the road map to *actually* knowing how to pump correctly! use your pump + settings with confidence while knowing how your body works in lactation to increase your supply + achieve your breastfeeding goals.
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hi i'm Bethany! lactation counselor, oversupplier + NICU parent. everything you need to know about pumping effectively + simply β i'm so glad you're here!!!
it’s been on my heart to simplify this pumping journey with my second child Corran β i only want to keep equipment in our kitchen and “out” that i truly use!!! because if i’m being honest and revealing my type B nature? i never actually was able to clean up and put away all of my pumping parts and equipment before he was born π
i also am realizing more and more how overwhelmed and irritated i get by clutter. and you already know how quickly the pump parts, the replaceable parts, the tiny pieces all add up and take up space!!! especially when you don’t even use all of the equipment that you have.
i’ve found my favorite pumps, flanges and equipment that are my ride or die, and i will rave about forever and ever. so let’s chat what is in my pumping cabinet, and what i wish i could start with if i were to start my exclusive pumping journey all over again β
***please note that some of these links have affiliates, and i do get a small kickback if you order anything through my individual link! THANK YOU because this helps me continue to give you pumping and breastfeeding content and support this community!!!
BREAST PUMPS
if you are exclusively pumping, one of the biggest advantages that will help you achieve the longevity of your breastfeeding goals? having a portable pump that will function as a primary pump where you can be mobile!!! because when you’re pumping around the clock, unfortunately you can’t always sit in your cozy chair at home binging your favorite trash TV. SO to help you achieve the duration of your breastfeeding goals β my two favorite portable pumps (Pumpable Genie Advanced and BabyBuddha 2.0) are the top two on this list!
PUMPABLES GENIE ADVANCED
use code BETHANYBOU for 10% off | click here to get your Genie Advanced through insurance!
this pump is incredibly gentle and effective at the same time! i’ve had parents and clients tell me that they don’t even realize that their GA is on and emptying them because it is THAT gentle π it’s one of my favorites to recommend to first time pumping parents because of how easy it is to understand, use, and how it functions overall. imo, one of the top pumps on the market at this time!!!
with automatic shut off at 40 minutes, battery life is amazing (i can probably get 3-4 pump sessions out of it), and the ability to program your specific pump settings for your body β it’s an amazing option to have available to you!
BABYBUDDHA 2.0 PUMP
use code BETHANY for 10% off | click here to get your BabyBuddha pump through insurance!
you may have heard that BB is a strong pump, and it is! at least it started off that way with the OG pump. but since the 2.0 version came out, AND the newest update with a trackpad control (instead of the toggle ball) β it is much more accessible for more parents! there is an option on the 2.0 pump for “gentle stimulation”. this doesn’t have the long pull stimulation option, and is 30% less suction strength than the OG pump.
when i am ready to empty fast and quick, this is my go to pump to use! the pump motor itself is almost smaller than my cell phone, and it can adapt to most flange setups. just a few more of my fav pros for this pump.
SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MIIIIIIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR YA β
- blog post β battle of the portable pumps: pumpables genie advanced vs babybuddha 2.0 β the deep dive you’ve been looking for, comparing two of my favorite portable pumps! complete with discount links and when i would recommend choosing one over the other.
- free resource β the flange ruler β the at home nipple ruler to help you start using a more accurate size. read: have a more comfortable pump session + express more milk!!!
- $9 instant download β ENGORGED to empty β the no bullshit guide to choosing the right breast pump the first time, so you don’t invest in any more garbage pumps!!!
- consult support β book your 1:1 consult β especially if you want to come up with a pumping plan towards your goals, chat which pump is going to be best for you, your supply, and lifestyle.
SPECTRA S1 (BLUE)
would you believe that i didn’t even try this pump until last week when i had previously pumped for close to 21 months?! like HOW since it is one of the most popular pumps on the market!!! and i now see why β i love the ease of function, how easy it is to toggle from stimulation and back to expression modes. we love a good and quality primary pump, and this is absolutely one that checks this box. my favorite pumps have the ability to change the vacuum mode independent of the cycle/frequency mode, and this pump is no different.
call me old school, but i feel like i’m straight out of the 80s, carrying my BOOM BOX SPECTRA around my house!!! a chargable battery to take the pump on the go is always a feature i argue that exclusive pumpers especially will need in order to find success for a longer breastfeeding journey.
i did purchase this pump through my own insurance, and i would 100% do it again!
