Breast Pump Question

Morrama · June 2014

For those of you who are already mothers, but are expecting this October. Can you please give some recommendations on breast pumps? Which brand is the best to use pros/cons of such... There are so many and I am a first time mom. I have no idea what to expect, which kind I should purchase. Also, is this something that you would go ahead and purchase in advance or wait? I am just concerned because my mother and grandmother did not breast feed, so I cannot rely on their guidance and I really want to try to breastfeed, but I know I will need a pump when I go back to work and they are expensive in general, so I want to get the best for the price....

Thoughts>

Emerald27 · June 2014

For going back to work, you'll want a double electric pump. Medela and Ameda pumps are really popular, as are some others. I have only used a Medela Pump in Style, and I loved it (as much as one can love a breast pump

). It was lightweight, easy to use and easy to keep clean.

ETA: Have you contacted your insurance company to see which pump they cover?

MrMrsandBaby · June 2014

First, call your insurance company. They may cover one for you and that will likely limit your options.

Second, search the boards, there are a lot of threads about breast pumps.

Third, it depends on what you need the pump for. If you are EPing then you will want a different one compared to if you only pump as needed. I liked my Medela enough, but will be renting a hospital grade pump this time around because it is more effecient and my insurance covers it.

Also, visit some websites like kellymom.com and llli.org for more guidance.

AppleGrapeMSTK · June 2014

Contact your insurance company. They will usually cover all or some of the purchase/rental of a breast pump. I called and was given the number of the vendor that my insurance uses. Some make you wait until you are 36 weeks, some you have wait until you deliver, and others you can get ASAP.

Last time I bought a Medela PIS double electric. I bought it around 34 weeks because I was being induced at 37 weeks. I am glad I had it on hand because we had latch issues for the first several months and I ended up pumping exclusively. I also had an Evenflo(?) manual pump.

If you will be working, double electrics are the best way to go because it works both breasts at the same time, so you will be able to get back to work faster. Single electrics are nice, but you do one at a time. For either electric, get a hands-free bra. I made mine by cutting holes in the nipple part of a sports bra. This way you can even work or Bump while pumping.

Manuals are good for small tasks like taking the edge off. Because I EP'd, I kept a manual in my diaper bag for those times I was out and about and DS needed a snack to last him until the next feeding or the amount of milk I brought with me wasn't enough. You need two hands for the manual pump.

HappyCianci · June 2014

Emerald27 said it: find out which double-electric pump your insurance pays for. I believe all the insurance companies have to cover the double-electric ones, now. I would definitely buy a pump before baby arrives. Even if you won't be back at work right away, you may want it to practice (your body actually gets better at giving milk for the pump, the more you do it), start a freezer stash, or accustom baby to occasionally taking bottles. Kudos to you for thinking of these things early!

roundabout2 · June 2014

Medela. I tried the Aveda last time around and it just didn't seem to have the power Medela does. It is nice cause it's a closed system so you can re-sell it though, which I did. I then bought a Medela Pump in style. Make sure to get a double pump

meggiev123 · June 2014

I agree with PPs about contacting your insurance and making sure you get a double electric. Personally, I use a Medela Pump in Style and have been very happy with it. The hands free bra was also critical. Personally I thought the Simple Wishes model was far superior to the medela version.

I also agree with @happy cianci to start pumping before you go back to work. It took my boobs awhile to get the hang of it, but they eventually did and I found have a freezer stash critical in case my output was short one day, or I wanted to go out at night, drink a few and pump and dump

Also don't worry if your output in small in the beginning, baby's tummy isn't that big!

Also if you're worried about not having support at home, it may be useful to pop into a La Leche League meeting or some other BFing support group before baby arrives. That way if you have difficulties you'll know where to turn! Good luck!!

Roseypants · June 2014

Medela. I tried to pump with my daughter and ended up stopping. I'm going to try harder this time around. I have the Medela in style advanced. I think I may get a hand pump this time to see if that helps at the very beginning. I was good with breastfeeding last time, but it was the pumping that I had trouble with.

