Medela Easy Expression Bustier vs Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bra

When I was first starting out with my breast pump I quickly realized that hands-free pumping is the way to go.  Hands free means I can feed the baby, help my toddler, browse on my laptop, read on my iPad, or even just have two free hands to massage my boobs.  I started out by cutting slits in some comfy, stretchy nursing bras (these ones, in fact) and then I realized well, I just cut holes in the only two nursing bras that I have.  With nursing pads in and nursing shirts, which tend to have two layers over the chest area, you couldn't tell but it was not pretty.  I'll pull up my shirt for my personal trainer to measure my stomach and it'd be awkward.  On the other hand, they worked GREAT and since I would wear them all day it made setting up for pumping pretty quick.

I then bought some "real" nursing bras and did not want to cut them but also didn't want to change my bra just to pump hands free, so I bought the Medela Easy Expressions Bustier.  It took a few minutes to get it on and off and it's certainly not pretty but it was functional.  I kept reading that the Simple Wishes bras were much better than the Medela bustier, but I didn't really think much of it because a bra with hole is a bra with holes, ya know?  But then curiosity got the better of me the more I got frustrated with my Medela, so I ordered the Simple Wishes.  This post is for anyone out there who thinks the bra doesn't really matter...it does!!!  There IS a big difference.

First of all, the Medela bustier zips up the front.  The Simple Wishes both zips up the front AND ties in the back.  There's also a velcro backed version.  Simple Wishes also sells 1" and 2" extenders that you would zip into the front like an extra panel to adjust the width and therefore the spacing of the holes.  Speaking of the zipper, Simple Wishes has fabric behind the zipper so it doesn't dig into your skin.  The Medela has much stretchier fabric in my opinion.  I think that is why the Simple Wishes looks so much larger in this first photo.

The next difference for me was comfort.  The Medela has a little bit of decorative scallopy lacy something on the bottom and it's a bit more pronounced on the top.  It irritates my skin.  The Simple Wishes is bound smoothly.

Top of bras

Bottom of bras

Also in the Comfort area is the shape.  The Simple Wishes is angled towards the back to naturally go under your armpits.  The Medela tends to dig into my armpits.

The Simple Wishes has optional bra straps.  The Medela does not.

Ok so, modesty.  It's hard to be modest while pumping and chances are if you're pumping around someone you already don't care if they get a peek.  The Simple Wishes is at least a little less "these are UDDERS!" looking.  It has two panels on the front and the back that form the opening and hide most of the flared part of the flange.  The Medela just has holes.

Speaking of the holes, the Medela holes are kind of angled down.  I feel like they make my nipples point down and it makes my boobs look saggy.  I know pumping isn't exactly attractive to start with, but why torture yourself?  I tried to line up the two on top of each other so you could see what I mean.  The Medela holes are clearly lined up to be where the bottom of the Simple Wishes holes are.  This makes me feel like the Medela is just going to slide down off my chest.  The Medela is folded down to help you see the comparison to the Simple Wishes holes.

The one thing i would change is make the entire panel taller so that it covers my entire breast.  The way it hits underneath my breasts feels odd.  I also don't know why it has bra strap loops on the bottom, but they don't bother me. The big clip is from my nursing bra being unsnapped for pumping.  Also, see the part for the flange?  You can't see the flange!

I don't have a photo for this one, but speed.  Because I don't have to stretch the Simple Wishes as I wrap it around me I can put it on much faster than the Medela.  A bigger size Medela wouldn't hold the flanges against me, so I know it's not that mine is too small.  I leave the Simple Wishes tied in the back and just zip up the front and it's so much easier.


This might seem like a crazy long and detailed review of something pretty insignificant, but if you spend any length of time pumping you'll learn how important it is to have a good-fitting bra, just like any other time.  Overall the Simple Wishes is quicker to put on, more comfortable to wear, more modest, and gives you a more custom fit.  I personally didn't feel that there was a difference until I tried it for myself.

Since I've reviewed a lot of stuff lately I felt the need to point out, I do not get product to review, I do not get free products, I do not get paid for reviews, and I make no money doing this.  I realized when I first started using Pinterest that unbiased reviews were few and far between so I set out to fill that gap.  Even if a blogger truly LOVES a product when I realize they either got it for free in exchange for the review or were paid for the review, I feel the credibility of the review is undermined.

The Freemie Update, 1 Week Later

So about a week ago I got my Freemie Cups.  You can see my initial review and my "later that same day" review here.

