help- breast pump question

luckygirl07

Okay, so I think I've decided to just go ahead and buy a pump now instead of waiting and renting one for a month first.  I like the Ameda Purely Yours, but my question is are the pumps specific to the storage?  Can I use any brand bottles/bags to pump into?  How many bags/bottles do I need? 

Sorry, I'm clueless on this, and I'm trying to read up on it, but can't get anywhere.  From what I can gather, you pump into bottles that come with it, and then pour it into bags to store/freeze, then back into bottles for feeding baby???  Is that right?   I plan to take 12 weeks off work and breastfeed, then go back to work full-time, but I would like to pump while I'm still home to get my supply built up for when I do have to go back to work.  Thanks! 

CindyandScott

I pumped into the bottles and then combined into one bag once the bottle was full. I know that Medela makes their bags so that the are attachable to the pump but I didn't trust myself not to make a mess!

rayskit10

you could probably use the medela bags with any pump. the way they "attach" is that they have an adhesive strip that you wrap around the pump piece to keep it in place. they are really easy. i have read recently,tho, that if you're going to freeze it, it's better to do it in bottles.

luckygirl07

So I freeze it in the bottles I pump into?

PAGAS

I pump into bottles (I have the Lansinoh which is the same as the Ameda).  Any standard size bottle will fit it.  I use the Lansinoh bags because they are half the price of the Medela and they store flat.  In the beginning, I would store in 2 oz increments, but I was pumping 6 to 8 oz per breast, so pumping directly into the bags made no sense for me.

melrrr

luckygirl07:

So I freeze it in the bottles I pump into?

No, you'll reserve those bottles for the pump and transfer into something else for freezing or feeding. We had our breastfeeding class last night and learned all about the pumps and storage. If you use bags, you'll empty them into whatever bottle you're using to feed. Avent makes plastic storage cups that can be used with an adapter that their bottle top/nipple attaches to. 

You could also store in small mason/canning jars if you prefer glass because those stack better than the glass jars made especially for milk  storage. 

 

alisa1228

i pumped into bottles, and transferred to bags if i was freezing.  i only stored in bottles if it was going into the fridge to be used soon.  i didn't pump right into the bag bc i needed to be able to portion out the milk into the amounts i wanted, so it was easier for me to pump into bottles.

there was no way i could have froze in bottles; i wouldn't have enough bottles or space in my freezer.

i also used the lansinoh bags, and stored flat.

PAGAS

I am two months in and I have already gone through 100 bags.  Freezing bottles would not be practical.

danabelle

I used both the Lansinoh and Medela bags; I pumped into the bags and froze it that way, too.  I didn't have to pump very often, so that method worked well for me.  If I'd pumped frequently, I probably would've pumped into bottles and used the bags for freezer storage.

crys_0306

Hi,

I am a working mom now for 5 months who pumps everyday. I was very nervous about pumping at first too. I couldn't find information anywhere. What was recommended to me and what I ended up doing was get about a weeks worth of milk supply ready for when I went back to work. Some women produce a lot of milk and that is not a problem. If that happens you will want to bring more storage to work. To get a weeks worth of milk supply, I would just pump after each time you nurse and in the middle of the night until you get a week's supply for the your baby's first week.

On a daily basis, I bring with me two 8oz bottles to store my pumped milk in (you bring the amount of storage you will need for 8 hours of work) and I try to pump every three hours. You are supposed to pump every two hours, but that is unrealistic if you want to get any work done. So, I pump every three hours and refrigerate the bottles in between each pumping session. When I get home my husband prepares the two 8oz bottles into 4-4oz bottles for my baby the next day. It also depends on how much and how often your baby eats. The only way to know that will be on the first week back to work.

If I have any extra milk, I would store it in the plastic bags, they are the safest for storage. I wouldn't pump into bags because you might spill it at work and that is a horrible feeling!

I hope this helps...just remember that every woman and every baby is different, so you will just have to learn what is best for the two of you. Good luck!