When to Order a Pump through Insurance?

poobear2015 · September 2014

I apologize if this is asked a dozen times, I just figured this might be the best spot to ask. My insurance (BCBS - fed employee prog) gives full coverage through a certain company for an electric pump. I'm still nursing my 2 yr old, but DH and I agree we'd like to spread the responsibility of feedings around for this next one. I'm determined that this one will also be BF, but agreed to try EP'ing. Does anyone else have insurance that covers a pump? How early were you able to get it? I'm hoping I can get it right away so we can jump right into bottles in the first week so as not to cause nipple confusion. DD never took bottles since 2 months because we never really pumped. TIA for any experience you can shed on this! :-)

bumpuser260585 · September 2014

Call your provider and.ask when you can order it and from what companies. I agree with pp, you don't have to EP for your H to help.

flcl · September 2014

I ended up getting my pump through insurance. I would definitely call and talk to them about their policy/procedure. Every company is different... with some, you can get your pump ahead of time, others, you have to wait until LO is born.

poobear2015 · September 2014

TY everyone! The pumping thing isn't just for him to help though. I honestly loved nursing my daughter, but still doing it 2.5 years later, I kinda want a break. Plus, with DD, it was stressful when she wouldn't take bottles. I worked part time when she was born, and the kid wouldn't eat when I was away. I'm not even exaggerating. At one point, she would be licking it off a spoon when she was just a tad too young for solids, but could figure out a spoon. It was hard on everyone. I'm terrified of that happening again. We gave her 1 bottle a day for about 2 weeks (starting in her 2nd week) and after that, we unintentionally stopped til about 4-5 weeks old. And she never wanted one again. I feel I may miss the bonding this time around, but at the same time, I want my body for myself. That and I'm working full time now, so I need this LO to eat when I'm away. TY for the insight though! Since I never had issues with nursing, I don't really know the challenges of pumping only. This helps me weigh out my pros/cons :-)

clwheel · September 2014

A friend of mine's daughter had latch issues so she tried to EP but dried up after about a month I'm not sure how strict she was about pumping or if her pump wasn't good enough. I believe they suggest hospital grade pumps if you are EPing and i'm sure that BCBS will give you the Medela.

We introduced a bottle to DD around 2 weeks I think it was. Hubby gave her one at night, while I pumped, for a couple weeks to get used to it. We stopped for a little bit as I was working on wiening her from the nipple shield. She's in daycare now and has no trouble taking bottles.

jenn43 · September 2014

poobear2015 said:

TY everyone! The pumping thing isn't just for him to help though. I honestly loved nursing my daughter, but still doing it 2.5 years later, I kinda want a break. Plus, with DD, it was stressful when she wouldn't take bottles. I worked part time when she was born, and the kid wouldn't eat when I was away. I'm not even exaggerating. At one point, she would be licking it off a spoon when she was just a tad too young for solids, but could figure out a spoon. It was hard on everyone. I'm terrified of that happening again. We gave her 1 bottle a day for about 2 weeks (starting in her 2nd week) and after that, we unintentionally stopped til about 4-5 weeks old. And she never wanted one again. I feel I may miss the bonding this time around, but at the same time, I want my body for myself. That and I'm working full time now, so I need this LO to eat when I'm away. TY for the insight though! Since I never had issues with nursing, I don't really know the challenges of pumping only. This helps me weigh out my pros/cons :-)

It's pretty common for babies to refuse a bottle if they haven't had one for awhile. There are some good books and transitioning between breastfeeding and bottles, and the key seems to be introducing a bottle early and giving one daily with no gaps.

Just wondering- have you had to pump much with this baby? I understand wanting your body to yourself, but I would rather share with a baby than with a pump. Cuter, and more time efficient!

And I second what PPs have said about DH helping out- mine always offers, but when I actually ask him he's clearly grumpy about it (not to mention LO would have been halfway done nursing by the time the bottle is warmed up).

You may also want to check with your provider regarding the pump prescription- my nurse midwife just sent the info to my insurance company, and they mailed me a pump. I didn't have to lift a finger

mikrinikki · September 2014

I was able to get mine months in advance from my insurance. I called the insurance and asked how to obtain one. I went to their supply website, ordered it, and it was shipped to my house.

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