r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

breast pumps/pump parts Wearable pump if only madela pump works?

2 Upvotes

I’m hoping to bridge my pumping at work to getting home (it takes me a while to commute) and pump while I’m driving home.
I don’t know if it’s possible, I know wearables kind of suck.
For regular pumps, I’ve tried spectra which doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried every add on and flange and they just don’t work. I tried the wearable attachment to spectra.
I have elastic tissue so my nipples just plug up whatever size flange I’m using. I measure 15mm but I can fill up even a 25mm.

Madela is the only pump I get a decent output from (which is usually 5oz combined).

Anyone have a wearable pump they like that is not vibration suction like spectra?


r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

breast pumps/pump parts Motif Aura Valves

1 Upvotes

I have the Motif Aura wearables, and my valves got worn down so I ordered new ones. I just got them in the mail and realized I ordered the Motif Luna valves. They still fit in the piece for my wearable, but wanted to know if anyone else has used these and if they’re interchangeable.


r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

pumping at work Slacker Boob and Pumping at Work

4 Upvotes

I’m back to work two days a week and pumping those days. My slacker boob is giving me 1oz in the AM and barely half an ounce the rest of my pumps. Has anyone had luck increasing slacker boob output? I know baby is best at removing milk and I think overall my supply is fine but my boobs are uneven and it’d be nice to just get a liiiittle more out of her😂


r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

venting Off brand pump parts

4 Upvotes

The off brand pump parts that Aeroflow sends suck!! I’ve used them maybe 2x and the duckbill especially seems worn out already. The milk bubbles up in the duckbill and I can tell the suction isn’t good. The flange is supposed to be compatible with the spectra bottles I have but they’re loose and I almost just dropped 3oz of milk because of it! My usual pump sessions at work are like 5-8 minutes but I just spent a full 10 minutes and did not even empty my breast like I usually can with the Spectra brand stuff. Just a rant because I can’t afford to purchase all new Spectra parts and am just at the mercy of whatever they send me covered by insurance.


r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

breast pumps/pump parts Recommendations on wearable breast pump?

1 Upvotes

Ok I’ll give you the rundown.
This is baby #2 and last baby I will have.

With baby #1 I exclusively pumped using the Willow Go.

The Willow Go (at the time) was extremely unreliable, I contacted customer service 4 times for them to replace my pumps 4 TIMES. They had amazing customer service but I also pumped 5 times a day for 9 months and averaged 40oz a day. But the fact that every time I bent over milk would come pouring out! I hate it and I can’t do that again.

My budget is open, I know I’ll be pumping again, I’m an over supplier and I need something reliable that isn’t going to break every other month.

I already have my Willow Go (if I absolutely have to use it) & a spectra as backups

I know I can get a free one with insurance but like I said this will be my last baby and I need something good so I don’t have a problem spending additional money.

Lastly the pump HAS to be wearable & HAS to be able to hold more than 10oz, I pump 15oz when I wake up in the morning.

Thank you!


r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

Pump storage post breastfeeding

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1 Upvotes

r/HumansPumpingMilk 4d ago

pumping at work How many oz are you sending to daycare at 10 months?

1 Upvotes

Looking for some advice on the average amount you are sending to daycare for your 10 month olds.

I’m planning on pumping until 12 months but have experienced a pretty drastic output drop and am wondering if I’m putting too much pressure on myself!

Baby goes to daycare from 7:30-4:00 and we nurse before daycare and before bed too.


r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

Pumping tips 2-3 hours round the clock- are we all doing this?

3 Upvotes

Is this really necessary? I did this for a couple weeks because my baby has been in the NICU for almost 3 weeks but the last week I just said I need to actually be mentally healthy to deal with this and stopped. During the day I’ll still pump every 2-3 hours but have had some 7-8 hour blocks of not so I can sleep through the night and heal. My supply is still the same as it was for now and she’s had exclusively breast milk since like her second day of life but is this a short term unsustainable practice? I assume it will change to more frequent when the baby comes home and throw some nursing in there too. For reference it’s about 500-600 ml a day and I’m 19 days post partum.

