https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:46:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2544015 Sun, 08 May 2016 20:27:45 +0000 Pollywog 2544015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest tip I was given were to ditch the hands free bra and massage as I pump. I can get done in half the time. </p> <p>Second tip was to nurse on one side and pump on the other. A huge time saver for us.</p> <p>Last tip was to wash my pump parts and bottles at once, while making dinner. I have a system down where it takes no extra time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543919 Sun, 08 May 2016 13:59:23 +0000 littlebug 2543919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. J: Yes, I just started doing that and it helps organize the stash so much! As the stacks get tall, they start to fall over, so I put them in bags. WAY easier! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543918 Sun, 08 May 2016 13:53:49 +0000 Mrs. J 2543918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I store the bags of frozen milk in gallon ziplock bags. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543903 Sun, 08 May 2016 12:02:21 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Or change to the duckbill style of valves -- they last so much longer! I really like the Hygeia OEM ones and the ones by MayMom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543892 Sun, 08 May 2016 11:19:44 +0000 peaches1038 2543892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Change your membranes every 4-6 weeks! I thought was was losing my supply, but I just needed to switch them out. They can get little tears and they lose their suction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543877 Sun, 08 May 2016 10:21:51 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: I hope you love them as much as I do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543869 Sun, 08 May 2016 09:40:19 +0000 travellingbee 2543869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: found one on Amazon 1/2 off! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543860 Sun, 08 May 2016 08:23:26 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: yeah. I got a bra from them cheap on Amazon once, but the sales are mostly on their site </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543856 Sun, 08 May 2016 08:08:35 +0000 travellingbee 2543856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: oh where? Just through their site? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543849 Sun, 08 May 2016 07:43:31 +0000 littlebug 2543849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can pump directly into Tommee Tippee bottles - TT sells an adapter cap to fit Medela pumps. </p> <p>Take pictures and video of your LO nursing and view them while pumping. That always helps with my production; usually stimulates a 2nd let-down for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543848 Sun, 08 May 2016 07:41:58 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I think we have the same pumping philosophy! I just kept buying more flanges, valves, bottles, and caps until I had enough that I was never scrambling to wash parts for the next workday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543846 Sun, 08 May 2016 07:38:20 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I'm with you. I used to pump directly into the Kiinde bags but I started pumping into bottles and transferring to bags because the measurements were so hard to read. I would think I had a 3oz bag and then Sweetie would say LO drank all 2.25oz. I still love them for storage (so much easier and more secure than zip top bags if you have the space) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543842 Sun, 08 May 2016 07:05:34 +0000 SweetiePie 2543842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Medela bags have the ounce markers on them! But I never actually pumped into them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543826 Sun, 08 May 2016 02:50:09 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2543826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following! All good tips! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543803 Sat, 07 May 2016 22:10:09 +0000 Foodnerd81 2543803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: when you pump directly into storage bags how do you measure how much is in there? I always pour from a bottle into the bags, so I know how many ounces, and it never matches what the lines on the bag say. I feel like I'm doing it wrong!</p> <p>These are good tips! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543798 Sat, 07 May 2016 21:50:09 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: They have major sales a few times a year (usually including one on Mother's Day). Sometimes there are sales are for seconds with minor dye imperfections that are less than half the price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543793 Sat, 07 May 2016 21:12:01 +0000 travellingbee 2543793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: those look awesome but expensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543791 Sat, 07 May 2016 21:09:28 +0000 travellingbee 2543791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to the pumping pals flanges and simple wishes. Last time I just used a medela hands free bra and the simple wishes is soooo much nicer. </p> <p>Pump directly into storage bags if freezing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543785 Sat, 07 May 2016 20:53:14 +0000 SweetCaroline 2543785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: yes! The Gerber first essential bottles rock, and I bought Dr Brown (I think) bottle caps that fit. I literally bought 36 of these bottles (for like $10). I froze my milk every night, rinsed the bottles, and threw in the fridge produce drawer. Twice a week, DH would do mass pump parts/bottle washing. We didn't have a dishwasher..</p> <p>I also bought the Maymom parts on Amazon. I had several sets.