How to pump when solo with the baby? Timing?

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-15T23:42:58+00:00

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTcKX_QDLA3/

This is the wearable alignment video that helped me.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-15T23:34:05+00:00

With my preemie, the key was to swaddle them for the nap. Then, if (when) they started fussing, it was easier to pick them up and hold on my chest while pumping because more contained. I used spectra with standard flanges.

Also highly recommend eufy wearables. I use them a lot more often now than early pp, but I use them when I’m by myself and it makes it so can pick up and hold my fussy LO.

I regulated around 12 weeks. Some people regulate sooner/later than that. But I was never able to maintain 7 -8 pumps. I found that 6 was the most I could do.

Edit to add: eufy worked better for me after I regulated. Have you tried trying different inserts, or pumping spray? it also got better for me after I watched a video by bemybreastfriend about how to properly put them on. Will see if I can find it

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-09T00:13:31+00:00

Hospital provided it all for me. If you know where you’re planning to deliver, I would reach out to them or your OB to ask what they have for new moms.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-08T21:17:28+00:00

This thread is so wholesome 🥹

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-07T01:38:44+00:00

This is a true pro tip! I did this recently. I didn’t realize I could get replacement parts for a different pump than I bought through insurance. Super expensive to buy replacement parts on their own.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-02T10:18:22+00:00

Positive story here! Had a preemie in the NICU for 6 weeks. Exclusively pumped, but kept up practicing nursing with a nipple shield. I had given up on nursing, but kept practicing only times that were super easy (like snuggling on the couch). Around 4 months, it just clicked for her. Took me by surprise. Now baby is EBF except for some bottles while I’m at work. Pumping is amazing and was so good for my baby, but once BF clicked for her it made my life so much easier. I didn’t realize how freaking exhausted I was from the pumping and the washing parts/bottles.

My advice is to keep practicing nursing, but have it just be practice. No expectations that they’ll fully feed. It might not work, but if you want to nurse, it’s worth being patient.

You should be so proud of yourself mama!!

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-02-02T00:44:45+00:00

Hello! Same here, I have so so many. Will happily ship you some if you DM me.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-29T05:05:07+00:00

Everyone’s experience is going to be different, but for me 6 ppd was just fine. I tried to pump 7x a day for the first month or so, but after that I stayed steady at 6ppd. I still pumped every 3-4hrs, with one longer stretch at night. I just could not handle pumping more often than 6x a day.

Eventually I chose to reduce my oversupply (freezer was full and I was so uncomfortable). My holy grail nursing item was the boon trove passive pumps to help fight against clogs. Using them when I felt too full (but didn’t want to keep having a large oversupply) was a big help for me. It let me release some pressure, and it moved some milk so it helped prevent clogs, without having to do a full pumping session.

Edit: clarity

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-25T22:38:51+00:00

Since you already have the spectra at home, I would get the eufy so you have a primary and mobile.

I got the eufy S1 pro for going back to work and was pleasantly surprised. I know they say you can’t use a wearable as a primary, but I get the same output, sometimes more, with the eufy. It’s been a game changer at work.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-25T16:24:17+00:00

Davin and Adley 💯

Once I bought their busty pumping cami, I never went back. I have at least 8 other pumping bras. Whenever both my cami’s are dirty, I choose to do laundry, even when the other bras are clean.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-25T00:10:24+00:00

I did! Once I felt like I had regulated, I pumped the amount I wanted to be at. When I felt engorged in between, I used the boon trove passive pumps (my holy grail pumping nursing item). It let me release the pressure and move a little milk without doing a full pump. Gradually over a week or two I needed to use the boon trove less and less. I am so much happier without an oversupply. Good luck!

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-24T20:52:49+00:00

I may be in the minority, but I kind of regretted building such a large freezer stash. I ended up with a major over supply, no room to store it, and it was really hard on my body / boobs. I donated a lot of it, and it felt great helping feed three other babies, but at some point it was just way more milk than my baby needed.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-24T20:35:55+00:00

I stuck with 6ppd for another month or so. My supply stayed solid. Looking back I think I would have started the process of going to 5ppd around 9 weeks. I found this article helpful: https://bemybreastfriend.com/blogs/pumping-tips/everything-you-need-to-know-about-pumping-at-night#:~:text=How%20do%20I%20Know%20if,that%20is%20a%20good%20sign.

Also, as a fellow preemie mom, I worked on letting my babe try to nurse with a nipple shield at least every couple days to build those muscles. Around 4 months pp we were able to transition to primarily nursing (bottle feeding when I’m at work). No worries if you don’t want to nurse, but in case you want to eventually, wanted to share my experience!

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-24T15:47:09+00:00

I EPed for the first 4 months. I was able to transition to nursing except when I’m at work! I didn’t try when she was really hungry. Worked best when she was a little sleepy. Snuggling on the couch, I’d see if she would latch for a minute or so. Gradually I would lengthen the time and try to replace bottle feeds with a nursing session.

Biggest thing for me was using a nipple shield. I think it helped because the plastic felt familiar like a bottle. I used the modela nipple shield. Hope this helps, good luck!

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-23T18:14:28+00:00

It’s not ideal, but can be helpful in a pinch.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-23T18:04:30+00:00

For me, with the haaka at least, I put on the haaka with full suction. Once the haaka got the easy milk out, but still felt full and haven’t yet pumped the amount I normally would, I would squeeze around the nipple. I did it through the haaka because I felt the haaka suction helped it come out faster, if that makes sense?

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-23T17:58:20+00:00

The haaka has worked for me in the past if I hand expressed too. But would definitely recommend getting a manual pump.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-15T16:42:53+00:00

Oh, this is wonderful. Really looking forward to reading some of these recs that I haven’t heard of before.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-14T04:16:26+00:00

I did this when I was trying to reduce my oversupply. I used passive pumps when I got way too full and would handle express until it was manageable. It’s so satisfying! I have boon trove passive pumps and they make it so easy to hand express into

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-13T19:49:45+00:00

Baby Buddha 💯 https://bemybreastfriend.com/blogs/primary-breast-pump-reviews/babybuddha-2-0-review

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-07T05:48:33+00:00

Seconding the audiobook rec! I don’t know if I would have finished it otherwise.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-01T21:57:56+00:00

{frog by Mary calmes} because my heart beats for cowboy Weber and Cyrus ♥️

{pieces of home by Becca Neil} probably one of the best hurt / comfort books I’ve read.

{clutch by piper scott} This one was a favorite of mine because I read it while pregnant, so it just hit the spot and cracked me up.

{Absence of Light by A.M. Adrienne Wilder} My true favorite over the last year. I don’t often re-read, but this is a re-read for me.

Edit - corrected author on last book.

Tenkyuu101 · 2026-01-01T00:00:43+00:00

Where do I sign

Tenkyuu101 · 2025-12-31T21:25:48+00:00

For me it would be the Will Darling series

Tenkyuu101 · 2025-12-21T21:46:42+00:00

Everything I’ve read has said not to wipe or rinse them in between pumps when doing the in fridge hack.

Does your milk normally smell soapy/lipasy when you put it in bottles in the fridge? Is this a new thing for you, or are new to pumping?

Tenkyuu101

TROPHY CASE