I received a Milkies Milk-Saver Breast Milk Collector as a gift from a friend a while back, but I didn’t try it until last week. Basically it collects leaking breast milk from your other breast when you nurse or pump, allowing you to collect extra breast milk effortlessly. I never knew how much milk leaked while I nursed or pumped since I always wear nursing pads. But when I forgot to put a pad in once, my jeans were drenched, so I realized that I do have a lot leaking.
You’ve probably heard people refer to breast milk as liquid gold. The reason for that is because it truly is precious. Once I actually dropped a whole 4 oz on the floor after pumping, and I wanted to cry! It’s hard enough to breastfeed, but when you have to add pumping on top of that, you want to make sure you keep every single drop.
I decided to pump and put the collector on my other breast inside my bra. It’s actually very comfortable. I was told you could save a good amount of breast milk if you used the collector, but I was skeptical. I didn’t pump very long, maybe 2 minutes, and while I pumped about 1.5 oz from my breast, I could see I had a fair amount of milk in the collector as well. I added it to the bottle of the freshly pumped milk, and could you believe I gathered about 1.5 oz as well. That is insane! All this time my liquid gold has been going to waste!
If you’re using a single pump, I strongly suggest you get this to help save as much milk as possible. The same goes for breastfeeding… who knows how much milk you’ll collect that would have otherwise been wasted!
Would you try this breast milk collector?
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Occasionally when I’m nursing the other breast leaks A LOT. I usually just stick a bottle under the other boob to collect the leakage. I’ve collected 1 oz before as well! But I’m too lazy to do it all the time.
I wish this was cheaper.
coffee bean / 48 posts
definitely going on my registry. It’s one of those “I don’t know if I’d actually buy it myself” items.
pomegranate / 3414 posts
I don’t recall that I leaked when nursing (didn’t wear nursing pads so the wet shirt would have been obvious) and double-pumped or pumped while nursing at all times so I didn’t have much use but do recall leaking when DD was first born so have given these a thought for when I’m out and about right after LO#2 is born.
kiwi / 549 posts
I used this when I was building up my stockpile before I went back to work. I haven’t used it in a long time since I have a pretty good frozen stash. I was AMAZED by how much I was leaking from the other side. One thing though– I’m guessing it’s all foremilk, so I always mixed it with the milk I pumped so that Baby X never got a bottle of just foremilk.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
I seriously contemplated buying this during pregnancy! I leak so much, I swear, it’s not normal! But I realized that what I would’ve collected in a day couldn’t really be saved, I don’t think, so I didn’t bother. I’m seriously thinking of investing in them if I decide to breastfeed!
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
@purrpletulips: I definitely leaked more the second time around. So might happen to you. I think it also depends on the suction.
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
@sorrycharlie: honestly just in 3 feedings I can gather 3-4oz! Seriously I’m hitting myself for not using it earlier. Plus I rather milk go in this than my breast pad even if it’s a few drops.
pomegranate / 3383 posts
Wow! I’ve never leaked while nursing but if I did I would definitely collect it to add to my stash! 1.5 oz per session is a lot considering sometimes I can only pump 1-2 oz in 15 minutes.
cherry / 226 posts
Is it pretty easy to use? Will I need to hold it? Does it sit nicely in a bra? I eat and pump, so 1 hand is holding a fork, the other is holding the pump. I tried the rubber band trick, but I still find i need to hold it.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
This is awesome. Who knew so much milk was wasted?!
blogger / pear / 1964 posts
Okay, I’m totally going to admit that I thought these were gross when I first saw an ad in a baby magazine. Maybe gross isn’t the right word, but I’m kind of dismayed by the idea that that much stuff is going to leak out of the unused boob while nursing… I guess BF will be quite the adventure!
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
@Teachermama: actually it’s really comfortable, but it’s a bit bulky which means you can’t wear it under your shirt in public. But I place mine in my bra and it holds… just make sure not to lean over. ha. Happened to me a couple of times and my shirt was soaked in milk.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
I’ve always been curious to try it, but I didn’t think I’d really gather all that much. But maybe I’m wrong! I’ll have to try it the next time I see it on sale at babysteals or something.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
oh my gosh this is soooo cool. Do you have any idea how many times I told my husband I needed to invent something like this?!
cherry / 226 posts
@Mrs. Sunglasses: is it easy to pour out into the bag or bottle? Sorry for such silly ques, I pump in my car, so spills are not fun.
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
@Teachermama: yes! It’s flexible. I took a pic for you. Posted it on your wall.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
I just bought one a few weeks ago and same as you, I’m kicking myself for not getting it going sooner. I don’t pump but I always wear it to catch my other side let down an I put 4ozs away ever day or two! It saves me going through so many breast pads too. Love this guy!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
That looks handy.
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts
@prettylizy: Oh… I’m glad I’m not the only one!!! If only I knew, I’d have a bigger freezer stash!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
I don’t want to be negative nancy, but these can cause mastitis really easily, really quickly. The opening of the hole can compress the ducts leading to clogs and mastitis. I’ve had it a couple times and no amount of saved milk is worth the hell that is mastitis (and thrush from the antibiotics. Oy!)
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
Hmmm, never heard of these before. Thanks! I just added it to my baby fever wish list on Amazon.
guest
Being a first time mom I had no idea that some women’s breast letdown one at a time, I just thought EVERYONE’s letdown simultaneously like mine. I have an expensive double pump but my breasts HATE the pump and I always felt like I was loosing so much milk in nursing pads. I will def try this with the next babe.
guest
These things, well the idea, freaked me out. After reading Amazon reviews I decided not to buy them. Now I wish I had. Seems like it would have been easier then leaning over a spare bottle while bumping. Though I leaked so much I am not sure this would have held it all. I will def get some with next baby.
Can anyone send a invite to this site or is it a waitlist type thing? Let me know. kcrzn89@gmail.com
pomelo / 5000 posts
@Mrs. Stroller: so this is reviving an old post, but it popped up as a recommended read and I was intrigued! You mention these could cause mastitis b/c they could compress the ducts; does the same hold true for nursing pads?
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
@Happygal: I’m not sure, I doubt it. But I got thrush from nursing pads because they were a nice warm, moist environment for yeast to grow. Just little piece of cut up flannel receiving blankets worked for me – no plastic back and I could toss them or wash them in super hot water afterward.