I've been using, washing, and experimenting with these on and off all week.  They have not replaced my normal Medela parts but they do have their moments of usefulness.  Cradling my baby is MUCH easier with the Freemies, in fact, it's nearly impossible with Medela bottles hanging down.  I also don't mind pumping around other people as much since my shirt covers everything.  On the flip side, you need a stretchy bra that you don't care about eventually stretching out.  Non-stretchy bras probably won't accommodate a Freemie cup.  If you don't want to stretch out a bra or buy a stretchy one I think the Simple Wishes Special Edition Hands Free Bra (the cheaper version with the tie-back) is a great choice as you can adjust the band by tying it looser or tighter, thus accommodating more or less space as needed.  Note- I have a review of the Simple Wishes Bra vs the Medela Bustier, with tons of side by side pics, coming in the next day or so.

So, later impressions.

1)  The branding on the cups isn't meant to stand up to washing, it seems.  I use them 1-2x day and only steam sanitized before first use.  I wash in Medela Breastmilk Dissolving Soap.  I'm disappointed to see this happening, though it doesn't effect function obviously.

2)  Pumpin Pals in the Freemie Cups.  This is probably the question I have been asked the most.  It makes me think I should do a side by side review of the Pumpin Pals vs the Medela Flanges because now I'll probably get more questions!  For the sake of brevity I'll just say for now that Pumpin Pals fit and are angled differently, yet fit in your Medela connectors, for comfort, some say increased supply, and mimic baby's mouth action better.  They have die-hard fans who won't (or can't, due to pain) use anything else.

So I stuck a Pumpin Pal in a Freemie Cup.  First impression here- it sticks out a LOT.  I think the ONLY way to accommodate this setup would be the Simple Wishes tie-back bra so you could leave enough room in the band to hold everything against you.

Second impression...wow!  I turned my Medela Symphony on Let Down 5 as I normally do and didn't feel much.  Bumped it up to Let Down 8 and it felt just like Let Down 5 normally!  I got good suction and no leaks as the long part of the flange was deep enough inside the Freemie for the milk to collect as normal.  Color me SHOCKED, I advised people not to get their hopes up, but I do think it's a possibly (but awkward) set up.

3)  Milk collection.  Freemie states "Freemie Collection Cups feature two 8-oz concealable collection cups (16-oz capacity total) for hands-free double pumping." (it's right under Add to Cart- http://www.freemie.com/freemie-collection-cups/medela/medela-25mm).  I'm going to have to disagree with that one, Freemie.

This was harder to experiment but basically I measured out water and added it to the cups and then put them back on and tried to pump to evaluate suction as the valve gets covered.  I'm happy to say that they did not leak where the two halves of the cup connect which is a worry I have (they connect like tupperware).

Now, look at your boobs and think about how the Freemie would be positioned.  Mostly upright, correct?  I held these against my boobs and then kept them steady as I moved them out and photographed the water level.

This is 4 ounces.  At this point, suction stopped, and no more water would go down the valve, even with the pump on.  This absolutely seems like the "overfill" line to me.  I went back and checked to see if Freemie said "8oz total" and I misread.  Nope.  There is water in the tube where you nipple goes in this photo.  It literally would not go down into the cup.

I could not fill them with 8 oz unless I lay them down flat, filled, snapped on the top, and lifted them upright, at which most of the extra ounces leaked out the collection hole.  Seriously.  How does Freemie say that these hold 8 ounces each?  

I am considering one more experiment in the morning when I regularly pump 9 oz from one boob alone but I don't want to waste any breast milk, so we'll see if I am brave enough to try.

The Freemie System for use with Medela- review

Today I got my Freemie system for my pump.   I use a Medela Symphony with 27 mm shields in the house and a PISA when out and about.  I got the Freemie in size 28 mm for $49.95 here.  You can also buy kits for use with the Ameda Purely Yours or the Philips Avent Twin Electric.  The Medela kit works with the Symphony, Lactina, and PISA.

I noticed something interesting right away- on their website it looks like the tubes go down along your belly.  Well, the tubes actually come out of the top of the cups.  Trying to run them down is possible but they will kind of stick up right above your boob which is kind of awkward.

The cup itself is where the milk collects, around the valve.  It just pops off and has a flat bottom (or front, when it's on your boob) so you can lay it down.  You are supposed to pour into a bottle after pumping.

Here you can see the cup in my left hand and the valve/tube/etc on the right.

This is how the valve and tubing are positioned when in use- tubing up, valve pointed down.

