Ep. 441: How to pick the best breast pump for you with Kristen Krahl

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. With Mother’s Day coming up, skip the flowers and ask for something you’ll actually use… their insanely soft bamboo sheets. Right now, they’re running a limited-time buy one, get one free on sheet sets. Head to cozyearth.com and use code HEHEBOGO to grab yours. In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Kristen to break down how to actually choose a breast pump and prepare for pumping… without the overwhelm. They talk through when to order your pump (hint: don’t wait until baby is here), how insurance coverage works, and why you may need to advocate for yourself to get what you want. Kristen explains the difference between primary and secondary pumps, and why wearable pumps aren’t always the best place to start if you’re trying to build and protect your milk supply. They also get into what actually matters when it comes to effectiveness, portability, and real-life use. One of the biggest takeaways? Flange sizing. Most pumps come with sizes that don’t fit the majority of people, and that can seriously impact output and comfort. They walk through how to measure, test, and find your correct size without wasting money. They also cover pump parts, when to replace them, how to clean everything safely (without overcomplicating it), and how to use your pump settings in a way that actually works with your body. If pumping is part of your plan, this episode will help you feel way more prepared and way less confused walking into it. Timestamps 00:00 Why Flange Size Matters 10:52 Do You Actually Need a Pump 19:22 Ordering Through Insurance 27:10 Primary vs Wearable Pumps 35:47 Flange Sizing + Fit 55:21 Pump Parts + Cleaning 01:09:06 Settings + Features 01:16:18 Insurance + Final Tips Guest Bio: Kristen is a Certified Lactation Counselor, CLC, and mother of 5 earthside. She has been pumping for 7+ years for her multiples and 3 singletons. Between her own experiences of both exclusively pumping, feeding at the breast and formal CLC training she is able to share a mix of real experiences, expectations and training based advice.   Kristen Krahl, CLC bemybreastfriend.com Instagram: @bemybreastfriend: https://www.instagram.com/bemybreastfriend YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bemybreastfriend?si=oBmm2NxV1c1gztrU  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bemybreastfriend/    https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/blog/can-i-get-a-breast-pump-through-insurance#:~:text=Yes%2C%20and%20that's%20why%20we,support%2C%20counseling%2C%20and%20equipment.   https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/blog/understanding-the-affordable-care-act Understanding the ACA  Get Kristen’s Be my breast friend’s road map to breastfeeding here:  https://bemybreastfriend.com/products/breastfeeding-road-map   Snag Kristen’s pump comparison chart here: https://bemybreastfriend.com/products/pump-comparison-chart   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/  BIRTH EDUCATION: Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page