All About Breast Pumps

dragonfly87-2

Ok, I have seen this kind of thread on the October, December, January boards...but not on our November board yet. If I missed it, please let me know I will switch this to something else.

I am curious what pumps people are planning to get or have experience with in the past. For those who do not know, be sure to check your insurance company first because many will give you one for free. Personally, my company will let me get any pump I want...but I have no idea what kind to get. Any suggestions or reviews would be appreciated!

MaximumEffort

In checking with insurance to see what's covered. I also need to find out that's good and portable since I will be pumping at work.  

kaitlinliz

I got a prescription from my Dr to give to my insurance company. Idk what one's are available but I do kno mine does medela and I really want their double electric pump with the battery back up...idr what that ones called tho

DungeonTrollMel

I am getting the spectra s2. It's the closedt to hospital grade double pump you can get and everyone I know raves about the suction on it. I have found a rechargeable battery pack for it on Amazon for about $25. Since I will work pumping at work, I plan on also getting the "freemie cups" that are compatible and allow hands free pumping so I can get charts done while pumping and multi-task my time 

MKMandeville

My insurance had a number of options. At first I chose the Lansinoh Signature because the cups looked the most comfortable but ultimately went with the double electric freemie. Hands free while taking care of a toddler and newborn is what sold me. 

Airynn Chica

Anyone's insurance willing to let you have the pump before delivery?

dragonfly87-2

@Airynn Chica My insurance lets me order mine anytime after 28 weeks. So I plan to place my order for it next month. Is your making you wait until after delivery?

DungeonTrollMel

@Airynn Chica mine will deliver it within 30 days of due date 

MKMandeville

@Airynn Chica mine also said 30 days before due date. Since my doctor thinks I'm going early I'm curious if it's a "call when baby is born to move it up" kind of deal. 

cwalker042

@Airynn Chica mine said I can get the pump at any time, however, he also told me they will cover any pump that the supplier has 100%, but when I called the supplier she said that is not true. Insurance companies are only required to pay for what's covered under the Affordable Care Act which is a double breasted pump which equates to about $140.00. If you want a pump that costs more, you have to pay the difference. I want the Spectra 1 and will have to pay $140 out of pocket for it. When I got the Medela 2 years ago, I had to pay $90 out of pocket for the model I wanted. 

kissthesky32

cwalker042 said:

@Airynn Chica mine said I can get the pump at any time, however, he also told me they will cover any pump that the supplier has 100%, but when I called the supplier she said that is not true. Insurance companies are only required to pay for what's covered under the Affordable Care Act which is a double breasted pump which equates to about $140.00. If you want a pump that costs more, you have to pay the difference. I want the Spectra 1 and will have to pay $140 out of pocket for it. When I got the Medela 2 years ago, I had to pay $90 out of pocket for the model I wanted. 

I think this depends on your carrier and your plan. This is the third pump I've gotten through insurance (3rd kid) and I haven't paid anything for any of them. I've gotten two PISA and just ordered the Spectra S2. 

cwalker042

@kissthesky32 I should add, that's what the girl at the supplier told me. When I told her that my insurance covered any breast pump 100% she said they cover 100% of what is required by the ACA. I did not purchase the pump because I'm going to call my insurance company. The rep at my insurance company told me they will cover 100% of the cost of any breast pump the supplier carries. The girl at the supplier said that's not true and that she's never heard of an insurance company paying 100% of any breast pump. I really wish people in health care insurance knew their job. It would save us so much time and aggravation. 

DungeonTrollMel

@cwalker042 the supplier was most likely incorrect. Insurances are required under the ACA to cover 100% of breast pump costs,  it is just up to them to determine which pumps they will include under this. My insurwnce covers 100% of 5 different pumps I had my choice from. Some donhave upgrade options that may cost you more such as from a spectra 2 you can upgrade to a spectra 1, but they are required to cover some type of pump completely 

mymulligan

I agree, supplier was wrong. Under ACA, insurers must cover a breast pump...the rule is that they must technically cover the rental of a "hospital grade" pump but what most have done is allow the purchase of a brand new electric pump. Plan differ on when they allow you to receive one. My plan 4 years ago required a prescription for a pump from the doctor (which means I had to be a "lactating mom"). i received mine right in the hospital (Medela PIS). Not sure how much has changed since then.

