Hands Free Advice

[udflyer]

As an "experienced" EPer - I thought I'd share some tips re: hands free pumping.

Buy or make a hands free bra - I didn't buy any, but chose to try making one for use at home. I took an old sports bra, cut slits at the nipples, and voila! was ready to go. It's worked great and that is what I use for all of my at home pumping.

Freemies - I bought Freemies to use at work (www.freemie.com). I love them. They are bowl looking things that go inside of a normal bra (I use a nursing bra so I don't stretch out my good bras). They allow you to pump hands free without your nipples hanging out. I'm a high school teacher so I pump in my class room. My room has the floor printer though and everyone has a key. I got these at an effort of keeping other teachers from feeling uncomfortable if they came in while I was pumping. I love them. They work just as well and keep me decent (I'm also always afraid of forgetting to lock the door and a teenager walking into my room).

Instead of putting this in the other thread thought I'd start a new one so folks can find this info if they want it :-)

[serejane]

Thanks for the tip!
I haven't gotten a hands free bra yet-that's my next step. I'll go ahead and buy the freemies while I'm at it because I am also a teacher who has a shared printer in my classroom. I teach middle school so the teenager scenario could happen to me too if I forget to lock a door.

[birch113]

I just got Freemies and have only used them for a few pumps so far. It seems like I don't get as much output with them, though. Have you noticed that as well?

[nbateman5]

The simple wishes bra is an absolute life saver, love it!!! Thinking I'll order another to have a backup!

[serejane]

Which simple wishes bra? On their website I'm seeing two different types of hands free bras. I'm guessing it's the one that is less bustier like?

[udflyer]

Jan 17, 2015 20:37:26 GMT -5 birch113 said:

I just got Freemies and have only used them for a few pumps so far. It seems like I don't get as much output with them, though. Have you noticed that as well?

I was suspicious at first so paid attention pretty closely for a few weeks and they ended up equally as productive. I do get more volume if I unhook my nursing bra, put them in, then rehook the bra (versus leaving the bra unhooked).

[birch113]

Jan 18, 2015 9:04:21 GMT -5 udflyer said:

Jan 17, 2015 20:37:26 GMT -5 birch113 said:

I just got Freemies and have only used them for a few pumps so far. It seems like I don't get as much output with them, though. Have you noticed that as well?

I was suspicious at first so paid attention pretty closely for a few weeks and they ended up equally as productive. I do get more volume if I unhook my nursing bra, put them in, then rehook the bra (versus leaving the bra unhooked).

Thanks! I'll give them another try.

[anonymouseliza]

I used the Simple Wishes, bustier style. I'm a large lady with enormous boobs and homemade nursing bras weren't working for me (and it was cheaper to buy the hands free than it was to alter a sports bra in my size).

The one thing I'd caution is to pay attention to horn placement. If I was rushed or if I wasn't paying attention, the placement could end up off and production down as a result. Also make sure you have a hands-free solution that allows for massage, especially if you are prone to clogged ducts or trying to increase production. That's a two hand job for me, and it took some fiddling.

[Widget123]

Jan 17, 2015 8:49:13 GMT -5 udflyer said:

As an "experienced" EPer - I thought I'd share some tips re: hands free pumping.

Buy or make a hands free bra - I didn't buy any, but chose to try making one for use at home. I took an old sports bra, cut slits at the nipples, and voila! was ready to go. It's worked great and that is what I use for all of my at home pumping.

Freemies - I bought Freemies to use at work (www.freemie.com). I love them. They are bowl looking things that go inside of a normal bra (I use a nursing bra so I don't stretch out my good bras). They allow you to pump hands free without your nipples hanging out. I'm a high school teacher so I pump in my class room. My room has the floor printer though and everyone has a key. I got these at an effort of keeping other teachers from feeling uncomfortable if they came in while I was pumping. I love them. They work just as well and keep me decent (I'm also always afraid of forgetting to lock the door and a teenager walking into my room).

