Pumping to Induce Labor: The Complete Guide

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If you're trying to figure out what you actually need to pump breast milk, you're in the right place. Maybe you're still pregnant and building your registry, or maybe baby is here and pumping is about to become a much bigger part of your day. Either way, this is the list I'd hand a friend. It works if you're pumping here and there, pumping at work, or exclusively pumping, and I'll tell you near the end what I'd prioritize for each.

I've had two babies, tried more than six different pumps, and gone through more accessories than I can count, so this list is very much the product of trial and error. And I'm not going to pretend pumping is fun. It's not most people's favorite activity (it's definitely not mine). But the right supplies make it a LOT more tolerable.

1. A breast pump that fits how you'll actually pump

Obviously a list of pumping essentials has to start with the pump. There are more options now than there used to be, which means you can pick one based on how and where you'll realistically be pumping instead of just taking whatever shows up.

Most U.S. health plans are required to cover a breast pump under the Affordable Care Act, but which pumps you can choose from, whether it's a rental or yours to keep, and whether anything costs you extra all depend on your plan. So call your insurance or a pump supplier before you buy anything out of pocket.

If you're fine pumping in one spot

This is the traditional electric pump most people picture. The pump sits next to you, it usually plugs into the wall (some have a battery option), and tubing connects it to the flanges. There's honestly nothing wrong with this setup, and these are some of the pumps most commonly offered through insurance. Choosing between them mostly comes down to personal preference.

These are the three I've used myself:

• Motif Luna: The least well known of the three and the one I liked MOST. It was easy to use and super quiet, the battery lasted forever, and my sessions were faster and more efficient than with the others. My full Motif Luna review has all the details.

• Spectra S2: This was the only pump I used with my first baby, so it's my old faithful. I like that it's a closed system, and the settings worked really well for me. It does have to be plugged into the wall, and my sessions ran a little longer than with the Motif, but I truly can't say anything bad about it.

• Medela Pump in Style: My least favorite of the three, which is not the same thing as bad. My output was still good and it was easy to use. I just didn't love the open tubing system on the version I had, and the settings were a little trickier for me to figure out. For a lot of people it's the one insurance covers, and it gets the job done. If you're deciding between these two, I compared them in my Spectra vs Medela breakdown.

If you want to pump on the go

If you cannot stand sitting still while you pump (same) or you want something more discreet for work, a wearable pump is worth a look. These sit inside your bra with no tubing running to a separate motor, so you can actually move around. Back when I was working in labor & delivery, I could pump at the nurse's station and while walking around the floor, which was huge for me. At home I'd wear mine while I tidied up, went for a walk, or just went about my day.

• Willow: The one I loved most for output and ease of use, and the tracking app is great. The big drawback is price, and insurance coverage varies, so check your plan before you count on it. (My full Willow review is here.)

• Elvie: Also wearable and tubeless, and it works! Plenty of people love it. I used the Willow first, and for me the Elvie didn't quite measure up, but if your insurance covers the Elvie and not the Willow, it's a solid pick. I go deeper on how the two compare in my Elvie vs. Willow review.

• Baby Buddha: This one's a little different. It does use tubing, but the motor is tiny and you wear it around your neck, so it's portable without being as discreet or self-contained as a true wearable. It's also WAY less expensive, which makes it a great supplemental pump. More on it in my Baby Buddha review.

One important note: every one of these brands has come out with newer versions since I used them. My opinions are about the models I actually tried, not every version on the shelf today.

Making the pump you already have more portable

If you already have a standard electric pump and don't want to drop a bunch of money on a wearable, a few add-ons can buy you some freedom:

• Car adapter: There's one for almost every pump, so you can pump in the car. Use it while you're parked or riding as a passenger, NOT while you're driving.

• Collection cups: Aftermarket cups like Freemie's hook up to many double electric pumps and replace the flanges and bottles with cups that tuck inside your bra, which makes pumping way more discreet. I loved these things (I wrote a whole Freemie review if you're curious).

• Battery packs: A lot of standard pumps have battery packs available now, so you're not stuck next to an outlet. Search your pump's make and model to see what fits.

