missed so much time i could have held my baby!

Here’s what is worth trying in my opinion

Lact aid - https://www.amazon.com/Lact-Aid-Deluxe-Nursing-Trainer-System/dp/B00A8S0EY6

A pain in the ass to use often. But it allows you to feed baby and work on latch while stimulating milk production

Legendairy Milk supplements also helped


Gatoraid/cal-mag supplements also were good


All in all, the important thing to remember is you can bond with your baby and provide food. If your body can’t make enough milk, it hurts, but you are not alone. If it seems it is taking time away from self care and being with your baby, it is okay to stop ❤️

Maybe try Milkies shields? They sit inside the bra. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FV4N6ZQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549310753&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=milkies+milk+savers&psc=1

So I was pretty annoyed to see how expensive pump bags were. It was hard to find anything that was under $80. I did a lot of searching around the internet and found this carry-all pump bag from Dr. Brown's that fits my pump, all its parts, a case of 100 medela milk freezer bags, a cooler with 4 medela bottles and ice pack, my hands free pump bra and there's still room for more in there and its price is under $50!

I got this as a gift and it’s pricey but I love it! It’s currently packed to use as my hospital bag but the reviews say it fits spectra pumps and that’s what I plan on using it for.

Sarah Wells Lizzy Breast Pump Bag (Gray) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NUHZAVO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CT68AbAK0DMX2

We used the microwaveable bags. Same principle. 2 minutes with 2 oz of water. The bags say they are only supposed to be used so many times, but I think that’s just so they can sell you more bags.

You are so not a failure. Pumping is hard, breastfeeding is hard and recovering from giving birth is super hard. Plus, you’re dealing with a major hormonal drop which does not help the situation. It took me 10 weeks to not feel nervous before each feeding session. My daughter would alternate between being cool with nursing and straight up refusing the breast. So I alternated pumping and nursing and it was super hard. We figured it out but it took a long time.

Go easy on yourself this is a difficult time. The best advice I received re pumping, you do not have to clean your flanges after each session. I would pump and then put my flanges in a ziplock in the fridge until I needed to use them again. They were fine. Clean them at the end of the day, this is for your sanity. Buy spare flanges for those days when you don’t have the will to clean them at the end of the day. Do you have any steam bags? I waited until I was like 7 months pp to buy these things and wish I’d known about them sooner. 90 sec in the microwave and boom sanitized.

Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags Economy Pack of 4 retail boxes (20 Bags Total) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0139J3RGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pPB6CbMWH0759

1. For my first few months I pumped 8xday for 25 mins. I've never produced more than 21 oz a day and dropping down to 6xday didn't change my supply at all. No tricks or tips, I just spread my pumps out a little farther apart throughout the day. I have read though that when many women drop a pumping session, they still have to maintain the same total minutes of pumping per day. So if you're pumping 6xday for 30 mins, I'd first try switching to 5xday for 36 mins and if that goes well, maybe start reducing the number of mins per pump.
   
2. I didn't drop any money on a fancy pumping bag. It just didn't make sense to me. I use a large canvas bag with a zipper. It has enough structure to stand open for me to load/unload and such. It's big enough that I can put my lunch bag and water bottle in so I just have my big bag and small purse tote to and from the car everyday.
   
3. I have a TON of parts and wouldn't have it any other way. I run all dirty parts through the dishwasher every evening and then put them on the drying rack over night. In the morning I assemble a bunch of bottles with connectors and valves. I throw 2 bottles (with connectors, valves, and membranes already attached), 2 flanges, and a bottle cap into a gallon ziplock bag. I make up as many of these as I'll need for the day and put them into my canvas bag. After each pump, I return the used parts to the ziplock and back into the canvas bag it goes. I do use ALOT of ziplocks, but I rinse them out and recycle them at the end of the day.
   
4. I live in the southeast, so the idea of leaving milk in the car is CRAZY to me. But as long as the car is as cool as the fridge, I don't see why it would be a problem. I'd just keep it out of direct sunlight. It could be a problem if the car gets too cold though. You wouldn't want to freeze, thaw, freeze any milk by mistake. I just store mine in the office fridge and then put it in my empty lunch bag with an ice pack for the ride home.
   
5. Wear a nursing bra and get a hands free pumping bra. I'm able to just lift up my shirt, pull down the nursing bra, and put the hands free 'bra' on without taking anything else off. There are a handful of bras that you can pump in on the market, but I haven't found one that I like. This is the best solution that I have found thus far. It takes me about 90 seconds from the time I sit down (with my bag closed still closed) until I begin pumping and less than that from the time my timer goes off until I am ready to return to work.
   
6. I try to take my time off the clock to take care of any personal business I might have as it's easy to make phone calls, work on my laptop, make a grocery list, etc. Also a good opportunity to stuff my face:) Oh...keep a long phone cord in your pumping bag. Also keep a manual pump in your car at all times just in case.
   
