I am fortunate enough to be able to leave work to nurse a few times each day, but I still need to pump. It is a bit of a chore, so I’m always looking for ways to make it easier. These Medela wipes are a great way to quickly clean pump parts. While I thoroughly clean everything at the end of the day, it is nice to just wipe things down in between. They are alcohol free, and can also be used on toys, surfaces, etc. At $8.99 for 24 wipes, they are pretty pricey. If I calculate the time saved at work, however, they are more than worth it. You can purchase a pack in stores with baby departments (I bought mine at Target), or online at toysrus.com.

The first breast pump I purchased last time around was a Medela Pump in Style.  When I got tired of dragging it between home and work, I decided to invest in a slightly less expensive pump to keep at home.  I ended up purchasing the Evenflo Elan Dual Electric Breast Pump, and was very impressed.  I actually found it to be a little quicker and more efficient than my Medela, which surprised me.

The pump comes with everything you need to get started, including a special handle to make it easier to pump both breasts at once, should you so choose.  It also comes with a few extras, like an LCD panel to help you keep track of how long you pumped and at what time of day, etc.  I thought this would just be a gimmicky feature, but I discovered that I actually liked having it, particularly to see how long I had been pumping each session.

There are a few things about the pump that I wasn’t completely crazy about.  It comes with horn inserts that are supposed to provide comfort, but I actually found them painful (they pinched my skin).  Once I realized I could remove them, I was much happier.  I also find the two-part bag to be cumbersome.  Others may like the design, which allows you to detach the cooler section and leave the pump in another location (work for example), but since I didn’t want to detach them, I found that it makes the bag a bit unwieldy.

Overall, I highly recommend this pump, especially if your budget is limited.  I truly find it to be on par with much pricier models and will definitely use it again in the future.  You can purchase one on sale for $139.95 at breastpumpsdirect.com.

As a nursing mother, I was very fortunate to have a flexible job and daycare close enough that I could nurse my little one several times a day. Even so, it was always necessary to pump. I don’t know how I would have survived without my Medela. The Pump in Style Advanced is very effective, easy to use, and relatively quiet (a definite plus when you have to pump in your office). The parts are easy to clean and the bottles that come with it are BPA-free, so there is one less thing to worry about. This pump is definitely the pump for working mothers. It comes with a great carrying case which keeps everything together in one place and even has a little photo frame built in so you can look at a picture of your baby while you pump. It comes with a removable cooler. You can plug it in or run it on battery power. Jennifer Garner and Julia Roberts are just a few of the celebrity moms who rely on this pump.