TOP 10 PUMPING HACKS FROM A NICU NURSE // MAKE PUMPING EASY & EFFICIENT // MY FAVORITE TIPS & TRICKS

My 10 favorite ways to make pumping less stressful & more convenient! Whether you are pumping exclusively or just to supplement breastfeeding, these tips will help a ton! I pumped exclusively for 10 months & have 5.5 years NICU nurse experience, so I've got some good ones for you!!
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AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS:
Spectra S2
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Spectra Pump Parts
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Pumping Bra
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Storage Bags:
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Small Cooler Bag
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Large Cooler Bag (Similar)
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[@samanthapersson6212]

An idea I do have for you is the mini fridges at target. They only hold 6 cans of soda but come with a car adapter and work in a pinch. I store all my milk in mine and love it. 10/10

[@KristenPerkins]

That would be so great to have! If I have to pump a lot with any more babies I’m seriously going to consider it!!!🤍🤍🤍

[@HeatherVictoria0911]

Omg this would be great for when I go back to work!!

[@nenchantress84]

I never thought to use a cooler bag at night! That is genius! I hate pumping at night because I was getting up to store the milk and wash and dry the parts. Thank you!

[@KristenPerkins]

You are SO welcome!!!! Glad it’s helpful!!!

[@turkituck]

Im pumping for a 1wk old newborn, thank you for these tips!

[@KristenPerkins]

You are so welcome!!!

[@wilddaisies]

thank you so much for the cooler bag tips!! i get so scared everytime i need to go out into the kitchen in the middle of the night to get my pump parts and store the milk hahaha. this is going to be such a life changing hack!

[@KristenPerkins]

You are so welcome oh and I actually totally get that!! So glad this video was helpful!!!🤍

[@ohhhhdaisy]

Great video ! Super relatable :)

[@KristenPerkins]

thank you so much!!!

[@bethwartman9035]

Thanks for the hacks ill be using some!

[@KristenPerkins]

I’m so glad they were helpful!!!🤍☺️

[@bethwartman9035]

@@KristenPerkins my baby was in the nicu not long but long enough that he wont latch properly so im exclusively pumping. Its exhausting in the night.

[@KristenPerkins]

@@bethwartman9035 I’m so sorry exclusively pumping is exhausting!! You’re doing a great job!!!🤍🤍🤍

[@bratgurl1army]

I use my hands free pump for MOTN and pour the milk into my Cere Chiller. I bought a second set of pump parts so I didn't have to worry about fridge hacking the night pump

[@KristenPerkins]

Love it!!!

[@graciedonnelly5909]

Oh never mind I see you keep those pieces connected! Sweet I was worried about how many parts there were 😂😂

[@suxiian]

Hi, do you keep the pump bottles in the refridgerator as well and reuse them without washing? Do you wipe away the milk residues before storing them in the fridge? Storing in fridge or freezer?

[@piasaavedra3498]

Hi! Which car adapter did you buy? I have the spectra 2 as well and I definitely need a car outlet to pump there.

[@KristenPerkins]

Hi! Sorry I thought I had that link up but realized it’s not there- here you go! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004MDXS0U/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=35940e597ddcefe5730577cddaea6a88&hsa_cr_id=2497158980801&qid=1658513265&sr=1-1-4951fbf6-44c7-47df-8d8a-2283bc94d5a4&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_scm_asin_0_img&pd_rd_w=UPKS7&content-id=amzn1.sym.6ffcd290-9440-4df9-82d1-bf9af1d38151%3Aamzn1.sym.6ffcd290-9440-4df9-82d1-bf9af1d38151&pf_rd_p=6ffcd290-9440-4df9-82d1-bf9af1d38151&pf_rd_r=HT4MVDRCH1RYH6EQDCNX&pd_rd_wg=IE1lw&pd_rd_r=1368a426-53e6-46b9-98d0-6f15ef3f49d2

[@masakikobayashi8952]

😍❤️

[@samanthapersson6212]

For bags I feel I get the best value, amount, and quality with baby nova. Landon oh bags leaked for me and never froze flat. Was impossible for me to get all the air out with them too

[@samanthapersson6212]

Meant to say lansinoh but was autocorrected

[@KristenPerkins]

Oh good to know! I’ve never tried any other brands so that is super helpful!

