Recommendations for breast milk collector shells

[Rainbowsunshine81]

Any recommendations for breast milk collector shells? Are they worth having?

If you have a letdown on the other breast while nursing then yes they’re very useful, if not then not needed

I used the medela ones and they were really handy. Lost count of the amount of times I would forget though and lean over, pouring it all out 😭

@SmurfKingdom I didn't even think of getting any when I had my last baby 8 years ago, I'd put in a breast pad, can't even remember if I leaked that much. Just thinking of getting some just in case it's different this time. Must of been gutted when it all poured out 🥲

I bought some and unfortunately they were incredibly uncomfortable on my large breasts so took them off a short period of time

Medela were great. But I only used for first 2 3 months I’d say. Then my supply evened out. I did stuff a muslin in for a week with DC1 and wasted SO much milk

@emmatcc1 I can't remember if I had a letdown on the other breast when feeding as was 8 years ago now, I remember I'd put in a breast pad just in case. Didn't even think of using breast shells. Thought of getting some this time just in case. So many different ones to choose from. Been looking on Amazon with them having a spring deal on at the moment.

@SnowSnow I never used them 8 years ago, I'd bought breast pads to use and can't remember if I leaked at that much. Seen so many different ones on Amazon and thought about getting some just in case I need them. I'm not sure my boobs have grown all that much in this pregnancy, though some of my usual bras have felt more tighter than usual, so have been measured for a bigger bra and was recommended to come again nearer my due date to be measured for a nursing bra.

@Daisyrainbows I never even thought of them 8 years ago when I was pregnant and can't even remember if I leaked all that much. I'm hoping to breastfeed again this time and though of getting some shells to use whilst feeding just in case or untill like you say your supply evens out.

Had a hakaa but it never worked for me unfortunately.

I also had a Hakka second time round which was good too. Bought off eBay for £2 sold on eBay for £2 personally doesn’t bother me as I sterilised it both times

@MollyRover I've seen the Hakkas, but never got one. Did have a breast pump.

@Daisyrainbows I've seen them on eBay and vinted, always worth a look on there isn't it.

yeah i use one like this.I have big breasts and they work fine,usally use when using a single electric pump on other side.I use milk storage bags and freeze for later

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315578858178?var=614027134698&_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20250324083038%26meid%3D2bd92ef43f9c4f4baac55ab5ae3c5d35%26pid%3D101952%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26itm%3D614027134698%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DWatchlistWithNuKVLeafPurchaseFilter_BP%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p4375194.c101952.m162921&_trkparms=parentrq%3Ad23ebb8d1950a56d31735188ffffe000%7Cpageci%3Ac609d4e8-0a36-11f0-b7f7-0a082128f4e4%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage

@rosydreams Thank you very much. Will take a look.

One of my midwives was a lactation consultant so I got a freebie from her, I was going to buy one myself anyway, it was only about a tenner new I think. I had a Medela double pump already from DC1 and that was what I used daily.

@MollyRover I've been looking at different pumps, I think I used a Medela one when I was in hospital. I had a tommee tippee pump last time. I have got a wearable pump to try, never used one of them before.

Would have loved a wearable pump but didn’t have the money for an upgrade from the Medela which worked fine, was just obviously less comfortable and convenient! No wearable pumps available when I had my first dc as far as I know. Was returning to work when first baby was 3 months so the best pump available was what I was going for, at the time that was the Medela and it did the job. I think it was the Evie wearable by the time I had dc2 but my leave was much longer and post covid times my work location was mostly home so the “best” pump wasn’t as important anymore.

The Medela pump is really good, got quite a lot of milk when I started to get uncomfortable.
So many to look at isn't there.

I’ve never heard of these. I used to use one of those Hakka ones and found it great for collecting milk, would collect more in it than an actual electric pump. Got a cheap Aldi brand version and it was the same as the Hakka one. Is this a similar thing ?

@TheIceBear I've seen similar to the Hakka in Aldi, usually when they have their baby event.

Just started breastfeeding with newborn last week and my collection shells have been essential in every feeding session. Once milk kicked in I was getting an additional 30ml of letdown from the non feeding breast in a single session, and I’m glad that’s not being wasted or going into a breast pad! Haven’t needed breast pads much as a result. They’re cheap and I’m glad I had them ready to go before I knew if I would have a letdown problem.

Are the shells any different to the nipple formers? I have the latter due to inverted nipples (or nowadays just one remains inverted/flat). Could I potentially also use nipple formers to collect milk?