Breast Pumps

cvolkmar · July 2015

Call me crazy, but I've started researching this stuff already. When talking to my insurance company I learned that I can get a free breast pump. Actually, when researching it a little further, many of you may also qualify, so check with your insurance companies.

Here's my question with my insurance company, I get a free breast pump. These are the two I can choose from:

Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set

Ameda Purely Yours Dual Electric Personal Double Pump

I can upgrade the Medela one to the freestyle or tote/backpack and just pay the difference.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these…good or bad? Or is there another one out there that I should start researching?

Any help is greatly appreciated, this is one area of babies I'm clueless in.

ARogers26 · July 2015

Loved my Medela for my son. Went back to work after 12 weeks and pumped until he was 9 months. I am planning on staying home after this one but will def use the pump on occasion or if my plans change.

AmandaGS07 · July 2015

Never had a problem with my Medela! Got the same deal with my daughter, through my insurance company. It was always easy to find replacement parts and usually you can watch zulily for them as well so maintenance was easy. If I were you, I'd definitely upgrade to the tote or backpack though. I did not and I regretted it. Had to purchase a tote separately that didn't have a space for the pump on the outside so every time i use it, I have to unload the whole tote, so I think it's worth the extra money if you can up front to upgrade then.

cvolkmar · July 2015

@AmandaGS07 thank you for the advice! this may sound dumb, but what kind of maintenance is there aside from cleaning it regularly?!

ashcody2 · July 2015

I got the Ameda Purely Yours free with my insurance when I had my son - I had the backpack style so I could easily transport it to work. I liked mine but I want the Freestyle/tote type one this time around, I had issues with supply last time but I believe it was due to not drinking/eating enough and plan on going to weekly classes at the hospital to meet with a lactation consultant this time, I am determined to nurse this baby for a year!

I would definitely invest in the microwave steam/sterilizer to make the cleaning process quicker.

AmandaGS07 · July 2015

Just replacement parts - my pump itself never needed anything. But I had to replace membranes probably about every 3-4 months (I used mine a lot and washed parts in the dishwasher which caused them to wear quicker...). And I ended up purchasing two additional sets of shields/valves/membranes just so I had two clean ones with me during the day at work so I didn't have to worry about washing parts for every pumping session or invest in the sterilizer and be near a microwave if I was on the move and had to pump.

strlitemiss · July 2015

I'd upgrade the Medela. I have a older one and it still does a nice job!

Twindling · July 2015

I used the medela PISA backpack and loved it.

Just a pumping tip too:
When you're done pumping, place the flanges in a zip lock bag and in the fridge until you're ready to use them again. Saves yourself lots of washing, no worries about bacteria growing and then you can just wash them once at the end of the day

kris10mac · July 2015

I had the Medala on the go tote last time and it was perfect.

Does everyone know about this site?

https://www.breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/qualify-through-insurance/

They take care of everything for you: checking with insurance, Rx from your doctor and then ship it to you. I just filled everything out and submitted yesterday.

MamaFroFro · July 2015

I've had the pump in style and freestyle. The freestyle is nice because it's compact and battery powered so you aren't chained to a power outlet while pumping. Mine also came with the hands free attachments. However, I felt like the pump in style had a bit more power. It was hard for me to get much milk when I pumped and being able to turn the pump in style up to a higher power helped. However, you have to plug it in and stay in one spot while pumping and it's larger. I've never tried Ameda's pumps.

Lfchristensen · July 2015

I'm using Aeroflow too. My rep is so communicative and helpful. Love it! Love their comparison chart too for the various models.

ameliejoe · July 2015

I actually already received my pump! I called Aeroflow when I was 8 weeks just to start the ball rolling and to make sure I was covered for a pump. I explained to the rep that I'm constantly on the road for my job, and the representative helped me decide on the Medela Freestyle with Bustier (this way I can pump while driving, working on the computer, etc.). I confirmed the brand/model with a few friends (who all insisted it was a great choice) - and I already have it!