The tubing just slides into a little tunnel.  I was worried that it wouldn't be all that secure but it seems ok.

i.need.a.manicure.

So, the Medela kit!  At first I thought nothing was in the box and got nervous.  The cups, an extra valve, and 4 tubes (2 extra, obviously) were easy to identify but the Medela kit?  It's this.  This little pointy thing.  You stick it into the other end of the Freemie's tube and then stick your pump's tube into that instead of into the Medela connector/flange part.

Again, I was worried about it being secure and if it could possibly generate a good suction.

I was also worried about losing them.  Freemie included one extra for a total of 3.

Ok, onto wearing the cups!

Here I am wearing the freemie cup on the boob closest to the camera and holding the Medela cup to the boob further from the camera.  The freemie is large, but it doesn't hang down like the Medela bottle does.  This makes it easier if you have a laptop on your lap, or you're holding/feeding your baby, etc.

Here's from the other side.  Medela closest to camera, Freemie on the boob further from camera.

Here's a view from above.  Nothing in the left boob, Freemie on the right boob.  See the tube?

Now on to suction.

One thing that really bothers me is that the cups are pretty frosted.  I can't see inside them.  I have no idea how much milk is in there and even if I could see the line at the top of the liquid there are no measurements on the cups.

When hooked up to the Symphony the suction felt the same as it does with my Medela cups.  I normally pump until I don't see milk coming out any more.  Since that's not an option, I pumped for 15 minutes and got 8.25 oz.  Normally I get 4.5-6.25 oz this time of day.  While that seems like a good increase, overall I'm down 1.25 oz from this time the day before and I just recently got my period back which can mess with your supply.  I'd need more than one use to really get an idea of how much milk these are able to get, but it really is a pain to not be able to measure as you are pumping or see if the milk is spraying out or not.  Since I cycle back to the Letdown setting when the milk stops, and do that 2-3 times each session, it really is making me question if I want to use these long term.

Bottom line:

I *really* wanted to love the Freemie cups.  I do think that they work OK as far as suction, but the sizes are different than Medela sizing, so guessing your size is just that, a guess.  I think I did ok, but time will tell.

Pros:

They felt comfortable but I think I got lucky in guessing my size right.

The suction seemed the same as using my typical Medela parts.  I did let down quickly and pump more than I normally do this time of day.

These *are* less noticeable than the Medela parts, but see cons for an expansion on this statement.

Because they don't hang down in the slightest, let alone to nearly your hips as the Medela bottles do when sitting, you can hold your baby, get closer to your table/desk/laptop, or drive easier.  I drive while pumping a LOT so this is a big deal.


Cons:

The frosted plastic means you can't see if you are spraying milk or how much milk is in there.  There is no way to measure how much milk you've pumped.  You really can't even see your nipple to see if it's positioned correctly.

They are NOT unobtrusive.  Maybe under looser clothes they would be.  I'm thinking a giant sweatshirt?  Lol.  You will show less skin than even a hands free bra because you can have your shirt completely over your boobs.  Again this means you can't see what is going on.

The tubes don't really attach to any parts and it seems like the Medela connector part would get lost easily.

I'm worried that I wouldn't get the cups completely snapped together and leak/spill milk if they are cracked open or even pop apart.

Since the milk is collected in the cup I wonder what happens when you completely cover the valve?  The nipple opening?  etc.  (with milk, that is).


UPDATED AFTER 2ND USE:

I've had some questions and some more picture requests that I'll update on here-

1)  The Medela connectors plug directly into your tubes.  I guess technically the tubes from my Symphony plug into the connectors, not the other way around.  I did not notice any suction issues at this part.  When I noticed less suction in my left boob it was fixed by pushing the tube that comes out of the cup in deeper.

2) I absolutely worry that these will stretch out my bra, but while it's not stretched out, it does hold them nice and snug against my chest.

3)  Please understand this is a cell phone pic but this should give you a rough idea of how well (or not well...) that you can see inside the cups as you pump.  I can see my nipple expanding so I know it's in the right space.  I can't see the milk expressing.  I can kind of see the line of the milk gathering in the cup.

You can see the milk much better when you take the cup all the way off.  Again, no measurements.  For the record this was about 3 oz.

4)  Pouring can be tricky.  The cup itself lays flat on it's "front" and the "top (this is the part against your boobs) snaps off.  I used the little notch for the tube as kind of a spout to pour into the bottle.

5)  It had been 2 hours since my last pump.  I generally pump 3-6 oz at a time and it varies, but towards the lower end when it's only been two hours.  I normally only need to pump for 10-15 minutes during the day.

