Top products from r/ExclusivelyPumping

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!

Have you tried power pumping? It worked for me when I was EP. Also oatmeal with flax seed every morning makes a significant difference for me! I’ve heard that it doesn’t work for some, but it’s worth a try?

There is also a really nice tea that I used to drink:

https://www.amazon.ca/Traditional-Medicinals-Organic-Mothers-teabags/dp/B00HY6CTBQ

As a last resort you could also see your doctor for a prescription for something like domperidone to help increase supply.

I bought this bag and love it. Stylish Diaper Bag Organizer for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IV4JN0E?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Tons of pockets and comes with a insulated bag. I usually pump about 20 oz give or take and transfer it straight into milk storage bags and I still have room for more bags in the insulated bag.

I put my pump parts in a ziplock bag and store those and my milk in the refrigerator at work. It saves time and is perfectly safe in you handle your parts cleanly and don’t have a baby that is prone to sickness.

I bought this pumping bra attachment. Hands-Free Nursing Bra Accessory,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078F15SWS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
It works like a charm. Connects to any regular nursing bra or tank.

I suggest you buy extra valves for your pump and keep them in a box in your bag and never take them out. I’ve forgotten those little boogers too many times, but having backups in the bag already helps. I bought the 12 pack on amazon from maymom and they work just like the ones that came with the pump originally.

I pump 3 times in a 12 hour shift and it takes about 30 minutes to get to the lactation room, set up, pump, and break down. I wish I would have done a dry run before going back to work. I fumbled around the first night and probably wasted more time than anything.

Second Sarah Wells! I have this bag - Sarah Wells Abby Breast Pump Bag with Real Leather Straps (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071GZN3X3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GZzoDbCQ37FHX - And I love that it looks like a large purse and is discrete. It’s also enormous with a million pockets and side areas.

Try here... I tried to link to it but it didn't work the other way. Looks like only pink is available right now.


Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra, Patented, Soft Pink, Large/Plus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002968T5G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rINZDbMFY0DHQ

If you can, get a rechargeable “stationary” pump. Some places that provide insurance covered pumps will let you pay a bit more to upgrade your pump. The blue Spectra S1 works just as well when it isn’t plugged in and has a little handle to carry it. With a good pumping bra you could move around the kitchen and cook.

If you can’t get a rechargeable pump, at least get a long extension cord for your “stationary” pump so you can pick it up and move around the room.

You’ll get to keep your Medela pumping parts, there is an adapter on Amazon to hook them up to a Spectra pump. This. There are also adapters to hook them up to whatever kind of bottles you’re using, if you haven’t found those already.

FYI a lot of the Medela pumps are permanently sewn into some kind of carrying bag.

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

Organic Moringa 180 Capsules – 100% Pure Leaf Powder - Max 1000mg Per Serving - Complete Green Superfood Supplement - Full 3 Month Supply - Miracle Tree Organic Moringa Oleifera Powder Vegan Caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BJWH9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_h5DZCbP0BMJWH



Was a life saver for me. In the beginning I took 2 in the morning and 1 in the evening, now I just take the 2 in the am but I can definitely tell when I have missed my daily moringa. Takes about 2 days to see the difference

I like this bra for use with Pumpin Pals. I don’t have to take the bra off, slides right in. Might make a difference depending on cup size though - I was a B cup pre-pregnancy and now maybe a C or D?


https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00GU1P5ZI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_RFIUDbCYGV0AT

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07JNB2DVD?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This is a decent option that offers lots of options for you

https://www.amazon.ca/Maymom-Philips-Breastpump-One-Side-Membrane/dp/B017CYL6YA/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=Philips+avent+pump+parts&qid=1571660497&sr=8-9

:( Buying stuff when you’re Canadian sucks lol.