As a working Mom of three and two in school and sports, our life is BUSY. I knew that in order to be successful with breastfeeding Chloe, I had to set myself up for success. This meant having pumps easily accessible and having different pumps. I also know this isn’t an easy journey, so I am sharing my pumping must-haves and hacks for busy moms in hopes that it will help you. If you missed my last post on breastfeeding, you can catch up here.

Traditional Pump: Medela + Spectra

With my first, I used the Medela Pump in Style and it definitely served me well. However, when I had my second, a lot of moms recommended the Spectra and I never looked back. It’s quieter, the flanges are more comfortable and overall it was more gentle than the Medela. I have two of these, one at the studio and one at home. If you are using either of these pumps often, the Bravado is amazing and way better than the bandeau-style pumping bras.

Willow Hands-Free Pump

I recently purchased the Willow and if you follow me on Instagram, I’ve been sharing my experience. I cannot say enough good things about the Willow. These hands-free wearable pumps are a game-changer for Moms that work and/or are on the road a lot. Or really, even if you work from home or just need to be hands-free, this pump is priceless in my opinion.

I was a little worried this style pump wouldn’t work for me or be as efficient as my Spectra, but after reading this article, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did! The fit is great and the suction is even better than my Spectra. I’d go as far as to even say the suction is as good as hospital-grade pumps. So far, very happy with my decision and I’ll definitely keep you updated as I use it more and more.

One thing to note, I have found that I prefer the reusable pumping container that you can use with the Willow over the bags.

Other Hands-Free Options

I’ve had a lot of mommas ask me about the Hakka and Elvie Curve. I have to admit, I love the concept and I think they are great tools if you have a strong let-down when nursing or just want a simple way to start building a supply but didn’t personally find them very comfortable. If I were not having to pump as often as I do, I would definitely use one.

Storing Breastmilk

For freezing my breastmilk, I love the Target Up & Up brand bags. I have tried them all and have found these to be the more durable and easiest to write on. To freeze, I simply lay the bag flat and once frozen will place it vertically. These containers (or these depending on your freezer) are great for storing the bags in your freezer.

Depending on how much your baby takes by the bottle and how old they are will depend on how much you will freeze. I’ll do some that have a 2-3 ounces and some that have 4-6 ounces, and of course, that may increase as she gets older and takes in more. I’d rather have to defrost two bags than waste any milk! 

I feel like I need to say it again, but please know that when it comes to breastfeeding and pumping, this is what I have found that works for me and my baby. Every breast, baby, and Momma are different and some of its trial and error. Be patient with yourself and your baby, and you’ll get there!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from sales. All thoughts and opinions are my own.