Breast Pumping Must Haves
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If you have a newborn at home or are expecting a new baby soon, you are likely diving deep into the word of baby prep, breastfeeding, and pumping. Below are some breast pumping basics to get you started on a successful pumping journey as a new mom.
Breast Pumping Essentials
Breast Pump: The three types of breast pumps are manual pumps, electric pumps, and battery-powered pumps. If you are pumping daily, I recommend using a double electric pump because these pumps are designed to closely mimic your baby’s suction and have the appropriate suction power for building and maintaining your milk supply. I have the Spectra® S1 Plus rechargeable double electric breast pump. Of all my pumps, this one is the quickest and most reliable for emptying me because of the extra suction power. You can learn more about the different types of pumps and why you might need to pump throughout your breastfeeding journey in the post linked above.
Pumping Accessories: Breast pump parts typically include flanges, connectors, duckbill valves, bottles, backflow protectors, and tubing. I recommend having 3 sets total of flanges, connectors, duckbill valves, and bottles so that you have constantly have one clean set, one dirty set, and one set ready to use next time. I have replaced all of my Spectra flanges with PumpinPals Angled Flanges. While these aren’t necessary, I believe they are the pumping world’s best kept secret! The traditional flanges that come with your pump are designed straight so you have to lean slightly forward while pumping to avoid backflow. PumpinPals flanges point downward, which allows you to sit more upright and comfortably while you pump. Ready to get prepare for pumping as a first time mom? The Baby Prep Toolkit will teach you how to use your pump, how to build a supply, how and when to establish a pumping routine, when you need to replace your pump parts, and how to safely store and prepare breast milk.
Hands Free Pumping Bra: A hands free pumping bra is absolutely a must have. My favorites are the BRAVADO! DESIGNS Hands Free Pumping Bra, which you have to wear a nursing bra to connect to, and the Medela Easy Expression Hands Free Pumping Bra, which you don’t need to wear a bra for.
Pumping Spray or Nipple Butter: You can use a pumping spray or nipple butter to line your flanges, which helps keep your skin moisturizes and protect from chafing. I also feel like using a spray or nipple butter helps to keep your flanges in place while pumping.
Breast Milk Storage
Milk Storage Containers for Refrigeration: I do the pitcher method so I combine my breast milk from different pumping sessions over several days into a glass jar and keep that in the refrigerator until I’m ready to use or freeze, Others prefer pouring breast milk from their pump bottles directly into baby bottles or milk storage bags. You can also pump directly into your baby bottles but this will typically require an additional adaptor for your breast pump.
Milk Storage Bags: for freezing breast milk I like the Lansinoh milk storage bags best.
Safe Milk Storage Reference Guide: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published guidelines on properly storing and preparing breast milk that should be followed as best practice. I have a printable breast milk storage guide included with the Baby Prep Toolkit that you can hang on your refridgerator or inside a cabinet door for quick reference.
Small Cooler and Ice Pack: useful for pumping at work or on the go.
How to Clean Your Pump Parts
Hand Washing Supplies - If you plan to hand wash your pump parts use a separate wash bin to avoid germs and bacteria from your kitchen sink. I use Dapple baby bottle soap and Dr. Brown’s bottle washing brush to wash my pump parts and let the parts air dry on a bottle drying rack.
Sterilizing Supplies - You can either boil water, use a microwave sterilizer, or sterilizing bags to sterilize your pump parts.
