I used the nuk bags and never had trouble with them breaking or anything. My sil pumped directly from the medela pump into medala bags, but that never appealed to me because I liked to sit cross legged and support the bottles on my legs (I have pretty big boobs and used 9 oz bottles). Transferring milk to the nuk bags was no big deal.
Also, if anyone wants to feel better about any future awkward pumping experiences they might have, I had a young male co-worker walk in on me pumping, and I had been wearing a dress that day that zipped on the side, so I was literally just wearing panties and an open nursing bra. I was given a room to use that that didn't lock, but I had a sign on the door. He ignored it at his peril, I guess. We basically never talked again after that.
Edited to say that my boobs are pretty *big,* not just pretty. Because that's a weird thing to say.
@ellie111227 that was always a huge fear of mine! We moved office spaces so now offices are on the interior with glass doors/walls... so they have a mother's room available with a shared outlook calendar kept private except for mothers that need to pump.
@ellie111227 I am a teacher, so after school I locked my door and was pumping away without my cover. The custodian started unlocking my door to clean my room. I was screaming "don't come in" but he couldn't hear me. He stepped in, saw me, and stopped dead with this look of utter mortification. Then he quickly ran out. Later, I teased him that we were now closer than anyone on the staff.
Me: 34 DH: 35 Married: July 2009 BFP: November 2012 after 2 years of TTC DS born August 2013 Diagnosed with PCOS April 2016 3 months of trigger shot with timed intercourse BFN x3 First IUI: 9/17/16 BFP: 9/30/16 EDD: 6/11/17
@Xath, I share an office with a man but he's in rounds for an hour every morning so that would be a good time for me to pump. I do run the risk of a doctor or liaison walking in, so I thought the freemie might be a good option. I may have the snowman effect that you're describing though. We have a pump room but only one, and in a hospital where most staff are female I don't want to worry about it being available three times a day.
@flyingncmama A girl I used to teach with used a freemie. It was noticeable under her shirts, but she usually just wore a big scarf to hide it. When she needed to plug in to pump, she would sit at her desk and plug it in while then kids were working, so I think it's pretty quiet.
I have an awkward pumping story with someone walking in on me as well. I travel to different dairy farms and had to use a bathroom at one to pump because it was too hot in my car that day. I locked the door and was pumping when someone knocked. I yelled out just a minute. They knocked again. I yelled louder. The kept knocking and eventually hit the door handle so hard it came unlocked. A poor non English speaking farm worker got to witness me pumping away.
Does anyone have experience with the freemie? Is it really as discreet as it seems? Like, if someone walks into my office while I'm using it, would they notice?
I have a Freemie. The cups are pretty large so you can definitely tell but it is full coverage since you can do it in your bra/under your shirt. But the tubing also has to come straight out of the top of your shirt to connect to the pump so people would notice. But you Are more covered than a Medela with a hands free bra.
Other cons to me where that they are kind of opaque so you can't see how well your nipples are lined up. I had a problem adjusting so they didn't rub because I couldn't see my nips. There also aren't ounce markers on them so you can't tell how many ounces you pump until you pour it out . It also took me a while to get the hang of pouring it out without spilling.
I have a Medela Swing (I think it's called). It was really good, small and easy to lug around with me. The midwives at the hospital swore by Medela and it was also the brand of the wheelie pump one the y had on the ward so I was used to that brand. It wasn't a heavy duty double pumping station or anything but I was happy with it. I wanted to feel as LITTLE like a cow as possible! Haha. For this baby I will need to buy another tubing piece to replace the old one as it went a little moldly in storage due to the inside of the tubing being damp, however, the rest of the unit is perfect. I'm in Australia so the insurance thing doesn't apply to me.
I traveled 100% for work after I had DD. I used the Medela PISA for full time, weekday pumping for about 15 months. (If anyone needs the rundown on air travel with lots of pumped milk or how to make it work for multiple days away from the baby, PM me)
I went with the accessory & bag set from Amazon and liked it a lot better than the version that insurance offered.
I'll most likely use the same pump this time as I'm just pumping at work and bringing it home same day. Any excuse to take a break from work, right?! Hahaha
I had the Medela Pump In Style with DS and loved it! It was free with my insurance at the time. I pumped between 10-16 ounces in about 12-18 minutes at work and was able to keep it up until he was 10 months. I'm hoping I can get the same one through insurance this time. Also, for the working mamas, I purchased extra pump parts so that I never had to wash at work. I would generally pump 2x per day at work and have two sets ready to keep my time short. At night DH was good at helping me ensure I had two clean and sterile sets ready to go the following work day. I stored them clean and dry in large ziplocks. I also got one of those mini 6-pack coca-cola fridges for under my desk, so that I didn't need to use the gross public work fridge
@Stankonia2014 when you say you have military insurance are you talking tricare? The month I had my DD july15 tricare updated their policy and I was able to get whichever pump I wanted covered. And if it is the same insurance you're allowed a pump for each pregnancy. I just wanted to throw that out there I'd tricare is what you have.
