Pairing a wearable breast pump with your Luna can offer convenience and discreetness. With a wearable pump, mothers can move around freely and perform daily activities while pumping, providing greater flexibility and privacy.
Wearable and Free
To not be attached to a wall outlet or carry around your breast pump to multitask sounds wonderful, right? Especially for those pumping full-time or part-time, having the ability to go about your day, while still dedicating the time needed or desired to meet pumping goals.
Most full-time pumping moms spend about 4-6 hours of their day doing a combination of pumping, cleaning parts and bottles, and then feeding, depending on their routine and efficiency, with part-time pumpers not being too far behind that amount. Throw in household responsibilities, any additional children to care for, personal care, and I don’t know, maybe a desired social life, and there is no time left to spare.
Pairing a wearable pump, like the new Motif Aura, can be the solution to more time and freedom to multitask and free up that load.
In terms of efficiency or effectiveness: What’s the difference between a normal, electric breast pump and a wearable one?
Some may answer that they experience no difference in overall output, especially if the suction strength and comfort are comparable to each other. Others may report one or the other being better, heavily determined strength sensitivity or the level of distraction to multitask being for the better or not, as calm and relaxed while sitting may be preferred.
This is why it's good to have both, if possible. Having flexibility and options, tools in your toolbox, as I like to say, is a great way to go.
Hands-off to Be Hands-On!
Other than freedom to move about and multitask, hands-free, wearable pumping with the Motif Aura comes with other plusses, too. Massaging helps release and guide milk down the milk ducts, especially in places that are harder to reach or stimulate by pumping, alone. When breastfeeding, our babies will massage us for this same reason, which is why we do not swaddle during nursing sessions. This is one of many hacks to simulate breastfeeding when pumping:
Simply hold your breast with fingers below, and thumb on top. Push inward toward the torso/spine as if flattening into a symmetric circle and gently squeeze. This step is ideal once the stimulation or massage setting has triggered the letdown/milk flow response, or when milk flow is slowing back down. Keep in mind that suction can be easy to break if allowed to sag at all or if pressing in too close to the flange.
Did you know? Multitasking or relaxing while pumping breast milk also takes the attention off of how much milk is pumping, how fast it is letting down, and can actually help improve both of those things. How can we do this while still maximizing our breast milk output?
The Perfect Fit
A nursing bra that is also designed to be a hands-free pumping bra needs to be structured to retain its shape, be stretchy enough to accommodate your pumping flanges, while still keeping them comfortably up against the breasts. A comfy fit makes for a much more enjoyable pumping session. Before you checkout, review the size chart when selecting your breast pump bra. You can also see if your insurance/HSA will cover or reimburse you.
Breaking the suction seal from the flanges sagging will be counter productive. This is why a regular bra is not recommended to use to support a pumping session. Make sure the pumping flanges are not pushing in too hard, either. Too much compression can cut off the flow and be incredibly uncomfortable.
Pumping flanges need to be fitted to you, and for each breast individually. Having a flange that is too small or large will not be beneficial. Make sure your nipples have enough room to gently stretch without compressing the areola and without rubbing in the narrow funnel. If you need assistance with measuring, consult with a lactation consultant, as well as reviewing our tips and FAQs for measuring flanges.
"Easy-access" clothing, such as a button-down top or a nursing top can make pumping breast milk so much easier, especially when going hands-free. Not worrying about holding a shirt up or being able to work and pump modestly can help you relax into your session and make things a lot easier.
When getting assembled for your pumping session, it's important to remember to fit the breast shields or flanges into the pumping bra first before attaching to the rest of the pump parts for the setup. For a silicone hand pump, fold the breast shield back and squeeze the bottle as you normally would prior to fitting through the pumping bra.
About the Author
Ashley Georgakopoulos is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) that specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding and an expert in the field of lactation. Ashley is from Knoxville, TN, and is a mother who has dealt with the obstacles and joys of breastfeeding. As the owner of Genesis Lactation, she educates families, connects them to resources, and helps the next generation be as healthy as possible: nutritionally and sustainably.
Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.
Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.
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