2. Correctly sized flanges (plus a spare set)

The flange (sometimes called a breast shield) is the cone-shaped part that goes over your breast, and getting the size right makes a huge difference in both comfort and output. Pumping twice a month or eight times a day, it matters either way.

Flange size is based on your nipple, NOT your breast. With the pump running, your nipple should move freely in and out of the flange tunnel. If the flange is too small, your nipple rubs against the sides of the tunnel, which means friction and some pretty awful sores. If it's too big, your areola (the darker skin around your nipple) gets pulled into the tunnel too, which can cause irritation, swelling, and even bruising. Ouch.

How to tell if your flange fits

This is what you're going for:

• Your nipple moves freely in the tunnel without rubbing.

• Very little (or none) of your areola gets pulled in.

• Pumping doesn't hurt, and your nipples aren't swollen, cracked, or bruised afterward.

• Milk is actually coming out well.

Comfort helps your output too, because it's a lot easier to let down when you're relaxed and not bracing for pain. If you're not sure about your fit, a lactation consultant (IBCLC) can help you figure it out.

How to measure your nipple size

Measure the width of your nipple at the base, not including the areola, and measure both sides because they aren't always the same. A common starting point is to add a couple of millimeters to that number and adjust from there based on comfort. If you don't have a tiny ruler handy, you can compare against a coin. I learned this trick from Legendairy Milk, and these sizes are approximate:

• Dime: about 18 mm

• Penny: about 19 mm

• Nickel: about 21 mm

• Quarter: about 24 mm

• Dollar coin: about 26.5 mm

• Half dollar: about 30.6 mm

Most of the major pump brands make several flange sizes, but you usually have to order them separately. And if none of a brand's sizes work for you, aftermarket brands like Maymom have a wider range. Once you know your size, get yourself a spare set, especially if you're pumping every day, so you're not washing parts between every single session.

Silicone flanges and inserts

With my second baby I got to try a ton of aftermarket pumping parts, and they really did change the experience for me. I loved my LacTeck silicone flanges for the extra comfort. The one catch was that milk fat was harder to get off silicone (if you know, you know... that greasy breast milk film), and soaking them in vinegar helped me a lot. Just check your flanges' care instructions before you try that.

3. Replacement valves and small parts

When I was pumping for my first baby, nobody told me that the little parts on a pump wear out. Valves, duckbills, and membranes are considered replaceable parts, and when they stretch or tear, your suction drops and your output can drop right along with it. I SO wish someone had told me that before I spent weeks wondering why my output suddenly dipped.

How often to replace them depends on your pump and how much you're pumping. Spectra, for example, suggests replacing duckbill valves about every six to eight weeks, or about every four weeks if you're exclusively pumping. Check your own pump's manual, and if a part is torn or you notice weaker suction, replace it right away.

Some pumps use duckbill valves and others use a valve with a separate membrane, and some brands make both styles. To find replacements, search your pump's name plus "duckbill valves" or "valves and membranes" and double-check that they're compatible. I've had good luck with Maymom replacement parts.

4. Milk storage bags

You need somewhere to put all that milk, and I really don't have any fancy recommendations here. I like Lansinoh storage bags and Target's store brand, and I haven't had issues with others either. If you need a refresher on how long pumped milk keeps, here are the CDC's breastmilk storage guidelines.

My one tip: use your flange as a funnel when you pour milk from the bottle into the bag. Fewer spills. And if you've ever knocked over a bottle of freshly pumped milk, you know that's worth protecting against.

5. A hands-free pumping bra

A pumping bra makes ALL the difference, especially if you're not using a wearable. It holds the flanges in place so your hands are free, instead of you holding everything against your chest for the entire session. Really any bra made for pumping beats trying to make a regular bra work, but these are my two favorites:

• Larken X Pumping Bra: Soft enough that I literally slept in it, but it still holds the pump in place like nobody's business.

• Kindred Bravely Sublime Pumping Bra: A more traditional pumping bra that's supportive and soft, like all of their bras and loungewear.

