Pump it up! Pumping...

sagehens47 · October 2014

Hi all. The world of pumping is new to me...

What kind of doodads or properties are must-haves in a pump? Some seem pretty simple but others are like the Ferarris of pumps. Not sure how fancy to go here.

Wishing you all a great Thursday night and Friday.

bowman958 · October 2014

It's nice to have a closed system pump so that you don't have to worry about moisture getting into tubing. But a lot of people really like the Medela PISA, which isn't a closed system. I had two pumps and preferred the Medela over my closed system pump because it was faster. But there are nicer closed system pumps than the one I had. If you are in the US, check with your insurance to see what pumps they will cover, and research those.

Best of luck. The thought of pumping again gives me the shivers.

alexeleni · October 2014

Also! Your health insurance is likely required to give you one. Check with them! They may give you a couple options and then you can research those specific ones. If you find one you like that isn't an option, get your OB/GYN to write you a prescription for that specific type, and insurances will cover it.

*thanks, lady at Babies R Us and DH who works in healthcare!

bsdub · October 2014

I'm a first time mom, but from my mommy friends I hear a double pump is better then a single. A good trick is to cut the nipples out of a sports bra so u don't have to hold them in place.

Critter015 · October 2014

I have a Medela PISA as well. I also have the Medela Harmony hand pump that I carry as a backup or for a quick pump when I don't want to get everything out. All but one piece is interchangeable between the two, so it made it easier to always have clean parts when I needed them.

lindsayanne14 · October 2014

I also have a Medela PISA. I found it to be pretty efficient for at work pumping. I kept extra parts on hand (flanges, tubing, etc...) so I never found myself needing to replace something and not having a back up. You may not have all that many choices if you're going through insurance, but if you're going to do daily pumping a double pump will literally cut the pumping time in half.

JAP09-02 · October 2014

I used the Madela Freestyle. With my first I began exclusively pumping at 6 weeks. I was convinced she wasn't getting enough and needed to see first hand. I continued to pump until she was 7 mos old, with enough frozen for another month. I was so burnt out.

Anyways, I think what helped me make it that far was the flexibility the Freestyle offered. At the time I was working full time as a pharmacist in a retail pharmacy. Fortunately I was able to throw on a cover sit at the counter and pump while I worked. It wouldn't have been possible for me to stop for 20min every three hours, as I was the only pharmacist on. The Freestyle is really compact, quiet, and does not have to be plugged in.

With my second I was bound and determined not to go down the exclusively pumping road. I was now working PT in a closed door pharmacy, so it was a little easier to take a break when I needed to. I used the same pump (although it seemed to loose some of its sucking power) for nearly a year. I only pumped at work and nursed directly at home.

This time I am a SAHM and hope to only use the pump to build a freezer stash. If I were still working I'd buy a new one, but I'm thinking maybe I can make my Freestyle stretch for the 3rd. Actually I think I'll check with my insurance and get a new one, even if I have to plug it in and save the Freestyle for trips if needed.

Ultimately I think it depends on how much you plan to pump, will you need to travel with it, what your pumping environment will be like, etc.

I agree with PP, that thinking of pumping again gives me the shivers. Nursing directly is a ton easier after you get the hang of it, but I understand you do what you have to do especially if you are working.

mrsalvidrez · October 2014

I'm happy this thread exists. So much helpful information!

DosChicas1417 · October 2014

Another shout out for the Medela PISA! As PP mentioned extra parts are key and check with your insurance, as many insurance plans cover breast pumps.

Jaysway08 · October 2014

I went with the freestyle along with a Medela hand pump to use in a pinch. I have to run around a lot at work, so the Medela cleaning wipes were amazing to let me clean my pump parts and then they would dry in my open bag until I needed to pump again. You can also keep the pump apparatus assembled in a reusable waterproof bag in a refrigerator between sessions, which is a big time saver.

The freestyle served me very well the entire year. Hopefully it'll work again this time!

pnutg · October 2014

My insurance paid for a medela PISA 100%. It's a great pump. But I'm not looking forward to pulling it out again...

thelittlepear · October 2014

I loved my Freestyle.

Also, don't just check with insurance if you're in the US. H's private insurance covered the cost of mine as "medical equipment" because I had an RX from my OB. Several of my friends haven't been covered, but it's worth the phone call at least!

Puppies+Rainbows+Unicorns · October 2014

I exclusively pumped for nearly a year and would highly recommend the Freestyle, but it is pretty pricey. Find out what your insurance covers--I was sent home from the hospital with a hospital grade pump that was free to use for a year. Some hospitals also have rental programs. If you are at all on the fence about nursing it might make sense to hold off on actually buying a pump to see how things go. I have heard several woman complain about spending a lot of money on a pump only to find that they ended up nursing exclusively or that nursing is not the right thing for them. I would also note that you will not need a pump on day one as bottle feeding can cause nipple confusion the first couple of weeks.

Mel&John2013 · October 2014

I exclusively pumped for 8 months and loved my Medela PISA. It was nice that it could be plugged in or battery powered if I wasn't somewhere near an outlet. Like the car...I pumped in the car more than once.

I recommend:

1) Always having an extra pack of batteries in the bag.

2) Ask to try a pump while in the hospital. That will let you know if you like it before you open your expensive pump and will score you an extra set of breast shields and valves.

3) Take those extra breast shields and valves and have them be the "keep with the pump" set. That way you have one set in the pump bag and one set at home so you don't have to worry about leaving parts behind.

4) I liked the Medela on the go wipes for when I couldn't rinse or wash my parts after pumping.

