I will be a stay at mom and not sure if I want to spend the money on an electric pump. I only plan to pump to freeze a couple bottles, and when I am engorged and needing relief. Does anyone have a favorite manual pump and why??
I'd spend the money on the electric one, honestly. I am also a stay at home mom who bf for 13 months. I only pumped when I needed to which wasn't that often but man it was worth it. And especially as he started to wean and I needed to relieve pain. It was so fast.
I've heard that the hand pumps are a pain in the butt and like @hizah05 said, the electric ones are way worth it. A lot of health insurance companies cover the cost of an electric pump...I'd give your company a call and ask.
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First I'd check with your insurance company and get a double electric if they'll cover it (why not?). But I had a Medela Harmony manual I kept in my bag in case I forgot my electric pump at home/work or needed it while on the go. I actually liked it and would use it if I needed to pump quickly in the middle of the night for some relief. It's quicker and easier than having to plug in.
I received a single manual pump at the hospital when I had my daughter. You might want to look into that. I would also say that pumping with a manual pump is exhausting and takes a much longer time!
I second the Medela Harmony. I had a double electric I used to pump while working or traveling, but also used the manual pump frequently. It was small enough to fit into a purse, I actually took it to several wedding receptions and pumped during the evening and no one had any clue. I've also pumped on a plane and train with that thing! Oh, and one time when we were stuck in horrible traffic I pumped to give E a bottle so we didn't have to pull over. It was definitely worth it for me, and I don't think I paid more than $30 for it at Target.
I have a Playtex electric that I used, the hospital also gave me a medela hand pump and I actually used it more BC I could pump at my own pace. And great for on the go if you ever need it. You could call L&D at your hospital and see what they give you like a goodie bag, or ask a friend who delivered at your hospital. And also your insurance company, mine wasn't covered but my sister gave me the Playtex one as a gift, they're expensive.
I tried the manual pump that came with my pump kit in the hospital. I had no luck at all! The electric is much better for me. I stay at home, but I used mine quite a bit. Boosting supply, mostly.
STMs - do you think I absolutely need a breast pump if I will stay at home? I don't have family that I would leave LO with for quite a while, so assuming I'm always around when would I need one?
Re: Manual Pump..yes or no?
First I'd check with your insurance company and get a double electric if they'll cover it (why not?). But I had a Medela Harmony manual I kept in my bag in case I forgot my electric pump at home/work or needed it while on the go. I actually liked it and would use it if I needed to pump quickly in the middle of the night for some relief. It's quicker and easier than having to plug in.