[@angelavasquez6259]

I began pumping exclusively to make sure how much my baby girl was eating because she wasn't gaining weight as expected. My mother in law swore that manual pumping versus electric was way faster. Im pumping an oz a minute for thr first 3 minutes. Then finishing up 5 oz within 10 or 15 minutes. For working moms that pump at work, I suggest the manual hand pump (i received all the parts (medela) i needed at the hospital) to get it done quicker. I pump twice a day at work for 10-15 minutes and since its not hands free, I have the extra 15 minutes to eat my snack or lunch. Pumping isnt so stressful and time consuming now that I can just hand pump and get it over with. Plus, I'm like you it takes a while to pump till dry.

[@KristenPerkins]

Manual pumping can definitely work for some moms, but many people can’t get much that way or don’t have the time to devote to it. For me, using a hospital grade pump or the spectra were the best solutions! But I say whatever works for you!!!

[@kmay1201]

Prenatal Yini has a pump hack for the spectra s2 to make it portable in your home!

[@abee7740]

Do tell?

[@kmay1201]

@@abee7740 attach a battery pack with Velcro strips to the bottom of your spectra!

[@thirdcultureme2701]

Thank you so much for these great hacks! Loved your video! Quick question when you said empty your breast and to make sure you are pumping long enough, I’ve noticed in my case I can pump for 10 mins and then sometimes hardly anything comes out of my breast does that mean I should stop or should I continue for at least 20 mins even though hardly anything is coming out? Does that make sense ?

[@KristenPerkins]

I’d keep pumping! That happened to me too and it took me 45 minutes to get much of anything out and then I got a ton! Every body is different so you just have to experiment but a lot of people have to pump longer than 10 or 15 minutes to get milk. It’s frustrating but helpful to know!

[@KristenPerkins]

And you are so welcome I love being able to help other pumping mamas because it can be rough sometimes!

[@jailenerivera4213]

What settings do you use on the pump? I have the same one but I’m confused about cycle and vacuum

[@KristenPerkins]

So you want to start fast and low suction and then after a couple minutes transition to high suction (as high as you can tolerate without hurting) and slow rate. I typically would start at 1 on auction then up it to 3 or 4 quickly and be at a 70 for cycles (speed) and then by minute 3 or 4 is transition to be at a suction of 7-10 (usually after a week or two of pumping I could tolerate a 10), and a speed cycle of 35 or 40, and keep it there the duration of pumping. So I’d start at 70/3 for 3 minutes then go to 38/9 or 10 afterward. Clear as mud?😂😂 hope this helped!

[@KristenPerkins]

Also helpful to know- cycles=speed and vacuum = suction

[@jamiel2179]

I know it's been awhile since you posted this video, but I'm curious about your pump in fridge parts. Do you throw the ziploc bag every single use? Once a day? Or wash and reuse it? Thank you!

[@KristenPerkins]

I use one bag for the day then throw it out ☺️👍🏻

[@loreleik-s4259]

@@KristenPerkins Did you rinse out the pump parts before putting them in the refrigerator? Thanks!

[@KristenPerkins]

@@loreleik-s4259 you can but you don’t have to! I personally didn’t for the day, because the fridge kept it cold/germs away, but you could if you wanted to! I’d recommend to people who were prone to yeast infections to still wash pump parts every time, otherwise try just sticking it in the bag each time and washing them at the end of the day, it saved me so much time 🥳

[@loreleik-s4259]

@@KristenPerkins Great! Thanks for the tips. This will definitely save a lot of time!