6. A cooler for transporting milk

If you'll be pumping away from home, you need a way to keep your milk cold until it gets to a fridge or freezer. The Sarah Wells Cold Gold cooler bag is a definite fan favorite. Some pump bags also have a built-in cooler compartment, which a lot of people like.

7. A pump bag

On that note, I like a pump bag that keeps everything organized, doubles as a carry-all for stuff like my laptop, and has room for a cooler. The Sarah Wells pump bag does all of that, and their cooler bag is designed to fit inside it. Backpack-style pump bags and more traditional totes are worth looking at too, depending on how you like to carry things. I also did a quick video on what to put in your back-to-work pumping bag.

8. A dedicated cleaning setup

I like having a bottle brush and drying rack that are ONLY for pump parts and bottles. It just feels way less gross than using the household sponge, and having everything in one spot makes the routine easier. My picks are the Boon drying rack and Dr. Brown's bottle brush.

And this isn't just me being particular. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends washing pump parts in a basin that's only used for infant feeding items, with a brush that's only used for them too, and NOT directly in the sink, where germs from the drain can get on them. The CDC says to clean any parts that touch breast milk as soon as possible after pumping and let them air-dry on a clean towel or rack instead of drying them with a dish towel. It also suggests sanitizing pump parts at least once a day, and says that's especially important if your baby is younger than two months, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system. If your dishwasher has a hot water and heated drying or sanitizing cycle, that covers the sanitizing step for you.

9. Pumping spray or flange lubricant

This is another one I wish someone had told me about sooner. Lubricating your flanges can cut down on friction, and for me it made pumping SO much more comfortable. Nobody talks about it nearly enough.

Some people use coconut oil or a nipple balm (I like the one from Bamboobies) as a flange lubricant. My personal favorite is Legendairy Milk's pump spray, because my hands don't end up sticky and oily afterward. You just spray it on and go.

10. Things that make sessions more bearable

This might not sound like an "essential," but if you're the sit-and-pump type, pumping is way more tolerable when you're doing something you actually like. Scrolling your phone works, and with a hands-free bra you can also read, knit, or type. A big cold water, a snack, and pictures or videos of your baby help too.

What you need depends on how often you pump

You don't need every single thing on this list on day one. This is how I'd think about it:

• Pumping occasionally: A pump you're comfortable with, flanges that fit, and storage bags will cover most of it. Add a pumping bra once holding the flanges gets old (it will).

• Pumping at work: Add a pump bag, a cooler, a hands-free bra, and a spare set of parts so you're not washing everything between sessions. A wearable pump or a battery pack makes it easier to pump without being tied to one spot.

• Exclusively pumping: You'll use pretty much everything here, and your parts will wear out faster, so keep replacement valves and membranes on hand and actually replace them on schedule. More than one set of flanges and more than one pumping bra will make your daily routine so much easier.

If you're planning to pump a lot (or exclusively), I talked all things pumping with an exclusive pumper and CLC on my podcast, including flange sizing and what to do if your supply dips.

Pumping essentials FAQ

Is pumping spray necessary?

Nope. You can absolutely pump without it. A lubricant can make pumping more comfortable by reducing friction in the flange tunnel, especially if you're pumping a lot, and some people just prefer a spray because it's less messy than an oil or balm. But it's a comfort thing, not a requirement.

Do I need a pumping bra, and how many?

You don't technically need one, but if you're pumping more than once in a while, you'll probably want one. If you pump every day, two is a practical number so you have one to wear while the other one's in the wash.

More pumping resources

Once your supplies are sorted, it helps to have a plan for actually using them. I've written about power pumping to increase milk supply, going back to work after maternity leave, and hand expressing breast milk (which is worth knowing how to do even if you mostly pump). And if you're nursing too, I have a separate list of breastfeeding essentials. If you're in the postpartum weeks right now, I also have a free 12-week postpartum email series.

And if there's a pumping essential you can't live without that didn't make my list, tell me in the comments. I'm always happy to add to my collection of things I swear by.

~Liesel

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