EUFY S1
i kinda hate that i LOVE this wearable pump so dang much. and believe me, it is so very hard to get on my good side when it comes to wearable pumps in general π this pump has heat technology to help with increased milk flow, the strength is impressive for a quality wearable (i personally find that it removes very similar volume as my primary pumps!!!
- need my full review on this pump? check it out on the blog HERE
MEDELA HARMONY (HAND PUMP)
a hand pump is SEVERELY underrated, it’s one of my favorite tools to have at my disposal!!! no batteries or charger necessary, it works quick when used correctly, you can toss in your pump bag as an extra pump very easily, a great tool when dealing with clogged ducts. this is also the only Medela pump product you will find me recommending, as i truly believe the rest of the Medela line is garbage (if you’ve read my review on the Pump In Style with MaxFlow, you know exactly why).
PUMPING EQUIPMENT
PUMPABLES LIQUID SHIELDS
use code BETHANYBOU for 10% off
this is your flange collection bottles that is unique to Pumpables with a silicone flange, connected to your duckbill valves. i personally love the minimal amount of pieces that need to be washed due to the flange and duckbills in one connected piece. you can purchase these shields individually from your Genie Advanced pump, and in single shields β this is an amazing option especially if you have different sized nipples! some folks respond well with silicone flanges, while some like hard plastic flanges.
if you need some more assistance with this, i would love to see you for a 1:1 pumping consult session or a flange fitting session!!!
LACTECK BABYMOTION FLANGES
if you respond well to silicone flanges, ohhhhh GIRL, these are about to be your best friends!!! in comparison to Pumpables Liquid Shields, these flanges are thicker and less malleable. these are created (by moms and MIT humans, like LOVE a lady in STEM!!!) to mimic baby’s tongue in pumping. i personally find that these are incredibly comfortable, and are one of my favorite flanges to use with my hand pump. make sure you check out their document and resources about which pump and systems these flanges work with!
PAPBLIC DUCKBILL VALVES
i was having a hard time expressing milk with my hand pump (listed above) with the yellow membrane piece. after switching it out with the Papblic duckbill valves, like WOW. more milk expression in a shorter period of time, and my nipples were saved!!! when we use pump parts that are old or not functioning as optimally as possible, this puts more and inaccurate pressure on our nipples. and because you are probably staying attached to your pump for longer to express a similar volume, this can also increase nipple trauma.
i also love the little pull tab on these valves β it allows to take your pump apart for washing, without further damage to those parts! we are all about using your pump parts as effectively as possible!!!
FEEDING PRODUCTS
EVENFLO BALANCE+ BOTTLES β
one of the big shifts and changes i was intentional about this postpartum period with Corran β to use bottles and silicone nipples that are “better” for nursing babies. this can help infants switch between bottle feeding and nursing with more ease, and helping them maintain proper latch! and now after knowing my son has a top lip tie, it is really important to help him (and my poor nipples) continue to practice that latch position.
we have these beautiful and nice glass Philips Avent bottles (wide mouth) that were gifted to us that we still wanted to use! the wide mouth Balance+ Evenflo nipples fit (like ACTUALLY fit with no leaking) on our bottles, so we still get to use our bottles!
NINNI CO PACIFIER
this was recommended by my own IBCLC for Corran to practice proper latch. in her words, she told me “he’s not gonna like it, like it’s not a comfort paci, but it’ll be great for him”. but big surprise to me? our little love is actually comforted by this paci!
okay side note β what do you call your child’s pacifier? my husband got me hooked on the word “noo-nie”, so that’s what we use in our family! i’m convinced that every family has a sweet name for a pacifier. it can be so special to our kiddos for comfort. YES, even alongside nursing when used properly.
related blog posts that i think you’ll seriously love β
- when is the best time to measure your flange size for the most accurate and comfortable pumping experience?
- the ultimate guide to using your wearable breast pumps to keep up your milk supply
- battle of the portable pumps: pumpables genie advanced vs babybuddha 2.0
what is in your “capsule wardrobe” pumping equipment ride or die list?! what did i miss?
xoxo, Bethany | Certified Lactation Counselor | Your Overproducing Exclusively Pumping Mama
