Breast Pump (ump ump ump)

BMaidPlanner · May 2014

There are some old posts about this specifically but I didn't want to revive a ghost-post.

If you have USED your pump, which do you have? I have 3 different companies I can order from for the free pump through my insurance with over 6 different brands to choose from it seems, but no special models and there doesn't seem to be any fun bells and whistles. I have UnitedHealthcare if anyone else is in the same boat as me.

Please share your experienced wisdom!

*Also, has anyone actually used the Freemie collection? That seems to be an option for me. I've never seen anything like it and am really intrigued about how well it works, how it feels, etc!

Pepper6 · May 2014

I have UH too and ordered from the only company that had a medela pump. It was kind of weird because on the website, they only had one medela pump as an option, which was the 'free style'... But then they called me today saying insurance wouldn't cover the free style, but covered a different medela pump. It's still a dual electric, so that's fine, but I just found it odd that it was different.

BMaidPlanner · May 2014

@Pepper6‌ - which did they switch it to?

StephW3000 · May 2014

I'm going to be a FTM so I don't have experience yet.. But I heard there's a difference between open systems and closed systems. Long story short, in a closed system the milk is pumped and collected without touching the pump mechanism (ie motors and vaccuum parts) and in an open system, the milk does come in touch with the pump mechanisms and/or air. Here's a link to a comparison between the types. I received an Ameda Purely Yours double electric from someone who hardly used theirs (only used it during a baby's nicu stay) It's comes highly recommended and it's a closed system. I noticed right away that we needed to only sterilize or buy new only the parts that came in contact with the milk (ie bottle, part that connected with breast, etc). Once those are delivered the pump is ready to be used!

Im sold for life on the closed-system pump type. Parts wise, it seems to better prevent mold or bacterial growth in hard to clean components and I think I will be comfortable reusing it for future pregnancies.

Pepper6 · May 2014

BMaidPlanner said:
@Pepper6‌ - which did they switch it to?

I have no idea, the call was cutting out, but she said it's still a medela dual electric style and not that much different from the free style.

britleann26 · May 2014

Pepper6 said:

@Pepper6‌ - which did they switch it to?
I have no idea, the call was cutting out, but she said it's still a medela dual electric style and not that much different from the free style.

I have UH and the free style was so popular it is either on back order for months or the companies no longer offer it. I got the replacement to the free style as well. It is the personal one. Same exact as the free style but without the bag and cooler.

flerlgirl · May 2014

Medela PISA over here. I didn't use it for all that long but I liked it. It's a double electric pump.

steprozz · May 2014

love my medela pump in style advance. it always left me nice and empty feeling and is so easy to use.

MrsAMB07 · May 2014

I used the Ameda Purely Yours in the past to EP for 6 months, and then pump about once a day for almost a year. It held up fine, but I'm wondering if a different pump would've been better. I liked that it was a closed system.

This time around I was torn between one of the Medelas that UH offers and the Hygeia, and I chose the Hygeia because, again, it's a closed system. I did order Medela flanges because I need a bigger size than their standard and the Medelas are less expensive and easier to find. I haven't tried it yet, though, obviously!

snowpants · May 2014

I exclusively pumped for 11 months so trust me, I used the hell out of my pump. I had the Medela PISA (double electric) and it was great. Well actually I hated it because I hated pumping but all things considered it was fantastic and held up really well.

Unsolicited advice:

Get a hands free pumping bra. (Or make one.) It's a must have if you're going to be spending much time pumping.

Buy extra valves and replace them every now and then. New valves always helped me be more efficient with the amount of milk I was pumping.

dragonfly711 · May 2014

I don't have experience yet but actually just ordered my pump today. Had to wait a month before she was born for united health care. I ordered the Medela PISA. That was the only medela one they have. Does not come w a caring bag nor cooler which kind of stinks. I was hoping they would let me upgrade but not sure will have to wait and see.

dragonfly711 · May 2014

ugabamafans said:
@dragonfly711 - you can buy the cooler at BRU. You can probably buy both on Amazon.

Yeah I know I got a cooler for my shower. Just didn't want to pay $100. For the bag. Will find something else to put it in.

ncbelle · May 2014

If Hygeia is an option, get that for sure.

I'm anti Medela because they are open systems (unless you are getting hospital grade) and they do not allow for easy independent control of suction and cycle rate.

I had good luck with my Ameda previously but have heard their quality may have recently gone down.

stephpaez · May 2014

Medela PISA for me. It's the first and o my pump I have owned so I don't have much to base this in but im very happy with it.

mustangholly · May 2014

dragonfly711 said:

I don't have experience yet but actually just ordered my pump today. Had to wait a month before she was born for united health care. I ordered the Medela PISA. That was the only medela one they have. Does not come w a caring bag nor cooler which kind of stinks. I was hoping they would let me upgrade but not sure will have to wait and see.

