Breast pump WWYD

Schell2013 · June 2016

I had a Medela swing breastpump for my first two kids, it shit it's pants when I was basically done with it so I never got another one anyways cause I was mostly done nursing. Fast forward to now I am starting to shop for one and I have forgotten how much they are. I got one given to me and I just need to buy a couple replacement parts, but I'm reading such mixed stuff about using one second hand.

I really don't have the money for a new Medela swing pump and had a cheaper one with my first baby but it didn't work for me. I don't plan to pump a lot just enough to get a stash in the early days to have on hand.

The replacement parts I need are about $40 and a whole new pump is around $250 Canadian. If we didn't had to travel and live somewhere else far away to have the baby I wouldn't worry about buying a new one but our monthly budget is mega tight due to planning for those expenses.

UponAStar16 · June 2016

Does your insurance not cover it?

Schell2013 · June 2016

Nope not here in Canada.

Unless you have extended health benefits which are crazy expensive for what little you get. My husband has nothing through work either sadly.

mtgreen21 · June 2016

If you received it from someone you are close with I would just run whatever parts you can through the dishwasher and wash the actual pump with a cleaning wipe. However if you are receiving it from someone you don't really know I would replace all parts with new and just clean the pump with cleaning wipes.

fitlady21 · June 2016

I plan on using my sister in laws and just replacing the hoses. She only used it for 1 week then quit so it's practically new. I would just replace the parts.

kmvisioli · June 2016

I used one from a friend, just bought replacement parts for basically any piece that actually comes in contact with bodily fluids (tubing, valves, breast shields, and membranes). You can probably take the actual pump in to a hospital, specialty store, or lactation consultant to have them check the functionality/pressure of the pump if you are worried about that (I had mine tested at a lactation center inside a hospital).

nlane0723 · June 2016

I bought a used PISA and replaced the parts. Insurance only covers Ameda and it sucks.

LauraPCOS · June 2016

I bought a used one too and was just planning on sterilizing it, but my SIL says she has one for me, so I think I might use hers (she wasn't able to BF so her pump was probably never truly used)

Schell2013 · June 2016

nlane0723 said:

I bought a used PISA and replaced the parts. Insurance only covers Ameda and it sucks.

They have ameda for rent in the hospital here and I hated it.

bosslady925 · June 2016

Those that have gone through insurance, did you need to call your insurance company to find out what was covered and how to get the pump? I know mine does, as it's in my benefit handbook, but there aren't any details as to how to get it. I work for the company, but on the corporate side, so I haven't investigated much.

NoraAurora · June 2016

MorganL925 said:

Those that have gone through insurance, did you need to call your insurance company to find out what was covered and how to get the pump? I know mine does, as it's in my benefit handbook, but there aren't any details as to how to get it. I work for the company, but on the corporate side, so I haven't investigated much.

yep, just give them a call. It's a pretty simple process - if your insurance is like mine they won't send it til after you have the baby though.

@Schell2013 - I think if I were in your position I might go right ahead and rent a hospital pump. I only liked the medela hospital pumps personally - both symphony and lactina (the lactina can REALLY bring the suction btw. Like, too much if you crank it). However I EP'd for my first so ymmv. It really helped in keeping my supply up.

Out of curiosity - do you really need a breast pump right away? Being canadian you get that whole wonderful first year off with baby right? If I hadn't needed to EP so early on I wouldn't have needed a pump until I went back to work at 3 months. Which, if you started saving now, you could probably have the money saved up to get the pump you like. (Of course I understand the need to have a pump if you want a night out away from baby etc, but surely inexpensive manual pumps can work for somewhat infrequent use?).

Not being judgey, just curious. At any rate, I would probably start putting away $20-$50 a month now (depending on what you can afford) to save for the pump I wanted - if you don't like the idea of renting.

ETA: if you're having a "sprinkle" (or whatever) you could also register for it.

Sprinkels28 · June 2016

I called my insurance company and they said to just get a prescription or order for a breast pump and take it to a pharmacy (insurance company told me what pharmacies carry pumps). It was VERY easy and I got it within 1 day of dropping off the order for the pump.

Schell2013 · June 2016

NoraAurora said:

MorganL925 said:

Those that have gone through insurance, did you need to call your insurance company to find out what was covered and how to get the pump? I know mine does, as it's in my benefit handbook, but there aren't any details as to how to get it. I work for the company, but on the corporate side, so I haven't investigated much.

yep, just give them a call. It's a pretty simple process - if your insurance is like mine they won't send it til after you have the baby though.

@Schell2013 - I think if I were in your position I might go right ahead and rent a hospital pump. I only liked the medela hospital pumps personally - both symphony and lactina (the lactina can REALLY bring the suction btw. Like, too much if you crank it). However I EP'd for my first so ymmv. It really helped in keeping my supply up.

Out of curiosity - do you really need a breast pump right away? Being canadian you get that whole wonderful first year off with baby right? If I hadn't needed to EP so early on I wouldn't have needed a pump until I went back to work at 3 months. Which, if you started saving now, you could probably have the money saved up to get the pump you like. (Of course I understand the need to have a pump if you want a night out away from baby etc, but surely inexpensive manual pumps can work for somewhat infrequent use?).

Not being judgey, just curious. At any rate, I would probably start putting away $20-$50 a month now (depending on what you can afford) to save for the pump I wanted - if you don't like the idea of renting.

ETA: if you're having a "sprinkle" (or whatever) you could also register for it.

I stay home all the time so no mat leave for me. I usually try to stock up extras for making purée's and cereals when baby is old enough, also to have a night or two off here and there. When I wean them I like to be able to do half breast milk half formula until they get used to it so I pump a lot. I don't have to but I do when I have extra.

Our hospital rents them but there $30/month so over 6 months it's not really worth it, and I tried one in the hospital with my first baby cause we had a long stay due to feeding problems and it just didn't work for me that kind. I never let down on it. Manual isn't an option for the amount of pumping I do.
But you had some good ideas!

aesthyerin · June 2016

Can you just get a manual one if its just for a small stash? I have a pisa as well but had a manual one that I loved. I felt it worked better

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