My newsfeed has been blowing up with the new Willow pump! I'll admit at first I was intrigued, but then I started thinking about my big ol boobies and that massive pump fitting into one of my nursing bras... seems like it caters more to smaller breasts. And I would definitely need a whole different kind of nursing bras just to use that. Not to mention I bet those bags are expensive!
@keniialise I had the same concern in regards to breast size for the willow... love the idea but I'm not small chested and I had to gradually increase flange size, I'm leary it would work well for me.
@flyingncmama, I'm also looking into the Freemies system this time around (although that new Willow pump also sounds VERY attractive!). When I pumped with my son, I was working in a double-coverage ED, so could get away enough times in a day to pump (was also still in-training). I was able to successfully pump for 18-months, but had to rent the Symphony for home-use for extra pump sessions to extract more milk because my insurance-covered PISA that I used at work just didn't give me the output that my son needed fast enough! I was also a "just-enough" producer last time, so I needed to fit in as many extra sessions on my "off" days as possible. This will be much harder with a pre-schooler around!
This time around, I work in a single-coverage ED where I'm the attending, and there's no lactation room close by, so I think it will be much harder to get away. I'm looking in to a hands-free but discrete system that I can just plug into when I sit to type up notes/make calls. I think the Freemie tubing system works with a lot of different pumps, including all of the Medela ones, so I don't think it's absolutely necessary to buy the Freemie pump, per se. I will be looking into the Spectra S1/S2 because of good reviews, but haven't check the Freemie tubing compatibility. Most likely, I will pick the more expensive option for my insurance-covered pump and try to get the other on sale. If needed, I plan to rent the Symphony again like last time and pay for it out of my FSA. Will likely end up using Symphony at home for extra sessions and a combination of either the Spectra/Freemie (+/- Medela PISA depending on compatibility) at work so that I can leave a pump there and just travel with coolers. I just want to have enough milk this time!!!
@JessyKV, thanks for your input into this system...do you know if it's compatible with the Spectra brand pumps? Was the actual Freemie pump good? I've adjusted to the reality that I probably won't be an overproducer ever, unlike every single family member of mine, so I need an efficient system, but also one that isn't going to burn off my nips as I pump all through a 12-hr shift at work!
@keniialise, I basically have CHAMPVA, it's similar to Tricare, but for retirees and spouses. I had DD3 in 2014 and they said they were grandfathered in and didn't have to provide one, but I'll call again, just in case they changed it.
I just found out I can order the Spectra pump through my health insurance for $65 (once I reach 32 weeks). Sweet deal for me! Or I can get a hospital grade Ameda for free.
I struggled with breastfeeding the first time around, and really want to do everything I possibly can to be successful this time.
@gabadoo I can't say much for how good the actual pump was because I only used it 5-10 times. It was louder than my Medela PISA and I just liked my Medela better. I'm not sure if it's compatible with the spectra but I think you can go on their website to buy conversion kits for different pumps so you can use the cups with any pump. You would have to check there I think. I don't think the cups/conversion kit is all that expensive and I think for desk pumping it would be a good game plan. It's quick to just shove them in your bra and pump. Vs having to undress, put on a hands free bra then attach the flanges.
I rented a symphony with my first for a few months too and it was pretty awesome. I've heard the spectra 2 is comparible so I'm excited to try it. But I know I have my good old PISA for back up!
Oh I found the freemie compatibility list and it looks like spectra is compatible!!
@JessyK, thank you for that link! I will look into all of this once I find out from insurance which pumps are covered. I will probably try the S2 and use the Freemies for easy plug-ins at work. And same here, I always have my old PISA for back up just in case all of this experimenting with new pumps goes to sh*t!
@email2ash genius idea for the mini fridge! I'm going to get one for my office, I've already been dreading what I was going to do with my milk and didn't want to use the communal fridge.
We might have to get a mini freezer for our apartment if I end up being able to pump a lot of extra milk. Our freezer is ALWAYS full. Or I guess we can buy less food haha. But where will I put all my freezer meals I am planning on making?!