Aeroflow made it super easy. I told the rep that there was no rush since I'm not due until Feb... And she said its on the way! Which is nice since I did have an out-of-pocket for the upgraded style and accessories it came out of our FSA which will expire Jan 1.

ohbaby714 · July 2015

I had the Ameda Purely Yours and I loved it. I never had any problems with it at all and their customer service is absolutely amazing. I needed new membranes (which I had no idea, just knew that I wasn't pumping as much) and I called them and they sent me new ones free of charge and overnighted them. I called at about 2pm and had them by 8am the very next day.

BabySeaTurtles · July 2015

Loved my Medela PISA! I still have it and plan on using it again. It can come with a battery pack option and I just added the car adapter to my registry too. Only maintenance needed was the occasional replacement part (i.e. membranes, tubing, etc.). So definitely pay the difference to upgrade to the Advanced. Worth it!

brushesnbrunch · July 2015

kris10mac said:

I had the Medala on the go tote last time and it was perfect. Does everyone know about this site? https://www.breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/qualify-through-insurance/ They take care of everything for you: checking with insurance, Rx from your doctor and then ship it to you. I just filled everything out and submitted yesterday.

I just filled this out and submitted this morning. We'll see how it goes!

Achae · July 2015

I had the Ameda one and loved it, I think it pumped more than the Freestyle one my sister had and I borrowed when the replacement parts for the Ameda weren't in stock. That said I did have to replace the membranes on the Ameda for the suction to remain good. Granted I pumped for over a year and replaced the membranes maybe 5 times, and the initial kit had I think 3 replacements.

Life is Exciting · July 2015

I got the ameda purely yours double electric from my insurance company. It worked as well as the hospital grade one I used when I was in the hospital with him. Highly recommend it.

Monkeybutt80 · July 2015

I had both medela PISA and medela freestyle. I kept medela PISA at work during the week, and kept freestyle at home. When I pumped at work, I would just sit in my office so didn't need to be able to move around but loved freestyle at home bc I could still fold laundry or do other things while I pumped. Also used the freestyle when I had to pump while driving if I had to be out of the office.
I'll say that I noticed PISA is more powerful than freestyle.

SgtLou2 · July 2015

I can speak to both!! The insurance I had when DD was born did not give me a choice and sent us an Ameda Purely Yours Dual Pump (free). It was compact and the parts were very easy to clean; we were excited for it. Also, I had used an Ameda hospital pump while at the hospital, which meant that I already had spare parts for my home pump (yay). BUT, the Purely Yours did not get the milk flowing. My sister had just finished pumping for her baby, so out of desperation, I borrowed (permanently) her Medela Pump in Style Tote. It was not that effective either (at weeks1-6). I ended up renting a hospital pump for two months (worth every penny). I kept testing both home pumps to see if I would respond to them. At week 6 or so the Medela started to do the job, unfortunately the Ameda remains a paperweight provided by the insurance. I'll try the Ameda again after this baby (as I said, it's compact and has easy to clean parts), but I am going to see if my new insurance will buy me a Medela pump this time. Everyone else I know is a Medela user.

robinj716 · July 2015

Thanks for asking this. My insurance offers a few options too and I have been considering the Medela brand and I want to be sure to get a good pump. I am considering a pump where I pay the upgrade fees for a better version!

AggieKim · July 2015

LOVED the Medela. I'm sure I'll get some side eyes, but whatever, but the one I used was from 1999 (and I used it in 2011). That sucker still works great...if I hadn't broken a $5 part that you can't buy anymore because the sob is so old. I was able to use it until I weaned off pumping a little over a year after I had my son. Not one hiccup (that wasn't caused by my clumsiness). I intend to use my insurance to replace it (since I do qualify for a free one). Medela forever! (oh, and if you ask a lot of questions about breast pumps in the hospital, sometimes the end up giving you a ton of stuff like tubing for common breast pumps like the Medela and Ameda. I probably got almost $50 worth of crap for it in my hospital because I was asking about how to pump when I go home. Of course I'm sure this is hospital specific, too).

DizzyMom1 · July 2015

I had the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and it was amazing!

