Best Pumping and Milk Storage Essentials

The Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow Breast Pump is a beloved breast pump for good reason. It’s a double-electric model (read: you can use it on one or both breasts) and it’s designed to mimic a baby’s natural sucking pattern, helping with both comfort and milk production. It's also a closed system pump, which prevents milk from entering the tubing and makes for much easier cleans. The included portable battery pack, cooler bag and carrying tote make the Medela stand out from competitors. A solid, reliable breast pump that can also be used hands-free and easily stored? Say no more.

Weight: 1.18 pounds

Dimensions: 13.14 x 6.12 x 9.08 inches

While it won't produce nearly as much milk as a double-electric, many moms find having a silicone breast pump like the top-rated Haakaa to be incredibly helpful in certain situations. When you attach it to your breast, the tubeless pump creates suction that can help relieve engorgement. You can also use it to express some milk before feeding your baby (helpful for moms with a fast letdown or oversupply), or use as an on-the-go pump.

The one-piece design makes it easy to both use and clean, and it’s small enough to easily fit in your bag. Don’t worry, the pump has a stopper designed to prevent spills.

Dimensions: 1.91 x 1.91 x 6.95 inches (4 ounces or 100 milliliters)

Weight: 3.98 ounces

You certainly don’t need three different breast pumps, especially if your everyday option is easy to use on the go. But if you’re interested in a wireless option, the high-tech Elvie Pump is a great choice. It's easy to use, weighs a mere 8 ounces and makes a discreet, whisper-like sound. While it's not completely inconspicuous, the Elvie can also fit in your nursing bra so you can use it hands-free, and it has an app that lets you monitor your milk supply in real time.

Dimensions: 5 x 4.3 x 2.7 inches (for single pump)

Weight: 7.9 ounces (for single pump)

Simply finding a quiet place to pump while out and about is often a challenge. Keeping that pumped milk fresh and cool? That can be just as challenging. Luckily, Nanobébé’s insulated bottle bag boasts three layers of insulation, which can keep pumped milk cool for hours. It's roomy enough to hold up to three bottles at a time (along with other items like pacifiers, nipples or pump parts). Even better, the entire bag is machine washable.

Dimensions: 6 x 5.1 inches
Weight: 0.25 pounds

If you're pumping on the go, you'll need something to carry your breast pump, accessories and pumped milk in. Pumping bags don’t have to be pricey — they just have to do the job. This backpack will fit most pumps and accessories, and it has a bottom insulated layer to keep milk cool for up to 15 hours. Bonus features like a USB charging port and a sturdy, stylish design will make you want to use it even when you’re not traveling with your pump.

Dimensions (of package): 15 x 13.9 x 1.7 inches
Weight: 1.55 pounds

If you're planning on pumping, you'll need plenty of bottles on hand. Dr. Brown's bottles, a perennial favorite among parents are a safe and solid choice. The tubed venting system is designed to push air into the base of the bottle so baby doesn't take in extra air during feedings. The slow-flow nipple also helps prevent spit-up and burps. This starter kit includes five bottles and a few brushes for cleaning.

What's included: Three 8-ounce bottles, two 4-ounce bottles, two silicone nipples, two storage caps and three cleaning brushes
Total weight: 1 pound

Give your hands and arms a break without having to worry about spilled milk. Keeping everything in place while pumping (and having use of your hands!) is a luxury every pumping mama deserves, and this bra from Kindred Bravely truly delivers. There's no uncomfortable underwire, it's made of super soft material and, most importantly, it securely holds pump flanges from big-name brands like Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh and others.

Plus, you may want to keep this bra on all day — it’s that comfy. Available in 10 different sizes, from small to XXL.

You likely don’t give a disinfecting wipe much thought — until you realize you don’t have soap and water on hand. While you should ideally submerge your pump parts in hot, soapy water after each use, wipes can work in a pinch. These Medela wipes are unscented, bleach-free and breast pump-friendly when you need to sterilize on the go.

You can’t freeze breast milk in just anything, and it’s best to not learn that lesson the hard way. Lansinoh bags are strong, pre-sterilized, have a double zipper and are reinforced with double-sealed side seams. If you’re short on time (or want to save on washing), you can even pump directly into a bag.

Dimensions: 5.10 x 3.00 x 9.60 inches

When transferring milk to bottles or bags sounds like a headache, the Ceres Chill Breastmilk Chiller — a double-walled stainless steel storage container that keeps breast milk cool for 20-plus hours — comes in handy. The outer chamber has containers you can pump directly into, and it doubles as a bottle bottom if you just want to feed baby directly from there later. What's more, it fits right in your bag.

Capacity: Holds up to 34 ounces (without inner chamber)

Hospitals give out these handy, comfortable, stay-dry accessories in maternity wards across the country, and moms love to stock up on 'em, too. They’re disposable, thin enough to stay hidden under anything you’re wearing and absorbent enough to keep you dry for a few hours at a time (the longest break you’re really going to be getting as a new mom, right?). Keep them in place with the built-in adhesive strips that stick to your bra.

Any product that does double duty is a win in our book, and this healing balm fits the bill. Prepare for it to do wonders on chafed nipples, chapped lips, dry hands or even scars. It’s made with a blend of five organic oils (so you can ensure what you’re putting on your skin is safe) and works well as a replacement for petrolatum-based products.

Specs: 1 fluid ounce

There are plenty of fantastic nursing covers out there, but if you're trying not to pack too much in your pumping bag, we love using a soft swaddle blanket as a breastfeeding cover, since it can also multitask as a place to change your baby and something to dab up spills. These blankets are affordable and come in a slew of fun designs and colors.

Dimensions: 47 x 47 inches

No one wants to spend precious time sterilizing, but it’s a must to prevent bacteria buildup in your pump parts (the CDC recommends doing so once a day in the first few months of baby's life, then once a week when she's older and healthy). This contraption cleans up to four bottles in two minutes (and can also be used for pump parts). The handles stay cool, so you can easily pop it out of the microwave without having to worry about burning your skin.

Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 6.5 inches
Weight: 2 pounds

A large microwave sterilizer works well when you're in your own kitchen, but if you're on the go, you may want to have sterilizer bags on hand. Just place everything you need to sterilize in the bag with about 2 ounces of water and microwave for about 90 seconds. The bags are hospital-safe, travel-friendly and let you sterilize baby bottles, pump parts and pacifiers with ease. Plus, you can use each bag up to 20 times before replacing it.

Dimensions: 6.75 x 3 x 9.5 inches

Weight: 0.8 ounces