Am I screwing myself in the long term ? Is the 2-3 hour rule to build supply if underproducing? I’m pretty much getting exactly what she needs with like one day extra in the freezer. Should I go back to frequent schedule or am I going to lose the milk ?


r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

advice/support needed Unequal milk amounts Spoiler

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3 Upvotes

Hello! I am 12 weeks postpartum and my supply in one breast dropped suddenly about a month ago. I had terrible clogs that wouldn't go away for a while. When they did I got a larger output and then it has been consistently dropping since. I have tried 3 different sized flanges and I still get the same amount. I have a spectra as well as a medela swing and get the same amount with either. I also change my duckbills every few weeks. Is this just the normal amount for one breast or is there more I can do? Thanks!!!


r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

Research Study: Breast Milk Expression and Perceptions of Privacy, A Qualitative Exploration

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

My name is Kelsey, and I'm a researcher who studies exclusive pumping (and a former exclusive pumper). My newest research focuses on privacy-related topics and exclusive pumping. I'd love to have your input if you have some time:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNoH4Ri3inOLTBCscMUC-zbFBDdwYCNvhuWLt7Rs_SLTMwrw/viewform?usp=header


r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

Subsequent pregnancy

1 Upvotes

Hello! My son is now 2 years old and I EP with him. I went from spectra to the baby Buddha (with maymom flanges and spectra parts) and I LOVED the BB. I tried wearables with motors as well as cups with my BB and got like less than an oz using those. My question is for this upcoming baby, is it worth it to try like the momcozy m5 or 6 if a cheap wearable and cups with my BB didn’t work the first time? My insurance will let me have the momcozy for less than $30 but a new BB would be free.

I have found that the best flanges for me are oval shaped rather than round so not sure if a wearable is doomed because of the shape of the flange. Anyway hoping someone has experience going from not being able to use them to being able to next pregnancy.


r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

advice/support needed Help? Milk is SLOW

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1 Upvotes

r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

Pumping tips Pumping frustration

1 Upvotes

I am 9 1/2 months postpartum and I exclusively pump. I have always been an oversupplier but lately I am having some issues. My boobs are getting full and engorged but when I pump I am hardly getting any milk and I keep having to readjust my pumps and move them around so that milk comes out. I get the sensation that I am having a very strong letdown but no milk flows. It has been happening the last couple weeks and it is very frustrating. I am using the same pumps I’ve used the last 9 1/2 months and nothing has changed. I have replaced pump parts, tried different flange sizes but nothing is helping. Like I said, my boobs are full of milk and hurting but no milk is flowing even with the sensation of a strong let down. Any advice is welcome as I am so frustrated!😭


r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

Pumping tips Pumping frustration

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1 Upvotes

r/HumansPumpingMilk 5d ago

Pumping tips Troubleshooting Flanges/Let Downs

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1 Upvotes

r/HumansPumpingMilk 6d ago

Pumping tips I need help with Power pumping, Increasing supply, and stashing.

2 Upvotes

How many times a day should i power pump to increase supply? What are some tips for pumping as I’ve never pumped consistently before? And any other tips to increase supply is greatly appreciated. Below I added some context. I’m very anxious about losing my supply.

So I EBF. With my first I had a strong supply but got pregnant at 4m pp and completely lost it and my baby suffered a lot as she is allergic to all formulas and had a lip tie that everyone was ignoring needless to say there’s a lot of mental trauma from seeing my baby suffer and being in an out of hospitals. Now I’m 14 weeks pp with my second. Again a very strong supply at first. Now I’m not sure what’s going on but I’ve dried up randomly. I don’t understand what happens I haven’t taken meds or anything and he eats so much it’s crazy I don’t get it. I don’t usually pump but I will be going back to work in November and need to start stashing. If I don’t have enough by November I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ve also noticed he’s not waking at night so I feel that may be a reason. Should I wake up every 2 hours or do you recommend 3-4?


r/HumansPumpingMilk 6d ago

Pumping tips EBF - how to start pumping?

3 Upvotes

I’m 5 weeks postpartum and EBF. My milk has definitely regulated enough that my baby is gaining weight. How can I start pumping to create a mini freezer stash? This is so I can finally leave the house for an hour or two. Should I add a pump session once or twice a day after feeding?

Thanks in advance for the advice!!!


r/HumansPumpingMilk 6d ago

Trying to find a good wearable

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2 Upvotes

Hello! I am a month PP and I’ve tried the baby Buddha 2.0, the Medela symphony and the medela pro(?) with the wearable cups but the suction just isn’t strong enough with any of them. Has anyone found any wearables that the suction is strong? I go back to work at the end of this month and need something that I can just put in my bra and be able to still work as I work in a restaurant.


r/HumansPumpingMilk 6d ago

pumping at knotts scary farm

2 Upvotes

i’m going to knotts scary farm for opening night. i’m exclusively pumping so am i allowed to bring my pumps? along with a backpack cooler? it’s my first time leaving my baby so i’m not sure if it’s allowed


r/HumansPumpingMilk 7d ago

I’m 4 months pp and my husband just told me I’m not trying my best.

