If you’ve ever used a breast pump that’s required you to hold the breast shields in place for an entire pumping session (not even able to scroll social media – eugh!), then you’ll understand my excitement when I discovered there’s a way to pump hands free with the Spectra S1 without spending even more money on an overpriced pumping bra.
That’s right – this might just be the best mum hack you’ll ever come across! Okay, potentially a slight exaggeration, but giving a busy mum use of both hands while expressing milk is definitely game changing in my books.
“So how do I do it?” you ask – simple! All you need is a nursing bra which, if you’re breastfeeding, you likely already own.
Here is a step by step guide:
- Put your nursing bra on as per usual.
- Unhook each cup as if you were getting ready to feed.
- Put one of your breast shields over your nipple – make sure you’ve aligned it correctly (your nipple should be directly in the centre of the shield).
- While using one hand to keep the shield in place, grab the hook of your cup and bring it across the shield (as if you are wrapping the cup around it) and hook it back in.
For example, on your right boob you would bring the cup across to the left side of the shield and then clip it back into its usual spot. - Repeat this step on the other side.
- Before turning on the pump, ensure the shields are still sitting correctly and adjust them if needs be.
- Turn the pump on and hold the shields for the first few seconds to ensure they stay in place while the suction is doing its thang.
- Enjoy your hands free pumping session – sit back, relax, scroll social media and have a cup of tea… or in reality, you’ll probably be using those busy hands to keep bub happy #mumlife.