You can buy the accessories that don't come with it separately. I had this concern with my ins covering our pump. They don't give you the bag or the accessories. Just the basics to get you started. Our pump went straight to deductible. It is cheaper for us to buy it on our own with the accessories than to go through our ins. Disappointing.

https://www.target.com/p/medela-breast-pump-shoulder-bag-with-accessory-kit-for-pump-in-style/-/A-14994073#prodSlot=medium_1_25&term=medela

dragonfly711 · May 2014

mustangholly said:

dragonfly711 said:

I don't have experience yet but actually just ordered my pump today. Had to wait a month before she was born for united health care. I ordered the Medela PISA. That was the only medela one they have. Does not come w a caring bag nor cooler which kind of stinks. I was hoping they would let me upgrade but not sure will have to wait and see.

You can buy the accessories that don't come with it separately. I had this concern with my ins covering our pump. They don't give you the bag or the accessories. Just the basics to get you started. Our pump went straight to deductible. It is cheaper for us to buy it on our own with the accessories than to go through our ins. Disappointing.

https://www.target.com/p/medela-breast-pump-shoulder-bag-with-accessory-kit-for-pump-in-style/-/A-14994073#prodSlot=medium_1_25&term=medela

So sad insurance does that.

BMaidPlanner · May 2014

My options appear to be: (who knows what they might be out of)

Lansinoh double electric (never heard of it)

Rumble Tuff double electric (never heard of it)

Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump No Tote (AD17070P)

Freemie Freedom Standard Set with HANDS FREE and Concealable Freemie Collection Cups (DAFG017) (new and really intriguing)

Hygeia Q Breast Pump (HG100056)

Medela Advanced Portable Breastpump. (2 Phase Expression and fully adjustable. Includes: Motor bag only, 2 Breastmilk Containers. Removable cooler and ice pack not included. Battery pack not included.)

Eeeeessshhhh decisions, decisions....

rastrau · May 2014

@BMaidPlanner - do you have BCBS? Because those appear to be the same options I have. Plus one called Bailey that I've also never heard of.

I was leaning toward the Medela, but the Ameda and Hygeia Q seem to be well-liked because they're closed systems as opposed to M's open system.

BMaidPlanner · May 2014

@rastrau I have United, but I have been hearing there is a chance when I call certain models on these company websites aren't actually available, etc. This thread has me leaning toward Ameda and Hygiea for the same reason.

Also, I got this as a registry gift, would this stuff work with any pump or does it somehow HAVE to be Medela? Might be a dumb newb question. @ugabamafans? @MrsAMB07?

BMaidPlanner · May 2014

@hampire, I feel you and I just want to get it over with, especially if LO comes early. One company said something like allowing for 10 business days from the date of order...sigh. What to do, what to do.

MrsAMB07 · May 2014

@BMaidPlanner‌ - that seems like a set of collection bottles. They can work with anything, in that you can pump into what your pump comes with and pour it into those containers for storage in the refrigerator. If you want to pump directly into those (which is the most practical), I know with the Hygeia you'd need to order two narrow bottle adapters. Their flanges have a wider base. I did order them so I have the option of pumping into the Hygeia bottles or the medela and Ameda bottles I already have.

In my experience, those do work with the Ameda pumps, but that's all I've used before. Hope this answers your question!

dragonfly711 · May 2014

ugabamafans said:

dragonfly711 said:

ugabamafans said:
@dragonfly711 - you can buy the cooler at BRU. You can probably buy both on Amazon.
Yeah I know I got a cooler for my shower. Just didn't want to pay $100. For the bag. Will find something else to put it in.
I've got to figure out a cooler/bag for my new pump too. I don't think a specific bag is a big deal.

Cooler you can get from babies r us from medela. Not too expensive.

MrsAMB07 · May 2014

@ugabamafans - I was going to order some parts from Hygeia themselves, but for some reason their shipping was crazy. For a $3 adapter piece the shipping was like $12 or something. I was able to find their things at a site called Lactationconnection.com. I think the prices were similar but with shipping it worked out cheaper, just FYI if you do go to order from them!

BMaidPlanner · May 2014

@MrsAMB07 and @ugabamafans - thank you for your help! I haven't a clue about parts and things yet, but I'm sure I'll have a crash course when it's time to get down to it!

crestedlady · May 2014

For what it's worth, I had the Ameda Purely Yours pump and did not have a good experience. It may be a fluke, it could be that I exclusively pumped, or I just could be too hard on my electronics, but in both of the Ameda pumps I used (one received as a gift, one received from a family member who only used it a handful of times personally) the O ring in the motor broke. We were able to find a comparable part at a hardware store, but neither motor on either machine worked well afterwards. We did call customer service when the first one broke, and though I cannot remember what they said, I do not recall them offering much advice, offering to replace it, etc. Needless to say, I am not going to get another Ameda pump unless our insurance doesn't cover anything else.

I did like that it was a closed system, so maybe the Hygeia would be a good option. I did find that in my area, the majority of the replacement parts available in stores are Medela followed by Ameda, so if you plan to (or end up) exclusively pumping, you might take that into consideration as well. I exclusively pumped with our son, and from experience found that it is less than ideal to have a part break, wear out, or simply be forgotten at home and not have a replacement readily available.

Aaward1658 · May 2014

I had a medela Pisa with my dd 10 years ago, it still works perfectly. The new Pisa is 2 phase expression, so I got a new one and will keep my older one as a backup if I have any problems. Or just keep the new one at work. I'm excited to see how the 2 phase works, I used to pump a lot pretty quickly with my old pisa

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