MrMrsandBaby · June 2014

Nicb13 said:

theresat858 said:

@Emerald27 I have a Medela pump that I only used for a few weeks with DS but should I replace the tubing and the parts that go on my boobs? Someone told me that I should but do you think that's necessary?
I'm not Emerald, but I'll chime in and say replace the tubing (it can develop cracks that make it not work well), but just sanitize the plastic pieces. Get new white membrane pieces, too (those should be replaced every month or two if you are pumping at work daily). The great thing about Medela is the ease of finding replacement parts and their customer service. But if your insurance will cover the rental of a hospital grade pump, I would consider that, as well. If you need to pump on the first three weeks, it should be with a rental hospital grade pump, not a PISA or the like.

Ok cool, I can do that.

I know this is my second baby but I took a very relaxed approach with DS and thought BF'ing would be NO problem so I didn't take a class or even read a book about breastfeeding! Big mistake. I was pumping right away and struggling, trying to feed DS, and nothing was working. It was awful. I'm being much more proactive this time around so your advice, and Emerald's too, are very helpful.

My life...Must try harder this time around.

NavyFlyer · June 2014

Additional question: Anyone have opinions on Medela Pump in Style vs. Medela Freestyle?

erinchrisitne424 · June 2014

@morrama I have the madela pump in style double electric pump. It was wonderful going back to work. It was expensive but well worth the money and I will be able to use it again with my 2nd child. It packs away great and looks like a backpack or a purse to take into work. I am a nurse aid and a lot of the girls and the nurses we work with use them. Great buy. Worth the investment. Madela is also great on replacing anything that goes wrong. Hope this helps.

Emerald27 · June 2014

Nicb13 said:

theresat858 said:

@Emerald27 I have a Medela pump that I only used for a few weeks with DS but should I replace the tubing and the parts that go on my boobs? Someone told me that I should but do you think that's necessary?
I'm not Emerald, but I'll chime in and say replace the tubing (it can develop cracks that make it not work well), but just sanitize the plastic pieces. Get new white membrane pieces, too (those should be replaced every month or two if you are pumping at work daily). The great thing about Medela is the ease of finding replacement parts and their customer service. But if your insurance will cover the rental of a hospital grade pump, I would consider that, as well. If you need to pump on the first three weeks, it should be with a rental hospital grade pump, not a PISA or the like.

Ok cool, I can do that.

I know this is my second baby but I took a very relaxed approach with DS and thought BF'ing would be NO problem so I didn't take a class or even read a book about breastfeeding! Big mistake. I was pumping right away and struggling, trying to feed DS, and nothing was working. It was awful. I'm being much more proactive this time around so your advice, and Emerald's too, are very helpful.

-----------------------------------------------------
Exactly what @theresat858‌ said! Unless the flanges look old/worn, a 10-minute boil or other sanitization method should be just fine. Absolutely replace the membranes and tubing, though.

Also, there's a gauge that can test pump efficiency (and of course I don't remember what it's called!), and many LCs and LLL groups have them on hand, and will test your pump for free or for like $5. You can take your pump and the new parts to have it tested and make sure it's up to snuff.

And super kudos for preparing yourself this time around! FX for the positive, rewarding breastfeeding experience you hope for!

russinangl · June 2014

NavyFlyer said:

Additional question: Anyone have opinions on Medela Pump in Style vs. Medela Freestyle?

My thoughts exactly!

IrishHoney123 · June 2014

Here's a vote for the Ameda Purely Yours if your insurance gives you that choice. I love it, and have used it while at work for 2 kiddos so far.

Morrama · June 2014

Great news... my pump is covered at 100% with no copay or anything... I got the double pump medala... Thanks ladies for the advice!

JessAnnJ · June 2014

OP already solved her issue, but for others reading Ameda has excellent customer service.

NavyFlyer · June 2014

Happyin14, does the pump in style not run off batteries? Is that why freestyle is more $?

LaDyBostonRN · June 2014

MrMrsandBaby said:

First, call your insurance company. They may cover one for you and that will likely limit your options.

Second, search the boards, there are a lot of threads about breast pumps.

Third, it depends on what you need the pump for. If you are EPing then you will want a different one compared to if you only pump as needed. I liked my Medela enough, but will be renting a hospital grade pump this time around because it is more effecient and my insurance covers it.

Also, visit some websites like kellymom.com and llli.org for more guidance.

This. At our OB office, we don't even recommend that mother's get a pump before they deliver because they may find they need a certain kind to fit their needs, etc. So we ask them to wait and most of the times once they figure it out, we order it and it gets to the post partum floor before they even leave!

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