STMs- Are you buying a new pump?

SecondTimeinMSU · December 2013

The other post prompted me to call my insurance and I found out my new insurance only covers up to $150 for the pump rather than the whole thing this time. (but I'll be saving about $2000 off the hospital bill vs DS so cannot complain at all about the new insurance). I still have my old Medela Pump in Style so I am trying to decide if I should just get whatever $150 buys me in a cheap backup pump or shell out the difference for a new quality pump. Are other STM's getting new pumps? Does it lose suction over time? How much life does a pump usually have it in? I will be pumping for work.

nunzchucks · December 2013

I kinda want a new one if insurance will cover, but honestly, my Ameda works fine and since I'm a SAHM, it doesn't get much use. I guess I would get it just to sell it and that feels like insurance fraud to me.

Cherylwang · December 2013

My insurance doesn't cover a new pump

I'm going to use my old one.

lucreciac · December 2013

Prob not. But I just got mine a little over a year ago so I'm hoping it's still ok.

SecondTimeinMSU · December 2013

LoHerrim said:

I need to call my ins and see what they cover. If they don't cover one I'll just buy a cheap Evenflo hand battery pump. I'm a SAHM and only used it before in the car or when I needed to pump & dump. Mmm wine...

You actually don't need to pump and dump. Just wait for it to clear your bloodstream and pumping doesn't speed up the process. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding-and-alcohol/AN02131 I only mention this since I said pump and dump once in my early Bump days and was shamed by like a million posts for the error in my ways. At which point I crawled back into my bump shell for weeks =P

IveGotWhateverItIs · December 2013

If I didn't get the free one with my insurance I would be using the old one. It would be hard to drop $200 on a new one but since your insurance covers most of that I would, in your case, pay the difference on a new one.

mattanda2011 · December 2013

SecondTimeinMSU said:

LoHerrim said:

I need to call my ins and see what they cover. If they don't cover one I'll just buy a cheap Evenflo hand battery pump. I'm a SAHM and only used it before in the car or when I needed to pump & dump. Mmm wine...

You actually don't need to pump and dump. Just wait for it to clear your bloodstream and pumping doesn't speed up the process. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding-and-alcohol/AN02131 I only mention this since I said pump and dump once in my early Bump days and was shamed by like a million posts for the error in my ways. At which point I crawled back into my bump shell for weeks =P

While pumping and dumping may not be necessary to get the alcohol out of your system, some people need to do it to keep their supply up if they aren't going to feed baby but it is a normal feeding time for baby. Sorry you were shamed because there is actually a use for pumping and dumping in some circumstances

iris427 · December 2013

I'll probably buy new tubing and stuff, but the motor will hopefully be fine.

SecondTimeinMSU · December 2013

LoHerrim said:

LoHerrim said:

I need to call my ins and see what they cover. If they don't cover one I'll just buy a cheap Evenflo hand battery pump. I'm a SAHM and only used it before in the car or when I needed to pump & dump. Mmm wine...

You actually don't need to pump and dump. Just wait for it to clear your bloodstream and pumping doesn't speed up the process. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding-and-alcohol/AN02131 I only mention this since I said pump and dump once in my early Bump days and was shamed by like a million posts for the error in my ways. At which point I crawled back into my bump shell for weeks =P
Well thank you! I did because I didn't know any better. This was 8 yrs ago and if my milk looked different I'd just toss it. It always got a more greyish color when I drank. But looking back, I never had more than a glass anyway. It probably would've been just fine. I produce way too much milk anyway.

As @mattanda2011 said you might need to pump if it was a normal feeding time. But it sounded like you were talking more about just enjoying a evening glass of wine so you could just do it right after you fed the baby and put them down then wait the recommended amount of time. I struggled to produce enough milk so losing a drop would make me cry. My early FFFC is really don't like any alcohol anyways, I think wine tastes yucky. lol

ncbelle · December 2013

I plan to get one through my insurance. I actually have to pump more this time and would like to just be able to leave it at work and have a backup at home. I didn't buy a new pump between #1 and #2 though.

ncbelle · December 2013

Oh and pretty sure the Ameda Purely Yours is under $150 - it's a great pump!

otter1103 · December 2013

I just discussed this with a co-worker. She has a Medela pump and her children are 3 years apart and it's still going strong. Her sis in law is now using it (after purchasing all the new tubing and whatnot) but it hasn't failed them at all. So your old one may still be good

Mrs_D_in_KY · December 2013

I EPed with my son, so my Medela PISA pump was used more than most. And after so many hours of use the motors do start to wear out. I will take my pump to get the suction calibrated to see if it has lost suction. Otherwise I will most likely get a new one since DH's insurance will cover the purchase of a new one.

lclark79 · December 2013

I'm going to do the same. Mine has been sitting in a closet for a couple of years, so I'm just gonna replace the tubes and stuff.