</p> <p>I used a small wetbag to store my pump parts in the fridge. For some reason, I preferred that to a ziploc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543749 Sat, 07 May 2016 19:15:46 +0000 Torchwood 2543749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: The bottle warmer tip is a great one! I hadn't thought of that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543747 Sat, 07 May 2016 19:13:25 +0000 lilyofthewest 2543747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even better than the Simple Wishes pump bra: Rumina nurse/pump tanks. I always wear one under my scrub tops and it makes pumping setup/tear down so much quicker. </p> <p>Gerber First Essentials bottles are really inexpensive and they match the medela threading. </p> <p>Lansinoh mOmma and ThinkBaby bottles match Hygeia flange threading. </p> <p>You can pump while driving! It is time where you can't really do much else anyway, so, why not make use of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543715 Sat, 07 May 2016 17:28:35 +0000 SweetiePie 2543715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: yes it took me a while to figure that out. My son wouldn't drink from medela bottles but did drink dr Browns. Instead of transferring I finally realized I could pump directly into the Dr Browns. Who knew?!</p> <p>As much as I hated pumping and I gave up early, it's fun to remember some of this stuff I had forgotten. Little walk down memory lane :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543714 Sat, 07 May 2016 17:26:16 +0000 DesertDreams88 2543714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As for getting different flange sizes, I love the Maymom parts on Amazon. I find the one-piece design easier, and you get new tubing and valves+membranes, too. They also have an explanation for "measuring" to get the right size. </p> <p>Another tip - Dr. Brown &amp; Medela bottles are interchangeable with Medela pumps, and there are some off-brand caps ("nenesupply") that will work for both, too. I had a friend give me 20 8oz Dr. Brown bottles after using them for her son, and my son doesn't drink from Dr. Brown bottles but they are great for storage!! I packed away all the extra parts and just use the bottles and off-brand caps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543713 Sat, 07 May 2016 17:21:34 +0000 DesertDreams88 2543713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: yeah, the nipple cream helped a lot with pumping in the early weeks! No my nipples must just be used to being abused, haha. Also I thought I would have to disrobe entirely but nope! Shirt up, nursing bra open, zip it the hands-free bra on. Way less awkward than I thought. Also yes on the leaning forward for those last drops of milk.</p> <p>@PawPrints: @SweetiePie: @catlady: Let's be honest, I'd probably quit pumping REALLY early on if there were no hands free options!</p> <p>@PawPrints: I've thought about ditching the icepack, but I'm always nervous about forgetting the milk (hello sleep deprivation) and cars in AZ get hot hot hot! However, I forgot my ice pack on Wednesday and the bottles stayed cool for 2hrs in the car. I put them in my insulated lunch bag, then inside my red Coleman six-pack cooler. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543712 Sat, 07 May 2016 17:18:14 +0000 SweetiePie 2543712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Gross, but I ripped off a chunk of skin around my nipple by using too small of shields in the hospital. Like I saw the skin in the shield and I'm like what's that? And looked down and it was raw, new skin. So I sized up and that's also what made me start using nipple butter before putting on the shields (to protect that skin) and I ended up liking it way more so kept doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543705 Sat, 07 May 2016 17:05:07 +0000 PawPrints 2543705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Oh yeah on the flange sizing, I had to size down to 21 mm. @SweetiePie: Yes, Simple Wishes *with* the nursing bra/flaps down. So much easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543702 Sat, 07 May 2016 16:55:42 +0000 SweetiePie 2543702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: lecithin for sure! It helped me so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543699 Sat, 07 May 2016 16:54:22 +0000 SweetiePie 2543699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: YESSSS to the simple wishes bra. I dont know how people do it without them. I had a friend who just held the pump win both hands for, like, months. Playing candy crush is what kept me sane while pumping!</p> <p>And I used to just put it on over my nursing bra (with the front flaps down, obviously). Not sure if that's common but I hated disrobing every time. </p> <p>I also kept breast wipes or a wet washcloth by the chair so that when I was done I could wipe my boobs down. I hated the feeling of sticky milk. </p> <p>Lean forward when you take off the shields so that you don't lose a single drop of milk. I used to get some pretty high up in the shields but it was spread out while pumping so I didn't see it. When I would take the shield off Id lose several drops of milk (and get it on my clothes). Leaning forward before breaking suction made sure it went down into the bottles. </p> <p>Sorry if these are dumb, I have no idea if these are common or well known, I just sort of figured them out on my own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543696 Sat, 07 May 2016 16:52:00 +0000 gingerbebe 2543696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can use one set of parts for two days if you keep them refrigerated - just keep them in a gallon Ziploc bag between pumps.</p> <p>If you have a Medela Freestyle DO NOT microwave sterilize the parts - they will warp and you will lose suction.</p> <p>Have a second set of spare parts</p> <p>Make sure you have the right flange size - lots of moms need a bigger flange than the one the pump comes with. I needed the 30mm.</p> <p>Take lecithin capsules to help prevent clogs and exfoliate your nipples gently with a washcloth in the shower to keep the skin and ducts clear. Same when you towel off - rub your nips with the dry towel to keep any excess skin or milk from building up. A touch of lanolin to moisturizer also helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-tips#post-2543695 Sat, 07 May 2016 16:50:23 +0000 catlady 2543695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are great tips.</p> <p>Others that I used:</p> <p>- Pump-ease hands free (Simple wishes didn't work for me)</p> <p>- Don't assume the flanges that come with the pump are the right size for you. I ended up using Pumpin' pals flanges (way more comfortable and I got more milk)</p> <p>- If you have an excess lipase problem, you can scald your milk using this munchkin bottle warmer (because it does not have a max temp). I suggest buying a digital thermometer to watch the temp. This is way easier than doing it on the stove.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Speed-Bottle-Warmer-White/dp/B00DUTKBSE" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Speed-Bottle-Warmer-White/dp/B00DUTKBSE</a> </p>