   I've made it 9.5 months and don't see much getting in the way of my goal of a year.
   
   Good luck!

I ended up needing a separate bag from all of my other work stuff for my Spectra. This one is perfect!

Luxja Breast Pump Bag with 2... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KNYZ8XH

I also bought a wet bag for the parts. I keep the tubing in the dry part and the bottles and flanges in the insulated part.

Luxja breast pump bag.

Luxja Breast Pump Bag with Compartments for Cooler Bag and Laptop, Breast Pump Backpack with 2 Options for Wearing (Fits Most Major Breast Pump, Suitable for Working Mothers), Gray https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KB4F6LJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bLpoDb85M9S01

I have a Spectra breast pump. The only thing I could not find in a breast pump bag for a reasonable price was something that actually held up the fabric between the breast pump section and the top part. So I rigged my own "shelf". I cut a diaper box and put it in the bottom part and it works like a charm!!!!! I added a picture of what I did lol. There is a ton of room in the top section too and my little shelf just helps me keep it more organized!

Pump rigged! https://imgur.com/gallery/MSPdk3U

Products:

Spectra S1 pump (rechargeable version)(I actually had 2 pumps, one for home and one for work)

Bravado nursing bras

Papablic pump adapters for pumping into breastmilk bags

[Papablic adapters for pumping directly into Dr. Browns bottles](https://www.amazon.com/Papablic-Leak-proof-Adapter-Spectra-Flanges/dp/B077GRWGF9/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=papablic+spectra&qid=1573793877&sr=8-4]

NUK breastmilk bags

Dr. Browns pump bag (used for work)

I used 32mm flanges and an LC said they were probably on the larger side for my nipple size but that if it wasn't causing me any pain then it wasn't an issue.

Routine:

With the Spectra pump it starts at like cycle level 54- I never actually did the letdown mode (cycle level 70). I'm pretty sure I didn't follow the recommended user guide for the pump.

I would start out at 54/4 for five minutes, then gradually increase to 54/8 over the course of 20-25 minutes.

I did this in front of an LC once and she said that I ended up having like, 3-4 letdowns over the course of the 20-25 minutes.

*I pumped every 4 hours- 6am, 10am at work, 2pm at work, 6pm, 10pm, and 2am for 20-25 minutes at a time

First of all, don't panic!! The Spectra is a great pump and you're going to do great.

If you're going to pump in an office, a minifridge is AWESOME. Stores my milk and pump parts during the day, plus during the early days when I was starving all the time I had it loaded with yogurts, string cheese, etc. I just keep my pump parts in a gallon bag in there during the day and wash them each night. I use a fresh gallon bag each day although that might be wasteful/OCD of me.

I use this bag to carry my milk home.

I used to use these wipes for my pump parts in between every session, but have gotten a little less anal about it over time and with fewer pump sessions at work. (Edit to add: I'd recommend getting some for road trips too because they can be used to wipe down high chairs, tables, etc.)

I use Nuk bags and like them better than Lansinoh because they're a little more square and thus easier to store in my deep freezer bins.

Medela lanolin is amazing. It has some additives that make it a little softer and thus easier to put on, which is key when your nipples hurt. At 9mo out I'm still using it on days when baby gets chompy, but YMMV on that front.

A spare set of parts is essential, or alternatively, a hand pump you can use as a backup. If you're not sure about flange size (and idk if you really can be until you're actually pumping), gift cards to a store that sells pumping supplies would be super helpful.

Good luck!!

I'm a little late to this post but I wanted to tell you that when going to the smaller sizes, they have a 22.5mm insert and a 21mm insert. I have both. The 21mm is the one that fits best but it drives me nuts, so I use the 22.5mm.

I'm currently using both sizes b/c I have two pumps so I can't send them to you, but the 22.5mm ones are super cheap so may be worth trying? Ameda has a brochure to help you find what size you need.

Oh, also, don’t forget to pack supplies to wash your pump parts (small container of dishwashing fluid, and something like this: https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Tot-Drying-Bottle-Brush/dp/B0771JS51X/). I carry some Medela wipes in my bag too, in case I’m out all day and can’t wash the parts (https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Accessory-Convenient-Countertops-Resealable/dp/B005MQW60O/)

I got the Medela pump through my insurance and it works (it is pretty loud) but it is nice being able to get parts if needed at almost any store! I wanted the Spectra but my insurance didn't provide that option.

Many people use a haakaa on the side they are not feeding on to catch the letdown! I prefer the milkies milk saver since it goes right in your bra/tank top and you don't have to worry about baby kicking it off!

I asked my wife and she said the bottles came with her pump. I do recall what she did, since breast milk doesn't stay good very long outside of the freezer, is she would use those zip-lockable breast milk bags, dump the milk from the bottle to the bag. Then we would thaw out a baggy of milk and use it in any old bottle as usual when we needed to.

