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I posted this the other day for someone else, and I wanted to share it with you too! Some of these tips will be echoing PPs here.

"Exclusive pumper here. First, have a huge bowl of oatmeal (real, whole oats) and throw in a bunch of flaxseed.

Try taking the max dose of fenugreek/blessed thistle. You should see a difference in 24-48 hours. Fenugreek Seed Extract & Blessed Thistle Lactation Supplement By Breast & Baby

Make yourself some broth-y soup with good veggies and protein and add in a few generous scoops of this Solgar – Brewer’s Yeast Powder and drink a Guinness or your favorite milk stout with it. Eat the soup as much as you want!

Seriously, about 120 oz of water a day or more. And I agree with the massaging your breast tip. Massage your breasts toward the end of a session to ensure you empty as much as possible. This will help prevent clogging as well! Mess around with your pump settings and don't hurt yourself, but sometimes for me I need stronger suction to see good production. Try to pump until you feel empty, and do so every 2 to 2.5 hours."

In addition to all this, definitely try power pumping. I'd say replace two of your normal sessions in a day with power sessions. If baby's hungry during that time, don't be afraid to give an ounce or two of formula. If you don't have more milk the next day after this, try it again if you can but maybe only do it for one session. Try having a hot shower prior to pumping and place really warm/hot towels on your breasts while you begin your session. For some people, looking at cute pictures and videos while you pump helps, but for me I needed to completely distract myself with a book/show/video game to be able to not stress out about it. Stress is one of the biggest things that gets in the way of the body being able to produce. I know it's tough! Again, make sure you are drinking/eating enough. My supply tanks when I don't eat (or try to diet) so have a big burger and some fries and have another beer with it. It's all good for production! Think about how your normal system works, the more you drink, the more you pee! Lol. It's the same with breastmilk!

Be gentle with yourself during this time. You're still in early days! Your body is still learning. Make sure you take care of those nipples, rub a couple drops of breastmilk on them after you pump and let it air dry, then follow with coconut oil or lanolin cream. You can also rub coconut oil inside the flanges before you pump.

If you have any other questions in regards to pumping please let me know!!

Edit: I also have a really slow letdown and flow, and I usually have to pump for about 45 minutes. I haven't figured this out yet, it might just be my body! To be clear make sure you wait at least 2 hours from the end of your pumping session not the beginning. Everyone says "you should only pump for this long, this much a day" but your body is unique and it'll do what it can!

Also, you don't really need to wash your pump parts after every time. Breastmilk is fine to sit out at room temp for up to 8 hours! Same idea for bottles, baby can use the same one for multiple feedings.

Don't stress too much. It does get easier. I now only pump 4 times a day to get what he needs per 24 hours. The first part of breastfeeding is soooo hard. You will get through this! ❤

First of all, don't panic!! The Spectra is a great pump and you're going to do great.

If you're going to pump in an office, a minifridge is AWESOME. Stores my milk and pump parts during the day, plus during the early days when I was starving all the time I had it loaded with yogurts, string cheese, etc. I just keep my pump parts in a gallon bag in there during the day and wash them each night. I use a fresh gallon bag each day although that might be wasteful/OCD of me.

I use this bag to carry my milk home.

I used to use these wipes for my pump parts in between every session, but have gotten a little less anal about it over time and with fewer pump sessions at work. (Edit to add: I'd recommend getting some for road trips too because they can be used to wipe down high chairs, tables, etc.)

I use Nuk bags and like them better than Lansinoh because they're a little more square and thus easier to store in my deep freezer bins.

Medela lanolin is amazing. It has some additives that make it a little softer and thus easier to put on, which is key when your nipples hurt. At 9mo out I'm still using it on days when baby gets chompy, but YMMV on that front.

A spare set of parts is essential, or alternatively, a hand pump you can use as a backup. If you're not sure about flange size (and idk if you really can be until you're actually pumping), gift cards to a store that sells pumping supplies would be super helpful.

Good luck!!

No problem! Also this is the pumping bra I love: Pump Strap Hands-Free Pumping Bra Adjustable Breast Pump Bra https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G2FOVQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AKnCzbATD8Z3D

I was going to buy this and a more traditional one to compare, but I loved this one so much I just bought a second one instead. So I can't comment on the more traditional type. This one is soft, totally adjustable, easy to wash, and allows for hands on pumping (breast compressions). Supposedly you can also breastfeed while pumping a single side, but I haven't been that adventurous yet!

Please feel free to ask me any questions, now or in the future. Due to some medical issues with LO, he had to be bottle fed his first 3.5 weeks, so I had to become a pumping master much quicker than anticipated. He's breastfeeding now thankfully, but I go back to work in 4 weeks, so I've got to get pumping again! Good luck!

