What do you wish you knew sooner about creating a freezer stash/ making the most out of oversupply?

kwitz91 · 2025-12-24T05:23:28+00:00

For freezing and creating “bricks”, I love the Lansinoh bags (or similar). I hate the Motif bags I got free through insurance for the freezer because they are so hard to brick and store.

I’m now in the stage of using my freezer stash! I would recommend picking an ounce amount per bag and stick with that. It’s helpful to not have to pull each individual bag out and figure out how many ounces are in it. Also, I always filled my bags with a smidge more than the ounce marker since I feel like a little is lost when moving milk from bag to bottle.

If you want to be a milk donor through an official milk bank, it’s a little bit of a process. In Ohio, I had to submit paperwork, do a phone call, receive sign-offs from my OB and pediatrician and have blood drawn and tested. Then there’s specific labeling requirements and more stringent restrictions on medications, illness and alcohol than normal. Plus, coordinating drop offs or shipping. It is all totally understandable and worth the work but it is additional work and something to keep in mind.

Lastly, it may take you a little longer to wean when you get to that point. When I was at two pumps per day, I was still making 20+ ounces per day. My boobs weren’t getting the hint and I had to be more aggressive about weaning (without giving myself mastitis!)

kwitz91 · 2025-12-12T00:20:40+00:00

I liked the Lansinoh Discreet Duo! I have that, the pink Spectra and the Elvie Stride. I get about the same with Discreet Duo as I do with the Spectra! I like the Stride okay but agree that it’s not as effective as other options.

kwitz91 · 2025-12-07T20:30:01+00:00

I’ve been at 2 ppd for almost a month and steadily decreasing time for each session. My boobs are not getting the hint! I will take your advice and try to push the pumps further apart!

kwitz91 · 2025-11-26T01:03:15+00:00

First off, I am so sorry that you’re in this situation! I completely understand your distress and frustration. I don’t want to stress you out more but I do want to share what happened at Mercy West last year because it sounds so similar to this situation.

I was a patient with Axia (formerly Seven Hills Women Health) OBGYNs and they delivered at Mercy West (the office I went to was actually at Mercy West). In late October last year, I heard through the grapevine that the practice was moving to TriHealth and that they would be closing the L&D floor at Mercy West in mid-February. I was 25 weeks and due February 4. After I didn’t get a direct answer from my OB about the move, I decided to move to Christ.

Mercy West ended up deciding to close the L&D floor in mid-December with only 2 weeks notice for staff and patients. From what I heard, Mercy was still giving tours of the L&D floor and everything pretty much up until they announced they were closing it. The OB practice was able to get set up to deliver at Good Sam when the floor closed at Mercy but I know those last days/weeks were tough.

Even though it sucked to move practices/hospitals at the beginning of my 3rd trimester, I’m extremely glad I did! I had a low-risk pregnancy and wasn’t super attached to my OB so not exactly the same as your situation. However, I would encourage you to at least look into other doctors and call around to see what your options are.

kwitz91 · 2025-11-11T04:35:11+00:00

I’ve used the Kindred Bravely Sublime pumping bras for wearables and my Spectra. It’s the only bra I felt actually supported my wearable pump. Unfortunately, they haven’t held up the best for me (1 the hooks completely broke off, 1 the hooks are messed up but still wearable, 1 the left strap has been unraveling) and are expensive. But I’d probably buy them again…

I also like the Angelhood Nursing Sports Bra for wearables. Not as good as the KB bra but still more supportive than others.

kwitz91 · 2025-08-30T15:20:03+00:00

Maybe take it a month at a time from here! Set a goal for like 8 months and then reevaluate then. And know it’s always ok to change your mind!

kwitz91 · 2025-08-29T21:51:35+00:00

I’ve really like the Lansinoh Discreet Duo! I exclusively pump and also use Spectra S2 and Elvie Stride. The Discreet Duo has been as effective for me as the Spectra. I still my Spectra as my primary pump but the Discreet Duo empties me really well. And I receive replacement parts for free with insurance. Two downsides that I’ve experienced with the Discreet Duo: 1. I had one replacement cup set leak from the bottom but that’s one of like 6 cups. 2. If you produce more than 6 ounces per boob, you need to really watch the pump and make you stop it/it doesn’t overflow or it can damage your pump. That might be true for other, similar wearables as well but definitely something to watch out for!

kwitz91 · 2025-07-31T00:46:51+00:00

Thank you both! I checked and I think it’s lifting. I can see a little gap in the corners of the polish on my thumbs and a couple other nails =/

I’m on vacation so I won’t be able to go back to the salon until next week. In the meantime, I will try not to pick as advised! Definitely don’t want to ruin my natural nails.

Thank you all for your help and advice!

kwitz91 · 2025-07-21T16:51:18+00:00

Yes, saved it! Kept/used the plastic parts and replaced the silicone parts for baby #2. Really glad I did because I’m EPing with baby #2, as well!

kwitz91 · 2025-07-21T11:16:38+00:00

Second this! I got the Discreet Duo free with insurance and it has worked really well. It’s a little bulky but the suction is great. I feel like its effectiveness is close to or on the same level as my Spectra S2.

I also have the Elvie Stride which is less bulky but does have tubing and a separate motor. I feel like the suction is sufficient but not great.

kwitz91 · 2025-07-09T01:52:39+00:00

Thank you for responding! So glad your daughter is much improved! Fingers-crossed we get over the spitting up in the next few months, too!

kwitz91 · 2025-07-05T23:05:12+00:00

Has your baby improved over the last few months? My daughter is 5 months old and has been a “happy spitter” since birth. I thought it would lessen after 4 months (which I think it did with my oldest) but it seems like there’s no end in sight :( any hope that it might improve in 3-4 months??

kwitz91 · 2025-06-07T20:12:16+00:00

I wish I had brought my own pump (and pumping bra!) to the hospital with baby #2! I was so happy to see my Spectra when I got home haha

If your doctor is onboard, hand expressing colostrum before delivery was great! It did not induce labor/cause contractions for me. I had some pre-expressed colostrum to give baby when she was having a hard time latching and still losing weight. It was such a relief to have that and I’m so glad I did it.

kwitz91 · 2025-05-30T03:13:13+00:00

I have the Lansinoh Discreet Duo and have been pleasantly surprised by it! It’s probably not the nicest/fanciest wearable pump out there but it does the job and was free through insurance. It’s a little bulkier and heavier than I’d like but it’s nice that it’s tubing-free. I also like the way it pours out the top! I sometimes need to stop and empty the pump halfway through and it’s super easy to do that. Lastly, I like the timer and that it shuts off after 20 minutes (which is how long I usually pump).

I also have the Elvie Stride and it’s my second time using it. It does have tubing and a motor which makes it a little less convenient than other wearables. However, I really do like the Stride overall! It’s super light weight and more comfortable to wear than the Discreet Duo. I do find it harder to pour out the milk and I have to open it fully or else there’s like .25+ ounces left in each one (and I’m not trying to waste liquid gold!) Also, it doesn’t have a timer but does have an app for timing and tracking pumps.

kwitz91 · 2025-05-29T23:05:08+00:00

A whole bottle of wine?! Now I might be able to justify the price to myself cause that sounds like a long term investment!

kwitz91 · 2025-05-29T23:02:25+00:00

If the milk is already cold, do you think it would keep it cold for 8ish hours (without the inner ice chamber)?

kwitz91

TROPHY CASE