BFing, pumping, returning to work

everam01

For those of you who returned to work, do you have a breast pump recommendation?  I hope to BF if all goes well, but I'll have to pump during the day when I return to work.  I'll need something heavy duty/double electric I'm sure.  Anyone have a pump that really works well (or any suggestions on what to avoid)? 

 

 

vlahop

I know everyone says that the medela is great and worth the $, but at the time I did not want to spend that much if I didnt know if BFing would work out or not.  I got the lansinoh double electric and I exclusively pumped for 6 months with DD1 and I have been for the twins for nearly 2.5 months now with no problems.  It is almost half the price as some of the medela models.

Defintiely get a double electric pump and you will want to be able to go hands free.  I ordered a hands free bra and it has been a lifesaver!

Cyndi&Matt

You may want to look into renting a hospital grade one.  It will be bulkier, but may be worth it!

MeggM1

Cyndi&Matt:

You may want to look into renting a hospital grade one.  It will be bulkier, but may be worth it!

This is definitely what we are doing.  We went to a multiples breastfeeding class, and they said it's the absolute best.  Plus, I always add the caveat "If it works out" about the breastfeeding, so it's nice that I can rent it a month-six months at a time.

SpinningJess

I got REALLY lucky and a good friend of mine GAVE me her medela pump-in-style double pump.  She had a NICU baby and used the pump a TON, and it still did a fabulous job for me with my DS.  She provided the pump and I purchased the kit that has the hose attachments, breast cups, etc.  I used in conjunction with the Playtex drop-in system and am so gald I did.  No washing bottles with the drop ins, you pump right into the drop-in liner, close it up with the cap that comes with it, and refrigerate/freeze.  Then just warm the stored milk in some warm water when it's time to feed, and after feeding toss the liner so you only have to wash the nipple/ring for the bottle.  LOVE IT!

altee9

I have been really happy with my medela PIS. I think if I could purchase my pump again, I'd get the freestyle so I could have the hands free option.

I looked into renting a hospital grade pump, but it was more expensive to rent for just a few months then it was to buy my own. Your insurance may cover the cost of your pump though and you can write it off on your tax return now

everam01

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I was thinking about purchasing one (I can use my FSA for it) and just leaving it sealed until after the babies come and I see if I'm actually able to get a supply going, especially if they are in the NICU and I have to pump only.  

The hospital allows you one to rent/use one while you're actually in the hospital after delivery, right? 

AFaul

Cyndi&Matt:

You may want to look into renting a hospital grade one.  It will be bulkier, but may be worth it!

FWIW

The Medela Pump In Style worked MUCH better for me than the hospital grade pump that I rented for 2 weeks. Maybe I just rented a bad pump... it just never worked very well for me. Plus at $50/2 weeks the hospital grade pump would have quickly become more expensive than my In Style (different health insurance plans might change this calculation). I love my Medela In Style and it is very portable.

AFaul

everam01:

The hospital allows you one to rent/use one while you're actually in the hospital after delivery, right? 

 Mine did. I didn't even have to request it. The lactation consultant brought it to me on day 1 and showed me how to use it. I never saw a bill for this so I'm assuming that health insurance paid for this.

ECooper1974

I rented from the hospital for 3 mo and then bought the Medela Pump in Style Metro Bag, Looking back- I wish I would have just bought the PIS first as it would have have been cheaper overall since I would have only paid for the one I bought and not the rental, too. Usually the hospital does not charge you sales tax if you purchase the pump from them. I bought my PIS from Babies R Us and was able to use a 20% off coupon so it was a little cheaper than what the hospital charged. I pumped until my twins were 8 1/2 mo old but had to stop b/c my milk supply went down to 3 oz a day and wasn't worth my time. I pumped exclusively and looking back wish I would have tried to breastfeed during the 12 weeks I was on maternity leave but it was such a crazy time.... My babies were in the NICU for 9 days and were already used to being fed with a bottle. It is really hard to be the only one that can feed two babies so they got breast milk from a bottle for the first 6 weeks and then I could not keep up with the demand so the got both breast milk and formula. Better luck to you!

jaymeschmitt

I was planning to BF and pump but our twins were in the NICU/NIM for 10 days and had a really hard time latching.  So I pumped.  And I pumped.  And I'm still pumping.  We rented the Medela Symphony from the hospital for a few days but I hated it.  Before the twins were born I bought a Medela Freestyle off of Ebay, it was WAY cheaper than BRB or Amazon and it was brand new.  I love the Freestyle and the fact that it's battery operated (I pump in the car during my commute).  I'm not a huge fan of the clippy strap things that come with the pump to make it hands free, instead I use the Easy Expressions bustier, also from Medela.  I went back to work about a month and a half ago and I pump 2x while I'm there and then either on the way in or on the way home from work and I've been able to keep up with the demands of the twins.

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/pump-accessories/529/easy-expression-bustier

I hope this helps!