Hands free pumping bra advice.

[vettorre]

I'm a new mom who is breastfeeding and I'm having a lot of issues with it. Like increased dysphoria with it (I'm non-binary identified/trans and most days am indifferent to my boobs, but sometimes really, really hate them), so I'm looking to primarily pump and bottle feed because at least he's getting breast milk still, right? But holding the

Comments

[belleweather]

First, exclusive pumping parents are ROCKSTARS, because it is very, very challenging. If it's what you need to do, then it is the right thing for you, but I know a lot of mamas go into it thinking that it will be easier than it is and end up beating themselves up for that, so just know that you're a rockstar from the start.

Second, Medela is a good choice for those of us in the larger breast size club because they make breast shields that are different sizes. Your pump probably comes with the 'normal' ones, and you might need to step up to XL or XXL in order to be comfortable -- it depends less on the size of your boobs and more on the size of your nipples, but if there's any rubbing happening along the sides as you pump that's a pretty clear signal to go up a size in your breast shields.

They also have a hands-free pumping kit that clips the pump on to your nursing bra. I don't see it on their website right now, but I got one when I bought my freestyle (which saved my life as an exclusively pumping mama, because it's tiny enough to slide into a pocket or clip on a belt. Yes, I wandered around the apartment doing the dishes and pumping. Hell, I wandered around the lactation room at work while pumping. I am the epitome of classy.) that comes with some yellow stretchy rubber-band bits and clips that attach to your bra and keep the pump stationary. It worked really well for me. Otherwise, the 'slits in a bra' thing worked well for my coworkers, so long as they were willing to sit and pump. But they could easily sit and like, read a book or something, and not need to futz with the horns much.

Bra-size wise, you want something that fits your breasts when they're at their fullest comfortably, without compressing them or rubbing uncomfortably because that can cause plugged ducts and mastitis, which are no fun. If you're a new, new mama get something cheap that works for the first few months and then re-assess as your baby gets a little bigger and your milk supply starts to even out after about 3 months. After that point you won't get as engorged and can afford to size down.

[vettorre]

Haha, I had the idea because I noticed that pumping doesn't induce dysphoria, whereas breastfeeding often does. IDK, I'm still thinking on if I want to do it exclusively because sometimes it doesn't cause dysphoria and can be nice. But right now, since I have to pump and dump anyway (abx + Vicodin), I'm seeing how I fare on pumping exclusively.

Thanks for the advice. =)

I'm considering getting the pumping backpack, even, because backpack carry is best for my body, and I think that also comes with the clips kit.=)