The only part that we "had" to replace were these little pieces, which we replaced with each baby. Nothing told us we had to, but since they came in direct contact with the milk and seemed pretty flimsy, we replaced them on our own anyway. Everything else we just sterilized before using with the new baby.

I suggest trying the even smaller size before you give up. I use the 21mm and the difference is clear. Anytime I use a bigger size I get the white circle of pain around my nipple. Medela sells the smaller flanges for reasonably cheap. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L197S97/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_52Y0DbBZANCCY

Also, it might help to lube your flange with nipple cream.

I use this bag and absolutely love it! It holds my spectra s2 and all my supplies. I keep two ice packs, the milk, and my flanges in the top.

I haven't heard that advice about membranes but I'm inclined to agree with you. I started ordering the membranes that are already attached to the valve and feel like I had better results with those flimsy little membranes.

Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Spare-Valves-Membranes-Sets/dp/B0006Q561Q/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1500590433&sr=8-4&keywords=medela+membrane

Thanks for the reply! So this would work perfectly?

Yes - supplementer :)

This is a link for the "starter" one that costs about $18 on Amazon
It was okay. I used it for about 2 days, but it spilled milk on me two times and just didn't work 2x (because I'd put it together wrong).

This is the expensive-ass one I have (at least it comes with 2 so I can use one and have the next one ready & it's never leaked on me and seems to be pretty idiot-proof to put together after figuring it out by doing it the first couple of times).
I chose it because a few blogs with women whose stories seemed somewhat similar to our issues said it was better, and it is also according to the reviews easier to tuck into a bra to nurse discretely in public and nurse lying down (both of these are very important to me as this is my 3rd kid).

Here's a link for the other one that seems to be popular.

I was seeing an IBCLC weekly and all I wanted to do was exclusively breastfeed and triple-feeding (attempt to nurse, bottle, pump) was so exhausting, I really wish I had started the whole SNS journey sooner ... maybe we'd be able to wean from it sooner and be only breastfeeding. It was so, so amazing when we were able to cut the amount of "top off" by like 2/3 in just 2 weeks. I cannot sing the praises of at-breast supplementation enough -
if what you really want to be doing is breastfeeding, it's BREASTFEEDING, you know?

We've kind of plateaued at the 10oz level, but that may be because of the shield, or other issues we have that I'm hoping will resolve if we stick with it as she gets bigger/stronger. (I actually joined to post/ask about our particular struggle.)

If you're looking for supplements, I found that milkmaid tea and old fashioned oatmeal really helped me a lot.

Edit: formatting

Freemies sells this kit to connect to Medela pumps: https://www.amazon.com/Freemie-Standard-Connection-Kit-Compatible/dp/B00VC54V16

Also, the manufacturer Maymom sells aftermarket parts. I just replaced my tubing and connectors (for a Spectra pump but I have it rigged for Freemies at work and Medela at home) with Maymom tubing (cut off the yellow connectors to make it plain tubing) and Maymom connectors . This combo is cheaper than the Freemie brand kit. Medela tubing and Freemie tubing are the same size so they are interchangeable.

Actually, I think the Freemies package comes with the tubing and connectors to go with Medela, but I don't quite remember.

It is also a nursing bra so it has the clips on the straps. I hook my pump up on one side, unclip the other side like a normal nursing bra, bring it down under my breast then nurse football style. It zips in the front and has adjustable velcro in the back. It stays tight around the ribs as well as a strap holding the bra in place on the pumping side. This is the one I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D3NHF6V?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I love this one from Amazon. I bought another recently.

You can definitely mix and match. For example I have a Medela pump, but I attach a Lansinoh pump adapter to the duck-bill/valve part and pump directly into a bag. I also recently discovered that the Medela bags will fit around the Lansinoh pump adapter.

​

Here's a link to where you can get the Lansinoh adapters. They saved me! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075HPVKH1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use a Spectra with Medela parts. I like the Medela flanges better, the spectra ones didn’t fit right. For this setup I bought:

• adapters for the Medela pump parts Maymom Flange Adapter for Spectra... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DBK73W8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
• replacement tubing because the ones that come with the spectra are annoyingly short. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019JIEQ5I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
• optional - lansinoh breast milk freezing bags with adapters - I have an oversupply of milk and this lets me pump directly into the bag Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HPVKH1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
  Also, random tip I wish I knew earlier: if you’re having any pain while pumping, I recommend using coconut oil on the inside edge of the flanges and on your areola

Im going to use this one to carry my pump and supplies to and from work. It's pricy, but it's a splurge item for me and I've heard nothing but raves about how much stuff it holds for work (not just the pump). https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NUHZAVO/ref=aw_br_ov_dp_4_7?colid=1362P7IYJL9NH&coliid=I2WLD8JGCBUAWN

Okay... question for you. Would I need to buy this and this? Also, how does the cup sizing work? Is it like Medela?