Is It Easy to Find Spectra S1 Accesories Everywhere

13 pumping hacks that will save new moms time and energy

women pumping milk spectra — For moms planning to pump, a hands-free pumping bra is a must.

For breastfeeding moms, pumping milk can suck in more ways than one. In addition to all the time spent strapped to a machine, there's the endless cleaning, measuring bags of milk, and — for those pumping in the workplace — carrying heavy equipment on the commute.

I've spent the past four months using the Spectra S1, a battery-operated pump that's considered by many moms to be the best available option. The rechargeable battery gives you a bit of freedom to move around (if you don't mind carrying a 3-pound kettlebell everywhere you go) and the hospital-grade suction is relatively efficient.

Even so, the pump is still pretty unwieldy and not exactly intuitive. Keep reading for some tips and tricks I've picked up along the way to make the pumping process a little easier, whether you use the Spectra S1 or not.

Go "hand-free" with a special pumping bra.

If you're going to be attached to a machine a few times a day, you might as well have use of your hands.

Invest in a hands-free pumping bra (or two, so you don't suffer while one's in the wash) to hold the pump in place while you get things done.

I like the Simple Wishes bra, which has an adjustable back and easy-access front zipper.

Even with the bra, you'll still need to carry the pump in one hand if you want to move around. But there's a hack for that too!

Go truly hands-free by wearing your pump like a messenger bag.

Use a belt to sling your pump over your shoulder or wear it like a messenger bag.

A special bra is convenient, but what if you want to unload the dishwasher or do other chores while pumping, and need more than one hand?

Instead of carrying your pump around the house, loop an old belt through the handle and toss the whole contraption behind your back. This allows you to be truly hands-free even while moving around.

Store your parts in the fridge instead of washing them after each use.

Pump parts stored in the fridge at work.

If you pump multiple times a day, you may be able to store your used pump parts in a gallon-sized plastic bag in the refrigerator and wash them once a day instead of after each use. This hack is based on the idea that freshly pumped breast milk can be safely refrigerated for up to 4 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That said, the CDC does suggest cleaning parts after each use to keep your baby safe from germs.

Use a Sharpie to make your Spectra bottles easier to read.

A Sharpie can make Spectra's bottles much easier to read.

Spectra makes a great pump, but their bottles are hard to read once they are filled with milk.

To solve this problem, use a Sharpie to mark the ounce lines before you start pumping.

Invest in a bigger, better collection of bottles.

Nenesupply's collection bottle (left) and Spectra's (right).

I've found that Spectra's collection bottles are small, hard to read, and leaky. So if you plan to pump into storage bottles, invest in ones that screw directly into Spectra's breast shields.

I like Avent's wide-neck bottles, which can also be used to feed, as well as this inexpensive set from Nenesupply. Both can hold about 10 ounces of milk.

Pump directly into storage bags to eliminate some bottle-washing.

Pump right into a bag for fewer parts to wash.

Skip a round of bottle-washing by pumping directly into milk storage bags. Spectra users can use Lansinoh's storage bags, which fit right onto the flanges.

This trick also makes it easy to transport milk to and from the office without taking up much space.

Sometimes, however, it's hard to tell how many ounces you've pumped into a bag, so if you're tracking milk production, you may want to measure your milk in a bottle first or add measurement lines with a Sharpie before you pump.

If you pump in the car, pick up an adapter to charge on the go.

Charge on the go with a car pump adapter.

Moms who pump in the car on their commutes can invest in an adapter to keep their pumps charged while on the road.

Use steam bags to quickly clean your parts in the microwave.

Don't want to wait for a pot of water to boil? Pick up a pack of steam bags, which you can pop in the microwave to clean parts in minutes.

Medela's bags can be used up to 20 times. They also make hygienic wipes that are great in a pinch.

Carry your pump parts to and from work in a steam-clean bag.

These bags are great for cleaning and storage.

Use steam-clean bags to transport your pump parts: It's an easy way to stay organized and make sure you don't lose any pieces.

Save space by laying storage bags flat to freeze.

Don't forget to mark the date and quantity on storage bags.

This one may sound obvious, but I froze bags of milk standing up for my first few weeks of pumping and wound up with lumpy packets that took up half my freezer.

Let bags freeze flat and store them stacked to save space.

Make sure your breast shields fit properly to maximize production.

You'll need to measure your nipple diameter for proper shield size.

A breast shield that's too large or too small can impact milk production, and for some women, the standard sizes that come with a pump just won't do.

You'll want to measure your nipple diameter to get your correct size (here's Spectra's measurement guide). If it falls outside the company's standard sizes of 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 32 mm, check out the selection from Maymom, which makes sizes between 15mm and 36mm and are compatible with Spectra pumps.

Get your pump settings right.

Try starting in "let-down" mode. You'll need to hit the button with three wavy lines right when you start pumping.

It's worth spending some time playing around with the pump's settings to find the most efficient combination for your breasts.

Many women find it effective to start in "let-down" mode for 2 to 3 minutes before finishing in "expression" mode. Alternate between the two to get additional let-downs.

Unlike other pumps, the Spectra turns on in "expression" mode, so you'll need to hit the let-down button (three wavy lines) immediately after pressing the power button to start in "let down" mode.

Replace your pump parts every few months.

If your milk supply has decreased, it could be because your pump parts have worn out.

Pump parts wear out with frequent use, and your milk supply can take a hit if you don't replace them regularly.

Soft parts like duck valves and valve membranes should be replaced every month or so, depending on how often you pump. You can learn more about replacing parts here.

Many insurance companies will cover the cost of a set of replacement parts every few months, so be sure to check with your provider.

Keep reading

More: Features breast feeding Parenting Evergeen

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Source: https://www.insider.com/easy-breast-pumping-hacks-2018-8