Nothing makes me happier than talking about my life as an [former] Exclusively Pumping mom. I did it for almost a year and I enjoyed every minute.

I made the decision to EP while I was on bed rest during my pregnancy. I knew that i wanted my daughter to have breast milk, but I also knew that being a well-endowed (48J) woman, holding a baby to my nipple would be VERY uncomfortable. Exclusively Pumping would provide Mimi with all the benefits of breastfeeding without the stress of an uncomfortable mother. The only question that remained was what pump did I buy.

Lots of research lead me to Medela. According to their site, hospital-grade pumps were best for those who needed to pump often. Many people told me to forgo renting and just buy the Medela Pump-in-Style. However, after speaking to a midwife friend of mine I learned that the PIS’s motor is not meant for hardcore pumping.

Enter the Lactina Pump. This pump is quiet and does not hurt. When EPing, for best results especially, in the beginning it is necessary to pump as often as a baby would eat. That is anywhere from 8-12 times a day. I pumped 10 times a day for 5 months and my nipples never pinched or hurt.

The only downside to this pump is that it is big and not very easy to carry around. To combat that I also purchased the PIS to take with me to work. Know that there is a real difference between a hospital-grade pump and a professional-style pump. The hospital grade pump is designed to be used 8-12 times a day or more. It is made so that the constant tugging at your nipples will not cause excruciating pain. If you use the PIS the same way, you will give up EPing sooner than you want.