Batman and Robin, Lois and Clark, Bonnie and Clyde. All of these are partners. For me right now the biggest partnership (besides you know – the obvious human ones) is between my breast pump and my PumpEase hands-free pumping bra.
As I mentioned yesterday – nursing is something about which I am passionate. Since August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month I want to share my love for another vital breastfeeding item – my PumpEase hands-free pumping bra.
Breastfeeding & Pumping BFF 4Eva
For me, Breastfeeding and pumping go hand in hand. I really credit my pumping success with not only my amazing breast pump but my PumpEase hands-free pumping bra to hold it in place. I was lucky enough to have gotten my PumpEase hands-free pumping bra as a gift when I was pregnant with my daughter – five years ago (thanks JSM!). Using it every day while I pumped was a necessity. Without sounding to hyperbolic, anyone who pumps NEEDS this hands-free bra. To my own point – I once sat nursing my daughter on a couch at Yummy Mummy and told everyone who passed me they needed to get it. They walked up to the register one by one.
Sit Down And Pump
When I came home from the hospital as a cross-eyed new mama, our baby nurse told me to sit down and pump. This was surprisong as I heard of waiting to get my supply, nipple confusion, blah blah blah. As a new mom, I wasn’t expecting to pump on my third day. But I listened. I got out my pump and pulled out my red and white polka dot PumpEase bra. My nurse was amazed. She said that after working as a baby nurse for many years she had never seen anything like it. Then magic happened as I proceeded to put on the front closing bandeau, popped in the flanges (isn’t that a great word) and pumped.
Hands Free Pumping Changes Your Life – PumpEase I Love You
Of course having never milked myself before I thought it was cool but I didn’t get the full appreciation until one weekend when I was at my parents’ house – pump in hand – but I had forgotten my PumpEase bra. Holding the flanges in place was hard, I kept moving. I spilled milk, I had to constantly watch what I was doing, and it was simply terrible. I would say it was similar to a cirque du soleil performance. If – you know – the acrobats had to get milk out of their boobies.
Pumping is not a fun activity. But finding supplies to make this act more tolerable can completely change one’s outlook. In the beginning, I had no time to eat. My bra allowed me to be hands free! There were many meals with the hum on a pump heard in the background and my elbows up shoving some much needed food in my face. It was also a way for me to catch up on my emails or read a trash magazine for a few minutes a day and let my brain which was mush anyway – take a little vacation. I am not overstating the fact that this bra was an absolute godsend.
Nice To See You Again
When I had my son in October of 2013, I was excited to bring out my PumpEase bra again. I was so happy that after all these years and so much use it was still in great condition and ready to once again be my partner in crime.
If you know someone who is pregnant or pumping then I recommend getting them the PumpEase bra as a gift. It would make a great shower present – one which people might wonder what it is at first, but then you can say how a crazy girl said it is the #1 must-have best accessory for breastfeeding that there is. So you bought it because you like her and she seems to know about cool stuff (I’m talking about me here). Too bad Snugabell doesn’t pay me a commission! Seriously, go make friends with someone who is pregnant just so you can buy them this bra.
Snugabell thought it would be fun to launch “Pump Across America” so happy customers like myself can share in the hands free revolution. The goal is to collect pictures of pumping moms from coast-to-coast, showing real PumpEase customers pumping in style from every state, showing their pumping pride and sending a message to moms everywhere that shows how empowering, practical, and even fun pumping can be. So if you are a PumpEase fanatic like me – take your pumping selfie with pride and send it on down to Snugabell’s Facebook page.
Thank you Pump Ease for introducing me to an amazing product that has changed my life. You have become one of my favorite things!
*GIVEAWAY*
Snugabell has offered to give away a PumpEase hands-free pumping bra and matching Wet Bag to one lucky reader. But wait! There’s more. Since I am so obsessed with this bra Snugabell has offered to give ALL readers a prize – 15% off until the end of August! Just use the coupon code MINTCHIP15 at snugabell.com.
To win – please post in the comment section below:
Tell us your funniest pumping story – whether it be while on a conference call or in your car. How creative have you been? Holding up your fingers like horns and mooing counts.
Winner will be chosen Monday, August 25th.
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PumpEase Heritage
Here is a little more on Snugabell because as you know – I LOVE learning about the heritage of brands:
Wendy Armbruster Bell, Snugabell’s founder is a mom with two young girls. She graduated with distinction from the Fashion Design & Technology program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in 1995 and is currently working towards her Bachelor of Applied Design (KPU). She has received numerous awards related to her education and work in the apparel industry. Wendy worked as a CAD Pattern Maker in the apparel and sewn products industries for over 19 years.
Wendy is passionate about raising awareness to help work towards the normalization, mainstreaming and acceptance of breastfeeding (including breastfeeding in public) in our culture. She is also passionate about her choice to be an entrepreneur and is an avid supporter of others who have chosen to combine motherhood with owning a small business as a means to achieve stability between work and life.
Wendy founded Snugabell Mom and Baby Gear to help support the beauty of breastfeeding and give moms stylish, functional products to help them meet their breastfeeding goals. She’s happy to share her story or to talk breastfeeding and parenting in general.
How cool is this –
Snugabell’s Milk Money grant program aims to put real dollars in the hands of breastfeeding support organizations where it matters most. That means reaching out to local leadership to help them expand and improve their community outreach.
Leaders who apply can let Snugabell know specifically what they are trying to accomplish and how much money (up to $200) they would like to receive. We evaluate applications monthly and distribute funds based on the amount requested and the details of the project or initiative proposed. To learn more (or to apply for a grant) visit http://www.snugabell.com/grant
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Pumping in my car while working , had someone knock on my window to see if I was ok. Yeah, that happened.
PUMPING ON A PLANE IN THE BATHROOM AND IN THE AIRPORT BATHROOM IN PHILLY (gross)!! THE AIRPLANE WAS DEFINITELY INTERESTING AND BUMPY!!
HI, My funniest story occurred when I was pumping while driving to a graduation party over an hour away from home. We were almost there when we realized there was a cow in the middle of the road that some people were trying to corral back to the fenced in area. After a minute we realized we needed to back up on the narrow road, All of a sudden the “cow” which was really a bull started charging my car! Luckily I was able to back up quickly and out of the way enough, then a man pulled up to ask what was going on with the bull. He looked thoroughly confused at my cover with tubes coming out! My husband and I were laughing at the bull charging my car while I was pumping with my Udder cover on 🙂 The people got the bull back to his spot and we made it to the party, finally!
Thank you everyone for commenting. Andrea you are the winner!
Saved like a favorite, excellent site!
Reblogged this on The Mint Chip Mama and commented:
Continuing with my Breastfeeding Awareness Month posts – here is my absolute favorite pumping accessories. My hands free pumping bra from Pump Ease. Changed my life.