[@KristenPerkins]

@@loreleik-s4259 of course!!! I’m so glad 🙂

[@tanyabuva6889]

Do you remove the back flow protectors or keep them on when you put them in fridge? I thought I didn’t see them in the ziploc bag but wanted to confirm! Thank you

[@KristenPerkins]

I leave them hooked up to the tubing personally! If I don’t notice any milk on them (which I usually don’t), I leave them be and wash them once a day. If you put them in the bag you really should wash and dry them each time because they will get a bit of milk on both sides and that can get up in the tubing. Hope that helps!☺️

[@graciedonnelly5909]

Sorry so you don’t put the back flow protectors in the baggy? What do you all put in the baggy in the fridge? So I know for my text time and do it right 😅

[@graciedonnelly5909]

Also do you use a spectra pump?😊

[@rachelacosta1062]

I do the fridge hack but I noticed that after maybe 3 usages, I express less milk than using a clean set.. does this happen to you?

[@KristenPerkins]

Hey I’m sorry I’m just seeing this! I never noticed that- the only thing I can think of is that the pump pieces are cold which could possibly affect supply but I wouldn’t think so? You could try applying a warm pack while pumping…But definitely do what works for you!! 🤍🤍🤍☺️

[@jennifercondensa8142]

Hi, I’m not sure if you can say, but which pump was not working so great for you? I’m going back to work soon and trying to pump a ton to get ready. Or maybe a better question is what should a pump have to make it a good one in your opinion? Thanks in advance!

[@jennifercondensa8142]

Also, you said pump until you’re dry. How do you know? 😂 Im trying to look but I can’t tell if any is coming out still.

[@KristenPerkins]

Hi!! So my fav pump is the spectra- it’s works so well I feel like the suction is strong enough!! And as far as pumping to dry, I just pump until I notice zero or minimal milk coming out anymore 💕 hope that helps!

[@krishnanv1983]

I am first time mom . I tried reading the reviews about the battery pack it’s little scary that electric items sparkled etc I am really confused which one to buy as I have to pump in the car and traveling long distance for first time.

[@KristenPerkins]

I haven’t had any issues and have used it for years but of course you have to do what you feel confident with!!🤍

[@krishnanv1983]

@@KristenPerkins thanks a lot for the quick response,would you mind sharing the link of the product. I wanted to know whether I saw the one you used.

[@KristenPerkins]

@@krishnanv1983 of course! Sorry thought I linked it! Let me find it for you!

[@KristenPerkins]

@@krishnanv1983 here ya go! www.amazon.com/Buywhat-Power-Inverter-Charger-Converter/dp/B07GNGTBDM/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3OMUT23UKB8RI&keywords=battery+plug+car&qid=1650655450&sprefix=battery+plug+car%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1

[@krishnanv1983]

@@KristenPerkins Thanks a lot I went by the color earlier and saw the reviews of wrong product.Just seeing ur other organizing videos. Looking great. Thanks

[@kennedibackmeier9117]

Cooler bag… I bought a mini fridge 😅

[@hayleeschweigert8467]

Same!!

[@KristenPerkins]

Haha that’s amazing!!! Genius 😅😅

[@kennedibackmeier9117]

Cooler bag…. I bought a mini fridge 😅

[@KristenPerkins]

Hahaha oh my gosh that’s genius!!!

[@froregon]

Are we expected to wear these pumping bustiers all day? They're like armor! I end up stripping off my shirt and bra in the room at work and putting a cardigan on over the pumping bra. I can't imagine wearing it like a real bra.

[@KristenPerkins]

I definitely don’t haha! I just use it for pumping

[@meganlehman5219]

I pump (or try to sometimes its hard because I have a toddler too) right after baby eats every time. So now when baby takes the bottle I can feel it in my breasts. Definitely helps

[@KristenPerkins]

Yes that is so smart!!