Should I invest in a breast pump?

slorbets · January 2016

I am a FTM and planning on breastfeeding my baby and I am wondering if breast pumps are worth the investment. I know breast pumps can be expensive. I think the pump would be convenient while I may be away from the baby or in a public place that I do not feel comfortable breastfeeding, however I worry that the baby may not take a bottle, or I discover I do not get much use out of the pump. I am wondering what STM's recommend?

mrsmommya · January 2016

If you have to go back to work then yes a pump is 100% necessary. I also pumped thr opposite side while my dd nursed. We gave her a bottle of my milk at 2 weeks so my dh could feed her and sparingly after that. She also took a paci and never had any trouble.

ach298 · January 2016

I wanted to add more of an answer to your question. I would wait until the baby comes before ordering a breast pump, though I would do my insurance company research now in the next few months. Worst case, you might have to rent a pump from the hospital for a few weeks until yours comes in, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Hospital pumps can sometimes be stronger and better at establishing initial supply than regular electric pumps.

foxa319 · January 2016

Yes they definitely are! A lot of insurance companies will cover a breast pump so look into that! Mine did!

slorbets · January 2016

You are so lucky! Although I have a decent insurance plan through work, it unfortunately doesn't cover the cost for breast pumps

MDmomma1217 · January 2016

At the time (over six years ago) my insurance didn't cover pumps, so I didn't get one at first. My DD wasn't getting enough (lactation consultant said she was a "lazy feeder" and we tried some different things) but she kept losing weight, and I was driving myself crazy with taking her to the pediatrician every other day for weight checks. I was so paranoid about making sure she was getting enough that I did start pumping, and ended up exclusively pumping til she was a year old. This time around I am absolutely getting a pump before LO arrives so I have one on hand, because I know there will be times I need to pump.

stillcozy · January 2016

For those who had insurance cover one how do I go about checking about that? Do I call or do I need the dr to do anything?

RachelT1234 · January 2016

Hi @Lindsayleigh1989, I checked my health insurance provider manual. There was a section on breast pumps and it specified two brands and details of what is covered and directions on how to order one. For mine, it looks they won't mail it until I provide the baby's birth certificate

FluffleSprout · January 2016

As a SAHM, I didn't *need* a pump but I did get a decent hand pump which was great for my occasional use. A pump is not a great solution for taking places you don't feel comfortable breastfeeding. It is much, much easier to find a secluded spot to nurse or even leave to another location than to drag out a pump, pump (which is much more noticeable than nursing), clean the pump, pack the pump, and give a bottle. A pump is fantastic if you are working or traveling away from baby though. You may find nursing in public or around friends no big deal. It stressed me out pre baby but once I had her, I was fine with it. If it isn't covered and you aren't sure, I still think it's worth the $30 investment to get a hand pump.

HMcDade1 · January 2016

You can also call your customer service line for your insurance company. Mine requires a "prescription" essentially from the doctor but I can get pretty much whichever pump I want as long as he writes it as such.

Croscrew · January 2016

My insurance with DD covered my pump and I was required a prescription from my OB, which had to be sent in after 24 weeks of pregnancy, so I had mine well before she has due. Call your insurance company and ask. I am a little nervous this time around bc our current insurance is terrible. I also was landed a hand pump and I highly recommend having one on hand just in case. There would be a time where I might have forgotten a part and therefore could not use the electric pump, but was super helpful to have the hand pump. For some reason I had a better let down with the manual.

stillcozy · January 2016

Great advice thanks ladies I know I need to work at least another year so I will need a pump to be able breast feed as long as I can which I want to do.

jenkeale · January 2016

Definitely need a pump. I got mine covered by insurance with DD.

I used this website and it was great. They called the insurance, got the Rx and asked me what pump I wanted from what was covered, and sent it to me. So easy.
https://www.breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/qualify-through-insurance/

Other STMs - are you using the same pump from the last baby? I only have Tricare now and they're practically the only insurance I know of that doesn't cover a pump, but I feel like I would be fine with my other one.

thebigoaktree · January 2016

I believe there is also a tax write of for them as well.

AAAG13 · January 2016

I have found this super useful! Thanks STMs for the help with insurance and the pump. Does anyone have a brand they prefer?

sboston06 · January 2016

I am definitely planning to get one from my insurance company, but was going to wait until after delivery to make sure I'm actually able to BF successfully. Is this a good plan or should I get one as soon as I'm able to?

melodramatic26 · January 2016

sboston06 said:

I am definitely planning to get one from my insurance company, but was going to wait until after delivery to make sure I'm actually able to BF successfully. Is this a good plan or should I get one as soon as I'm able to?

