Breast Pump..Worth it?

Erinm278

I just called the medical supplier for my breast pump to take care of some final details and get my info in the system so I won't have to do it later.  I can't actually order the pump until LO is born so I preregistered and checked out my options.  Here's what I learned:

My insurance will completely cover the Medela Swing Pump.

Or I can pay an $89 up charge for the Medela Pump In Style Advanced with all the bells and whistles.

 

My gut is telling me to go with the Advanced, but I wanted to see what you all thought.  Advice?!

RumbleLina

If you intend to exclusively pump or pump for establishing a stash I would pay for the up charge. 89 is still super cheap compared to having to pay for it all out of pocket like I personally have to since insurance doesn't cover anything yet...grumble, grumble.

bobcee

 Agree with PP.  If you're going to be doing any kind of regular pumping the double electric PISA is definitely worth the extra money it would cost.  If it's only going to be an occassional thing, then the Swing may be good enough.

Erinm278

I am planning to EBF and I want to give BFing my best effort.  I will have to go back to work around 9 weeks and will pump at work.

I asked another mom and she said to go for it bc $89 is still super cheap for that Medela pump.

purplepeanut6

i would forsure pay the extra for the better pump. still cheaper than buying it OOP

solsburyhill

Erinm278:

I am planning to EBF and I want to give BFing my best effort.  I will have to go back to work around 9 weeks and will pump at work.

I asked another mom and she said to go for it bc $89 is still super cheap for that Medela pump.

If you are pumping at work I 1000% say go for the PISA.  The swing is a single pump if I remember correctly.  You want a good double pump for work.  And get a hands free bra for pumping too!

$89 is a great deal on the PISA.

gutsymama

I don't know anything about the swing pump, but I got the PISA even though I wasn't planning on pumping much since it was fully covered by my insurance. Since Luke is not able to nurse yet, I've had to EP for the past 19 days, and I'm extremely grateful that I've had a double electric instead of a single or a manual - cuts my time in half, and it would've been a lot harder to keep going through the soreness if I was doing it manually! I would imagine it would be well worth $89 if you're going to be pumping at work before long. 

Dukos

solsburyhill:

Erinm278:

I am planning to EBF and I want to give BFing my best effort.  I will have to go back to work around 9 weeks and will pump at work.

I asked another mom and she said to go for it bc $89 is still super cheap for that Medela pump.

If you are pumping at work I 1000% say go for the PISA.  The swing is a single pump if I remember correctly.  You want a good double pump for work.  And get a hands free bra for pumping too!

$89 is a great deal on the PISA.

100% This.  I worked full time and pumped at work with DD.  I pumped for 15 min once every 3 hours (once at 10, 1pm, and 4pm).  When you factor in assembling the pump and cleaning pump parts, I was away from my desk for 20 min a pop. The hand pump is not efficient enough, so those pumping times would've been MUCH longer.  It would've been problematic for me to be away from my desk for that long.  

It is totally worth $89.  I bought mine full price before they were covered and it was still worth every penny. 

LoveSpellSmile

I had no idea some insurance cover the Breast pump charge that's somethingim looking forward to ask more about thanx for the info

Erinm278

I'm going to go with the PISA.  I think I'll regret it if I don't.  Thanks everyone for the advice!

Erinm278

LoveSpellSmile:

I had no idea some insurance cover the Breast pump charge that's somethingim looking forward to ask more about thanx for the info

Yes, most insurances cover some or all of your breast pump.  You should call your carrier to see what you get with your coverage.

PrimRoseMama

ramy3695:

How much do you plan on pumping? I used the Swing with DS and it was fine but I only pumped to have a few bottles available in the freezer if we needed them. If you'll be going back to work and or will be needing to pump a lot, I'd go for the nicer one.

Agree. It all depends on how much you plan to pump.  

luvmyducks

Double electric for sure.  Even if you aren't pumping a ton, it is such a PITA to pump and you pretty much can't do anything productive while doing it so making it as quick as possible is ideal, IMO.

BlueJewelM

ramy3695:

How much do you plan on pumping? I used the Swing with DS and it was fine but I only pumped to have a few bottles available in the freezer if we needed them.

If you'll be going back to work and or will be needing to pump a lot, I'd go for the nicer one.

This. As a SAHM I loved the swing pump. But if I was working id want a double.