@manillabar I didn't have the same brand but mine had adapters to pump directly into the bags. Definitely do that if you can! Transferring from bottle to bag or vice versa can be tricky and you DO NOT WANT TO SPILL THE LIQUID GOLD!
ETA- when I would transfer from bag to bottle, I'd cut the top off of the bag to make it easier to pour.
I had the Spectra with my son and will want another this time around. @manillabar, not a stupid question, but when you see the pump, it becomes obvious. You attach the bottles to the flanges, pump into the bottles, and then put into the storage bags to freeze. Make sure you label and date them and store them as flat as possible in the freezer (makes for easier management later, I promise).
My routine was to pump a bottle at night before I went to bed. I had an extremely strong letdown and an over supply, so one 20 minute pumping session would yield between 10 and 16 ounces of milk (that's a lot). I would cap the bottle and leave it in the fridge. If it was my husband's night to feed the baby, he'd get up and give him that pumped bottle. If it was my turn, I fed from the breast and bagged and froze the bottle. Doing that allowed me to lid a stash of about 350 ozs in maybe a month. It was a system that worked well for us.
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
@manillabar I pump into bottles and then pour into bags for a few reasons;
1) Fewer spills while pumping; the bags hang on hooks when you pump while bottle screw in. When I pumped into bags, if I shifted the wrong way or leaned, I'd spill milk everywhere. 2) Easier to disassemble. With bottles I can remove the bottle/flange assembly and set it on the table to deal with it because of the sturdy bottom. You can't put the bag down until it's sealed; which means you end up leaving the flange on you and then that leaks while you deal with the bag. 3) Consolidated bags: Sometimes I don't get 6oz increments while pumping and I like to freeze a full bag. When I pump into bottles it's easier to consolidate 6oz and then pour into a bag. 4) Accurate measuring: The oz lines on bags are guidelines; your measurement will vary drastically depending on the compression of the bag. The measurements on the bottles are static; 6oz is 6oz every time.
Totally agree with all of @Xath tips. And in addition, if you're freezing two bags at once DO NOT lay two unfrozen bags on top of each other. The pressure of the freezing process for both bags will open the seal and spill breast milk all over the freezer. I learned this the hard way early on, as I cried scraping frozen breastmilk out of my freezer. I thought it was a bad seal on the brand of bags before realizing it was the process I was doing.
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Adding to what @dancegurl1118 said I found the easiest way to store them in the freezer was cutting the top of a 12 pack of pop and putting them in there standing up. The box kept them from tipping, getting lost all over the freezer and protected (for the most part) from everything else in the freezer that would shift or crowd them. I'd fill up from back to front and then always knew to grab from the back to use up the older milk first.
And ditto on pumping into botttles and then putting in bags to store. But pump into a new bottle and add it to the existing one in the fridge after you let it rest for a half hour or so to get the temperature down a bit. And as for transferring the milk from bottles to bags, I used the nipple funnel part that you use for pumping after I was done to funnel the milk from bottle to bag. Worked surprising well and it already had milk on it so I wasn't making any more dirty dishes (so to speak).
Married 25 May, 2013 William Alexander born 18 September, 2015 Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017 Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017 Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
I definitely recommend finding flat pump bags. The medela bags do not freeze flat and took up tons of space. I switched to the lansinoh bags had less bags break and they froze flat taking up less space. I freeze in an open container. So I can stack the older milk to the front and newer milk to the back. I used the soda box for awhile but found it more difficult to put new milk behind old milk.
I used lansinoh and nuk bags, found them comparable and just used whatever was on sale on Amazon. I also put like 10 at a time by date into a freezer bag after they were frozen and tossed it in the deep freezer...definitely not a great way of organization because then I'd be digging trying to find the earliest. Your guys suggestions sound much better!
TTC: 1/2014
BFP: 9/24
EDD: 6/8/2015
Sorry for the poor man's siggy...ticker won't load regardless of how many tips I read.
Can you use one brand's bags with a different brand of pump?
Yep. Easily.
I also found out that my insurance will now cover milk storage bags (150 every 90 days) and mail them to me free of charge through Caremark. It won't cover everything I need, but it's a nice free supplement to look into.
One random thought I had- milk is very fatty- remember that as you transfer from refrigerated bag/bottle to feeding bottle. If you don't warm it up a little bit the fat sticks to the side of your original container ad you lose what fills the tummy and they are hungry for me a lot faster than usual- I learned that the hard way!
I also pumped into bottles. When DD was in daycare and I was pumping I had 2 sets of daycare bottles. The set she had with her and the set I would transfer into after every pump. This allowed me to clean less and transfer less.