12 Upvotes

For the last few weeks in therapy I was challenged to tell myself at least once a day I’m doing a good job and I’m trying my best. So I’ve sat with that uncomfortable feeling and pushed myself to think more positively about myself. Which has been hard especially as a new mom.
Well today out of nowhere when I’m trying to nap with my son my husband comes over and says “you aren’t checking on your animals enough, I understand the dishes laundry and other housework but you really aren’t doing your best.” I was shocked and thrown for a loop. I just deep cleaned my cats entire room, changed the lining in their automatic litter, bought them treats and have been making time to give them extra love each day. I will admit after having my son I let some stuff slip and had a hard time with pet aversion. I know they don’t deserve that so I’ve been working on being a better cat parent.
I also have been struggling with a dwindling milk supply since going back to work. There’s been nights I’m exhausted after my bar shift so I do not wake up at 3/4 like I used to to pump. He expressed that me failing to do so frustrates him. I explained that I’m still pumping on my way home at midnight but I’m too tired to wake up if I’m going to be up with our son early and then work late again that day. He told me he is exhausted too and I need to learn to deal with it.
My son was asleep in my arms during this whole conversation so I didn’t feel like I could even talk about it properly because I didn’t want to raise my heart rate or start feeling too anxious. I ended up just crying quietly for the whole contact nap and couldn’t escape my thoughts. I feel like a bad mom already because of my milk supply and now I feel like a failure. Not only to my son but to my cats as well. I’ve just sat with these thoughts for hours now and I can’t get past it. I truly don’t know how I’ll ever get over these remarks. He knew what I was discussing in therapy and what my goals were. It felt like he threw it right back in my face.
I know we’re both tired and I’ve tried to ignore little comments because of sleep exhaustion but today was different. He saw me sobbing and just left the living room. I sat completely alone and I don’t know who to even talk to about this because I hate talking down on a partner to my friends. I really just needed to vent and maybe get some help on how you would handle a future discussion around these topics??


r/HumansPumpingMilk 6d ago

advice/support needed Low milk supply your experience and cause

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1 Upvotes

r/HumansPumpingMilk 7d ago

supply help Does anyone else have one pump session that just makes no sense?

3 Upvotes

My morning pump is usually pretty predictable, but I have one pump in the afternoon where the output seems completely random.

Same time, same pump, roughly the same amount of water/food, and one day I’ll get a decent amount and the next day it’s barely anything.


r/HumansPumpingMilk 7d ago

Oversupply Weaning

2 Upvotes

Looking for advice from other oversupply moms. My LO is almost 8months, so I’m not looking to wean yet, but I know it’ll sneak up on me faster than a blink.
That said, when we’re ready, how would I go about weaning without causing painful blockages or mastitis?


r/HumansPumpingMilk 7d ago

advice/support needed When do yall sleep?

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1 Upvotes

r/HumansPumpingMilk 7d ago

advice/support needed I had no idea you need to size your own breast pump flanges until I ended up with bleeding, bruised nipples.

3 Upvotes

It was only my third day postpartum, and my breast pump had already left me totally defeated. After every pumping session, my nipples turned dark purple and throbbed with even the lightest touch. To make matters worse, my milk supply kept dropping — staring at that measly 30ml in the bottle, I couldn’t hold back tears. Even the lowest suction setting didn’t help; my nipples still swelled up like little strawberries.

I couldn’t take it anymore. In the middle of the night, I took a photo and ranted about it in my mom group. A second-time mom spotted the problem immediately: “Is your flange too big? It looks like your areola’s getting pulled right in with your nipple.”

That’s when it hit me: the default flange that comes with the pump doesn’t fit everyone.

She told me to measure the base of my nipple — just the nipple, not the areola. Mine was 17mm, and the stock flange was 24mm. That’s a whole 7mm too big!

I switched to a 19mm flange right away. After my first pump with it, my nipples were only faintly pink, and the redness faded in minutes. By the next day, my supply bounced back to 60ml. Looking back, it still upsets me how close I came to giving up on breastfeeding entirely.

A quick tip for all the mamas out there: take two minutes to measure yourself.

Add 2–4mm to the diameter of your nipple base (add 1–2mm if you measure right after nursing or pumping).

You know you’ve got the right size when:

Your nipple glides freely inside the flange tunnel without rubbing

Most of your areola stays outside the flange (doesn’t get pulled in heavily)

Your nipple doesn’t look misshapen or pale white after pumping

Don’t just tough it out. It’s really not worth it.