This is a perfectly good plan. If you should need a pump in the hospital for any reason, they will provide a hospital grade pump. You can also rent a pump from the hospital if necessary. A pump is very helpful to have, but not necessary before the baby's arrival.

foxa319 · January 2016

I plan on getting another pump this time. I feel like mine started loosing a bit of its oomph towards the end of me bfing. I have a different and better insurance this time too so hoping there will be more options this time that they will cover.

nkob · January 2016

I would say at least get a hand pump. I stay home and nursed my son but for some reason I could never self express (even with the help of a lactation consultant) and when he was teething or when I had a blocked duct I think I would have been in a bad place without it. I didn't use it often but an over full boob is crazy painful!!

kayham12 · January 2016

I want another pump. My daughter never latched. I exclusively pumped for 8 months. I did get mine for free with the insurance, but I know it would have paid for itself. When I started buying formula I almost cried.

Taymiller · January 2016

I exclusively pumped when I learned I had birthed a shark after a month of pain. Let's just say that my pump and I were very close. So yes a pump is necessary especially if breastfeeding doesn't work out. My baby was breastfed for a year because of my pump

. I will be getting a new one because let's just say my old pump went out with a bang and got beat up Office Space style. (It was starting to die anyways so before you give me shit about killing it)

Taymiller · January 2016

FluffleSprout said:
As a SAHM, I didn't *need* a pump but I did get a decent hand pump which was great for my occasional use. A pump is not a great solution for taking places you don't feel comfortable breastfeeding. It is much, much easier to find a secluded spot to nurse or even leave to another location than to drag out a pump, pump (which is much more noticeable than nursing), clean the pump, pack the pump, and give a bottle. A pump is fantastic if you are working or traveling away from baby though. You may find nursing in public or around friends no big deal. It stressed me out pre baby but once I had her, I was fine with it. If it isn't covered and you aren't sure, I still think it's worth the $30 investment to get a hand pump.

I don't know what being a sahm has to do with it. I was also a sahm and had to pump.

htn1763 · January 2016

I believe unless your plan was grandfathered in before the ACA, insurance companies are required to provide breast pumps. Obviously they all have different requirements (and some may only allow for rentals).

I used a Medela PISA and liked it a lot.

Croscrew · January 2016

I want a Medela PISA this time around. @Taymiller it sounds as if @FluffleSprout was just talking about her experience and it sounds like yours was way different. I give mad props to anyone to EP's. I don't think I could.

BettyRu · January 2016

Go through a pump dealer like @jenkeale recommended. They can figure out if it is covered by your insurance. You'll always need a prescription but your OB had to do that for everyone to get one so it's nbd. If the dealer doesn't have the pump you want find another.... You usually do NOT need to go through the one dealer your insurance recommends if they have crappy pumps.

ach298 · January 2016

I was a SAHM and EP'd for 7.5 months the first time around. I was able to nurse my second but still liked having an electric pump around for anytime we wanted to go out without the baby. I loved my Medela PISA and was able to get it free through our insurance. It was definitely not free the first time around. Most insurance companies cover it now (unless grandfathered).

stillcozy · January 2016

@BettyRu when I see pump dealer I think of some shady alley dealing of a breast pump for idk fried food ?

mrsmommya · January 2016

I have a Medela Electric from my DD .... will be 4 years when the baby is born. Should I just get another because....if my insurance pays for it? My hospital did give me all the lines with my DD, so I am sure they will do it again. How does the insurance even go about physically paying for it anyways?

htn1763 · January 2016

@mrsmommya , my insurance company gave me the websites I could choose the pump from. I ordered the one I wanted and they billed my insurance.

whataboutscience · January 2016

I think It depends on what your expectations are. I got a pump through insurance, but as a SAHM, the occasions when it would be handy to use weren't worth the trouble of hauling out the pump which I found awkward to use. My daughter never took a bottle, but that meant I was attached to her for a year. Most moms can't do this or understandably don't desire to and so they need to pump. As others said, I know several moms that exclusively pumped because of latching or other nursing issues. Alternatively, if you are okay occasionally giving baby formula, you don't have to pump, but if it becomes regular, it would hurt your milk supply.

dolewhipper · January 2016

jenkeale said:

Definitely need a pump. I got mine covered by insurance with DD. I used this website and it was great. They called the insurance, got the Rx and asked me what pump I wanted from what was covered, and sent it to me. So easy. https://www.breastpumps.aeroflowinc.com/qualify-through-insurance/ Other STMs - are you using the same pump from the last baby? I only have Tricare now and they're practically the only insurance I know of that doesn't cover a pump, but I feel like I would be fine with my other one.

