https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:29:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2306565 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:40:06 +0000 linzeelou 2306565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll share what is working great for me:</p> <p>This is my second baby so I got a second electric pump. I leave one at home and one at work. This baby pretty much exclusively nurses at home but I still need the pump on certain occasions when I'm away from him. </p> <p>I pump twice during the work day so each morning I pack a cooler bag with my lunch, ice packs, pump parts and 4 bottles to pump into. After the first pump I wipe the pump parts with a paper towel, stick them in a ziploc bag and leave them in the cooler bag. By keeping them cool I don't need to wash/sanitize them before the second pump in the afternoon. Then each night all I have to take home is my cooler bag with the pumped milk and pump parts. Wash and repeat for the next day!</p> <p>With my first child I did haul the pump back and forth from work each day and having a pump both at home and at work is so much easier! You still run the risk of forgetting your pump parts but since I pack a lunch each day it's pretty hard to even do that. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2305501 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:31:40 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2305501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 pumps is amazing! I brought pump parts home daily in a cooler bag, and kept a spare set (sealed in a ziplock) in my desk.</p> <p>This cooler bag is particularly awesome -- it easily held 4 tall bottles and the medela ice pack in the bottom, and my flanges in the top.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/JL-Childress-Bottle-Cooler-Black/dp/B000262HNU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1443562233&#038;sr=8-11&#038;keywords=cooler+6+bottle" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/JL-Childress-Bottle-Cooler-Black/dp/B000262HNU/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1443562233&#038;sr=8-11&#038;keywords=cooler+6+bottle</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2305262 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:55:18 +0000 LAZB 2305262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two pumps, one at home, and one at work. I wash parts daily in the sink at work, and use the microwave sterilization bags too. I bring parts home on the weekends for an extra good cleaning, although I'm certain they are very clean each day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2305247 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:45:36 +0000 ShootingStar 2305247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a freestyle pump which is really small, and I still needed to use the big pump bag that came with it. There was so much stuff that I had to carry back and forth every day. Having just the extra pump wouldn't have really been worth it. I used clean pump parts every day, plus I carried 4 collection bottles. Then on top of that I needed a burp cloth (there was always leaking and spilling going on) and a pumping bra. </p> <p>If you really want to keep things at work, I think you'd need the extra pump, 5 sets of parts, and 5 sets of collection bottles. Then you'll still need to bring home your daily collection bottles and the parts to get washed. Although I guess you could bring all the parts home on Friday afternoon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304905 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:01:32 +0000 snowjewelz 2304905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I happened to have 2 pumps (my SIL gave me her spare), and it was helpful. It's not a must, but it was nice to just leave the work pump at work, and I can take my time cleaning the pump parts knowing I have a whole other set to pump from at home (the home pump is a diff brand). </p> <p>I wouldn't have paid full price for another one tho; but it's worth it if you can get one from a friend, or buy a used one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304888 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:54:26 +0000 LuLu Mom 2304888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I had two and it was great, the only thing you have to remember is bottles (to replace those you use. A good tip is to keep some milk bags in your pump in case you forget, I did this 2 times but always kept spare bottles in the bag so I just transferred.) I would take home my parts to "deep" sterilize on the weekends, otherwise I used hot water and soap to wash after every pump during the week and had no issues. I also kept the wipes on hand to use at the end of the day. </p> <p>that being said we have an exclusive pumping/mother's room at work, that only me and another girl were using at the time (someone who I trust) so we both had a little area that we set out our parts to dry at the end of each pump. I had no worries about anyone messing with our stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304763 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 06:58:47 +0000 BSB 2304763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, I ended up getting the Spectra 9 portable pump over the Spectra S2. The S2 is 3lbs for just the pump and the 9 is 1.9 or 1.2 lbs. Its fairly light so not too big to lug around. Now my Medela Symphony hospital grade pump is heavy. It's staying home though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304760 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 06:43:54 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2304760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: The pump itself doesn't need to be cleaned. Just the bottles, flanges, etc. Those would fit in a lunch sized bag. I only had one electric pump and it was fine, but having two would be a bonus so you don't have to carry the pump back and forth. </p> <p>I'm coveting one of these bags for next time for a prettier pump bag. You can use it as your work bag AND it holds your pump! <a href="https://www.sarahwellsbags.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.sarahwellsbags.com/</a></p> <p>ETA: Even if you only have one pump, I would get multiples of all your pump parts. I hated being ready to leave in the morning and realizing I didn't have all the parts I needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304754 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 06:30:36 +0000 danda 2304754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You only need to bring the pump home if you are pumping at home - the pump itself doesn't require cleaning. I would bring parts home to wash though because it's awkward to have them sitting out drying at work (and in a school setting I wouldn't trust them to stay put and stay clean either). You do not need to sterilize anything on a routine basis unless you are pumping for a preemie or baby who has a compromised immune system.