Good idea to have pump before LO arrives?

lisac1017 · December 2011

Just wondering if I should have at least a hand help pump (like Medela Harmony) on hand prior to delivery so it's one less thing to worry about after LO arrives. I hope to BF exclusively, but am not going to invest in the electric/dbl pumps til I have to go back to work and have a better idea that BF-ing is going to work for us.

Thanks for any input and sharing your experience!

azuremama · December 2011

I guess it can't hurt, but I don't think it's necessary. Maybe keep it unopened unless you need it so you can return it?

I needed a pump in the hospital with DS, but I used the hospital pump. Other than that, I haven't pumped with either kid until about 3 weeks in when I wanted to try to give a bottle.

jess!ca · December 2011

I used my pump to "pump and dump" for 48 hours about a week pp because I had to have a cat-scan from a complication. However, other than that (which wasn't a "normal" thing) I didn't use my pump until about 5 weeks in, when I started a morning pump to add to my freezer stash.

You could always rent a pump if you need it immediately, and then you dont buy an expensive pump until you know you will use it.

Also, if you meet with a LC in the hospital (or outside the hospital, or go to a LLL meeting) and learn how to hand express, you may be able to get the relief you need from engorgement and not have to own a pump.

GL!

alliapistor · December 2011

I bought mine in advance off of Amazon and just left the box sealed until I was ready to use it.

Watch out if you buy a pump from Babies R Us because they treat them as "electronics" and cannot be returned after 45 days even if unopened. (At least, that's what the lady at my store said.)

I personally found having at least a manual pump available in the week or so after I got home helpful to relieve engorgement. My Ameda Purely Yours came with a manual pump though. I don't know that I would have bought one separately.

Jcrab · December 2011

Manual pumps and even my freestyle didn't work at least the first week because I got so engorged. The hospital LC recommended we rent a hospital grade pump and that is my best recommendation. No need to buy anything yet, just know where you can rent a pump and when they are open.

Tink112011 · December 2011

I purchased an Ameda electronic pump before LO arrived because I got a great deal on it. I ended up being very thankful to have it on hand! For the first few days after my milk came in I was very engorged and in a lot of pain. Being able to pump some of the extra milk definitely took the "edge" off the pain and the feelings of fullness.

kedrin cobb · December 2011

Personally I didn't. I waited to see how things went first. I rented from the hospital for 2 weeks and that gave me enough time to see what worked for me. You don't know how your body is going to respond. My sister had one before and she couldn't use it. Her body just would not respond to it.

lisac1017 · December 2011

Thanks for all the great feed back Ladies!

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