When I initially got my pump to get a little supply for when grandparents or anyone watch LO and eventually when I go back to work I was keen on getting the spectra as I had heard they work great and I had been struggling with my insurance provided medela pump for too long. In comparison to that rubbish - definitely the best upgrade ever (I got as much in that as a haakaa).

We ended up going with the spectra2 as I saw it had a timer and light and I was like...how handy! Plus that's the one sold now throug spectra so cool. What I didn't figure was that they removed the portable aspect that the spectra1 had. Wasnt a dealbreaker as it worked so much better and I was thrilled to actually build a decent stash...but I was still a bit sad I was always plugged into a wall. If baby cried I'd unhook myself to go tend to her. Or even just to sit in the middle of a room. And the cords wrap on everything. But ok I made due.

However - my DH "fixed" my spectra as an early valentine's gift! I am so happy! Pumped while playing with LO on her playmat this evening ...which was always too far from the wall before. Had to move and get something....just took the pump with! For anyone who has the spectra2 and loves the added features but wants the added luxury of the portableness of #1....highly recommend!

for those curious how he made it portable: we used a 12V battery. the same power supply as the Milwaukee drill (am sure any drill that uses a 12V battery would work). And the adaptors is from a heated coat I have that uses the same battery source, but is available for $7 on Amazon as well (apparently it is a Male on 2 ends for a cord??? Attached a link below if interested). My DH figured it would work as it's both 12V and it definitely did. Just pumped one side while nursing LO on the other this evening and the battery is still full (which I heard was an issue with spectra1, so that's even more awesome).

Anyways, if anyone else was sad about being cord-bound, wanted to share my happy present!!

Valley Enterprises® 1 Foot Male to Male 2.1mm x 5.5mm Plug DC Power Adapter Cable 18GA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DX72UXW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_To5yCbBHPWSBT

And just a power drill 12V battery that you can recharge similar to: https://www.walmart.com/ip/New-Power-tool-Battery-For-Milwaukee-M12-12V-12-Volt-48-11-2401-Lithium-Ion-48-59-2401-M12-30-Min/340712126

I cannot agree more. I got the Medela parts from the hospital and a friend lent me her adapters. I think the Medela parts are easier to use and clean, they're much more versatile, bottles fit better, and replacement parts are cheaper and easier to find. I found the Spectra parts bigger, clunkier, and harder to get used to. So yes--Spectra pump, Medela parts+adapter.

Found on Amazon for $8. Maymom Flange Adapter for Spectra S1 Pumps, Spectra S2 Pump; Connects Between Breastshield and Spectra Backflow Protector (Maymom Flange Adapter (White)) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072LV9Q61/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Mv8RDbAB5QCX6

I'd recommend getting something like this to keep your milk cool during transport, with an ice pack: http://www.amazon.com/Playtex-Fridge-To-Go-Bottle-Holder-Double/dp/B000K53U7K/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1382731816&sr=8-14&keywords=medela+cooler

I also have really enjoyed having my storage kit http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Breastmilk-Storage-Solution-Set/dp/B006R3KBYO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382731895&sr=8-1&keywords=breastmilk+storage+kit

My pump came with a battery pack too... I've used it three times but I would have been in a huge bind without it http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Pump-Style-Original-Battery/dp/B000HL2JOC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382731932&sr=8-1&keywords=medela+breastpump+battery+pack

I also have different sized shields than the ones it came with. I also keep a pack of these with me just in case the pump doesn't seem to be working as well as normal http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Six-Membranes-Set-1/dp/B0001CTZ8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382732151&sr=8-1&keywords=medela+membranes

This is the best one ever
Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra, Patented, Soft Pink, XS-Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00295MQLU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5KKIAbSGEWVYK

You can buy these and use with your current pump.

Freemie Collection Cups The Only Hands Free and Concealable Breast Pump Milk Collection System, Clear, 25/28 mm Funnels https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UV6JDN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jUHoDbKZWJ5NT

This was my favorite hands free pumping bra: PumpEase hands-free pumping bra - T-bird Red - M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZYM3MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ASVIAb78WX5AS

You might want to consider using these valves or have extras on hand. The valves that came with the pump are a little delicate and hard to take off to wash. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010D6ODGW/ref=pd_aw_sim_75_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8RRVE88RM1GG56V9R1N7

Could you use the sterilizing bags when you have a microwave available and use the wipes at other times? The Dr Brown ones are less than $4.00 and it says you can use them 20 times each bag.

If you are pumping in a client's office, and they have a microwave, this might be a good way to cut down on the number of wipes you are using.

The only other suggestion I have is try using the pacifier wipes instead. You get 36 for less than $4.00 and it says they are 100% food grade.

I use Munchkin Arm & Hammer Pacifier Wipes. $4 for a pack of 36. They're a little smaller than the Medela ones but they get the job done just fine. They're food grade and they don't have any chemical smell to them, unlike the Medela wipes and the First Years wipes.