Help me understand handsfree pumping

worleygirl · March 2014

I feel like an idiot bc I can't wrap my mind around pumping handsfree. I EPd DS for the last 3 months and it was brutal. I really want to try it this time when I go back to work. I'm in a DD bra right now and I have the 27mm flanges. I can't fathom how they would stay on and suctioned without the pressure of holding them. Is it just something I need to try a few times to get it? Tell me how you do it. Please!!!!!!!!!!

housewifebecomesher · March 2014

I hear there is a bra-free method floating around out there, but this bra was recommended and I love mine. www.thedairyfairy.com

jblank03 · March 2014

Second the dairy fairy bra. No idea how people do it without something holding up the pump! I've also heard of people cutting holes in an old sports bra but I personally couldn't squeeze into one of my old ones if my life depended on it!

sugarland726 · March 2014

I use this method:https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/

I hold the flanges in place until the suction takes, I can see my nipple being pulled through, and I see the milk coming out. I hands free pump with this 5 times a day. It's great and ridiculously cheap. It works on any nursing bra without having to destroy the bra. As long has it has the hooks on the strap of the bra, it will work. (I am a large D cup with 30 mm flanges too).

versed · March 2014

Kellymom has the elastic band method tutorial online:

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/

Jen4033 · March 2014

I've been able to be hands free when I wear my nursing bra from Motherhood Maternity. I get the flanges on & get them set right, then the bra holds the bottom of the flanges in place. Then I pull the shirt I'm wearing, down just over the top of the flanges & that holds the tops. I don't need to hold them in place at all. I am a little smaller than some of you, though, at a D size & using the standard 24mm flanges. (actually leftie is probably a full D & rightie a full C. <bra shopping sucks!>)

I've been happy to get it to work this way & not pay extra for the Freestyle pump nor buy special bras.

bethughknee · March 2014

I have a Simple Wishes bra but I don't use it anymore. I do things similarly to @Jen4033 using what I call The Chugs Method since @chuggingwater taught me.

I also use my nursing bra (unhooked) to hold the flanges and I always wear a cami which is a little extra support. I'm a C now while BFing but a small one. I have to use one hand to hold the flanges in place until I get to press the let-down button (less than 10 seconds, my let down is always is such a damn hurry!) and if I'm really full, I have to hold the bottle/s when they get over 3.5-4 oz but I think that's because my boobs are so damn small. That only happens at night. I only use the bra now when I have a plugged duct so that I can massage harder and use the Lanisoh 3in1's.

CarolinaGirl2014 · March 2014

I'm also dd and 20mm flanges and the hair tie method works for me w a nursing bra. I love it b/c I don't have to change clothes and actually leave the ties on my bra b/c I pump so much.

ChuggingWater · March 2014

Preach, @bethughknee‌ !! I taught you well. I've has over 5oz in a bottle with no problem.

kteeswei · March 2014

I love my simple wishes pumping bra- I have one at home and work. the promo code MILK through the website is 20% off or something. I'm a DD. I'm considering trying the dairy fairy but I have no issues with my process now either.

OSUWifey09 · March 2014

Thanks for the suggestions! Since I'm EPing, going hands free would be nice...but I keep stalling on getting a bra. I'll have to try the methods I saw here before I jump to get a bra.

housewifebecomesher · March 2014

Ladies, thank you for the elastic band method. Must try!

cnwilbur1030 · March 2014

I took an older sports bra and cut holes where the nipples are. DH then used a lighter to burn the edges to prevent further tears. I unsnap my nursing bra, throw on the sports bra, put on the flanges and feed the small end through the holes, and then attach the rest of the pump part. Free and easy!

daltosostarby · March 2014

I use the elastic band method that @sugarland726‌ linked to. It's super easy, and I've had up to 5oz in a bottle before I had to hold on to them.

jblank03 · March 2014

KatiesWei said:

I love my simple wishes pumping bra- I have one at home and work. the promo code MILK through the website is 20% off or something. I'm a DD. I'm considering trying the dairy fairy but I have no issues with my process now either.

The Dairy Fairy is definitely pricey but for me, worth it. I have very lazy boobs and have to do a lot of massage/compression to get much in a decent timespan. For me, the simple wishes made it difficult to really get to the ladies, whereas the dairy fairy is just a regular bra so it's easier access!

beamstar · March 2014

I use the hair band method and it works great at work

bananas1112 · March 2014

I use the hair tie method but I use a headband length elastic and a slip knot instead of 2 looped together- they sucked at holding hair but go figure they hold pumps pretty damn good. I also pull the bottom of the bra cup over the flange to keep it in place (and either leave a nursing pad there or tuck in a wash cloth in case of a drip). I had a medela hands free but it would sag from the bottle weight and the zipper broke from the poor design.

joynalanson · March 2014

jblank03 said:
Second the dairy fairy bra. No idea how people do it without something holding up the pump! I've also heard of people cutting holes in an old sports bra but I personally couldn't squeeze into one of my old ones if my life depended on it!

This is what I did.

katags · March 2014

bananas1112 said:

I use the hair tie method but I use a headband length elastic and a slip knot instead of 2 looped together- they sucked at holding hair but go figure they hold pumps pretty damn good. I also pull the bottom of the bra cup over the flange to keep it in place (and either leave a nursing pad there or tuck in a wash cloth in case of a drip). I had a medela hands free but it would sag from the bottle weight and the zipper broke from the poor design.

The Medela bra has the cheapest zipper on the planet. It sucks.

worleygirl · March 2014

I went back to work today. I didn't attempt handsfree but tomorrow I'm going to try the elastic band method.

MIT721 · April 2014

sugarland726 said:
I use this method:https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/

I hold the flanges in place until the suction takes, I can see my nipple being pulled through, and I see the milk coming out. I hands free pump with this 5 times a day. It's great and ridiculously cheap. It works on any nursing bra without having to destroy the bra. As long has it has the hooks on the strap of the bra, it will work. (I am a large D cup with 30 mm flanges too).

I just did this after fighting with that crap Medela bra and it. is. FABULOUS. THANK YOU @sugarland726‌ & @ChuggingWater‌!!!

sugarland726 · April 2014

You're welcome @MIT721!

xanadu94 · April 2014

MIT721 said:

I use this method:https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/hands-free-pumping/

I hold the flanges in place until the suction takes, I can see my nipple being pulled through, and I see the milk coming out. I hands free pump with this 5 times a day. It's great and ridiculously cheap. It works on any nursing bra without having to destroy the bra. As long has it has the hooks on the strap of the bra, it will work. (I am a large D cup with 30 mm flanges too).
I just did this after fighting with that crap Medela bra and it. is. FABULOUS. THANK YOU @sugarland726‌ & @ChuggingWater‌!!!

I tried it too and it worked great. Thank you all!

megngregk · April 2014

Huh…I've been away from TB too long. I never knew of this divine hair-tie method, and I must try! I've been pumping hands-on twice a day for 3 months. I can sometimes go hands-free putting the flanges in my nursing sports bra, but only if I don't pump much. Going to try the hair-tie trick tonight!

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