More questions for pumpers!

[pdxlaurens]

Ok, EPers and other frequent pumpers I've got 2 for you.
Are you wearing nursing bras? I bought one good one and can't decide if I should get a second or just get a regular bra in my new size (close to my pre-delivery size). I wear nursing tanks at night but they aren't enough support in the day.
what are you using for nipple lube? I was using lanolin but LO hates the taste and we are still optimistically trying to latch daily. I am using coconut oil now but it's so thin it drips on and stains my clothes if I'm not careful.
Thanks for your insights ladies!

[irish14]

I think regular bras would be a total pain, I'm all for nursing bras. I have to buy new anyway bc can't wear underwire nursing, so might as well get something comfortable/convenient. I had good luck at Target.

No advice on lube, my LO doesn't mind the lanolin. Except have you tried soothies gel pads? They make everything feel lots better and might be a good option for you as a barrier under your clothes if your LO doesn't like creams/oils.

[ainslie325]

Feb 14, 2015 9:39:49 GMT -5 pdxlaurens said:

Ok, EPers and other frequent pumpers I've got 2 for you.
Are you wearing nursing bras? I bought one good one and can't decide if I should get a second or just get a regular bra in my new size (close to my pre-delivery size). I wear nursing tanks at night but they aren't enough support in the day.
what are you using for nipple lube? I was using lanolin but LO hates the taste and we are still optimistically trying to latch daily. I am using coconut oil now but it's so thin it drips on and stains my clothes if I'm not careful.
Thanks for your insights ladies!

I use only high-impact sports bras, pushing them up to pump.  I can't stand nursing bras.  

I started with Medela lanolin, but now I don't really need any to pump. A little water on the flanges works fine for me.  When I was nursing, I used Earth Mama Nipple Butter.  It smells delicious.

[serejane]

I use the simple wishes b3 bra-it's a nursing/hands free pumping bra. I love it so much I ordered a second one so while I'm washing one I can wear the other. I mostly wear that. If not I wear an underwire nursing bra.
I don't use any sort of lube but when I did need it I would rub breast milk on the sore spots followed by a dab of solid coconut oil.

[stampingqueen]

I do wear nursing bras. I nurse when with LO and pump when I go back to work (Monday). I'm a 34H so braless in public isn't an option. And the tanks offer 0 support!
As for nipple lube, I use coconut oil. I'm very careful and shove my boob away as soon as the oil is on (after nursing). I like that I can just lick my fingers clean after putting it on (I'm a klassy bitch like that). Since it's solid, I've thought about putting it (in liquid form) in an old chapstick container to make it more portable.

[JayneArson]

I use coconut oil on the flanges (as suggested by my LC) and I use nipple butter on my nips (obvi) afterward.

[pdxlaurens]

Feb 14, 2015 10:17:18 GMT -5 Miss Killjoy said:

I am virtually no help with these questions because I'm at home for a year so I am completely without class as I lounge around in a completely unpresentable state all day, bahaha. My answers anyways:

Bras: I have one nursing bra and a bunch of regular ones. I wear the nursing bra if I'm going somewhere that I know I can pump when I need to (like my parents' house). I wear regular bras if I'm going out somewhere and won't be pumping (like the grocery store). If I'm at home, I basically never bother with a bra. Tanktops forever.

Nipple cream: I use lanolin because I am not really nursing any more, so LO doesn't care. I've heard good things about Earth Mama Nipple Butter.

I've heard of the earth mama line, good idea! Thanks! Amazon.com, here I come!

[pdxlaurens]

Feb 14, 2015 10:44:31 GMT -5 serejane said:

I use the simple wishes b3 bra-it's a nursing/hands free pumping bra. I love it so much I ordered a second one so while I'm washing one I can wear the other. I mostly wear that. If not I wear an underwire nursing bra.
I don't use any sort of lube but when I did need it I would rub breast milk on the sore spots followed by a dab of solid coconut oil.

