Nursing... Part 3... Pumping Supplies

Third installment in my "Breast feeding" series.

Pumping Supplies

*** #1 Rule of pumping- do it often and on a schedule!! If you don't pump as many times as your baby eats, your supply WILL go down and it WILL be frustrating***

THE PUMP

It is SO tempting to buy a cheap (meaning both inexpensive and made) pump.  I don't suggest it.  I suggest spending the money for the GOOD pump... why, you ask?

1.  Longevity- I used my Medela Pump in Style 5+ times a day for 15 minutes each time for 11 months and have had ZERO problems.  No battery problems, no parts going crazy, it's a good working machine.  I have a friend who pumped solely with both of her children for a year and has had NO problems with her $300 Pump-in-Style.  It's worth it.

2.  Suction - the better pumps get more milk out, plain and simple.

3.  Let-down feature- this is AWESOME and will help you get more milk each time.  I use to use it 2 times during a pumping session to help build up supply.

4.  You only have to buy it once (and maybe your insurance will pay for it)

5.  Resale- many people will purchase a used pump-- it voids ALL manufacturer warranties, but if you buy all  new tubing, shields, bottles, etc.  It should work just fine (the milk doesn't get to the machine really).

Breastmilk Storage

1.  Buy the cheap bags if you are pumping solely... it makes it worth it.

2.  I buy the Medela bags for travel purposes.  When we go somewhere I have them to pump into so that I  can store the milk easier (in a cooler or fridge), plus bottles take up lots of packing space.

3.  Look for sales and stock up- I like the NUK brand sold at Target and the Lansinoh
bags are more sturdy, but more expensive.  Stock up when they go on sale!

4.  Storage Box- I use one of these storage boxes to help keep my frozen milk flatter for storage.  It really helps with storage in the freezer.
5.  We store breastmilk in zip-lock freezer bags in our deep freezer (we had one for food storage before babies).  I can fit 12, 5oz bags in 1 ziplock.  I write on the outside of the bag how many ounces are in the bag and the dates of the milk inside. It helps with rotating milk.

OTHER STUFF

1.  Exta bottles- I have about a dozen bottles between my 2 kids and it comes in handy to store in the fridge and for fast transfer to the fridge.

2.  Extra set of tubing- in case your tubing gets wet (or your 2 year old chooses to suck on it) and then you always have 1 set handy

3.  Extra set of shields- I have 4 sets of shields that I use, that way I can keep them super clean and they dry easily-- I had Mastitis a bunch of times with #1, so I am super paranoid with cleanliness... see my post about it here.

4.  Sanitizing wipes-  I love these things.  Medela sells packages of 24, I use them when we are on the go and I can't clean everything out with running water.  I also use them when we travel so I can clean everything well and only carry 1 set of shields.  See #3 for my reason for using these wipes.

5.  Car Adapter- if you are pumping or ever leave your child- you will want one of these!!!  Medela came out with an actual car adapter so you don't need to have a converter anymore... but a converter works, too!

What is your "can't live without" pumping supply?

Next up... Books...