Pumping Bra

N.,
I have the bustier from Easy Expressions and highly recommend it. I think the halter is a little more difficult since it has to go over the head etc. I wish I had this after my first child but love, love, love the freedom this bra gives to be able to make phone calls, read, work on the computer etc. I couldn't imagine going back to work without this now.

I pumped with my first and then with our second (3 weeks old) I bought the pumping bra and it's great. I've used it at home when on the computer and it's really works well.

With my first, I would try to balance holding both the cones with 1 hand and then type with one hand. It was doable but the bra makes it much easier.

I'm using the bustier type I was in between sizes so I opted for the large and then when I washed it -- it did shrink some. Also I figure it's was easier to put a quick stitch in it if I needed it.

Pumping at work takes dedication. Try to set up a schedule --- every 4 or 6 hours depending on your needs. I found it was also a nice break from dealing with everyone in the office. To be able to spend some time undisturbed was really nice.

I know one of the ladies in my office building doesn't have access to a private room so she pumps in the bathroom. So it can be done under all circumstances.

Another tip - bring extra pieces to work. I kept a second set of pumping accessories at work and then just transported the machine back and forth. Also make sure you are stocked with milk bags/bottles at the office. Lastly I kept a hand towel in the office to clean up afterwards. It beats having to use paper towels.

Good luck

I exclusively pumped with my 1st child, I couldn't have done it without my easy expression bra. I have the bustier style, but to have my hands free to read, eat or go on the computer saved my sanity! I think the cheapest place to find it is on amazon.

I liked the bustier. I only put it on (over my regular nursing bra) when I needed to pump and since it didn't have a halter it was quite easy. To keep up your supply, I would recommend you pump 3 times a day to keep you your supply. I pumped at 9, 12 and 3 and got enough. I have a friend who just started pumping for twins and she has to pump 3-4 times/day to get enough milk. I second the suggestion to join the yahoo group pump moms. They have lots of ideas and provide good support if you feel frustrated with pumping. You can sign up here: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PumpMoms/ Make sure you drink lots of water--I had 3 32 oz containers that I kept at work with me so that I would drink enough--hydration can really impact your supply. Good luck!

I always just used a nursing bra and held the horns using one arm (which left the other one free to dink on the computer, hold a book, eat etc). As for pumping and working, join the yahoo group "pumpmoms" - I found that very helpful when I first went back to work. I'd mostly just try and get into a routine of pumping 2-3x/day, relax, stay hydrated, and bring some pictures of your babies with you. Good luck going back to work!!

N.,

Congrats on your twins! I have one year old twin boys who were exclusively breastfed, even when I went back to work eight weeks after they were born. I was very fortunate that I didn't have to supplement formula at all.

When you go back to work, your supply will decrease. This was something I wasn't ready for, so it freaked me out that I wasn't pumping enough milk and went through my stores in the freezer very quickly. I contacted a lactation consultant, and she suggested a prescription for Reglan, which helped increase my milk supply. I was able to pump enough to cover the next day's feedings. My boys started sleeping through the night at nine weeks, so after that I woke up in the middle of the night for one straight week and pumped. I was able to build a stock pile of milk. This lasted me about five months, and really helped when I couldn't pump enough for the next day's feeding.

The more often you pump, the better you milk supply will be. I teach, so I was only able to pump twice a day.

Good luck to you!!

I loved the pumping bra. I could still type or do other work while pumping.

Hi N..
My son is going to be 7 months and I went back to work when he was 4 months. He is BF and I pump at work. I am fortunate to be a teacher, so my hours and my breaks are the same everyday. I do not have one of the hands free brasm but my neighbor does, and she swears by them. She just puts it on when she goes to pump.

The car adaptor has been a lifesaver! I pump in the car to and from work and twice at work. I am able to get about 12 ounces. I think other people get more, but that's about the most I can get. My son used to take about 15 ounces while I was gone, so I would also pump about 2 hours after he went to bed to get the remaining three ounces. Now that he started solids, he takes about 12 ounces, so I am able to freeze what I get at night.

I also really like the medela wipes. I use them to wipe my parts down after each use so that I don't have to bring so many with me each day. they are a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

I have friends who say great things about the mothers milk tea. I tried it once, but I am not much of a tea person.

I think it's great what you are doing for your girls. Pumping is hard work and you should be so proud of yourself. Send me a message if you have more questions. Good luck!
S.

I used the bustier type and it worked great. I breast fed for one whole year and went back to work when my son was 4 months, so that pumping bra got a LOT of use!!! It did start to stretch out a little towards the end, but overall I think it was a lifesaver. I have a friend that didn't have a pumping bra and just held the pumps against her with one hand on one and the other in the crook of that same arm. She would eat lunch while she pumped with the one free arm. That, to me, seemed like way too much trouble. Definitely a pumping bra is worth the money if you are going to be pumping quite a bit. The only advice I would have to keep up your supply is to make sure you pump regularly. I pumped every morning at 5am, my son would wake up at 7am and I would bf him, pump twice at work, bf son in evening and pump before I went to bed around 10pm. Good luck to you and congrats on your twins!

The bustier works great - it is a world of difference pumping hands-free. I believe the sizes are reported to run big. I purchased the small and I can comfortably wear some 34 C nursing bras (depending on the brand). It fits right over a nursing bra and many times I don't even bother removing my top. I believe the reviews on Amazon are what initially led me to choose the bustier over the halter - and I am glad that I did. I have also learned that if I unzip the bustier for a quick few seconds at the end of the pumping session, I can get a little bit more milk.

Congrats!

I used a bra from la leche league (from amazon.com) at work. It was great and I was even able to walk around with my pump if I needed to.

Good luck!

N.,

I don't really have any advice on the pumping bra. When I pumped at work, I just had the nursing bras and held the bottles while it was pumping. But the one thing that I could suggest is to bring a nice picture of your twins with you to look at while pumping. At first when I starting pumping at work, it took me a long time to get my milk to let down. But as soon as I got a picture to look at of my baby, my milk came down almost instantly. The connect between the mind and body is amazing.

What you are doing is a difficult but very wonderful thing to do for your babies. Make sure that you pump as often as you would feed them if you were home. If you don't, your supply will start to lessen. Maybe try setting a timer to remind you. It's very easy to forget by an hour or two and that can begin can make a difference in your supply.

Wishing you the best of luck. And congratulations on your twins!

C.