is a pump necessary?

aeandnmp

Ok, I know it's a bit early to discuss this as I'm only 10 weeks, but I am starting my registry and am feeling a little stumped by this one. I definitely want to breastfeed and I am going to be a SAHM, so do I need a pump? Everyone's like "oh, it'll allow you to go on dates and so on and so forth..." Honestly, my husband and I are in the house or at close friend's houses most of the time. We've talked about dates and don't mind the idea of bringing baby along. I don't know, maybe we're crazy, but we have waited for this baby for a while and generally love having kids around us anyway. Do you think it's ok if I hold off on a pump? I can always get one later if I feel the need to be away for too long, right?

nopegoat

I have three kiddos and I only used one with my first. I was in college full time then. So I wouldn't say it's completely necessary. You can also get a cheap hand pump if in a bind later.

Also you might want to check with your insurance. A lot of insurance companies provide pumps for free now.

aeandnmp

ok, awesome, thanks!

aeandnmp

so does that mean I don't need to register for bottles either? again, it's not like I can't run to the store and grab some if I'm in a bind..

ijstarr28

I would register for them just in case. My sil had a abay about a year ago and did everything in her power to breast feed and it just didn't work out. She never produced enough milk. I wouldn't open them until you need them if you want to return or exchange later. If you don't register for something people will/may buy something anyway and it might not be your preference.

lionstigersbears

Definitely call your insurance company! If they say "if medically necessary," that means if you tell your doctor you need to pump they will write an order. I was all worried that meant only if I couldn't breastfeed which was so not how it worked! It can take a few weeks to get so if your insurance covers it I'd get it.

However...if your insurance company doesn't cover it in full for some reason...or you're uncomfortable with getting it not knowing if you'll need it...

I guess I'd get a manual pump (insurance likely will reimburse you for it, but it's cheap) and one bottle. Like you said, you can always run to the store or order from Amazon if things change!

Alyllyra

I have a manual pump that I've used in order to build a little freezer stash that has helped on multiple occations: not only for date nights but also for being able to go to the gym, have dinner with a friend and just getting a whole night's sleep every now and then while DH took care of the baby.
I also bottle fed DD when she had a stuffy nose and kept pulling off the breast to breathe, and when I had problems with my let down and she couldn't get any milk.
For me, it was totally worth it but as PPs said you can always get one later if you feel like you need one

delujm0

A hand pump would work if you truly never intend to bottle feed...but if your insurance will cover it, i'd get a double electric just to be safe.  I know plenty of women who were unable to nurse and had to exclusively pump if they wanted their LO to get breastmilk.  If you have the pump on hand, it will be easier than having to wait for it to arrive.  I also know a lot of women who had to pump in order to increase their supply, and an electric is just way easier than a manual if you have to use it often.  I used mine on maternity leave when i was engorged, just enough to relieve the pressure if LO had taken a long nap or something where she wasn't eating as often as normal. 

 

I wouldn't register for it, i'd see what your insurance will cover first - google aeroflow breastpumps, they were great - you just input your insurance info and they do all of the research and tell you what will be covered.  My insurance covered a selection of basic pump models which came with 6 collection bottles; that might be all that you need if you plan to truly exclusively breastfeed.  If you need more in a pinch...that's what Wal Mart or Amazon Prime is for.

goldie987

Ditto to checking with insurance.  I know that mine will cover a pump and accessories in full but it has to be submitted through my doctor, I can't just go to the store to buy one and bill my insurance.  I may not end up with a fancy schemancy one but it'll get the job done.  The biggest reason I am looking to get a pump is so other can feed the baby.  I know my husband, mom and MIL will all want to have their chance to feed the baby and having pumped milk available that you just hand over in bottle form allows that once I (hopefully) have a supply large enough to pump excess out while still having enough to feed the baby.  

SnarkasaurusRex

If your insurance will cover it, it's definitely worth having. I planned to EBF for a year but had MAJOR supply issues, so I needed the pump to get extra stimulation and to provide expressed breast milk to bottle feed my LO while his weight stabilized.

We registered for bottles because I knew I would be going back to work and because I wanted DH to be able to do feedings once breastfeeding was established. Again, my supply issues made the bottles a necessity, but I had intended to use them anyway. It doesn't hurt to register for a small pack of the ones that simulate the breast (Dr. Browns, Avent, etc.).

Parker16772

Your insurance probably covers a double electric pump of some kind so I would def suggest getting one especially if it is of no cost to you.  A lactation suggested I use one with DS1 after I breastfeed him to help stimulate my milk to come in. 

jonesl12

I'm getting one for free through my insurance because I work I'll have to pump.

satuttle1014

As everyone is saying, check with your insurance company. I called mine and they will cover the pump 100% if I use one of their vendors or if my doctor is "in-network." Pumps are expensive so if you can get one through insurance I would do that. 

newbabymakes4

My two cents... Check with your insurance company, and if they provide one to you, take them up on it.  It doesn't hurt to have it laying around just in case.  Also, it probably doesn't hurt to register for a few bottles, if just a three-pack or something.  It will give you a little bit of freedom in case you wanted to go out for a mani/pedi or go on a date night.  It also would allow your DH to feed LO occasionally.

AdorkablePixie

If you don't think you'll pump then you don't really need one, but if you are from the USA it is law that insurance companies have to pay for your breast pump. It is NOT an option for them. Thanks to Obamacare, they have to. I would definitely look into it. I'll be taking advantage of that for sure, breast pumps aren't cheap!

I plan on breastfeeding and pumping because there are some nights I am going to watch DH to feed baby while I try to catch up on sleep. We're also going to want to be able to go out on dates and do stuff after a while.

said8me

I'd keep one on hand for when your bewbies get too full. When my first was down to a single night feeding, I'd pump right before bed so I could sleep through without soaking my shirt/sheets/pillows (and it was nice to have some extra night time juice for date nights, girls nights, or when I just didn't feel like doing the turn down routine).

Lchase04

I exclusively breastfed with my first and the pump definitely came in handy for date nights and as I prepped to go back to work. It's good to have options for times when you want to get away. I also  have friends whose kids would not latch and the pump saved them from having to go to formula right away. You could always wait and see what happens when your LO is one born ... and if you need it hospitals do let you rent, although i'm not sure about price. You could also borrow from someone and get new tubing and batteries, which is cheaper.

re: bottles. I recommend waiting until LO is born. We registered for a ton and our daughter wouldn't take ANY. We ended up having to buy a special bottle that was ridiculously expensive and donating the others to friends. I would've rather have asked for gift cards to buy them later.