Airynn Chica

Yeah a lot of women I know had to wait until delivery. I should really call and find out!

cwalker042

Right, under the ACA they are required to cover a double breast pump at 100%. That doesn't mean every single breast pump out there. When I got my Medela 2 years ago, I had to pay $90 out of pocket for the upgrade. I'm going to call my insurance again tomorrow. 

Asivec

If you go on edgepark (a third party supplier) and put in your state and coverage they should be able to pop up what they have that they will cover. It's all different based on your insurance and some may even be grandfathered in not to pay. There are many other sites of third party suppliers that do this same online check and they may have different ones listed for your insurance as well (or at least that's what I found). 

Abby7

Just so you all know, pumping sucks (pun intended). I would rent if you can before deciding on a purchase. Because you have to be really, super, duper, intensely committed to pump. The problem is that not only do you have to sit there and pump, but then you have to feed the baby the bottle of breastmilk - which doubles or triples the amount of time you spend just on feeding your baby. Also, sitting there hooked up to the pump you cannot do anything else, so you have to wait till the baby is down, and it's stressful trying to time when you're going to pump with when he's going to be asleep since they sleep so erratically at first.

amber0529

It looks like I have about 11 different options. I'd really like to get the Medela but I have to wait until 30 days before my due date and I really don't think I will still be working which means I won't have this insurance anymore.

curiousfool1

Any working moms have particular recommendations for pumps you preferred to keep at the office?  I just got off the phone with my insurance company, and it will fully cover any non-hospital grade model for which my doctor writes a prescription.  

I'll have about 2mo off of work (depending on how much sick time I need to use for doctor's appointments before delivery) and then will be back to work full time.  I'm looking for a hands-free, double-pump model that is quiet so as no to disturb my co-workers.  My SIL gave me hers, which I'll keep at home.  Also, where is the best place to source and buy replacement parts?

DungeonTrollMel

@curiousfool1 if you are wantingbhands free check out the freemie pump. It has good reviews. You can also purchase the cups separate to use with another pump that may be smaller or quieter to combine features 

kdl89

That awesome that so many of you get breast pumps covered through insurance. I plan on borrowing my sisters so I just have to buy new attachments. Also don't think I will be using one a whole lot with being off for a year. I want access to pump just in case I need it so borrowing hers is the best and cheapest option for me.

cwalker042

@kdw89 Your insurance doesn't cover one? 

kdl89

@cwalker042 Nope that i can find on my coverage plan. But I have a year off (Canada) so I figure baby girl will be with my most of time during the year so it might be the odd evening or something that I will really need someone else to be able to feed her so I am not to worried about it and I sure the one I am borrowing will meet my needs.

cwalker042

Ah, so the ACA doesn't apply to you. Bummer, but I'm beyond jealous of your year off!! 

dragonfly87-2

Even though it has stalled out a bit, with all the proposed cuts/changes/repeals to health care, I worry that breast pumps covered by insurance will become a thing of the past. Not to be a downer in this thread...but it will be utterly ridiculous and mind blowing if in the future men can still get Viagra prescription, but women can't get breast pumps or will have their pregnancy treated like a pre-existing condition.

DungeonTrollMel

@dragonfly87-2 sadly it may go away along with the manadoety coverage of prenatal care. So much for women's rights in 2017. Thankfully our babies will be out by the time any of that would change 

ariasbabyblog

I pumped for 9 months with my first and used a Medela Pump'n'Style double electric pump that my cousin had and didn't use. At first it was awful, partially because I had wanted to breastfeed, and partially because the flanges are a pain, literally. I eventually found Pumpin' Pals and it made all the difference for me. I was able to increase my output in a week and at the end had enough that I could stop pumping and had enough stashed for another 3 months. I cannot recommend Pumpin' Pals enough, they are cheap and while pumping was never pleasant, it was absolutely less stressful. 

