Milkies Milk-Saver Bra Container Review

Milkies Milk-Saver

Milkies Milk-Saver 

Milkies Milk-Saver is a flexible container made to fit inside a bra or snug tank top to collect breast milk that leaks from the side not being nursed or pumped. Some women do leak a lot of breast milk that is otherwise wasted, so for those women, this could be a useful product.

It does work well for its intended purpose, though for public use it's a bit bulky and would probably be a hassle to get into place without attracting attention. Most breastfeeding moms probably could skip the Milk-Saver, but for moms who have a low breast milk supply, every drop counts, so the Milk-Saver could be extremely useful there.

Pros

  • Fits a variety of breast sizes and shapes well.
  • Saves breast milk that would otherwise be wasted.
  • Can be used with breast milk storage bags.
  • Comes with a travel case.
  • Non-leaching materials are 3rd-party tested for safety.
  • BPA-free.
  • Phthalate-free.
  • Recyclable when you're done using the product.

Cons

  • Not terribly discreet. Hard to use in public.
  • Probably not necessary for most breastfeeding moms with a good supply.
  • Can't be used if you lay down to nurse your baby.

Review

For some moms who must save breastmilk for their babies, every drop that is wasted can seem like a tragedy. Milkies Milk-Saver addresses that problem and does so incredibly well. Many moms who have used the Milk-Saver rave about it and recommend it as a must-have for other new breastfeeding moms.

If you struggle with supply or you're concerned with not having a big enough freezer stash, Milkies Milk-Saver could be a helpful product for you. If you have plenty of milk or don't leak much from the non-nursing side or you don't save breast milk at all, you probably don't need a Milk-Saver. Some moms who have an abundance of breast milk like using the Milk-Saver not because they can save the milk inside, but because it keeps the milk off their clothes more effectively than a nursing pad.

The Milk-Saver is well-made. It's flexible and can fit a variety of breast shapes easily. All you have to do is slip it in your nursing bra on the side you're not nursing or pumping, and position the center hole over your nipple. Any milk that leaks will collect at the bottom of the cup. When you're done, you just have to pour the milk into whatever container you want to store it in.

You can also attach a breast milk storage bag to the inside plastic piece with a rubber band, and allow your breast milk to collect directly into the bag. It works with most major milk storage bags, and this makes the process even easier. You can skip pouring the collected milk into another container. Anything that saves time and effort is great, particularly for those night feedings.

The Milk-Saver is dishwasher safe on the top rack, or it can be hand-washed. You can also boil it, but the manufacturer does not recommend steam sterilizing.

While the Milk-Saver is pretty slim in profile, it isn't going to be undetectable under your shirt. If you're nursing or pumping in private, that's not really a big deal. When nursing in public, though, getting the Milk-Saver positioned and then removed and poured out while also juggling baby might be a bit of a hassle.

For night nursing, you'll need to sit up or use another product to collect milk. The Milk-Saver is open at the top. It would likely spill if you use it while laying down. There's a lid included that prevents spills during normal use, but it isn't designed to be used while laying down.

If you're working with a lactation consultant, be sure to ask how you should feed the collected milk to your baby. Much of the milk that you leak while feeding or pumping may be foremilk, which is thinner because it has less fat. You may need to mix the collected milk with pumped milk before feeding.

There are many, many moms who rave about how much the Milk-Saver helps them feed their baby as much breast milk as possible. While most moms probably won't need a product like this, if you are one who does, the Milkies Milk-Saver fills the need very well. You'll go through fewer nursing pads, and you may be able to save a lot of valuable breast milk that otherwise would be going to waste.

By Heather Corley
Heather Wootton Corley is a mother, freelance writer and certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor.