Hellobee Boards

You'll probably get different opinions from everyone, but here's my advice:

(1) Medela quick clean micro-steam bags --- NO, they come with the bottles, I've used a couple times and they don't really work that well anyway. Since I've gotten them with the pump & the bottles I've purchased I use them once in a while anyway.

(2) Medela quick clean wipes - NO

(3) Medela pump & save storage bags - SURE

(4) Medela disposable bra pads - If you want - I use Lanishoh (sp?) and like those best, I didn't like this brand... total personal preference, and these were more expensive.

(5) Medela Tender Care HydroGel pads - NO... My hospital gave me some soothies that were OK, but they only helped for like a minute, so I think just using the Lanolin was the way to go in the beginning. or just use a little ice in a washcloth.

(6) Medela quick clean breastmilk removal soap -- YES -- and this is a total personal preference but I LOVE this soap. I didn't want to use regular dish soap, and I feel like this soap works SO well. I don't soak as they say to use - but squirt a bit into each bottle & clean and it gets all of the residue off! Maybe try this and whatever soap you use and see how you feel.

just wait until you start pumping to see what you need. you'll definitely want the storage bags (i would get another brand other than medela like lansinoh, or another one i haven't tried that mrs. stroller recommended a while back). and i used nursing pads for a very long time (i still leak pretty regularly at 18 months!).

#3 - YES. You need to store that milk!!!

The only accessory I use is the storage bags. I really like the Target brand ones, and they're cheaper than Lansinoh ones.

I bought washable bra pads, because I couldn't stand the thought of throwing a pair away every day. It turns out that I don't leak though, so I didn't even need them. I might be able to use them with my next kids though.

I just use regular dish soap and bottle brush to wash my pump parts.

@looch: Agreed! I just ordered 2 more sets of tubing even though I'm done pumping with LO. Stocking up for the next LO if we're so lucky to have another!

Personally, I would just wait until you start pumping to buy accessories. I don't use Medela, but I'll still give my 2 cents.

(1) Medela quick clean micro-steam bags - never used steam bags
(2) Medela quick clean wipes - never used
(3) Medela pump & save storage bags - I use the Lanisoh ones
(4) Medela disposable bra pads - Used the Lanisoh ones. I would just get one box to see how you like it.
(5) Medela Tender Care HydroGel pads - Had soothies and ended up returning to target, never needed them. But I hear some people love them.
(6) Medela quick clean breastmilk removal soap- I just use regular dish soap.

I think extra pump parts and hands free pumping bra are essentials.

I use the steam bags, and milk storage bags (though I use the Lansinoh rather than the Medela). The wipes and soap seem unnecessary to me. I also use Lansinoh breast pads (I leak a lot) and Lansinoh gel soothies, but like another person said, they only offered a minute or two of relief until they warm up to your body temperature, so probably a cold compress would be better.

For me (WOHM) I liked the microwave steam bags a lot but keep in mind you can you one up to like 20 times before you should replace it.

I never used the cleaning wipes so those were a waste.

I preferred Lansinoh's milk storage bags because they would freeze flat but I loved that you could pump directly into the Medela bags so that is a personal preference. I'd get some and then decide.

I preferred reusable bra pads rather than disposable.

I never used the hydrogel pads.

I really liked Dapple soap.

I'd wait until you start pumping but here are my thoughts:

1) not required but nice to have
2) not necessary unless you are going to be pumping in locations without access to water; you can rinse your pump parts in between sessions without having to fully wash then wash at night
3) yes but I use the Lansinoh brand
4) depends, I only leaked for the first couple weeks
5) I bought these but found that cold was not helpful and actually caused more pain
6) I just use really hot water and dawn dish soap

Not on the list but recommend a Hands-free pumping bra

I've only used storage bags and the disposable pads on your list! (Which I've switched to washable/reusable organic pads since)... I do use the medela freezer bags still

I think the only ones you really need are the bags ( I prefer Lansinoh too) and the breast pads (I use Lansinoh). Everything else I think you can do without.

the only thing i used from the list are disposable breast pads, but i like lansinoh for that! works well and cheaper, too

i didnt have enough breastmilk to do any storage (boo), but i would have purchased a cheaper version of the storage bags

i have a medela pump though (freestyle) and LOVE it! the pump in style sounds perfect, too!

(1) Medela quick clean micro-steam bags - dont use
(2) Medela quick clean wipes - great for work. Pointless otherwise
(3) Medela pump & save storage bags- you need some kind. I've used medela, lansinoh, and gerber nuk. They are all fine in my opinion
(4) Medela disposable bra pads- again you need some kind. The avent ones are my favorite. Their overnight ones are wonderful. Now that my supply is regulated I use washable ones during the day (Charlie banana brand)
(5) Medela Tender Care HydroGel pads- good for the first few weeks
(6) Medela quick clean breastmilk removal soap- I love this. Total personal preference. It doesn't make the bottles smell perfumey and really gets rid of residue I was very surprised by how difficult breastmilk film can be to remove !!