That's interesting you say that; my sister has Tricare, just had a baby and just got her pump from insurance.

Singingmama10 · January 2016

I did not read all of the responses, so I apologize if someone else said this already. But I know a lot of hopspitals will rent you a pump. That way you could rent one before you make the investment. I do not know how much this costs, on average though, so it might not be worth it. But you could at least check it out.

shukjen · January 2016

Insurance companies are required t cover your breast pump! Call your insurance company to find out how to go through them; each one is different.

nhbaby07 · January 2016

Yes, OP, it is the law for them to at least give some type of discount on an electric pump or provide you with a manual for free. I would double check!

jenkeale · January 2016

@dolewhipper I will have to double check. There are also a few different Tricare plans, but I honestly hadn't checked it this year. I was just in shock when I found out that they didn't cover it for DD, but I luckily had another insurance at the time. Thanks!

fantasticmrsfox · January 2016

I know PP mentioned this but even as a SAHM, I used my pump a lot. For date nights, or any time I wasn't with DS. I always tried to keep at least a few hour worth of milk in the freezer for dates or emergencies.

We also got a single, battery operated pump by mistake from insurance, and that thing was SO HANDY. It came with a little drawstring bag I could fit in my purse. That was nice for when we left DS with his grandparents for a date night, I could even just go into the bathroom and pump in a stall without worrying about plug ins.

PhoebeJune1984 · January 2016

I was 100% set on breastfeeding when I was pregnant with DD. That was, until she was actually born. I ended up hating BF-ing, but decided that using breast milk was still worth it...and went to EP-ing. I used the Medela PISA, every two hours, for months. That thing never broke down, and was awesome! I also kept a manual Medela in the diaper bag, for when I was out and about, and wanted to stay longer but didn't have my electric pump.

If your insurance says that they don't cover the cost of one, pick their brain. Find out if they cover partial cost, or if they will cover it if there is a note from your OB. A lot of times, they wont bother to tell you that information unless you flat out ask them about it. And definitely save your receipts for ANYTHING breastfeeding/pumping related. The year my DD was born (2011) we were able to write off everything from breast milk bags, the pumps, any extra flanges or tubing that we purchased, etc. We had no idea that you could do that, until our tax guy asked us if I was breastfeeding or pumping, and then told us that we could add all of the supplies for deductions.

I don't have my PISA anymore because we didn't have a lot of space to save items after DD was done using them, so I got rid of mine. But I will be getting the same one again, and if they need a note from the OB, so be it. My OB is always happy to help a BF-ing (or EP-ing) mom with whatever she needs, to help with the process....so getting a prescription wont be an issue.

PhoebeJune1984 · January 2016

Also, side note: I just looked up my insurance and they only cover Ameda Purely Yours. So I may not even bother with going through my insurance, as the Purely Yours sucks. Well, actually it doesn't suck.....it actually loses suction after a couple of months. Which won't fly for someone EP-ing. It is also noted that I cannot order it until after the baby is born. So I would have to find something else to use for several days, until it arrived. I have had several friends purchase this pump, only to have to have the company replace things after a month or two, and then they all eventually switched to a Medela. So I may end up just not even dealing with insurance, and purchasing the Medela, and handing the receipt to our tax guy.

But be sure to read the fine print when you check out what insurance provides, and when you can send in your request for the pump.

trucksntutus · January 2016

I just applied to go through my insurance to get a breast pump, not sure how long it's going to take. Has anyone gotten theirs through insurance - know of a rough timeframe?

jwittwer · January 2016

I had called my insurance while pregnant with DD and they didn't cover a pump as my employer has something called a lactation program. I was able to get my pump through the program (Limerick PJ's Comfort is the pump I have). The program also covered all extra supplies for me- extra tubing, flanges, bottles, etc. When I have to travel out of town for business, they also set it up to deliver coolers and ice packs to my hotel so that I can ship the breast milk home.

So all-in-all, while I didn't get a choice in the pump that I received, I couldn't have been happier with it. The pump and the lactation program were amazing. I may get another this second time around just so I can keep one pump at home and one at work!

kayham12 · January 2016

I got a Medela PISA with my insurance the first time around, never planning on using it. I ended up EP for 8 months and the only problem I had was that the tubing molded in the summer. I live in South Texas and it's a warm humid summer. They replaced it for free, even though I'm pretty sure it was my fault. They are the easiest people to deal with, great customer service. I am going to try to get another one though, since it will sit in the attic until this one gets here. It's a great pump.

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