Also- for breastfed babies, I was surprise by the fact that they eat so little per serving at first. I would put 4 Oz in a bag but she would only eat 2 so I wasted some of the liquid gold. Make sure you freeze into different sizes, not just the max the bag will hold.
My tips aren't about the actual pump, but the pumping process and storage.
1. After pumping at work, I would store my pump parts in a bag in the fridge instead of washing after each use. I would wash them when i got home. It saved me a few minutes of time at each pumping session and the cool flanges felt good on sore breasts.
2. I would lay the milk bags flat when freezing them then I stored them in a gift bag in the freezer. I cut a slit in the bottom side of the gift bag so that I could load the newer milk into the top of the bag and pull the older milk out of the bottom of the bag through the slit.
3. If you have a surplus of milk and want to help others who are struggling to produce (or if you are struggling to produce and are wanting donated milk) Human Milk 4 Human Babies is a great resource and there are Facebook pages for each state.
With my first pregnancy a pump was not covered (Military insurance just started it recently) and I went with the Medela but ended up trying the Spectra as well and hands down I liked it more. I am getting a Spectra this time as well and have heard from a lot of mom's recently that they love it as well.
I really liked the Target brand bags but if your insurance will cover bags it will be much cheaper going that route, also the Kiinde system is supposed to be good!
Oh snap I need to get on Edgepark asap! I had a PISA from my SIL who didn't use it and I wore it into the ground but I have seen that more people prefer Spectra so I think I may try that. I have to frequently pump in the car due to one of my jobs being a wedding photographer so I need something that is not huge and cumbersome.
@manillabar I just found about about the new system for storage bags that attaches to any pump directly and has a screw top vs seal top and even can have nipples attached although many babies are fussy about nipples so that may or may not work out. But I heard great things about it. I used target bags last time and I was pumping a LOT due to my two jobs.
My insurance covered a medela pump, however it was nothing compared to the hospital's pump. My son was a preemie and wasn't able to BF all the time when he was in the NICU, so we had A LOT of trouble with keeping my milk supply where it needed to be. The medela just wasn't cutting it for me so I rented the hospital pump and I'm really glad I did. However, had we not had supply issues or anything then the medela would've probably been fine. I have blue cross insurance and it was covered 100%
@JAM85 That's the system I've chosen. I'll mostly be a SAHM and I'm a FTM, but it was recommended to me from a La Leche mom with a 4 month old. The nipples are supposed to be really good for making the babies work at getting the milk out, more like they have to for the breast.
Hubby and Me Friends since 2008 Started dating: July 1st, 2013 Engaged: July 1st, 2014 Married: July 1st, 2016 R born: July 8th, 2017 N born: June 30th, 2019 Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022 (maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
I got the Lansinoh SmartPump through insurance, and from what I've read, it's really great. I like that I can track sessions and amount through the app.
I got a medela PISA for my first, I ended up having two one that stayed in our room for my early morning/late night pumps and one that I used for work. I bought a spectra when I thought I wasn't producing much but I never really used it. I'm not sure if I'll use that this time or get another PISA. Has anyone looked in to the medela sonata? It looks nice but I'm not sure I'd like the extra pieces it has compared to the other pump.
Also so for the FTM's asking about what the must haves are: a hands free bra- I hated the medela one but loved the simple wishes one and will use it again for this baby. I also didn't use the membranes that came with the pump, I got duckbill valves off of amazon and used them. They don't wear out as fast and they produce a lot more suction.
@sakeefer agree with you about the simple wishes bra. I gave mine away when I thought we were done but will definitely be getting a new one. Despite two kids and many many months of pumping with medelas I had never heard of duckbill valves. I looked them up on Amazon after your post and they look like they're worth a try. Anything for more suction!
Uggghhh! Spectra no longer ships or sells to Canada. Last time I was on their website they did. This time, apparently they have stopped. When I asked why they provided no response. I'm so disappointed It's not worth it for me to renew my passport ($160!) and go down there to get it. *sigh*
@stokesm21 is there anyone you know in the US that you can ship it to and have them send it to you? I know it might cost a little in shipping but it has to be better than 160! Or try amazon?
@Dcwtada I do but they are all in Austin, TX so I figured that would probably put up my shipping costs. There is a UPS store just across the border (close to me) that accepts packages for Canadian customers then holds them for us to go down there and get them. I could potentially get it shipped there then have them ship it to me. I might still consider that an option. I've just read such great reviews about this pump that I'm hard pressed to give it up for the Medela. Not that there is anything bad with the Medela, but the Spectra is hospital grade and I've read that it's a LOT more comfortable to use so I had my heart set on it.