VitaLuna · July 2015

I pumped for 14 months with the Medela PISA and it did well. Like PPs have said, replacement parts are so much easier to find for Medela. I could easily pick up membranes, flanges, etc. from our small Target.

brushesnbrunch · August 2015

brushesnbrunch said:

kris10mac said:

I had the Medala on the go tote last time and it was perfect. Does everyone know about this site? https://www.breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/qualify-through-insurance/ They take care of everything for you: checking with insurance, Rx from your doctor and then ship it to you. I just filled everything out and submitted yesterday.

I just filled this out and submitted this morning. We'll see how it goes!

An update on my experience: My insurance did not work with this website. I just finally got around to calling them and they have three different sites I could use: Medeladelivers.com, Pumpingessentials.com, and yummymummy.com

I decided to use pumpingessentials.com since it was the most user-friendly in my opinion. The two options that were given to me were the same as OP, Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump Starter Set, and Ameda Purely Yours Dual Electric Personal Double Pump. Both came with handsfree pumping bra. I opted to do the upgrade for Medela PISA to include a backpack-like tote ($25 upgrade). The website will send a claim to my insurance, which since I know it's in-network, I don't see them denying it..It allowed me to enter my HSA debit card information to pay for the upgrade fee. I'm excited to see what comes from it!

wisco29 · August 2015

Get the medela.

I hated my ameda... Had lots of suction issues. There are lots of people who will say they loved their medela!

If you get an ameda- spare parts are just as easy to find.

MrsJG3 · August 2015

Dang you "grandfathered" insurance company! We have been grandfathered in for 3 years (?). No pump for me.

ChitownHusker · August 2015

This board has been so helpful to me! Question for you ladies: My insurance covers a basic medela pump. Do you think it would be worth it for me to pay for the upgrade to the medela freestyle pump? That's kind of the one I want that looks the best for at-work pumping.

VitaLuna · August 2015

ChitownHusker said:
This board has been so helpful to me! Question for you ladies: My insurance covers a basic medela pump. Do you think it would be worth it for me to pay for the upgrade to the medela freestyle pump? That's kind of the one I want that looks the best for at-work pumping.

I had the same question with my first, but after doing a bunch of research, most places said the PISA was still better than the freestyle, even at the lower price tag.

MamaFroFro · August 2015

ChitownHusker said:
This board has been so helpful to me! Question for you ladies: My insurance covers a basic medela pump. Do you think it would be worth it for me to pay for the upgrade to the medela freestyle pump? That's kind of the one I want that looks the best for at-work pumping.

The freestyle is a convenient pump so for travel it would be good but it just didn't work as well as the PISA. It didn't have as much suction.

chitownparent · August 2015

MrsJG3 said:

Dang you "grandfathered" insurance company! We have been grandfathered in for 3 years (?). No pump for me.

I'm in the same boat! And no free birth control! I mean, come on! We can't win!

BabySeaTurtles · August 2015

chitownparent said:

MrsJG3 said:

Dang you "grandfathered" insurance company! We have been grandfathered in for 3 years (?). No pump for me.

I'm in the same boat! And no free birth control! I mean, come on! We can't win!

Can you guys change plans for the new year? Maybe a different plan offered by same employer? I know this may not be possible but if you get your plan after March 2010 then it's not considered a grandfathered plan to Obamacare guidelines.

Latina211508 · August 2015

I had a medela one for my other 3 kids. I loved it.

SgtLou2 · August 2015

My SIL had the Medela freestyle and was unable to get good suction using it as a dual pump, so she had to single pump, which I can tell you, is a huge PITA!! I know that it's clunkier, but the PISA is better based on what the majority of my friends (and myself) have had success using.

Edit: sorry, I was trying to quote @VidaLuna to respond to her inquiry. Quote fail.

chitownparent · August 2015

BabySeaTurtles -- No. Not possible. Unless my husband gets a new job, in which case we'd probably have to wait 3 months for insurance to start again and go on Obamacare during that time, which would be a lot more money in the long run.

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