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Home » Pumping Tips » Tips and Tricks for Managing Bottles When Pumping

Tips and Tricks for Managing Bottles When Pumping

By Amanda Glenn, CLC. Last Updated April 3, 2022. Originally Posted May 14, 2021.

Are you struggling with managing your bottles and milk when you pump? Here are a few tips and tricks that can save you time, effort, and spilled breast milk.

woman pumping breast milk in the park with text overlay Tips and Tricks for Managing Bottles While Pumping

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I’ll be compensated at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love! More info here.

Below are some common issues and questions new parents have when it comes to managing bottles when they pump.

I keep spilling bottles when I’m cleaning up after pumping. Is there a way to avoid this?

One option is to keep a coffee cup or two at your pumping station. You can put your bottles into them as you disconnect from your pump, reducing the chance that you’ll knock the bottles over.

LacTeck flange and Medela pump parts sitting on a desk in a coffee cup

A bokee is another good option. (It’s intended to help you make a bottle one-handed, but can also be used to prevent spills. More on the bokee here.)

I keep spilling milk when transferring it from the bottles I pump into. Is there an easier way to do this?

If you need to transfer the milk into another bottle or breast milk bag, you may be able to use your breast shield as a funnel (if your breast shield is a separate piece).

Flange in a breast milk bag being used a funnel while breast milk is poured in - Use Your Flange as a Funnel When Pouring Breast Milk into a Breast Milk Freezer Storage Bag

This can help reduce spills.

You may also be able to pump directly into the bottle or bag that you would be transferring to. If your baby won’t take the bottles that you pump into, see if there is an adapter that you can use to pump into those bottles – it will save you so much time and effort. (This chart might be helpful in seeing if this will work for you.)

You may also be able to pump directly into breast milk bags like the Kiinde. (More on the Kiinde here.)

I have oversupply and my bottles overflow when I pump. What should I do?

It’s fine to start and stop again if you need to in order to switch out the bottles.

Some people worry that stopping pumping in the middle of a letdown will affect their milk flow.

However, think about it this way – if you were nursing your baby, and your toddler woke up from a nap, you’d have to stop and tend to your older child for a few minutes. Parents have been doing this for thousands of years, so it’s fine – your body doesn’t need perfectly regimented pumping schedules.

If you need to stop for a few minutes, stop, switch the bottles, and then pick back up where you left off.

Another option is to pump into larger bottles. If you’re currently pumping into 5 oz bottles, for example, 8oz Medela bottles might work better.

After you finish pumping, can you combine milk from both bottles into one?

Yes – there are no issues with doing this.

More on combining breast milk here.

I hope these tips for managing bottles and milk when you’re pumping are helpful! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

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Amanda

Hi! I’m Amanda. I'm a Certified Lactation Counselor® and an experienced exclusive pumper. My goal is to help make exclusively pumping as easy as possible for you, so that you can enjoy your baby! This website is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Read More

As Featured In Buzzfeed, the Atlantic, Romper, San Diego Breastfeeding LLC

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