Some of your have mentioned that the suction was part of the reason you (or someone) wanted a specific model. I would say that it doesn't really matter that much. I never put the suction above 1/3 of what was available to me. I would say ease of portability, ease of use (minimal buttons), ease of cleaning are more important. Any pump can be converted into hands free with a pumping bra that you can buy or make. Some are quieter than others, so I would go to a baby store that has pumps out and turn them all on to hear them. It is a pump with a motor, so it is going to make noise, but some are better at being subtle. Some have really cute carry bags too.

mymulligan

I also used the Medela PIS. I worked with a LC at my ped office when DD was just a few days old. She had me pump after EVERY feeding and had me nursing every 2 hours to start because DD was a preemie and a lazy eater to start. That process began on a Friday and I was exhausted over the weekend - all I did was nurse and pump. I was so relieved when we went in on Monday, baby had gained weight and was latching well so she told me I could stop pumping if I wanted to. I pumped once a day because I wanted to build a stash for when I returned to work and I had a very successful nursing and pumping experience. 
Yes, pumping is a lot of work and not necessarily the most glamorous thing but it really helped me when I returned to work to feel connected to baby. I would look at photos / videos of her while pumping and it relieved some of my own personal guilt/sadness at leaving her during the day. I pumped for 12 months and nursed for 14 and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 
Also, having extra parts definitely made it easier to pump multiple times during the day. Amazon was great for that!

NYTino24

I haven't looked into it yet, but my sister gave me her Medela PIS and I will use that at work. Depending on my coverage and issues (I have a bifid nipple with an supernunerary one under it - think Marky Mark style), I may get the Spectra if production is an issue.

MaximumEffort

My midwife had me fill out the paper to get a breast pump. The comapy will email me with options. She recommends the Spectra, she said that since it's been that everyone gets a pump she thinks the PIS quality has gone down. 

MaximumEffort

Update: already got a phone call this afternoon from.the company and an email with a link to the breast pump options I qualify for. I chose the Spectra 1, same as the 2 but it has a rechargeable battery which will be great for work.  The Spectra has a "Let down" setting and it can save your settings for the next time.  Insurance doesn't cover bags or coolers but you can choose a pump with one, just pay the difference. 

cwalker042

I wish I could have gotten the Spectra 1 but my insurance only covers the Spectra 2. It's not a huge deal because we have a private room at work to pump in and it has electrical outlets. But it's a nice feature to have. 

MaximumEffort

My insurance covers the Spectra 2 completely. I authorized to pay $65 myself so that I could have the Spectra 1.  

DungeonTrollMel

For anyone getting h spectra 2 that is interested in a chargeable battery, I found this one


Maymom Breastpump Power Bank Kit; Aka Rechargeable Lithium Battery Holder/Charger for Medela Pump in Style, FreeStyle, Lactina, Spectra S1, S1 Pumps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EG9T9QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BOANzbWTZZ737

Also works woth rhe PIS

dragonfly87-2

Ok, finally talked with insurance and this is what I found out. 

I can actually get Medela pumps as long as my doctor says it's medically necessary. I talked to my OB and she said she will just write the prescription for it. 

My options are: 

Medela Pump In Style Starter Kit - $0 cost to me

Medela Pump In Style Back Pack Kit - $75 upgrade

Medela Pump In Style Tote Kit - $75 upgrade

Medela Freestyle Kit - $140 upgrade (apparently lets you walk around/be mobile while pumping)

Ladies, any of you with experience pumping...what do you think is ideal? 

mymulligan

@dragonfly87-2 I had the PISA tote kit with DD and I used it for a full 12 months, including the cooler and ice pack. I pumped at least 4 times a day when I first went back to work. I think it held up well and never had any issues. If the only difference between the "starter kit" and the tote kit is the bag and cooler, you may be able to piece those "extra" items together for less than $75. The cooler did NOT fit in my tote bag- it was too large, plus the extra room in the tote was used for extra pump parts, freezer bags etc so I carried the tote as well as the cooler as well as my purse and laptop bag every day to work. 

Abby7

Again, I would not spend tons of money until you are sure pumping is going to work for you.

dragonfly87-2

@abby7: I understand where you are coming from on being sure...but most of us have insurance that gives free pumps...so renting doesn't make sense. Idk if $140 for an upgrade for the freestyle would be considered a lot...but I don't see renting as making much sense. Would rather get the free PIS and not end up using it at that point.

ETA: I will also be going back to work...so I will have to give pumping an honest try if I want to breastfeed. My concern isn't about baby being active or not being able to get up and do things...it's about what pump is best for the work environment and allows me to even try to pump.

dragonfly87-2

mymulligan  Thanks for the insights. Yeah...I don't necessarily like the design and a lunch box and laptop bag could accomplish the same thing for less than $75. I guess it's just deciding between the PIS and the freestyle at this point.

Abby7

Yeah, if it's free that's fine, but I'd hate to see someone pay for the extras when you might not ever use them.