Question for STMs - Breast pumps supplies/accessories?

ewenner

I am going to order my breast pump through my insurance (either Medela or Ameda), but I'm not sure what additional "stuff"  I will need to buy separately to make sure I have everything I need.  The list of available items online seems never-ending and very confusing for a first-timer like me - flanges, bags, gel pads, valves, diaphragms, membranes, storage bottles, freezing bottles, etc., etc.  My head is spinning!  What stuff comes with the actual pump, what stuff is absolutely necessary to buy, and what stuff is just extra that's really not needed?  Also, do I need to buy separate bottles to actually feed the baby, or can I pop a rubber nipple onto one of those storage bottles to feed?  Thanks for your help!

jerseygirl227

I have the same kinda questions.  I'll be watching for responses.

xuxachi

Some of the answers will depend on your situation. I EBF for most of the first 9 months with both my kids and I can tell you from my experience that you'll need other bottles to feed with - the pump bottles are too small for fitting a nipple. I usually put my pumped BM in the freezer versus using it right away, so freezer bags were a must. Extra parts are needed too - membranes in particular - once they get worn the pump isn't as efficient. Not sure what some of that other stuff is. Gel pads sound like extra - I have a hot compress that I used a few times when I had a clogged duct. But you could probably wait to buy if it comes up as an issue.

cneiding

yeah, i think it depends a lot on your situation what you need.  If you are using a pump just to pump for an occasional bottle you need less than if you are working outside the home and will be pumping at home to build suppye and carrying a pump to work everyday to empty yourself when away from baby.

You will need something to store milk in.  Even if you are only an occasional pumper you will probably want to put some in the freezer so you will need the freezer bags.  Your baby will need bottles to drink out of. 

Usually the pump comes with all the tubing, flanges etc you need to get started.  These may be items you will need to replace as time goes on like the membranes someone else mentioned.  I wouldn't think you would necessarily need extra right off the bat though. 

I am by no means a pumping expert, however.  I have breastfed all mine but my situation is one that I have never needed to pump really. 

One thing I know helps a lot of women that you didn't mention, is one of those pumping bra things that allow you hands free pumping on both sides at once.  Makes things easy and efficient.

jerseygirl227

Thanks, ladies.  

Here is another question.  I plan on using some freezer bags to store milk.  Does it matter which ones I get?  I mean, do they need to match the type of bottle or breast pump I use?  I believe the medela pump is covered by my insurance, but I registered for Dr. Brown's bottles.  

supersarah77

Alright, as a working mama I have opinions about pumping supplies, so here they come! I can only speak to the Medela Pump In Style, which is supposedly the Cadillac of pumps and I recommend it if you have a choice.

In stores the PIS comes with all the tubes, membranes, and flanges you'll need but check when you order through insurance that their version does, too. You will need to periodically replace membranes, otherwise the pump loses suction. And depending on your boobs, the flanges the pump comes with may or may not be the right size.

Many brands of bottles screw right into the flanges so you can pump directly into bottles. Dr. Browns definitely screw right into the flanges.

I preferred to pump into the Medela bottles and then dump into a freezer bag. Then freeze the milk lying flat in the freezer, it stacks better that way. I had a Tupperware without a lid on the freezer and lined the frozen milk bags up, oldest to newest for easy grabbing. I'd pull out however many bottles I needed the next day and put them in the fridge to thaw the night before. Then dumped them into bottles for daycare (our daycare requires individual bottles, they won't refill the same bottle from a larger vessel of milk). I used Lansinoh or Medela freezer bags, there's a way to pump directly into the bags but I never mastered it.

I HIGHLY recommend a hands free pumping bra. I have the Simple Wishes brand one and it works great. Amazon sells it. Otherwise you have to sit there and hold the flanges to your boobs the whole time.

I also HIGHLY recommend microwave steam bags for sterilizing pump parts, bottles, pacifiers, etc. You have to sterilize pump parts at the end of every day. Waiting for a pot to boil every time would suck. I use the Medela Quick Clean Microsteam bags. Each bag can be used up to 20 times and there are check boxes on the bag to keep track.

