https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:10:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012989 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 11:00:13 +0000 littleveesmommy 1012989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and I forgot to list hands-free pumping bra! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012906 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:38:40 +0000 littleveesmommy 1012906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I pumped after going back to work, my daily "go" bag consisted of:<br /> - pump<br /> - pump parts (x1)<br /> - pump bottles (x2)<br /> - storage bags (I keep a pack in the bag)<br /> - thin freezer packs<br /> - small cooler bag</p> <p>I had used the bag that came with my pump at first but later found I had more room and a bit more stylish with the LongChamp Le Pliage in large. After the first pump session, I would transfer the milk to a single bag, quickly wipe the flange dry, shove everything into the cooler bag and stick it in the work fridge until my next session. At the end of the day, I'd take everything home and it would stay cold through my 45 minute commute since the entire bag + contents was in the fridge all day. I put my pump parts in the fridge because it reduces bacteria growth and also so I don't have to wash parts in the work sinks (blech). When I get home I put the freshly pumped milk bags in the freezer and move the necessary amount of frozen milk to the fridge to thaw for next day. I just keep cycling so the older milk was getting used and being replenished with the fresh stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012678 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:25:39 +0000 katsupgirl 1012678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: Less washing and it cuts down on bacteria growth. If you have access to a microwave I've used those quick steam bags to sterilize sometimes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012603 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:08:23 +0000 Revel 1012603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: So you don't have to wash them between pumps - you can just wash once a day in the evening. Seems like it will save a ton of time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012599 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:07:50 +0000 junebugmama 1012599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bookworm: you don't have to wash them in between pumpings </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012590 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:05:48 +0000 Bookish 1012590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@katsupgirl: @junebugmama: @Revel: @coacheswife123: Why keep the parts in the fridge in between? Does that cut down on potential bacteria growth? I go back to work in 3 weeks, I'm glad I read this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012589 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:05:46 +0000 Adira 1012589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I bring TWO 9-oz bottles (I have the Avent Twin Electric) to work with me. I pump twice and store in the mini-fridge in the Mother's Room between sessions. I pump directly into the same bottles morning and afternoon. I also store the pump parts that touch milk in the mini-fridge with my bottles.</p> <p>I have a cooler for transporting the milk home. Once home, I use the same bottles for Xander's bottles for the next day and just use a another bottle to make up his third bottle. Then his bottles that got used that day get washed for me to take to work the next day.</p> <p>I have 9 bottles, but I use 8 consistently and it goes like this:</p> <p>4 bottles for Xander (he drinks 3, 4th gets sent to daycare the next day, the other 3 get washed)<br /> 2 bottles get used in the morning before work - I pump, combine into one and store in fridge, 2nd bottle gets washed<br /> 2 bottles go to work with me - I pump into both and then once home, these 2 bottles plus the one from this morning make up the 3 bottles Xander needs for the next day.</p> <p>ETA: I have a tote bag that fits my pump &amp; parts, pumping bra, and a book. The cooler I carry separately. It's a little square cooler that fits 4 bottles OR 2 bottles + my 2 pump parts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1012562 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:00:27 +0000 Revel 1012562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaineysMom: @coacheswife123: @Pink Champagne: @junebugmama: @katsupgirl: Thanks ladies! I guess I'll just bring some extra bottles in the beginning until I get a sense how much I'm pumping. Thanks also for the heads up about putting the parts in the fridge - I had seen that on here before at some point I think.</p> <p>I take the subway or ride my bike to work so I'm wondering how I'm going to fit everything now!</p> <p>@travellingbee: The planning is so overwhelming, isn't it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011901 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 22:35:40 +0000 katsupgirl 1011901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bring 6 bottles (5oz) size. I use two per session. I pump three times. I have about 12 bottles total and two sets of pump parts. I leave one set at home. </p> <p>Putting pump parts in the fridge between use is ideal. I use a cooler with ice pack for transport. </p> <p>I also leave a pump at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011830 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 21:40:16 +0000 junebugmama 1011830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest tip so far is the one coacheswife123 gave. You can store your pump parts in the fridge and only wash once per day. Much easier! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011820 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 21:33:28 +0000 pl0508 1011820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pink Champagne: that's the kind of bag I have too. It's great ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011817 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 21:31:20 +0000 Pink Champagne 1011817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would reuse one bottle from each pump session for the next (I was pumping about 5 oz a session). So I would bring however many bottles depending on how often I was pumping (3x a day at first, then 2). I kept my parts in a cooler bag that was stuffed with three big, flat freezer packs- they kept the parts cold and kept my milk cold through a full 8 hour work day and hour long commute home at night (they didn't get us a fridge at work until recently).<br /> If you have a fridge, you could bring a freezer pack to stick in your work freezer, and then pop it in a small soft cooler bag (I bought one of the ones that says it fits a 6 pack) with your pumped milk for the ride home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011811 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 21:26:57 +0000 MamaChin 1011811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I worked I would leave an extra set of pump parts, 2 bottles and several storage bags at work in case of emergencies. For everyday I brought pump parts, 4 5-oz medela bottles (they actually fit up to 7oz) and a cooler with ice pack. I pumped about 20oz a day so I would use bottles 1&amp;2, then bottles 3&amp;4, on my third pump I would combine the cooled milk and reuse the bottles. You're not suppose to pump into cooled milk or combine different temperature milks. Between pumps I put the rinsed parts in a gallon ziplock, then into a non-see through bag to store in the fridge. I worked in a most male company so I was weirded out by them seeing my horns. I had a long commute, almost 2 hours each way and my milk was always fine in the cooler in my purse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011735 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:43:42 +0000 pl0508 1011735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many bottles do I need total, and how many bottles should I bring every day? I bring two bottles forcecerybpump session plus 2 extra in case I have extra </p> <p>How should I keep the milk cold on my commute home (we have a fridge in the office)? I put my bottles in a cooler bag with ice packs </p> <p>Is it worth having a second set of pump parts?<br /> I don't have a second set and do fine. After I pump I screw on new bottles and put in a gallon size freezer bag and throw in the fridge until my next session. I wash at night. </p> <p>What kind of bags do you all like for transporting milk and pump parts each day? Will any old purse or tote do? I use a huge-o Vera Bradley bag. I got a big one so I can carry my pump, parts, milk, purse, and lunch all in one ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011731 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:42:21 +0000 LaineysMom 1011731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends how much milk you pump.. For example, If you pump ~15 oz., I would bring 4-6 5 oz., bottles and combine as you go. It is worth it to have an extra set of pump parts.. You will thank yourself later. A large Tupperware that fits all of your rinsed pump parts in the fridge is helpful, so you don't need to wash parts throughout the day. I always transport milk in a little cooler with ice packs. It may be a short drive, but you never know what is going to happen and throwing out milk sucks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011692 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:26:48 +0000 travellingbee 1011692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ooooooh I need to know this stuff too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pumping-supplies-for-return-to-work#post-1011686 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:19:43 +0000 Revel 1011686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know there have been threads on this before but I can't locate them right now. I go back to work in 2 and a half weeks :(, and am overwhelmed by thinking about what I need as a setup for pumping and transporting milk. </p> <p>I plan to pump 3 times a day. I have both an Ameda purely yours and Medela PIS, so I will be leaving a pump at work. Questions if anyone doesn't mind sharing their system...</p> <p>How many bottles do I need total, and how many bottles should I bring every day?</p> <p>How should I keep the milk cold on my commute home (we have a fridge in the office)?</p> <p>Is it worth having a second set of pump parts?</p> <p>What kind of bags do you all like for transporting milk and pump parts each day? Will any old purse or tote do?</p> <p>Thanks in advance for any suggestions! </p>