Anyone use the INOVA lactation centers?

cecilyandgautam

Anyone here use the INOVA lactation centers at Alexandria or the Birthing Inn? Did you find it useful? I'm thinking of renting a pump from there for a month or so before buying my own just so that I can figure out what kind of pump works best with my body before making the investment. Any thoughts on this versus the breastfeeding center in DC?

Hey Jellisy

I used the INOVA Fairfax lactation center to rent a pump and they were very helpful.  It was nice to walk down there while i was in the hospital and talk to them and shop.  (DS was under the lights so I had a lot of free time).  They do have a support group as well, but I have never gone so can't speak to it. 

fatjavacat

I used the ladies at INOVA Fair Oaks and they were super nice and very helpful.  

pixieprincss

For renting a pump, bra fitting, etc. I found Fair Oaks to be good. The valet parking made returning the rental pump a breeze. As for BFing help, they were not my favorite LCs. One lady I liked, the others were NMS (I prefer midwife-style care rather than nurse-style care). That said, the pumps they rent are very expensive professional-grade ones, so that may not give you the best idea of what you'll end up buying. But, you will want a professional-grade one if you want to pump before your milk comes in anyway. So, your plan sounds like a fine one.

If you are delivering in a hospital and end up pumping while in-patient, I suggesting deciding if you'll want to  go with Medela or Avent for your home pump. If you need to pump in the hospital, they'll give you bottles, tubes, etc. that fit with the professional-grade pump. The accessories are yours to keep once used/billed to your insurance, so if you have that same brand or pump at home, you can have a second set of accessories without paying an extra $60.

funchicken

I had my baby at the Birthing Inn, and the lactation center is great!  My LC was a HUGE help.  I don't think I would have made it through the first month of bfing without her.