You'll get into a groove quickly I'm sure.

niknak1208

I ordered the medela pump in style advance through my insurance. I didn't really need any extra things until I was ready to replace membranes etc.  I had some bottle lids that broke and I had to replace those.  I did have to buy some freezer bags.  I used mostly medela products but I had some freebie freezer bags that were different brands and they worked just fine. 

Chichigo

I would order extra membranes. I had a few rip and needed to replace them. You might need different flanges if the standard size is too big or too small, but you won't know until you're using the pump. Target carries most sizes.

ewenner

Thank you all for your advice!  This makes it (slightly) less overwhelming.  So it sounds like I will definitely need freezer bags and extra membranes, along with bottles to feed, since the pump bottles are too small.  And maybe one of the pumping bras.  Phew!  Thanks again, this is so helpful!

jerseygirl227

Another thanks from me!  This thread has been very helpful.  You ladies, rock!!!

HWKI

I used a professional grade Medela pump rented from the hospital for a few months and also had an Ameda Purely Yours. If you go with a Medela the membranes are small and tear easily so make sure to have extra on hand. The Ameda membranes are larger and sturdier so they lasted the whole year I pumped. Medela parts are usually easy to find at big
Box store,Ameda parts are harder to find in a store if that is a concern. You may also want extra tubing with the Medela because the tubing is open (unless they have fixed this is subsequent editions. Maybe someone else with a new model can speak to this.The one I used was 5 years ago, but a girl in my office just had this problem with a new Pump In Style so I am guessing this hasn't been changed.). Condensation collected in the tubing of the Medela, so I always had to swing it around to try to get them dry, but they actually got moldy once (other friends have had this issue, but we live is very humid so maybe this isn't an issue in drier climates). The Ameda tubing is closed so you don't need extra because there is no condensation. I also got more milk when using my consumer grade Ameda than the professional grade Medela, so for these reasons I plan to get another Ameda. (My old one is still working but since I paid for it out of pocket figured it would be nice to have one at work and one at home since insurance will cover a new one.). I pumped into bottles and them poured into bags. Before you buy too many of one kind of bottles you may want to buy just a few of different kinds to see which one your baby will accept. I had to try four brands before my first found one she would accept. If your dishwasher has a "sanitize" mode you can put the flanges and membranes on the top rack.

sidey1

I second hands free pumping bra, I found it really helpful especially at 2am when I was too tired to even hold my arms up.

jerseygirl227

Just ordered mine through insurance.  Got the Medela In Style.  Thank you all again for the info you provided!!!

jerseygirl227

Stupid question.  I got my medela pump.  So, does the adapter charge the pump, or do I need to be by an outlet and have it plugged in to pump?

Thanks!

ewenner

Hmm... This is a good question. I got the Ameda, and it can run on batteries or plugged in, but plugging it in does not charge the batteries. Can you find any battery compartment on the Medela? Or have you tried plugging it in overnight and then trying to unplug it and turn it on in the morning to see what happens? That's what I would do if the instruction manual was unclear. Good luck!

jerseygirl227

@ewenner ... I like how you assume that I actually read the instruction manual, lol.  Yeah, I guess I will go check that out.

LorMor

I remember my Medela had to be plugged in.

Also, re the hands-free bra - I just cut holes in the cups of my sturdiest bra - I think it wasn't so comfy for all-day wear, but it was great for pumping. The hands-free bra changed my life!

I didn't pump very much - only once every couple of days to donate.

jerseygirl227

LorMor said:

I remember my Medela had to be plugged in.

Also, re the hands-free bra - I just cut holes in the cups of my sturdiest bra - I think it wasn't so comfy for all-day wear, but it was great for pumping. The hands-free bra changed my life!

I didn't pump very much - only once every couple of days to donate.

Do you think a nursing bra would work?  I have two nursing tanks and am wondering if that might be helpful.

jessicaatou

I am a working mom who had to pump several times a day at work. Cleaning the pump parts between each pumping is hugely time consuming. I put a mini-fridge in my office and just refrigerated the pump parts along with the milk between pumping sessions. It saved me a ton of time, and then I just sterilized at night when I got home from work.