Looking for a breast pump but not keen on having your movement restricted while being hooked up to a heavy device with tubes and wiring all over the place? We feel you mama! Trying to squeeze a pumping session into life with a baby is tricky, or at least it used to be, before the introduction of the hands-free breast pump! A total game changer for busy mums who want or need to pump but don’t always have the time to sit down!

We’re taking you through the in’s and out’s of the hands-free breast pumps available here at Milkbar and the best ways to integrate them easily into your everyday life.

Back when my babies were tiny, the options for breast pumps were limited, to say the least. If you wanted or needed to pump, you would need to commit to at least 15 minutes hooked up to either a manual or electric pump which you’d need to hold in place. If you were lucky, your pump would come with a battery pack making it a little more mobile but many needed to be plugged into a powerpoint, severely limiting when and where you could pump!

Thankfully, things have changed in the last decade! The introduction of hands-free, wearable breast pumps  like the Lactivate® ARIA ™ Wearable Breast Pump and the Haakaa Shell Wearable Silicone Pump have changed the pumping game for the better. Like the name suggests, hands-free, wearable breast pumps are designed to slip seamlessly into your life, without the need to alter your daily routine (or sit next to a powerpoint for 30 minutes!). Designed to be worn inside your bra, these nifty pumps do all the hard-work while you get on with #mumlife

Similar to a traditional breast pump, hands-free, wearable pumps use suction to attach to your breast and stimulate your milk flow. The pump is worn inside your bra with the soft, silicone breast shield best suited to your nipple size, positioned over the nipple. The Lactivate® ARIA ™ Wearable Breast Pump works in a similar way to an electric breast pump, with 3 Customisable modes including, stimulation, expression and mixed Mode and 9 suction levels for each mode. Completely tube and wire-free, it has a two hour battery life and charges quickly and easily with a compatible USB-C cord. It’s a great option for busy mums who need a more active milk expression method.

The Haakaa Shell Wearable Silicone Pump is like the lovechild of the original Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump and the newer Haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector, using suction to gently express milk while it is being used. Simply press the back and attach it to your breast, job done! You can regulate the suction strength with a quick adjustment of the valve, or if you just want to catch your letdown or other leakage, you can pop out the plug so there's no suction, The Shell lies flat on its back when it's time to be emptied, preventing any milk spills, and the easy-pour outlet lets you transfer your precious liquid gold into a bottle or storage container without any mess. Easy to use, easy to clean, the Haakaa Shell is the perfect option for mums who need both a pump and a collector. Easy to use, easy to clean, the Haakaa Shell is a great option for mums who need both a pump and a collector.

Like many things when it comes to mum and bub, one size doesn’t always fit all! Each mum will have different needs and requirements that might make one hands free, wearable breast pump a better fit than the other.

For mums who want or need to express milk regularly (perhaps to build a milk stash or in preparation to return to work), a more active expressing tool like the Lactivate® ARIA ™ Wearable Breast Pump is ideal. With its 3 customisable modes and suction strengths, long battery life and super quiet operation, it allows you to express more milk quickly and effectively, without ever needing to be hooked up to a machine. It can also be easily integrated into your home or work life.

If you’re looking to build a milk stash, using the Lactivate® ARIA ™ Wearable Breast Pump 2-3 times a day is a great way to collect a solid amount of liquid gold without any interruption to your usual schedule. Just like with any pumping or pumping schedule, making it work for you and your life may take a bit of trial and error. The general rule of thumb is to pump easily in the day, when your supply is at its peak and ideally just after your bub has fed. You can also look to pop your pump on if bubba is having an unusually long nap or if your breasts feel especially full. Remember, you are always making milk and will never be ‘running on empty’ so you don’t need to worry about pumping then needing to feed soon after.

It is important to note that the Lactivate® ARIA ™ Wearable Breast Pump will stimulate your supply, just like a traditional pump. The more your breasts are stimulated to produce milk, the more milk they’ll produce. To avoid creating an oversupply of milk, just be mindful of how often you are feeding and pumping and adjust accordingly.

If you’re a mum who just wants to pump occasionally or finds that they naturally ‘leak’ quite a bit, the Haakaa Shell Wearable Silicone Pump might be the ideal product. As a more passive milk collection, the Haakaa will not stimulate or collect as much milk as the ARIA as it isn’t using active suction/stimulation. The more gentle suction method will draw out a small amount of milk but there is minimal risk of over-stimulation or over-supply.

While a hands free, wearable pump can make the entire pumping experience a lot easier and more enjoyable, pumping can still take it out of you and your body! After all, you’re still telling your body to ‘make more milk’ even if you are doing it while sitting down with a cuppa! Ensuring that you remain hydrated is super important for any breastfeeding mum, as is making sure you are eating enough. Your body needs nutrients and hydration to produce milk and keep you feeling strong. If you are adding pumping sessions into your day on top of your regular breastfeeds, then it is important to really up the hydration.

You will also find that you pump more milk when you’re comfortable, warm and relaxed. Being cold, stressed and uncomfortable will make a letdown and subsequent milk flow very difficult. If you know you’re going to be using your hands free, wearable pump, grab a blanket or slip into your warm sock or ugg boots. Warming up can make a huge difference to your milk flow. If you can, cuddle your bub while pumping as this helps boost oxytocin and thus encourages your letdown reflex.

Featured Product

This group of hero products in our Breastfeeding Game Changers Bundle are our game-changing tools designed to make breastfeeding more comfortable, easier and more convenient for mamas on every journey. Once you have finished pumping with our Haakaa Breast Pump & Cap Combo you can then use the Haakaa Breastmilk Storage bags to store your liquid gold. Using the Lactivate Silver Nursing Cup, Lactivate Breast Heat & Ice Pack and LaVie Lactation Massager to help aid in a more comfortable breastfeeding experience.

For more breastfeeding resources and blogs, check out our resource section