Best breast pump to buy?

andyandblair

Hello all. First time soon to be mommy. Looking for your experiences regarding breast pumps. I've read all the info on them but I want real advice. What pump is good, what storage bags are the best etc. 

Help!  

CLLDLL

Hands down my favorite bags are the Honey Suckle ones made by Simple Wishes.  The only thing I don't like about them is that I can't find them locally, I have to buy online.  The Lansinoh ones are a close second.

As far as the "best" pump, it depends on what you need it for.  If you are EP'ing I'd get a hospital grade Medela or Ameda.  If you are BF'ing for the first few months and then going back to work where you'll pump and BF in the evenings and weekends I go with either renting a hospital grade if you can afford it or buying a good quality double electric (I like Amdea Purely Yours, but I know a lot of moms also like the Medela PISA.) If you are just pumping occasionally a single electric or even a manual might be good enough.

FWIW I get just as much milk out using the Medela hospital grade that I have access to at work as I do from my Ameda double electric PYU at home.  The difference is that it takes about 5 minutes longer on the non-hospital grade one.  Also I find it to take a bit longer to clean the parts up on the Ameda.  Otherwise I like it just as well.

Since you are asking pump questions - I'll throw out there that you definitely want to get a hands free pumping bra if you'll be pumping more than once a day.  I love mine.  I can bump while pumping and the pressure helps me get more milk.  I also recommend getting two or three sets of pump parts if you will be pumping a lot.  That way you can save time by not having to wash your parts each time you pump.  Just rinse them, use a clean set next time you pump, and wash all your parts once a day. 

kjsmith9

I also have the medela PISA, have never had an issue with it (and I use it 3 times per day during the week).  I started with medela bags, but they freeze in funny triangle shapes making it hard to store milk.  Switched over to lansinoh and they're worked perfectly so far (and they freeze flat, so they take up much less space).

MamaKoria

Medela PISA!

ChristyML

MissMusic:

I love my Medela Pump In Style backpack.  Convenient, efficient, and reliable.

I use the Lansinoh storage bags.

This is me exactly.

OP, if you are pumping even occasionally, I would get a double. I had the Medela Swing (which is a single electric) and I didn't like it, since it was double the time I was pumping as opposed to a double.

If you have insurance, call and see what they cover. 

vettymama

First, find out from your insurance if it is covered. I actually got mine at the hospital right before we went home.

I used the medela pump in style advanced 6 times a day for 4 months and 3 times a day for almost 2 months. If you are pumping that often I definitely recommend a hands free bra.

I used the lansinoh bags.

JoNi2010

I love my Medela PISA tote bag.  I like their 2oz bottles for freezing but I also use the Lasinohah (spelling?) bags for freezing too.

erdonaldson0730

Medela Pump In Style! I am a working mom and have become an exclusive pumper...so I need a pump that is reliable! This is by far the best investment I made! 

 And I use Lansinoh storage bags! :-)  

beckcour

I really liked my Ameda Purely Yours pump. Definitely get a handsfree bra if you're going to be doing a lot of pumping. And I really liked the Lansinoh bags.

You might want to try renting a hospital pump for a month or two to find out if pumping is going to work for you. I had my heart set on BFing, had all the equipment and was raring to go. Unfortunately I couldn't have predicted what a sensitive tummy my LO was going to have. I pumped for two months and called it quits. I could have saved a whole lot of money. She only started being able to drink my milk when she turned 6 months old.

jnnfrrose6

Which ever one you go with (I've got the medela pump in style as well), the hands free bra is a must!  Went out last night and brought the pump with me to take care of business on the way to a concert and forgot the bra for the first time.  That's the first and last time I'll ever do that.  Holding those suckers on was a big nuisance (not to mention trying to be discreet with a cover over me while doing it).  

I just use the medela bags, haven't bothered looking into others myself and they work for me.  I will say that if you intend to stock up for long term, make sure you write down the amount on the bag with the date.  We went to Mexico for 4 days with out the LO and I managed to stock up 135 oz to cover while we were a part.  Definitely made it easier to keep track of how I was doing and how much more I needed to pump.

melody921

I've used the Medela Pump in Style Advanced for both kids and have never had a problem with it. I have't even had to replace any parts. I love Lansinoh storage bags. They're sturdy and don't leak.

Kimberskirby

Insurance companies are now required to pay all/part of breast pumps.  Get a script from your doc and call your insurance company and they will tell you how to go about this.  I got a $400 breast pump for $30.  You pay into your insurance, so why not reap the benefits...  And I LOVE my Medela BP.

ironmom5

MissMusic:

I love my Medela Pump In Style backpack.  Convenient, efficient, and reliable.

I use the Lansinoh storage bags.

^This exactly.  Don't even bother with the Medela bags.  Sure, it's cool that you can (in theory) pump right into them, but it's awkward and they don't lay flat, taking up WAY too much freezer space.

MrsFobeyFobes

Another vote for the PISA Backpack and Lansinoh bags. I freeze them flat in a wipes container then bag them.