I'll check out that bra, something that would work as nursing and pumping hands free would be worth it! Probably doesn't come in my ridiculous size though

[gradschoolmama]

Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter FTW

[pdxlaurens]

Feb 14, 2015 11:50:47 GMT -5 JayneArson said:

I use coconut oil on the flanges (as suggested by my LC) and I use nipple butter on my nips (obvi) afterward.

maybe I'll try applying to the flange instead of to me and see if I'm less of a disaster, haha. I'm a walking mess!

[raechay]

I also use coconut oil on the inside of the the left flange, for some reason the left nipple gets sore if I don't. I recently discovered the Dairy Fairy bras, and I have bought two already because I like them so much. They have a hands free pumping bra as well as a combo nursing/pumping bra and they are PRETTY so I like that. If you check them out & buy one use the code MamaPure for $10 off. It only cancels shipping cost but its something.

[nbateman5]

I dont use lube bc my nipples are fine and wear a pumping bra 24/7, its this one from amazon, love it! I have 2!

[pdxlaurens]

Feb 14, 2015 14:00:21 GMT -5 @kc295905 said:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00L49L1TK I bought this hands free bra but haven't been getting as much milk expressed. Anyone else feel like they don't get as much milk expressed when wearing a hands free bra ?

I got this for pumping instead of an actual bra since I had trouble finding one that worked on my bra size with my pump. Cheaply made, but inexpensive and does the job. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GDJRQPY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1423971155&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=lactamed+hands+free&dpPl=1&dpID=41h2NWhDGFL&ref=plSrch

[birch113]

Feb 14, 2015 10:44:31 GMT -5 serejane said:

I use the simple wishes b3 bra-it's a nursing/hands free pumping bra. I love it so much I ordered a second one so while I'm washing one I can wear the other. I mostly wear that. If not I wear an underwire nursing bra.
I don't use any sort of lube but when I did need it I would rub breast milk on the sore spots followed by a dab of solid coconut oil.

Oh, I need to look at that one! I have the velcro one, but it can't be worn all day.

I've been doing nursing tanks with the velcro Simple Wishes bra for pumping. I've been looking into more supportive options for work, too, so thanks for starting this thread!

As for lube, I also use coconut oil on the flanges.

[birch113]

Feb 14, 2015 11:41:23 GMT -5 stampingqueen said:

I do wear nursing bras. I nurse when with LO and pump when I go back to work (Monday). I'm a 34H so braless in public isn't an option. And the tanks offer 0 support!
As for nipple lube, I use coconut oil. I'm very careful and shove my boob away as soon as the oil is on (after nursing). I like that I can just lick my fingers clean after putting it on (I'm a klassy bitch like that). Since it's solid, I've thought about putting it (in liquid form) in an old chapstick container to make it more portable.

A girl after my own heart! After I lube up my flanges with coconut oil, I use what's left on my finger as lip glass!

[stefdolly]

I EP and I use Medela nursing bras and always wear a tank with no built in. Then I use the hands free bra over it so I can get other stuff done while pumping. But wearing the nursing bra makes it much easier to get access to my nipples to hook up during the day.

I use Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula •Nursing Butter• and I love it! I hated Lanolin.

[feeshahd]

It is just easier for me to wear the nursing bras. I got a couple of the Bravado ones and they are comfey.
+1 for the Earth Mama Nipple butter but I don't use it as lube. I use it after to soothe everything. If I'm having trouble with a seal, I just use a little breast milk around the horn.
@kc295905 I feel YA. I like being hands free but I don't feel like I get the full amount out. Not sure what the deal is.

[ainslie325]

Feb 15, 2015 10:04:47 GMT -5 feeshahd said:

...
@kc295905 I feel YA. I like being hands free but I don't feel like I get the full amount out. Not sure what the deal is.

I agree with this.  Using my Medela Hands-Free pumping bra, I sometimes KNOW that I'm not pumping as much as I could.  I feel like as my breasts empty and the bottles collect more milk, the whole setup does a less efficient job (though the seal still seems okay).  Does this make sense?  After my breasts have stopped producing when held by the pumping bra alone, I can often express additional milk if I gently press the flanges to my breasts with my hands.