We might have to get a mini freezer for our apartment if I end up being able to pump a lot of extra milk. Our freezer is ALWAYS full. Or I guess we can buy less food haha. But where will I put all my freezer meals I am planning on making?!
Thanks for starting this post! FTM here, but I just called the target program and gave them my info so will be curious to see what my options are.
Me: 36 DH: 37 Married May 2013
TTC #1: April 2016 (Mirena removed March 2016 after 2.5 years)a BFP #1: 10/14/16 - DD born 6/2017 TTC #2 November 2018 (Mirena removed October 2018 after 1 year) BFP #2 9/11/19 - EDD 5/24/20 - DD born 5/2020 TTC #3 May 2022 (Mirena removed after almost 2 years) BFP #3 11/24/23 - EDD 7/30/24
I had an Ameda purely Yours, but didn't find it fabulous. I had to rent a hospital grade pump to get the job done because of supply issues. The hands-free bra is great for most, but I couldn't get as much milk with it on, so I didn't use that either. I just registered for the Kiind twist bottles and bags. Has anyone used them? I like the idea of pumping into the storage bag and using that for the bottle too!
FTM here. I called my insurance and the lady I talked to was short with me, but said any pump would be fully covered. Does that seem weird to anyone? I was kind of hoping they would narrow my options for me (haha). I'll probably chose the Medela PISA or the Spectra 2 based on what most people here have said.
I wish my insurance would cover the purchase earlier than 32 weeks. I'd like to get it purchased before the ACA is fully repealed and its no longer covered....
That was my reasoning for getting mine early. I had a PISA for my first two (insurance didn't cover back in those days) and it's on it's last leg when I packed it up a year and a half ago. I went with the Spectra 2 this go round, so hopefully I like it. I've heard good things.
Some ladies have mentioned already purchasing their pumps through insurance was that this time around? I heard you have to wait until closer to the due date with insurance not sure if that's true? I'm all about getting stuff done before crunch time.
I went through Aeroflow and they handled all of the contacting insurance, etc. for me. He let me know what was covered and what would be extra. I let them know what I wanted and bam a week later it was at my house.
Just put my request in through Aeroflow to get my Spectra S2... I'm glad to hear how easy they make the process for all their customers! Got an e-mail and they said I'd be contacted within 3-5 business days. Now to research where to get all the extra parts! I'm guessing Amazon? lol
When you can get it is dependent on your insurance coverage. Last time, I had to wait until 36 weeks, I think.
About the ACA repeal though, isn't coverage locked in for whatever your plan year is (usually Jan-December), meaning that even if the requirement to cover pumps gets repealed tomorrow, the company's can't change the parameters of existing plans and would have to wait until the next plan year starts to deny coverage for pumps? Or can they change things mid-year? It seems like they should be guaranteeing whatever coverage they offer for the entire contracted year, right? I hope so! Does anybody know more than me about this?
@ellie111227 benefits can change during a plan year, unfortunately. Last year compounded Rx was covered on my plan up until November so some of my specialty dermatology Rx that were covered/filled in May were denied when I went to get my 6 months refill... it was cheaper to pay cash than the insurance rate, it sucked.
I could have gotten mine early last time, but they recommend waiting until after giving birth so that you have the full time on the warranty in case something is wrong with it. My hospital provides/sells them, and we just picked it up before checking out. My insurance is different this time, but I hope it covers the same pump (PISA). If not I might just buy one myself. My old pump is pretty worn out after EPing for months.
I just used the target pump program where they reach out to my insurance directly. I figured I would submit now and get the pump closer to delivery but they already had me pick it up! It was super easy! I had a call with the woman on the phone and then emailed a prescription from my doctor and the whole process took less than a week. I have Aetna insurance and they covered the Medela Pump in Style.
@michaela0704 Wow, that sucks! It seems like then they could just promise coverage of all kinds of things, get people signed up, and then just change it and still charge them the same premiums for shittier coverage. Damn. Thanks for the information, though, I'll definitely get mine as soon as I can.
@ellie111227 I'm pretty sure benefits can change within a plan year. Even if they are locked in, my insurance runs on fiscal year (July 1-June 30), so I run the risk of going late and delivering in the next plan year...
Re: Breast Pumps
Also, if anyone wants to feel better about any future awkward pumping experiences they might have, I had a young male co-worker walk in on me pumping, and I had been wearing a dress that day that zipped on the side, so I was literally just wearing panties and an open nursing bra. I was given a room to use that that didn't lock, but I had a sign on the door. He ignored it at his peril, I guess. We basically never talked again after that.
Edited to say that my boobs are pretty *big,* not just pretty. Because that's a weird thing to say.