</p> <p>With that said - it's nice to have one pump at home and one at work so that you don't have to lug it and you have it available at home if needed. I just found it generally wasn't needed at home (for me, with my pumping schedule/output). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304743 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 05:40:36 +0000 ElbieKay 2304743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ultimately wound up leaving my pump at work and hand expressing at home. I stored the pump parts in the fridge during the day and washed them in the sink once per day. Occasionally I would bring them home and run them through the dishwasher -- maybe once per week? -- but then I would be really nervous about forgetting to bring them the next day.</p> <p>I actually had two pumps: A hospital-grade pump loaned to me by a friend, and a Medela double pump from my insurance company. I kept the Medela at home but it really did not work for me at all so I never used it. But there was no way in hell I was going to carry a hospital grade pump back and forth every day so I just hand expressed in the morning and that was that. I don't remember if I also expressed before bedtime but iirc I never got much milk then anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304737 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 05:25:25 +0000 Anya 2304737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep my pump at work and just bring the parts home, and use a manual pump at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304722 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:56:57 +0000 BSB 2304722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: Is the buy nothing group something to found on FB or email? I've heard of them but haven't looked for one in my area. Good idea to check there.</p> <p>ETA: never mind. I found a FB group for my area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304718 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:02:34 +0000 PawPrints 2304718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I put up a request on my local Buy Nothing group and somehow wound up with three (!) Medela PISAs. So I'll definitely leave one at work. I don't foresee that I'll ever bring anything home, other than an ice-pack tote with milk bottles. I'll put the flanges/connectors/valves in the office fridge after each use and then sterilize them in a microwave bag at the end of each day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304717 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 00:55:26 +0000 BSB 2304717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: I'm not back at work yet but when I go back to work I plan on leaving pump parts at work. I have access to a fridge and a microwave store parts and sanitize. My sister left her pump parts at home one day and she sent me a pic of her pumping into red solo cups. Haha. It was funny to see but I'm sure my sister pribably freaked out at some point.<br /> As for your two pump question, it's a good question to ask. I can totally see myself forgetting my pump at least once and it does sound like things would be easier if I had a pump at work. I am renting a hospital pump and getting a free pump through my insurance. I can see how long my insurance will pay for my rented pump for and keep the other one at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304698 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:55:27 +0000 DesertDreams88 2304698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, silly question... could I just handwash the necessary parts in the sink at work, and take it home on the weekends to do more heavy duty cleaning / sterilization? I have access to a fridge and a microwave, I've read here and there about storing pump parts in the fridge and being able to sterilize things with microwave bags...?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304687 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:20:48 +0000 Mrs Panda 2304687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There were several people pumping at my work at the same time, so a few people chipped in for an office pump. (Of course, they used their own parts, just shared the machine part) I didn't go in on it because I work from home a lot, but just thought I'd share in case that might be an option for you. (Big downside is that you have to coordinate your pumping schedule with others....) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304681 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:11:03 +0000 Foodnerd81 2304681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you decide that two would be good, check with your insurance if it's by pregnancy or calendar year. Potentially you could get one this year and one next and have them be covered? Also maybe you wouldn't need the pump at home during the week and could just bring the parts back and forth? </p> <p>Not a wohm so I'm not really that helpful sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304657 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 21:18:32 +0000 lemong 2304657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two pumps and it worked great. I would just bring bottles and an ice pack for transportation. I'd wash everything at work and let it dry overnight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304651 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 21:06:13 +0000 catomd00 2304651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pack your bags the night before and run through a checklist! Keep spare pump parts at work and maybe a Manual pump in your car just in case. You can always hand express in an emergency situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-having-two-electric-pumps-helpful#post-2304647 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 21:03:57 +0000 DesertDreams88 2304647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For WOHMs, would it be helpful / recommended to have two electric pumps, one for home and one for work? </p> <p>I'm just getting a bit intimidated by all the stuff I'll have to bring back &amp; forth from home: pump &amp; parts, bottles, lunch bag, 2 water bottles, purse, plus teacher bag of grading / paperwork. I already use a teacher-style rolling cart and it's 3/4 full every day. I'm also worried that somehow in the fog of going back to work with a 3-4mo old at home, I'll forget my pump at one place or another.</p> <p>However, on the other hand, won't I have to bring home my pump pretty much daily to wash/sterilize it anyways? Should I maybe just have an electric pump I take back and forth, and then a manual at home and at work? </p>