i made it a goal to be as organized and simple as i can with my pumping equipment as a type B + ADHD human, who isn’t always the tidiest! after some trial and error, and trying to figure out where to hold everything — here is what is working best for me, my pumping needs, and my storage availability within my home!
***please note that some of these links have affiliates, and i do get a small kickback if you order anything through my individual link! THANK YOU because this helps me continue to give you pumping and breastfeeding content and support this community!!!
- BABY BOTTLES — these are kept on the very left side of our cabinet. i was intentional about choosing nipples (and bottles) that can help support Corran if he chooses to nurse AND bottle feed. and thank goodness this was the case, it’s been incredibly healing to me after being forced into exclusive pumping with my first son, Revan! read more about my dreams and preparation for my second birth HERE. due to my oversupply, i was expecting to need to pump and therefore bottle feed — so we are doing about 50/50 right now!
these are the nipples that i would suggest using if you have a baby who is also nursing:
Pigeon, Evenflo Balance+ and Lansinoh. we personally use the second type in our home! simply because they already fit on the glass baby bottles we already own, and want to continue to use, especially when warming up milk in the milk warmer.
2. SPECTRA S1 (BLUE) — i can’t believe i went almost two years without trying this pump, or any Spectra pump for that matter! this pump i purchased on my own through my insurance, and chose the blue and opposed to the pink Spectra — ya girl doesn’t like being chained to a wall. portable and rechargeable pumps for the win! you can find a more in depth review at this blog post: “my ride or die breast pumps + pump equipment (capsule wardrobe style) i would sell my kidney to try again”
3. NIPPLES + BOTTLE RINGS — this little tupperware container we keep the nipples (mentioned above), the bottle collars/rings, pacifiers (we call these noo-nies at our house, i’m always so curious what different families call them!!!) and extra little pieces. i think i maybe have some flange inserts in here as well — available for easy access because it’s open with no cover and right on top of the storage bin pile!
4. EXTRAS — this would be charging cords for each pump, collection bottle holders (for my Pumpables liquid shields), and the Haakaa. the “extras” that i still need for pumping that don’t fit in container 5!
5. FLANGES + COLLECTION BOTTLES/CUPS — currently this has my Pumpables liquid shields, Eufy collection cups, and Momcozy collection cups. the collection parts of each pumping setup! want to see what pumps and equipment are my favorites that are at my fingertips at all times as a lactation counselor, oversupplier and previously exclusive pumper? check out the blog post: “my ride or die breast pumps + pump equipment (capsule wardrobe style) i would sell my kidney to try again”
6. STORAGE BAGS — in my Mimi and Pal Ren Milk Clutch (use code BETHANYBOURGOIN for 10% off) this has a permanent marker to label my storage bags and glass mason jars in the fridge. also a ballpoint pen, and of course, breast milk storage bags! i have brands that are my personal favorite, especially for how well they freeze with the Freeze It Flat (use code OversupplyMama) —
- Medela — i LOVE how thick and actually rectangle these are. some brands have a cute shape, but that makes it harder to fit in the Freeze It Flat. i’ve never had a bag break before, they are sooo sturdy
- Lansinoh — while these are rectangle in shape, these are a little bit thinner, and therefore you have to be more careful when handling these bags when frozen. i have had quite a few of these break, so when thawing, it’s best to thaw in a bowl that can catch any milk that leaks through.
- Motif — these are thick and definitely won’t break if you accidentally open your freezer door and your frozen milk bags fall everywhere (hi, that’s me, it happens all the freaking time). but what i personally have issue with is that they are wonky shaped, so they don’t fit as well in my Freeze It Flat — leading to not really flat bags. if you aren’t needing to keep a larger volume of milk in your freezer, this brand will probably be okay for you!
- Momcozy — i haven’t personally tried this style myself, but i have heard very similar thoughts about these compared to the Medela! these are next on my Amazon list to try once i go through my storage bag stash i currently have.
7. NURSING PADS — i was gifted these Lansinoh nursing pads, i don’t personally usually use single-use products. but i was really impressed with these and their capacity to hold milk! i’m currently only nursing my son Corran overnight, and am an oversupplier (even more so in the first few weeks after birth) — which means we do get dosed in a good amount of milk overnight! i will use one of these pads on my opposite side as he is nursing, and it absorbs a GOOD amount of milk. i just ordered a Boon Trove, so keep an eye out for my review on this as soon as i am able to use it and put it into practice.
8. BOTTLES + GLASS MASON JARS — this is how i keep my milk in the fridge, separated per day (every 24 hours) using the pitcher method. need more details on the pitcher method and more tips + tricks that have helped me as an oversupplier? snag the oversupply starter guide HERE! the smaller Medela bottles are used for my Medela Harmony manual pump.
9. PUMP MOTORS — in my house, you’ll find baskets freaking everywhere! but in this case, it is perfect — this is where all my pumps and motors live. right on the counter so i can grab them real quick! including Pumpables Genie Advanced (use code BETHANY for 10% off), Eufy S1, BabyBuddha 2.0 pump (use code BETHANY for 10% off), and Momcozy M5.
10. PAPABLIC BOTTLE WARMER — it’s so helpful that our bottle warmer is right below the bottle cupboard! we’re not walking back and forth in the kitchen just to get milk ready for the tiny baby with MANY opinions. this warmer specifically is so cool — it spins to prevent any hot spots
and cold spots in the milk. my toddler also LOVES sitting and watching the warmer spin! if you need like five seconds to yourself, just put an empty bottle in, or just turn it on with nothing to keep your tiny human occupied for just a minute.
11. BABYBUDDHA BOTTLE STERILIZER — i’m adding this UV sterilizer into this blog post because although it’s not technically looped in by my cupboard area, it’s so helpful to have! this sterilizer is water-less. when i already feel like i am in a constant state of WET, this is my favorite invention ever! it uses UV light to sterilize instead of water — i use this to sterilize my pump and bottles every few days, or once a week.
i also LOVE that this has a fan/drying feature on it!!! so helpful when i am needing my pumping parts to dry faster, and dry fully. pop in and finish a house chore and they are done. i’m all about tools that make my pumping life easier.
how do you have your pumping equipment set up for easy storage and access?
xoxo, Bethany | Certified Lactation Counselor | Your Overproducing Exclusively Pumping Mama
