Breast Pump?

sdjaquess · April 2009

I've heard conflicting stories about what kind of pump is a "must." A co-worker told me to register for one the expensive ones. When I say expensive, she said in the $300 range. My cousin just had her baby a few months ago and she told me any pumps besides the ones from the hospital will hurt/damage your nipples and will basically ruin pumping. Of course I have no clue. She said the best thing to do is rent one from the hospital (evidently those are in the $1,000's range) and try to get your insurance co. to cover it and just buy the replacement liners? Does anyone know anything about breast pumps?

MarisaC · April 2009

Your cousin is right. You can rent a really nice pump from the hospital - it will run about $30 - $50 a month. Then you just have to buy the liners, etc.

Newlywed0130 · April 2009

As a neonatal nurse I can tell you that not every hospital rents breastpumps so wherever you're delivering be sure to ask if they rent them out. The hospital-grade pumps are definitely top-notch but the expensive brands like Medela Pump-In-Style that they sell at BabiesRUs is just as good--either that you use will be fine. Pumps--expensive or not, generally don't 'damage' your nipples. If they're not strong enough, meaning the suction is poor, they can not drain your breasts sufficiently and that'll then tell your body to not make as much milk since you're not draining (aka needing it) it all in the first place. That is a definite step backward. Be prepared, to establish a good milk supply you need to pump or nurse every 2-3 hour. And your nipples will be super sore for at least the first 2 weeks after giving birth. It take a while to be comfortable nursing and pumping--believe it or not, your nipples will get 'tougher' and it'll be more and more comfortable nursing and pumping. Hang in there! Nothing worthwhile is ever easy

Another note on insurance...it can be tricky getting them to cover the cost of the breastpump. Often they don't do it unless your baby has a medical condition or is in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) after delivery. Good luck!!

branandpeytsmom · April 2009

I liked the pump in the hospital. Mine had the hospital grade Medela. I used it quite often since my DD was in the NICU for 66 days. I purchased the Lanshinoh(sp) double pump and LOVED it! It is super easy to clean and affordable. it cost me $180 and i belive it is BPA free. Comes with 2 bottles and caps that are BPA free. I also used the Lanshinoh(sp) nipple cream to hlep elieviate (sp) the crackage. Worked great! I HIGHLY reccomend it!

minda31807 · April 2009

I bought the same pump my hospital uses and it was only $250. $30-50 bucks a month equals $360-600 for a year plus the cost of liners.

EnglishMajor03 · April 2009

I think it might depend on how often you are going to pump. I exclusively pumped b/c DD couldn't BF for six months. Because it was so often I rented the Medela Symphony from the hospital and it worked really well. If you're just looking to use a pump every so often, maybe once or twice a week, I'd recommend the Medela Pump in Style. I used this for car rides or if we were at a relatives house for a party. The Pump in Style works well for those situations, but not for regular use.

sdjaquess · April 2009

Thanks for all the advice. I'm "planning" on breast feeding and pumping. So, I won't be pumping for every feeding but I definitely want to pump to keep DH involved in the feedings, etc.

SpartanGirl · April 2009

I rented a pump from the hospital for a short while after DD was born. It worked great, but I didn't need it for long.

I bought a Medela PISA and used it with both kids. It worked great. It didn't hurt or damage my nipples. I've heard of insurance companies covering some cost of the breast pump, but you may also want to check with your employer or DH's employer. DH works for a large company and they have a Life Works program that subsidizes breast pumps for employees and spouses. We got our $300 breast pump for $125. Certainly worth checking into.

katlizabeth · April 2009

It depends on what you want to use it for. If you plan to be a sahm or not nurse/pump for very long, some people use the single or manual pumps, or no pump at all. If you ep or pump when you're at work, you'll probably want a double pump. I have medela pump in style (235 dollars) and I have been using it for a month and it works totally fine for my needs (I pump about 5-6 times a day). My nipples actually started to hurt less when I started pumping and are fine now. I also nurse about 10 times a day. Not all insurances cover hospital rentals, so check with yours first.

JCM · April 2009

I would post this on the breastfeeding board. Those ladies are great and can give you advice based on real life and current experience.

JARbaby · April 2009

I have owned 3 pumps and had 2 hospital rentals (sold my work pump and trashed my home pump after #1 then surprise BFP)

I had Medela PIS, Ameda Purley Yours, Lansinoh and 2 Ameda Elites (1 with each baby for the first 3 months) and there really is no difference in production. Medela charges more because they pay more to advertise more and you pay for it. APY and Lansinoh run aroun $120 and do the job just as well. They are closed pumps, the milk can never ruin the tubing, they have never lost suction (the APY has been used for 5 babies) and they are closed systems so you can sell them (sans flange kit) because milk never comes close to the pump unlike Medela, which you often need to replace membranes when suction falters, milk can back up into tubing, it is an open unit...etc...

MattsWifey<3 · April 2009

I use the Medela Pump in Style Advance and the Medela Harmony hand pump. They both rock and don't cause any pain or discomfort.

My friend uses the Lansinoh (sp??) electric double pump and likes it a lot too. I think its a fraction of the cost of the PISA.

You should post this on the 0-6 and 6-12 to get a better idea from women who are currently pumping.

I do not agree with your co-worker at all.

Trissie18 · April 2009

I used the Medela PISA and had no problems. When I rented a hospital grade one for a week it really hurt my nipples and didn't pump any more then my PISA.

jennir70 · April 2009

Rent first. I made the mistake of running out right after i had DD and buying a $300 system and found out a week later i couldn't breastfeed. I had no milk. So please take this advice and rent first, then if you can breastfeed buy one if you want to. I have a completely new Medela PISA that i am trying to sell.

bannedmonkey · April 2009

I've been doing a little research on this as well. I found out my health insurance company will reimburse me $50.00 for a pump after the baby is born.

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