I pumped for 15 minutes and from both cups combined got just under 4.5 oz.  

I then attached my normal Medela flanges and pumped for 15 more minutes.  Guess what, I was almost empty already!

6)  This is a terrible picture.  I will try to have a family member take better ones later.   This is me holding my baby in a cradle position with the pumps on and working.  Normally the Medela bottles dangle right where his body would go, so this was MUCH better!  Holding him upright against my shoulder was fine for me but I worry that it was uncomfortable for him so I kind of had him to the side.

7)  The cups themselves feel very secure, but if my bra was stretched out I'm not sure I'd feel the same.  I was able to stand up and pick up my baby from the cradle but I squatted down rather than bending over to do so.  I also lay down on the couch on my side, torso leaning over the arm of the couch, legs bent on the couch...this is an awful description, isn't it?  I'll get some pics.  I didn't have a problem with leaking.  I do worry that the back and front of the cup will randomly unsnap.  They snap together like tupperware.

8)  As to car pumping, I realized that with the Medela bottles at least I can just take them off and slap a cap on them.  These would have to be poured into a bottle, so you're bringing these AND bottles and figure out how to pour while parked in your car.  I guess you could wear them inside wherever you are going and find a table or counter to unload onto but that would depend on how comfortable you are walking in with these on your chest.


Will update more as I continue to use these.

Make your own All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO)

I've been nursing for a little over two months and the pain of breastfeeding hasn't completely gone away.  I also seem to be prone to mild thrush, though I have been good at keeping the baby unaffected.   The other day I got ANOTHER blister and decided to look into getting Dr. Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment prescribed.

The RX info is here- http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=76:all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno&Itemid=17

My insurance doesn't cover it and the out of pocket price is $85.  The pharmacist showed me the over-the-counter versions of the 3 ingredients and told me to mix equal parts and store in a jar.  If you are prone to thrush, blisters, or general nipple pain, this is recommended and you only use a tiny bit.  They say a tiny bit is OK but I still wipe off before breastfeeding cause it can't taste pleasant and I'm still not sure about the steroid part for a baby.



You need- an antibiotic ointment, a steroid, and an anti-fungal.  That's actually pretty easy to infer from the RX link but I never thought of trying to DIY it til she suggested it.  I found the little jars in the "trial and travel size" section for 99 cents.

I just stuck equal parts in a small bowl (I used all of the antibiotic ointment and while the cortisone on the bottom looks like more, it's wider but shorter than the other two) and mixed them all together.



Using all of the antibiotic and matching parts of the other two, it filled both jars perfectly!  Showing jar sizing-ignore my awful (lack of) manicure!



Then just for fun and identification I cut two breast feeding awareness stickers with my Cameo.

I hope this helps someone else out there!  Hang in there!

Healthier Lactation Cookies- Lactation Cookie Recipe #3

So the last two recipes I posted for lactation cookies are delicious, but the jury is out on effectiveness at the moment.  This recipe, I saw an increase right away in my breast milk BUT you are going to spend more $ on ingredients and the cookies are not as yummy.  Maybe that's good, I won't overeat them, that's for sure.  This also only makes around half the cookies compared to the other recipes.

Ingredients:

·         1 cup coconut flour

·         1/2 cup virgin coconut oil

·         1/2 cup brown sugar

·         2 tablespoons flax seed meal

·         2 tablespoons of water

·         2 eggs

·         1 tablespoon vanilla extract

·         1 teaspoon cinnamon

·         1/4 cup of Brewer's Yeast

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1 & 1/2 cups steel cut oats (NOT instant oats)

·         1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the flax seed and water together in a small bowl and set aside for now.

Cream together coconut oil and brown sugar.  Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.

Add coconut flour, cinnamon, brewer's yeast, and salt.  Mix well.

Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Roll into balls (again, I use the OK symbol with my thumb and pointer finger and make balls about the size of the empty circle) and place onto a silicon baking sheet.  Smash them flat a little- these will not spread out like other cookies.

Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on your oven.

Make about 36 cookies.

Results-  Well, the day I made these, I ate about 9 (they are very small) and it was my best producing day ever, up just under 2 oz from the day before and also the day before that.  The 2nd day, I only ate 6, and am back down to where I was in the days before eating these.  They are somewhat dry and crumbly, stay in their ball shape after baking, and very, very not-sweet.  You will taste the Brewer's Yeast, but, if you do the math, 1/4 cup of Brewer's Yeast in 36 cookies is less than 1/2 teaspoon per cookie, and it's one of the main things to help your milk supply.  I don't find the taste bad, though some of you certainly will, but I also won't snack on these like I do the other recipes.