ScarletOflaherty · October 2014

Medela PISA. Wouldn't touch anything else with a 10 foot pole as a working mom

Ncountrygal · October 2014

The right sized shield (the part that covers your boob). I cannot stress this enough!

emarsh0415 · October 2014

So helpful! As a FTM and the fact that I'm going back to working shortly after baby gets here had me freaking out. I stood in the pump section at Babies R Us last weekend and ended up walking out overwhelmed.

miracle4x · October 2014

I've never had a fancy one. Just The First Years miPump from Target, I think it is, and it works great for me. It really depends on how much milk you need to store and how often you have to pump. When I used mine with my three other babies, I was only working part time and only had to pump once at work, so it was a single and did the trick. I saved up a ton of milk while on maternity leave, and then the milk I'd pump at work would be for the next day after the frozen milk ran out. If you work full time, don't have much time for pumping breaks, go with something that works well and fast and that is a double, I would say. A cheaper one just for feeding the baby when you're out or something would be sufficient if you don't work.

Mel&John2013 · October 2014

somerandomchick said:

Mel&John2013 said:

I exclusively pumped for 8 months and loved my Medela PISA. It was nice that it could be plugged in or battery powered if I wasn't somewhere near an outlet. Like the car...I pumped in the car more than once.

I recommend:
1) Always having an extra pack of batteries in the bag.
2) Ask to try a pump while in the hospital. That will let you know if you like it before you open your expensive pump and will score you an extra set of breast shields and valves.
3) Take those extra breast shields and valves and have them be the "keep with the pump" set. That way you have one set in the pump bag and one set at home so you don't have to worry about leaving parts behind.
4) I liked the Medela on the go wipes for when I couldn't rinse or wash my parts after pumping.

Will they have open-system pumps like the PISA for you to rent & try out at the hospital? I thought those weren't suitable for multiple people to use (According to the official word from Medela) and that would make it one that's not suitable for renting out

They'll have a hospital grade to use, but if the hospital uses the Medela hospital grade the parts will be interchangeable. They'll give you tubing and breast shields you'll attached to their pump, then keep to attach to your pump later.

So you wouldn't get to try your specific pump (unless you're going to rent a hospital grade), but I actually didn't notice a lot of difference between the hospital and PISA. My thought was if you like the hospital grade you'll likely like the PISA because the suction is similar and the parts that touch your body are the exact same.

That being said, some people do say there is a difference between the hospital grade and PISA. I just didn't notice it. The power is adjustable on both so if the PISA ever wasn't strong enough I just upped the dial.

deidrahmichelle · October 2014

I went ahead and spent the money on the tommee tippee double breast pump. My nephews mom had purchased a cheap pump at walmart and it made her nipples bleed and she had to stop breast feeding all together early. A week after I purchased my tommee tippee pump( I think it was $200) I found out that I could get up to $2000 back on my taxes for breast feeding items. So we saved that receipt and all my baggies and got the full $2000 tax break. I LOVE my TT pump. I had an overflow and drowned my son every time I fed straight from the breast so I had to pump ten minutes before feeding him. I used it for the full year. No problems with the battery. The flanges were soft and there was no nipple confusion with the tommee tippee nipples. It has diffrent speeds and a time display to show how long you've pumped. Only thing that I had an issue with is the flanges don't screw on they just push into the hole. So you can't get a hands free bra because the bottles would pop off the flanges if I didn't hold them. Other than that, I loved it and plan on using it again this go around.

sagehens47 · October 2014

Thank you everyone. This is great! I will admit that I didn't even know that pumps were covered by insurance. Lots to learn, my friends...

Sharon&Paul · October 2014

I had tried many different pumps. I know Medela PISA is a favorite on this forum, but it was my least favorite and produce the least amount of milk. I have the Medela Symphony hospital grade. You can make many adjustments to speed and suction. However, I found the Ameda Purely Yours to be almost as affected as the hospital grade. This is a closed system and worked much better for me than the Medela PISA. ironically with my third baby the hospital had also decided to change from Medela to Ameda brand pumps.

rosemama116 · October 2014

I used a medela PISA and exclusively pumped for 10 months. I hate thinking about it. My insurance covers a pump but it's the ameda, which doesn't really excite me. I'll have to ask my OB about getting a prescription or if they will cover rental of a hospital grade one.

lilann2011 · October 2014

I got the PISA for free through my insurance. One thing I would reccomnend is buying an extra set of pump parts (flanges?) so if you are heading out you don't have to wash your first pair so you can pump before and have the clean set ready to go right when your done!
Also I just kept all my parts in the fridge during the day and washed once at night...that saved a lot of time!

shoeflypie · October 2014

You've received a ton of great answers! I'm in agreement with the Medela PISA. I used coconut oil for my nipples. Pumped directly into bottles at work but into bags at home. Always have back up batteries incase you find yourself without a plug. I had over supply and decided to power pump. I pumped right into bags and into the freezer. I'll be getting another PISA from insurance for sure!

cork15 · October 2014

Great info! What would you ladies recommend for those who plan to stay home & breast feed, but would like to pump for bottles so DH can help out with feedings?

cork15 · October 2014

Thank you @MrsRexManing‌!

miahbelle · October 2014

I never had an option. I couldn't afford a pump. My SIL gave me hers that she never used (she decided not to pump while at the hospital so it was never opened). It was a Playex and pretty good I guess. I had a hard time getting it to sit right on my breast at first and the suction is iffy. But once I got it going, it worked well enough. I would love to have a different one for this baby though.

deidrahmichelle · October 2014

You might also check with your local wic office if your insurance won't cover. Our two local offices loan out hospital grade pumps, as long as your in school full time or working.

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