Instead of putting this in the other thread thought I'd start a new one so folks can find this info if they want it :-)

Thanks for putting this out there.  I EP'ed for over 16 months and just quit over a month ago and never heard of these.  They seem interesting but I see that they aren't compatible with the Medela Freestyle.  Bummer.

[gldnbearz]

Jan 19, 2015 22:08:51 GMT -5 anonymouseliza said:

The one thing I'd caution is to pay attention to horn placement. If I was rushed or if I wasn't paying attention, the placement could end up off and production down as a result. Also make sure you have a hands-free solution that allows for massage, especially if you are prone to clogged ducts or trying to increase production. That's a two hand job for me, and it took some fiddling.

I have the Simple Wishes bra, but it's hard to do breast compressions through the bra. I'm also on the smaller side and if I'm not careful, milk leaks between the flange and my skin.

I haven't gone back to work yet and so far, get by hand holding for my double electric pump. No leakage and I can do breast compressions.

[udflyer]

Jan 21, 2015 13:41:47 GMT -5 Widget123 said:

Jan 17, 2015 8:49:13 GMT -5 udflyer said:

As an "experienced" EPer - I thought I'd share some tips re: hands free pumping.

Buy or make a hands free bra - I didn't buy any, but chose to try making one for use at home. I took an old sports bra, cut slits at the nipples, and voila! was ready to go. It's worked great and that is what I use for all of my at home pumping.

Freemies - I bought Freemies to use at work (www.freemie.com). I love them. They are bowl looking things that go inside of a normal bra (I use a nursing bra so I don't stretch out my good bras). They allow you to pump hands free without your nipples hanging out. I'm a high school teacher so I pump in my class room. My room has the floor printer though and everyone has a key. I got these at an effort of keeping other teachers from feeling uncomfortable if they came in while I was pumping. I love them. They work just as well and keep me decent (I'm also always afraid of forgetting to lock the door and a teenager walking into my room).

Instead of putting this in the other thread thought I'd start a new one so folks can find this info if they want it :-)

Thanks for putting this out there.  I EP'ed for over 16 months and just quit over a month ago and never heard of these.  They seem interesting but I see that they aren't compatible with the Medela Freestyle.  Bummer.

That is a bummer. Not sure how the Freestyle is set up but they said it wasn't compatible with a Hygeia (which is what I have) but it does connect just fine.

Compressions definitely are difficult with the freemies - so something else to be aware of. They are very easy with the sports bra method though (one of the reasons I love it and like to share the idea).

[udflyer]

Miss Killjoy - I pump before school starts at 7:15 (kids get into the halls at 7:45); during my plan period at 12:30, and before I go home (anytime between 3:30 and 4:30 usually). This has worked great for me.

I'm not sure what the laws are in canada re:pumping, but I was prepared to fight for pumping breaks if I needed them. In general in the US employers are required to accommodate pump breaks and make other accommodations.

[serejane]

Miss Killjoy I'm still at home until mid march. Once I go back I'm not sure how/if I'll still pump. I will probably be driving a stick shift to work at that point so DH can drive the girls to his mom's house in our SUV so I prob won't be able to pump in the car. In thinking I'll pump once at school before kids get there, once at lunch (my only bathroom break too) and once after school. I only have a planning period every other day and it's the last period of the day so I'll just plan to pump the last part of the day. I'm not sure if I'll keep pumping for long once I go back though. As it stands now I pump 8 or more times a day and only produce half of what the twins need. Not sure it's worth it to keep doing long term.

[bennieangel]

I had a handsfree bra for a while & hated it (having something to put on & take off every time). I got the Arden Bra by Dairy Fairy & it makes pumping at work, and on the go so much easier. You also expose less (for in the car pumping) because you don't have to pull the breasts out, just tuck the flanges in the holes & you're all set. I suggest it to all my friends.