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Pumping Survival Accessory: Freemies

Pumping Survival Accessory: Freemies

I recently calculated that I will spend a total of 400 hours pumping for my baby over 9 months.  400 hours! If you walked for 400 hours that would be about 1300 miles, or the distance from Maine to Florida.  For an activity that you are doing for 400 hours you should be at least somewhat comfortable. For me, Freemies made the difference.

Freemies are basically cups that you put in your bra that collect your milk in a cone shaped plastic container.  When you are done you simply pour the milk into the bottle system of your choice.  Freemies make a pump but you can buy the cups separately and use with the pump of your choice.

The biggest reason I love Freemies is that I can sit comfortably in my rocker recliner, lean back, and everything works.  I also love that I don’t have to change into a pumping bra, which I would have had to do 800 times!  With traditional flanges I had to put on the bra, then hunch forward so that the milk would flow down into the bottles.  The CurvyMom problem I ran into was that the bottles would hit my legs and it would make it challenging to get the right angle.

Other reasons to love Freemies are that you can pump in your car.  I’ve only done this a few times since my work commute is about 10 minutes.  I did not feel exposed as cars or semi trailers went past me.  Moms I know have said that they use them to nurse on one side and pump on the other.  I was never able to master this but it sounds like it would be great.

Tips:

  • Assembly: Be sure the duck bill valve is on straight!
  • Check the cups a few minutes in to be sure your milk is flowing and everything is lined up.  A couple times after 30 minutes passed I realized my nipple wasn’t aligned correctly so I had no milk on one side.  This may be the next worst thing after spilled milk.
  • Be careful leaning forward – this can cause the milk to escape or go into the tubing.
  • Use a Backflow Protector with any pump. This ensures that milk will not get into your pump if you do have milk in your tubing.
  • I recommend having an extra set of duck valves with in your pump bag in case one tears.  I replaced mine about every 3 months but some moms replace them more often.

The biggest concern I had with them was that I couldn’t tell when a let down began, or when milk flow ended. I would just pump for 30 minutes each time.

 

 

Question of the Day

What is your must have pumping accessory?

 

Disclaimer: Freemies did not provide me any compensation for this post.  I bought my Freemies new at a consignment sale.  This is wholly my own thoughts and review.  The post contains affiliate links.