Me: 34 DH: 35
Married: July 2009
BFP: November 2012 after 2 years of TTC DS born August 2013
Diagnosed with PCOS April 2016
3 months of trigger shot with timed intercourse BFN x3
First IUI: 9/17/16 BFP: 9/30/16 EDD: 6/11/17
Hands free bras are brilliant, I also cut slits in my old sports bras and essentially made my own hands free bra.
Other cons to me where that they are kind of opaque so you can't see how well your nipples are lined up. I had a problem adjusting so they didn't rub because I couldn't see my nips. There also aren't ounce markers on them so you can't tell how many ounces you pump until you pour it out . It also took me a while to get the hang of pouring it out without spilling.
For this baby I will need to buy another tubing piece to replace the old one as it went a little moldly in storage due to the inside of the tubing being damp, however, the rest of the unit is perfect.
I'm in Australia so the insurance thing doesn't apply to me.
I used the Medela PISA for full time, weekday pumping for about 15 months.
(If anyone needs the rundown on air travel with lots of pumped milk or how to make it work for multiple days away from the baby, PM me)
I went with the accessory & bag set from Amazon and liked it a lot better than the version that insurance offered.
I'll most likely use the same pump this time as I'm just pumping at work and bringing it home same day. Any excuse to take a break from work, right?! Hahaha
edited for pic of fridge.
My newsfeed has been blowing up with the new Willow pump! I'll admit at first I was intrigued, but then I started thinking about my big ol boobies and that massive pump fitting into one of my nursing bras... seems like it caters more to smaller breasts. And I would definitely need a whole different kind of nursing bras just to use that. Not to mention I bet those bags are expensive!
This time around, I work in a single-coverage ED where I'm the attending, and there's no lactation room close by, so I think it will be much harder to get away. I'm looking in to a hands-free but discrete system that I can just plug into when I sit to type up notes/make calls. I think the Freemie tubing system works with a lot of different pumps, including all of the Medela ones, so I don't think it's absolutely necessary to buy the Freemie pump, per se. I will be looking into the Spectra S1/S2 because of good reviews, but haven't check the Freemie tubing compatibility. Most likely, I will pick the more expensive option for my insurance-covered pump and try to get the other on sale. If needed, I plan to rent the Symphony again like last time and pay for it out of my FSA. Will likely end up using Symphony at home for extra sessions and a combination of either the Spectra/Freemie (+/- Medela PISA depending on compatibility) at work so that I can leave a pump there and just travel with coolers. I just want to have enough milk this time!!!
@JessyKV, thanks for your input into this system...do you know if it's compatible with the Spectra brand pumps? Was the actual Freemie pump good? I've adjusted to the reality that I probably won't be an overproducer ever, unlike every single family member of mine, so I need an efficient system, but also one that isn't going to burn off my nips as I pump all through a 12-hr shift at work!
I struggled with breastfeeding the first time around, and really want to do everything I possibly can to be successful this time.
I rented a symphony with my first for a few months too and it was pretty awesome. I've heard the spectra 2 is comparible so I'm excited to try it. But I know I have my good old PISA for back up!
Oh I found the freemie compatibility list and it looks like spectra is compatible!!
https://www.freemie.com/compatible-pumps.html
Married May 2013
BFP #1: 10/14/16 - DD born 6/2017
TTC #2 November 2018 (Mirena removed October 2018 after 1 year)
BFP #2 9/11/19 - EDD 5/24/20 - DD born 5/2020
TTC #3 May 2022 (Mirena removed after almost 2 years)
BFP #3 11/24/23 - EDD 7/30/24
BFP #1 9/1999. DD Born 6/7/2000
BFP #2 10/2011. EDD 7/11/12. MMC discovered 11/2/11. D&C 11/4/11.
DX PCOS 10/2012.
BFP#3 1/11/13. DS Born 9/17/2013
BFP#4 9/30/17. Grow baby grow!
~Everyone Welcome~
I'll probably chose the Medela PISA or the Spectra 2 based on what most people here have said.
About the ACA repeal though, isn't coverage locked in for whatever your plan year is (usually Jan-December), meaning that even if the requirement to cover pumps gets repealed tomorrow, the company's can't change the parameters of existing plans and would have to wait until the next plan year starts to deny coverage for pumps? Or can they change things mid-year? It seems like they should be guaranteeing whatever coverage they offer for the entire contracted year, right? I hope so! Does anybody know more than me about this?
My insurance is different this time, but I hope it covers the same pump (PISA). If not I might just buy one myself. My old pump is pretty worn out after EPing for months.