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How to decide...

batmom05batmom05 member
in Breastfeeding
Hi mamas,

I've been lurking for a bit and figured it's time to come out of the shadows!

I'm a soon to be mama of baby #2 (Due in October). I have an almost 10 year old son that I tried to breastfeed with and failed. Looking back, I think the fact that I was young and didn't have a very good support system attributed to the difficulty that I had. My son was pretty big (9lb. 11oz) and wanted to nurse constantly. We had trouble latching, I had a hard time filling him up and it was just all around a terrible experience.

I'm 10 years older now with an amazing husband and the opportunity to go out on maternity leave for an extended period of time. Although I was dead set against nursing this time around based on the nightmare experience I had the first time, I have decided to give it a shot. My plan isn't to exclusively nurse, nor is it to be 100% successful. My goal is to just do better than I did the first time.

This time, I signed up for a nursing workshop (since it's been so long) and my husband has signed up for one for expectant dad's that will help them support mom and "do their part." My midwife also suggested that since I had a really hard time getting my son on a schedule and producing that a pump would be in my best interest, especially since I'm on target to have another good sized baby.

My question is... how did you decide which pump was right? There are so many conflicting resources. I'm very lucky that my health insurance will cover the cost of the 2 different manual pumps, 1 single electric and 2 double electric, I just need to decide which one is right for me.

I've narrowed it to the Medela Pump In Style and the Medela Freestyle. None of my friends or acquaintances have nursed or pumped, so I have no one to go to for guidance. Does anyone have experience with either? Any suggestions?

Also, what supplies should I have on hand to maximize my success? I remember how crucial lanolin and nursing pads were, but is there anything else that might be helpful?

I apologize if this is a double post. I did search a bit in addition to my lurking, but I didn't find anything that was really helpful for what I needed.

Thanks, ladies! Hope to chat more in the upcoming months.
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Re: How to decide...

  • MrsJG3MrsJG3 member
    A double electric will be the most efficient if you have to pump regularly. I am allergic to lanolin but I love the honest company nipple butter. If you are going to have to pump I have heard a hands free pumping bra is really helpful too. Good luck to you!
    DD: 8  DD: 3.5  DS:18M
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  • etayisloveetayislove member
    I also highly recommend going to a few La Leche League group meetings before you give birth! Free advice from other moms and the leaders are super helpful if you run into issues.

    I also used the Medela Pump in Style double electric pump, worked great for me.
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  • libby+natelibby+nate member
    I have the Medela PISA as well and it works great for me! I always pump after first morning feed to build a stash as well as to supplement if needed. We are at 6 months (almost 7) and the pump has held up well. I also use it regularly at work. There are 8 moms pumping on my unit and we all have the medela pump in style advanced, so it must be pretty good!!
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  • batmom05batmom05 member
    Thanks, ladies! That is very helpful information. I can't tell if it's been too long since my son was little, that I'm older and wiser or just being a typical mom but I am so overwhelmed by the options! I really want to be successful this time!


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  • harmonicbabe26harmonicbabe26 member
    I am on my second PISA with this baby (first one is still fine but since insurance gave me a new one, I'm using it). It's great. If you will be working and having a super lightweight portable pump is important to you then get the Freestyle. But in my experience the PISA is portable too.
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  • JAP09-02JAP09-02 member
    I have both pumps. I like the Freestyle better. I don't feel that either one is more powerful than the other, but the Freestyle is way more portable & convienent. My Freestyle lasted through two kids (EP'd with first for 7 months & pumped at work for a year with my second). I only got the PIS because it was free on my insurance & wasn't sure the Freestyle would make it through another kid. I stay home now, so I only pump once a day, but if I were still working I would have paid the difference on my insurance to get another Freestyle.
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  • tdegarmo1tdegarmo1 member
    I paid the difference and upgraded to the Freestyle merely because I'm a teacher and can't be stationary each time I pump (4x). I need to be able to at least walk around my room to set up for next classes if need be.

    I also recommend La Leche meetings for the information and awesome resources of other moms and probably a CLC that leads them.

    One thing that helped with healing in the beginning (scabs, cracks, blood, blech!) is a nipple shield. It helped me heal while continuing breastfeeding. If not, I probably would have quit. 4 months strong here!!
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