I am right with you @stokesm21 I had the Medela before and had no issues or problems but the spectra looks too good to pass up. Hope you figure it out!
Is it weird how excited I am that mine just came!! It's so pretty-and insurance covered it so that was really nice! Yay digital and hospital grade!Yay digital and hospital grade!
TW: 1 infant loss 8/17: Our daughter was born 8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass 2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old 4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
I had the PISA with my first. Thankfully my OB here got my my prescription so that TRICARE can provide me with a new breast pump before I get out. I decided on the Spectra S2. All of my friends rant and rave about it, so why not?
One question about the Spectra, and I swear I read through the comments, but maybe I missed it..because well, pregnancy. What bottles and storage bags will attach to then Spectra for pumping?
Tangentially related - Nursing Covers... Does anyone have thoughts about benefits of the blanket-like ones (Bebe au Lait, Udder Covers) vs the stretchy scarf/poncho ones (Milk Snob, Milkmaid, Cover Me)?
@optbaby2017 I didn't know there were different options 4 years ago, so I used the "free" one, and it was fine. I actually only really used it when pumping at work. (A friend and I were both pumping while eating in the same room.) After using it while actually nursing approximately 17 times (lol), I went with the two shirt method, instead, though. I have always worn a cami under my shirt anyway, so I got nursing bras and camis. I would lift up the outer shirt, and pull down the cami enough. Never had a single negative comment.
Tangentially related - Nursing Covers... Does anyone have thoughts about benefits of the blanket-like ones (Bebe au Lait, Udder Covers) vs the stretchy scarf/poncho ones (Milk Snob, Milkmaid, Cover Me)?
When I started I liked the ones with a bit of wire around the neckline so I could just look down and see the baby without pulling on the cover.
So I have finally gotten around to calling Kaiser Permanente member services. I am covered for durable medical equipment, which goes towards a breast pump, but they couldn't tell me if it was for rentals or to keep. They gave me the number to order the breast pump, but the automated system said I "wasn't eligible at this time". Probably need to order closer to the due date.
I tried calling the M.I.L.C. Office to see if I can talk to someone, but there was no answer. I looked on Edgepark as many of you all have talked about and it shows that I am covered; I want the Medela, I just need to know how/when to order it! Or if it's easier to just go to the M.I.L.C. Office and purchase in person.
So I have finally gotten around to calling Kaiser Permanente member services. I am covered for durable medical equipment, which goes towards a breast pump, but they couldn't tell me if it was for rentals or to keep. They gave me the number to order the breast pump, but the automated system said I "wasn't eligible at this time". Probably need to order closer to the due date.
I tried calling the M.I.L.C. Office to see if I can talk to someone, but there was no answer. I looked on Edgepark as many of you all have talked about and it shows that I am covered; I want the Medela, I just need to know how/when to order it! Or if it's easier to just go to the M.I.L.C. Office and purchase in person.
When I put in the order for mine through edgepark they actually told me they couldn't process it until 5/31 which I assume is because of my insurance rules. They said they would email me closer to the date to verify the information. You might be able to put all your info in from now.
TTC history in spoiler
Me: 31 Him: 37 Married: Oct 2015 Baby G born June 2017 TTC#2: July 2018 BFP #2: 2/6/19 MC 3/14/19 BFP#3 from IUI #2: 6/30/20 EDD 3/9/21
Re: All About Breast Pumps
ETA- when I would transfer from bag to bottle, I'd cut the top off of the bag to make it easier to pour.
My routine was to pump a bottle at night before I went to bed. I had an extremely strong letdown and an over supply, so one 20 minute pumping session would yield between 10 and 16 ounces of milk (that's a lot). I would cap the bottle and leave it in the fridge. If it was my husband's night to feed the baby, he'd get up and give him that pumped bottle. If it was my turn, I fed from the breast and bagged and froze the bottle. Doing that allowed me to lid a stash of about 350 ozs in maybe a month. It was a system that worked well for us.
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
Married: Oct 2015
Baby G born June 2017
TTC#2: July 2018
BFP #2: 2/6/19 MC 3/14/19
BFP#3 from IUI #2: 6/30/20 EDD 3/9/21
1) Fewer spills while pumping; the bags hang on hooks when you pump while bottle screw in. When I pumped into bags, if I shifted the wrong way or leaned, I'd spill milk everywhere.
2) Easier to disassemble. With bottles I can remove the bottle/flange assembly and set it on the table to deal with it because of the sturdy bottom. You can't put the bag down until it's sealed; which means you end up leaving the flange on you and then that leaks while you deal with the bag.
