Pumping Essentials you won't want to miss this Prime Day!

Lilakian
2 hours ago
6 min read

Being a first time mum is overwhelming enough to start with, but then add pumping into the mix and it suddenly feels impossible!

As someone who has been exclusively pumping for 4 months so far, these are my recommendations on pumping essentials that are absolutely worth bagging for a bargain. Whether you are starting your pumping journey and curating your kit or looking to stock up on pumping consumables this list is a great starting point.

Remember Prime Day prices can change quickly and some deals are limited to quantity sold so get in early while you can. The links contained in the below list are affiliate links, meaning I receive a very small commission on any qualified purchases.

Pumps

Arguably the best deals in this list will be on pumps, especially if you're just getting started. Pumps are not a one size fits all and the information out there can be super overwhelming. What pump to buy is really depends on your pumping situation combined with lifestyle factors. However, I will recommend this one pump to be a part of everyone's kit from the beginning:

Medela Harmony Hand Pump. https://link.amazon/B03Sx3hkr
This pump has been a life saver on so many occasions, and while its my least used pump I think it has been my most valuable purchase. It has certainly saved its worth in tears; Having come in clutch when my main pump or travel pumps battery dies, When pumping has felt impossible, but my boy is asleep in his car seat when we get home, When chaos is ensuing but I am absolutely at the limit and need a quick pump or else!
It is small enough to fit easily in your nappy bag for on the go. I also find that this pump is more efficient at emptying me if I have gone for a prolonged period without a session. I can empty a large store in minimal time (5-10 minutes) compared to a 30 minute session on my spectra.

The down side is that it is a manual pump and does require you to be active you can only pump until hand fatigue sets in, and if youre learning to pump youll probably feel like it isnt doing the job to start with - be persistant, you're learning how to mimic your baby feeding and once you get a hang of it youll become more efficient and see better results.
Haakaa Manual https://link.amazon/B0aExyJMj
To be completely honest I didnt use this once I got mastitis, but in the first weeks postpartum it was great for catch letdown or to get minor relief without a full pumping session. This is technically a hand pump, but I prefer the Medela Harmony any day of the week. I found this really awkward to get on properly and to get milk, but this works for a lot of people, so it is worth noting as it is budget friendly.
For a hospital grade pump I personally recommend the Spectra S1 as that is what works for me, and the Mummilk Ella for a wearable. Neither of these are available on Amazon at this time but there are other great options for electric pumps especially if youre pumping on a budget and relying on Prime Day discounts. Just be sure to check the reviews.

Pump Consumables

Milk Storage Bags

Medela Easy Pour Pack 50 - https://link.amazon/B00nXslNM I promise, Medela doesn't sponsor me - I am just a fan of a bunch of their products. I love these particular bags because they are easy to seal, the perfect size to fit in my freeze flat case and have an easy pour spout for when the milk is defrosted and ready to use. I say ++ for anything that reduce the risk of milk spillage when every drop is precious! I've just done a restock of these during this sale.
MomCozy Temp sending 50 pack - https://link.amazon/B0jd47gYa If you are looking for a more budget friendly alternative to the easy pour and something with temp monitoring, MomCozy have these bags which have a colour coded system for hot > cold milk.
Haakaa Reusable Storage Bags - https://link.amazon/B02hS63ff I use these in the fridge to store nightmilk when I am not using the pitcher method.

You really can't go wrong with bags - so if something cheaper works for you, thats great. I personally choose to purchase from brands that have a positive reputation and can be found in baby stores for peace of mind when it comes to quality and milk safety.

Parts

Replacement Pieces: Membranes/Valves, Backflow Protectors and Tubing
I personally recommend purchasing replacement parts direct from your pumps manufacturer. In theory, they are the best suited for the pump design and using off market products could void warranties and cause unexpected damage to pumps. When using something like the Spectra that comes with a heavy price tag - I am simply not prepared to risk it for a few dollars, but again, if budget is important and you've maybe picked up some pumps second hand then Prime Day could be a great time to stock up on essentials. These products all require replacing, if exclusively pumping you'll need to replace more often.
Flanges / Sizing Kit
Did you know that pump flange size matters? If seeing a low supply, you might need to change your flange size. Did you also know the optimal size for your nipples can change throughout your postpartum journey? Use prime day to get your hands on some flanges or flange insert kits for a discount. Most pump companies provide a printable sizing guide, or you can order a sizer online if you don't trust yourself and your printer. Some physical baby stores will offer sizing support also.

When it comes to flange sizing, this is where aftermarket products might be essential, as not all pump companies cater for the multiple sizing options required by women.

Pump Accessories

Medela Bottles https://link.amazon/B0ePJ4Cak The Medela bottles come in handy as they are compatible with a large variety of teats currently on the market, and almost all portable milk warmers come with an attachment for them. I find them a good size to store pumped milk on the go and they work perfectly with the Harmony hand pump.
Medela Storage Solution Set https://link.amazon/B094HGNZQ This set is a great starter pack for anyone who isnt sure where to start, and makes a great gift for any first time mum who you know is planning on pumping. It includes 150ml bottles, 80ml tubes and 20 storage bags for the freezer. I use the tubes for various things as they now dont suit my pumping solutions but in the beginning these were great while I found my feet.
MomCozy Milk Cooler https://link.amazon/B07pllaGn A milk cooler is a great option for mums on the go, whether needing to pump and store for an extended period of time, or to have cold milk ready to feed on a day out. I like the MomCozy milk cooler but there are a tonne of generic brand options much cheaper like this one: https://link.amazon/B028qjxxh
Breast Milk Pitchers https://link.amazon/B0geJzl7r
Consider if you want to use the pitcher method for breast milk storage. As an exclusive pumper, this was a game changer when life started to feel impossible. I have 4 pitchers that I rotate daily.
Storage Station - https://link.amazon/B09iPyB8u Storage stations are such a deeply personal option. This is certainly not an essential for many people. If you have cupboard space or some sort of solution for your bottles that works for you, don't buy something just because a blog tells you to! I got this during prime day sales because we desperately needed something thats easy to access and will hold my rotating pump parts. Some days we are behind on the cleaning, others ahead and having something to keep dog fur and dust away was important for me. This is suitable for all my pump parts and we keep it on the counter so it is easy to access.
Baby Brezza Sterilizer and Dryer - https://link.amazon/B09ICQwQw Honestly, I picked up our sterilizers second hand - we have one in the caravan and one in the house. If you are exclusively pumping / bottle feeding I'd recommend looking at something like this on sale, if second hand isnt an option for you. I love the drying functionality. We tried to boil bottles and parts ourselves, but between the lifestyle we have and all the difficulties we had early on, we simply couldn't keep up. So we invested and it saved our sanity!