As a mom who plans to breastfeed or pump, you’ll need to be equipped with a few essentials to make the process easier and more manageable. While breastfeeding at home or work can be challenging, there are various accessories available to make pumping more convenient (1).
Pumping bras and cooler bags are just a couple of the many products that make pumping more accessible in daily life. The best pumping accessories can significantly ease your experience, whether you intend to store your breast milk or give your baby freshly extracted milk.
Luckily, there are numerous pumping accessories available to make pumping life simpler and more successful, from equipment designed specifically for pumping to the go-to products that will enhance your comfort.
So, if you’re a working mom looking to make your pumping experience more efficient, check out our list of the best breast pumping accessories on the market.
Our Top Picks:
- Pumping Bra: Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra
- Breast Pump Bag: mommore Breast Pump Bag
- Cleaning Wipes: Medela Quick Clean Breast Pump and Accessory Wipes
- Breast Milk Storage Bags: Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
- Cooler Bag: PackIt Freezable Baby Bottle Cooler for Breastmilk and Formula
- Nursing Cover: Copper Pearl 5 in 1 Cover
- Lactation Massager: LaVie Lactation Massager
- Nipple Cream: Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter
- Nursing Pads: Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads
- Sanitizing Bags: Medela Quick Clean MicroSteam Bags
- Duckbill Valves: Replacement Duckbill Valves
- Collection Cups: Freemie Hands-Free and Discreet Breast Milk Collection Cup Set
HappyBabyHub’s Best Breast Pumping Accessories Picks
1. Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra – Pumping Bra
When it comes to pumping, a hands-free pumping bra is an essential accessory for any mother. This bra from Simple Wishes is not only designed for optimal comfort but also allows you to focus on your work or relax while pumping.
Made of a soft and flexible cotton-spandex blend, it provides excellent support and features an adjustable Velcro back panel measuring 11 inches, ensuring a perfect fit as your body adjusts to postpartum changes.
Compatible with all pumps, including Spectra, Medela, Lansinoh, Bellababy, Evenflo, Motif, and more, this bandeau-style breast pump bra comes with a central panel that zips in the front, allowing for 1-inch mobility for proper alignment of the pump flanges.
2. mommore Breast Pump Bag – Breast Pump Bag
An essential accessory for storing all your breast pump accessories is a breast pump bag made of water-resistant material that is rip-resistant and easy to clean. This bag has a stylish design with smooth metal zippers. A breast pump can fit in the side pocket that opens into the main bag, making it easy to access or use when you need to pump.
Additionally, there is a separate side pocket for storing accessories and parts of the breast pump, ensuring they remain organized and tidy. This bag also features three thermally insulated pockets that can keep milk cool for several hours.
3. Medela Quick Clean Breast Pump and Accessory Wipes – Cleaning Wipes
Medela wipes are a convenient and practical option for cleaning your breast pump and accessories when you’re on the go, at work, or somewhere without access to soap and water. These wipes are alcohol-free, unscented, and bleach-free, so you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals or odors.
They can effectively clean breast shields, valves, membranes, and other components with just one wipe. Additionally, you can use them to clean other surfaces like toys, high chairs at restaurants, and changing tables in public restrooms.
4. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags – Breast Milk Storage Bags
If you’re pumping milk in large quantities to create a stockpile for your baby, a leak-proof breast milk storage bag is essential. This bag features two zippers and double-sealed side seams to ensure that your breast milk is well-preserved and can be safely frozen. The bags are pre-sterilized and free of BPA/BPS, with a tamper-evident, completely sealed tear-away top for added safety.
Additionally, each bag comes with a practical pour spout and a sizable write-on label at the top. For safe freezing, lay the bags flat, while for compact and easy storage, stand them in the refrigerator. If you’d like to pump your milk directly into the bags, an adapter compatible with most major pump brands can be used.
5. PackIt Freezable Baby Bottle Cooler for Breastmilk and Formula – Cooler Bag
Another must-have item on the list of breast pumping accessories is a cooler bag. Packit’s bags have a unique cooling design that embeds non-toxic freezable gel into the walls, eliminating the need for ice packs to keep items cool.