TonyaCody06 · December 2013

My motor eventually went out in the middle of my 3rd child so I get a newer version of it. It should last me fine through the 4th child.

crestedlady · December 2013

I'll be getting a new one as my insurance should cover it...I exclusively pumped last time and managed to pretty much destroy the two Ameda Purely Yours pumps that I had.

lcseip · December 2013

I'm a FTM, so I have zero experience with pumping (I honestly don't think I've ever seen a pump.) Do you ladies think it's a good idea to have two pumps? I will be pumping at work and can see that it might be a good idea to have an extra at home, but don't want to waste the money on buying a second one if I don't have to (my insurance will cover the first).

chloephoebecali · December 2013

I will if insurance will cover, which I'm pretty sure they do. I got a freestyle last time and although it is good, I loved my hand me down pump in style more. The pump in style is old and was on its way out so a new one would be really nice.

tlcalloway · December 2013

i'm pretty sure with obamacare, insurance needs to cover something (unless your plan was grandfathered - i don't know what that means, but i hear that from time to time about coverage) - you can use FSA money too

also, I got an flyer from BRU about a Medela trade in event - trade in and get a new PISA for 200...don't remember when it starts/ends but i think its for January.

I EPd with my last from 10mos to 22mos... and started with a used PISA (with new tubing) and then bought a Freestyle around 14 mos. The freestyle should still be fine but i plan to see what my insurance will cover (possibly a rental for short term to establish supply) and if not, then purchase a new one via an LC since they are ALWAYS cheaper than the big box stores...since i intend to do extended breastfeeding again (DS was diagnosed with multiple food allergies at 10 mos which would have made formula feeding impossible)

just my two cents...not an LC here...

alwyssmilin · December 2013

Lurking from July - I had a PISA with my first, which was awesome. I also had a manual/hand pump that was better for traveling for short periods when I just needed to pump a bottle or two and as backup.

Ladybird2014 · January 2014

Yes, I have a medulla...dual pump. I've loaned it out and let several friends borrow it over the last 4 years. I plan on getting a new one instead of chasing down parts. My pump was amazing!!!

Bmcmullin01 · January 2014

I haven't talked to my insurance but I was planning on using my old medela double electric one

KeyLime81 · January 2014

I won't be pumping a lot, so I don't plan to get a new one.

@lcselp, I have two pumps...my double electric, and a small manual hand pump. The small pump saved me a few times! Occasionally, I'd forget a pump part at work and have to pump by hand. It was a pain, but better than nothing. You probably don't need two pumps (unless you plan to EP, but I don't have experience with that), but I'd definitely recommend having a small manual pump for back up. They're not expensive and they save you in a pinch.

chance_encounters · January 2014

Mine covers 1 per pregnancy. I will get a new one, I hate my Ameda.

chance_encounters · January 2014

I produce a lot of extra milk. So I donate my milk to mothers in need. I recently donated over 100oz.

MrsAMB07 · January 2014

This is #3 an I don't see the need for a new one. I have the Ameda Purely Yours. It's a closed system, so I may buy some new tubing, but really that's not even necessary. I EPed for DS and used it off and one with DD and it was still working fine.

Lynnja616 · January 2014

I'm a third time mom and I will need a new pump. I had the Ameda Purely Yours also for DS and DD and by the end of my time pumping with DD, the motor was dying. Thankfully at work (I work at a hospital) I have access to hospital grade pumps in our lactation rooms. I just buy the $35 kit to use with it and no lugging a pump and parts back and forth, which is so nice. My insurance does cover a double electric pump 100%, so I will be getting a new one for home use and travel, etc.

catsinawindow · January 2014

My insurance should cover my pump 100% so I'll definately be getting a new one. Even if it didn't I'd probably replace it anyway. With DS I got a cheap-o pump which, based on online reviews, was a MIRACLE that it lasted the entire year that I pumped. I don't think it will make it a second year.

MrsCase1 · January 2014

I LOVED my Ameda pump. I hope it survived our move!

ChristineMDF · January 2014

I BFd/pumped for a year. I returned to work part time at 6 weeks and full time at 24 weeks. I have an Ameda and I LOVED it. I am thinking that I literally killed the motor. I noticed toward the end that it seemed weaker, but that could have also been because of weaning and I just wasn't making as much (on purpose).

I think I will buy a new tubing kit and then after that we will see how it is doing. I am hoping it will last, but if not, I will buy another Ameda. I know my HS covers a new one, but I am kinda partial to my old "friend"

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