Several weeks ago, I published Part 1 of my tips for exclusive pumping success only to have Spring Break completely derail my plans of getting Part 2 to you. #momlife, right? But it is finally here!

Today, I’m going through my last set of tips to make exclusive pumping easier and more stress-free for you. I found exclusive pumping to be a huge learning curve and learned several things late in the game that would have made the whole process easier – if I had just known them from the beginning!

I hope these tips make your exclusive pumping journey immensely easier and help make you feel a little less overwhelmed by the process. If you find any of these tips helpful, don’t forget to let me know in the comments below!

Exclusive Pumping Tips:

• Steam Sterilizer Bags: I would consider these one of the must-haves for pumping Mama’s. These allow you to wash your breast pump parts and then use a quick steam in the microwave to ensure that they are completely sterile before the next use. It’s super easy, relatively quick, and puts your mind at ease about whether those parts are really clean enough. I did not use them for parts that specifically stated they had to be boiled (like the silicone massager below) but most of your parts work great in these handy bags. These will save you loads of time. I definitely suggest buying a couple of packages so you will always have them handy!
• Lansinoh 3 in 1 Therapy Packs: These are one of those things that I wish I had known about WAY earlier in my pumping journey. I tried them on a whim and instantly wished I had purchased them sooner. These handy hot/cold packs help with let down and get your milk flowing faster… BUT, even better… they help with clogged ducts. If you have ever had a clogged duct you know what an absolute terrible experience they are. I used to get them a lot and they were so painful! Once I found these, I would heat them up and leave them resting on the area of the clog for about 10 minutes before pumping and then I’d work on massaging that area while I pumped. I was able to work through clogs so much faster using these!
• Spectra Silicone Massagers: I added these because I was struggling with finding the right flange size for my Spectra Breast Pump and thought the additional insert would make the fit better. Turns out I was right, but these also helped with milk flow and made pumping way more comfortable. They make similar ones for other brands of breast pumps (see here and here for examples), so it may take you a little searching, but it’s very worth it. I’d suggest rubbling a little olive or coconut oil on the inside as well. It will reduce the friction and, again, make pumping way more comfortable (you can do this on the regular flanges too – #gamechanger!).
• Alcohol Test Strips: Okay, so real talk here… If you are going to drink during your pumping journey, these are super helpful. If you don’t drink, that’s awesome and you can skip this part. But if you like a cocktail every now and then and have waited NINE freakin months to enjoy it again, then I’d suggest ordering a set of these to have on hand just to set your mind at ease. These little strips will let you know if your breastmilk is safe to drink. You just dip them in and wait 2 minutes, then check the color of the strip. No change? Your milk is good to go. Brown or spotty brown? No bueno. I erred on the side of “pumping and dumping” milk that turned my strips, however I know friends who took a portion and mixed it into other milk and totally felt comfortable with that. You do you. The point is – your baby’s health is too important to just hope your milk is safe. If you’re going to enjoy a glass or so of an adult beverage, do yourself a favor and double check the safety of your milk.
• Bottle warmer: We received our Kinnde Bottle warmer from a friend who didn’t need hers anymore. It was a product I swore I didn’t need and then once I had it, I realized I was completely wrong. Not only did this help with giving my daughter milk that was actually warm, but it helped immensely with defrosting frozen breast milk quickly and without as much of a risk of spilling it. I’d set the sealed bag upright in the warming tray, set the timer, and then about halfway through, push down any frozen milk that was still stuck at the top of the bag. Since the bags warmed upright, instead of laying down, it was much less likely that they would open and spill during the process (unless the bag broke which only happened to me once). I loved this little machine and was so grateful for this unexpected addition to our baby gear! Also, these were my two favorite kinds of breast milk storage bags: Lansinoh and Avent)

Tips for your Pumping Station:

I used to pump in a lot of different places. The “joy” of exclusive pumping is that you often are forced to be creative and flexible… hello, pumping and driving. But when you do get to be at home, I think it’s helpful to have an area that you regularly use for your pumping. Here are a few items I suggest keeping stocked in your pumping station:

• Paper towels – for the inevitable spill and to clean up drips as you disconnect from the pump.
• Phone charger – your phone will always give you a low battery message as soon as you sit down to pump… make sure you have an extra charger available!
• Boppy, toys, books, and (if you use them) an extra pacifier – since you will likely have to entertain your baby during a pumping session, these are crucial to reducing your stress level. There is nothing worse than a screaming baby needing you while you are hooked to a pump and have 20 more minutes to go. Trust me, get a basket and fill it with things you can use to entertain your little one while you finish the job,
• Water – remember hydration helps your supply. Drink up!
• Extra pillows and a blanket – pumps require you to be seated upright as you pump or else your milk will spill. At 3 am, you will want to do anything but sit hunched in the correct position. So, make sure you have extra pillows that you can prop up behind you for some back relief. Cozy blankets always help too!
• Podcasts – I listened to SO MANY podcasts when I was pumping. It gave me something to do other than endlessly scroll social media. Find a few good episodes and cue them up for when you have a long pumping session. It will make the minutes fly by.
• Anything that you may want or need over the next 30 minutes (I.e. laptop, books, food, etc).

And one last tip:

remember that breast milk doesn’t stay good in your freezer forever. I tried to use mine within 6 months or so (here is a handy guide for breast milk storage). When you freeze your milk, be sure to order it so that your oldest milk is most accessible. I did not do this and ended up having to empty my freezer and reorganize it when I realized I couldn’t access the milk I needed to use first. Rookie mistake that you hopefully won’t have to make!

Again, I hope that the tips above combined with those that I provided in Part 1 give you the tools you need to successfully pump for as long as you decide to! Let me know below if there is anything I left out or give me your thoughts on how these tips worked for you…

And as always, Stay Healthy as Heck, KH