The bag features a top carrying handle and a zippered closure to keep cold, dry air inside. It also has a transparent front pocket for a name and date card, making it easy to identify your bag in a work or daycare refrigerator.
Plus, the soft-sided cooler is made using phthalate, lead, BPA, PVC, and other non-toxic components, including the gel and gel liner, ensuring the safety of the user.
6. Copper Pearl 5 in 1 Cover – Nursing Cover
A product that can serve multiple purposes is always considered a success, and this multipurpose nursing cover definitely does. It can be used as a scarf, a cover for a car seat, high chair, or shopping cart, and can also provide ample coverage if you need some privacy while pumping. Made of a high-quality rayon blend fabric, it is modern and folds up easily for convenient storage. The covers provide protection from the elements and are suitable for use all year round.
7. LaVie Lactation Massager – Lactation Massager
At some point during your breastfeeding or pumping journey, you may experience a clogged duct. To alleviate common nursing issues like soreness, mastitis, engorgement, and clogged ducts, this compact and portable lactation massager is a great solution.
Its unique three-in-one ergonomic design includes large sides to scoop and draw milk flow forward, a narrow tip to unclog stubbornly clogged ducts, and a wide back to gently massage sore and engorged breasts.
This device is suitable for all mothers and all breast sizes. It is rechargeable, safe, and waterproof, made of 100% BPA-free and soft medical-grade silicone.
8. Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter – Nipple Cream
Repeated pumping may lead to irritation and cracking of your nipples. To treat and prevent such problems, having nipple cream on hand can be helpful. Earth Mama’s Organic Nipple Butter, made with herbs and oils that have a long history of use, can help soothe and hydrate hard-working nipples from the first to the last pumping session.
It is USDA-Certified Organic and contains no lanolin, petroleum, or preservatives. It can be used as a preventive measure before each pumping session or to relieve discomfort. Because it’s all-natural, you don’t have to worry about washing it off before feeding your child.
9. Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads – Nursing Pads
Leaking and unexpected letdowns are common for pumping mothers at some point during their breastfeeding journey. Nursing pads, whether disposable or washable, provide discreet protection by fitting snugly into your bra or nursing tank.
For both day and night comfort, Lansinoh’s disposable pads are highly absorbent and capable of holding up to 20 times their weight. The pads are designed with two adhesive strips and a thin, curved shape for a comfortable and secure fit.
They are latex-free and free of BPA and BPS. Additionally, the pads are FSC-certified and made from recycled materials.
10. Medela Quick Clean MicroSteam Bags– Sanitizing Bags
The Medela Quick Clean Microwave Steam Bags are a convenient and safe way to sterilize your pumping equipment, eliminating 99.9% of harmful bacteria and germs. These bags are designed to effectively sanitize most breast pump parts and accessories, such as bottles, nipples, pacifiers, cups, and breast shields, among others, in just about 3 minutes.
These bags are durable and easy to use and can be reused up to 20 times, making them both practical and cost-effective.
11. Replacement Duckbill Valves – Duckbill Valves
These duckbill valves feature a pull tab, which makes them easy to remove when it’s time to clean your pump’s components. They are made from FDA-approved silicone and can be sterilized in hot and steamy water. These valves are compatible with the Spectra Dew 350, Spectra S2, Spectra S1, and Spectra 9 Plus.
For those who pump regularly, it is recommended to replace duckbill valves once a month. If you don’t pump often, it is suggested to pump every two to three months, or as recommended by the manufacturer if your pump has backflow preventers.
12. Freemie Hands-Free and Discreet Breast Milk Collection Cup Set – Collection Cups
Collecting cups provide a less expensive alternative to wearable breast pumps and offer hands-free and discreet pumping. Each cup can hold up to 8 ounces of breast milk and is made in the USA without the use of latex, BPS, BPA, or DEHP.
With a closed system design, milk backflow during pumping is eliminated. The cups also feature a convenient pour spout for easy milk transfer to storage without any spills. Thanks to the comfortable flanges and various sizes, this cup set is a game changer for busy pumping moms.