Due to the Affordable Care Act changes to the health
insurance industry, the way breast pumps are sold and purchased has changed a
great deal. The pump bags that used to
be included with the bags is no longer covered by insurance – so the price of
the ones from the pump manufacturers has skyrocketed. Due to all of this, I did a whole bunch of
research on other pump bags on the market before our Little Dude was born early
this fall. In my research, I came across
a wonderful work-at-home mom, Amy Schendel of Ella Alana. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/EllaAlana
)
Amy had a business already designing and making diaper bags,
changing pads, and more for mamas when she was approached about making a pump
bag from a customer, as there were so few on the market. Her product is unique in that it can be
entirely tailored to the individual customer!
Amy will quote customers for extras, since each bag is custom made for
you, but here are a few of the customization options:
- Messenger flap or zip top
- Seat belt-style carrying strap is standard, but softer ones can be added.
- Possible to get extra bottle pockets on the inside of the bag.
- A sleek outside bottle pocket is standard, but an expandable one is available.
- A laptop sleeve on the inside is optional – which is great for multitasking in your pumping room at work.
- An outside back pocket is also available for your tablet or iPad.
I met with Amy, and she showed me bags with these different
options. She also showed me the
incredible supply of fabric she has so that your bag can look just right – you
can select exterior fabric and a complimentary interior fabric to get a fun
look.
I chose a grey fabric for the exterior, and a bright
turquoise fabric for the interior, for a bright pop of color. I have the exterior back pocket that I use
for my iPad. You can get an optional
cooler from Ella Alana for your milk that is flexible, so it can be shaped to
accommodate most bottles and can fit right next to the pump for storage.
I have a Medela Pump In Style Advanced pump, which fits
easily into the standard pocket of the Ella Alana bag – the Medelas have Velcro
on the top that attaches right to the Velcro inside of the bag. However, some other pump brands would need
the pump hole area to be made taller, so that’s something to communicate during
the purchase project. It’s another added
bonus of getting a custom bag rather than one off of the rack, that it can be
made perfect just for your needs.
The bags are made of home décor fabric, so they wash really
well (tumble dry low or hang dry) and are very sturdy. I can’t possibly see needing to get another
bag. The quality of the workmanship is
amazing – the stitching is perfect, and very strong. As you can see from the photo below, it’s
incredibly roomy – I could easily use this as our primary diaper bag if I were
exclusively pumping and had to take my pump with us other places than to work
and home. (Amy also has bottle coolers,
changing pads, and more available for purchase through her store.)
I’ve had the chance to compare this to some other pump bags,
and this is easily the best pump bag I’ve encountered. It’s the most fun and functional bag
available, with countless customization that will make the bag work perfectly
for anyone. It’s fashionable yet totally
practical. Pumping at work and elsewhere
is a lot more enjoyable when your bag streamlines the process!
I have added her to my favorites on etsy
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