3) Consolidated bags: Sometimes I don't get 6oz increments while pumping and I like to freeze a full bag. When I pump into bottles it's easier to consolidate 6oz and then pour into a bag.
4) Accurate measuring: The oz lines on bags are guidelines; your measurement will vary drastically depending on the compression of the bag. The measurements on the bottles are static; 6oz is 6oz every time.
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
And ditto on pumping into botttles and then putting in bags to store. But pump into a new bottle and add it to the existing one in the fridge after you let it rest for a half hour or so to get the temperature down a bit. And as for transferring the milk from bottles to bags, I used the nipple funnel part that you use for pumping after I was done to funnel the milk from bottle to bag. Worked surprising well and it already had milk on it so I wasn't making any more dirty dishes (so to speak).
William Alexander born 18 September, 2015
Harper Grace born 9 June, 2017
Colton Miles born 9 June, 2017
Bowen James due 19 June, 2019
I also found out that my insurance will now cover milk storage bags (150 every 90 days) and mail them to me free of charge through Caremark. It won't cover everything I need, but it's a nice free supplement to look into.
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
Married: Oct 2015
Baby G born June 2017
TTC#2: July 2018
BFP #2: 2/6/19 MC 3/14/19
BFP#3 from IUI #2: 6/30/20 EDD 3/9/21
I also pumped into bottles. When DD was in daycare and I was pumping I had 2 sets of daycare bottles. The set she had with her and the set I would transfer into after every pump. This allowed me to clean less and transfer less.
Also- for breastfed babies, I was surprise by the fact that they eat so little per serving at first. I would put 4 Oz in a bag but she would only eat 2 so I wasted some of the liquid gold. Make sure you freeze into different sizes, not just the max the bag will hold.
1. After pumping at work, I would store my pump parts in a bag in the fridge instead of washing after each use. I would wash them when i got home. It saved me a few minutes of time at each pumping session and the cool flanges felt good on sore breasts.
2. I would lay the milk bags flat when freezing them then I stored them in a gift bag in the freezer. I cut a slit in the bottom side of the gift bag so that I could load the newer milk into the top of the bag and pull the older milk out of the bottom of the bag through the slit.
3. If you have a surplus of milk and want to help others who are struggling to produce (or if you are struggling to produce and are wanting donated milk) Human Milk 4 Human Babies is a great resource and there are Facebook pages for each state.
I really liked the Target brand bags but if your insurance will cover bags it will be much cheaper going that route, also the Kiinde system is supposed to be good!
Kiinde Breast Milk Storage Twist Starter Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXSPL24/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7yNZyb4Q5F75S
Friends since 2008
Started dating: July 1st, 2013
Engaged: July 1st, 2014
Married: July 1st, 2016
R born: July 8th, 2017
N born: June 30th, 2019
Baby #3 Due: July 7th, 2022
(maybe I only ovulate in October XD)
Also so for the FTM's asking about what the must haves are: a hands free bra- I hated the medela one but loved the simple wishes one and will use it again for this baby. I also didn't use the membranes that came with the pump, I got duckbill valves off of amazon and used them. They don't wear out as fast and they produce a lot more suction.
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
TTC: Since 09/16 ~ BFP 10/28/16 ~ EDD 7/5/17
Team Pink * Canadian Bumpie
Met: 08/2001 ~ Dating: 07/2004 ~ Engaged: 11/2009 ~ Married: 06/2011
TTC: Since 09/16 ~ BFP 10/28/16 ~ EDD 7/5/17
Team Pink * Canadian Bumpie
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
One question about the Spectra, and I swear I read through the comments, but maybe I missed it..because well, pregnancy. What bottles and storage bags will attach to then Spectra for pumping?
Married: Oct 2015
Baby G born June 2017
TTC#2: July 2018
BFP #2: 2/6/19 MC 3/14/19
BFP#3 from IUI #2: 6/30/20 EDD 3/9/21
Edited to fix crap
Then I just got over covers in general.
DS1 - 7/2011, DD 12/2012, DS2 - 4/2014, MMC - 12/2015
I tried calling the M.I.L.C. Office to see if I can talk to someone, but there was no answer. I looked on Edgepark as many of you all have talked about and it shows that I am covered; I want the Medela, I just need to know how/when to order it! Or if it's easier to just go to the M.I.L.C. Office and purchase in person.
Married: Oct 2015
Baby G born June 2017
TTC#2: July 2018
BFP #2: 2/6/19 MC 3/14/19
BFP#3 from IUI #2: 6/30/20 EDD 3/9/21
Edited to try to fix tag, didn't work.