Updated results:  While I was still working on this post, on day 3 after making these cookies, I woke up with a small lump that turned into a full fledged clog by noon.  After LOTS of time with a heat pack, my pump and Lecithin pills, I think it's out, but if you've ever had a clog you know that the pain lasts for a few days after it's gone.  At least it's not Mastitis, I suppose.  I NEVER get clogs since starting a Lecithin regime, so I'm wondering if it's these cookies causing a slight increase and me not getting all the milk out as a result.  I will be getting into my breastfeeding regime later.

Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies- Lactation Cookie Recipe #2

So yesterday I shared my first lactation cookie recipe, made with M&Ms.  This recipe is pretty much the same but made with chocolate chips instead.  The difference is in the sweetness.  I feel like the M&Ms really made the cookie overwhelming and since due to the brewer's yeast this is a less sweet cookie in general, that's alarming.

Take note, tomorrow I'll post a healthier version of a lactation cookie, at least, compared to this recipe and yesterday's recipe.

I'll go ahead with results before I get into the recipe & photo this time, since it's very similar.  I could easily eat 10 of these cookies per day.  They are delicious.  However, any slight increase in breast milk did not require me to continue taking them to maintain, so I'm not really sure if they *really* were doing anything.  On the other hand, I haven't gotten into my whole arsenal of breast feeding tricks yet, so what you don't know is that I pretty much have oversupply and did it to myself on purpose so I can pump lots and wean earlier, plus not stress about milk supply.  You may see a noticeable increase if your supply is low.  I mean, there must be a reason the recipes are so enduring.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons flax seed meal (found at GNC.  Alternative- buy flax seed and stick it in your food processor)
1/4 cup water
1 cup butter1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/4 cup brewer's yeast (found at GNC.  NO OTHER TYPE OF YEAST!)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix water and flax seed meal into a small bowl and set aside for the moment.

Cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.

Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.

Add flax seed meal mixture and mix well.

Add flour, brewer's yeast, baking soda, and salt.  Some like to mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  I like to do less dishes so I just throw it all into the mixer bowl with the wet ingredients.  Mix well.

Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Form and set on baking sheets.  I don't really have a set size, in general the little dough balls are around the size of the hole when I put my pointer finger to my thumb and make a circle, like making the "OK" sign.  

I bake on silicone sheets for about 15 minutes in an electric oven.  From owning a gas oven previously I know to remind you that your oven may be different and keep an eye on your cookies the first time you make them.

Recipe makes about 50 cookies.

M&M Lactation Cookies- Lactation Cookie Recipe #1

I have a whole thing planned around breastfeeding and pumping, but as I'm only 8 weeks post partum, I'm still trying out a lot of stuff.

One thing I love to do to help is make lactation cookies.  I don't know if my supply is increasing because that's just what happens when you consistently empty your breasts, because of my supplementation, or both.

Regardless, I like lactation cookies.  They are yummy, they have some things in them that are good for you, and they certainly don't hurt supply.  The cons, well, they are cookies.  I will be posting some other recipes and tweaks to make them healthier in the coming days but in the meantime, enjoy a cookie, moms!  You deserve it.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons flax seed meal (found at GNC.  Alternative- buy flax seed and stick it in your food processor)
1/4 cup water
1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/4 cup brewer's yeast (found at GNC.  NO OTHER TYPE OF YEAST!)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats
2 cups M&Ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix water and flax seed meal into a small bowl and set aside for the moment.

Cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar.

Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix well.

Add flax seed meal mixture and mix well.

Add flour, brewer's yeast, baking soda, and salt.  Some like to mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  I like to do less dishes so I just throw it all into the mixer bowl with the wet ingredients.  Mix well.

Stir in oats and M&Ms.

Form and set on baking sheets.  I don't really have a set size, in general the little dough balls are around the size of the hole when I put my pointer finger to my thumb and make a circle, like making the "OK" sign.  I bake on silicone sheets for about 15 minutes in an electric oven.  From owning a gas oven previously I know to remind you that your oven may be different and keep an eye on your cookies the first time you make them.

Recipe makes about 50 cookies.

Results:

Well, they are delicious, but almost too sweet with the M&Ms, which is why the next recipe I'll share will have something else.  My supply steadily increase small amounts daily while eating (6-8 per day.../hides) but continued to increase after as well, so I don't know if I can give cookies all the credit.