Bring pump with to hospital?

hb7 · March 2017

I'm due in about 2 weeks and packing my bag. I was thinking of bringing my breast pump with to the hospital so when I meet with the lactation consultant they can not only instruct me on breastfeeding my baby, but also about my pump. I figure they will be billing me for the consultation anyway so I want to get the most out of it that is possible. Just looking for opinions if this is a good idea or not. I feel like i'm bringing a lot of stuff with. Has anyone done this and did the lactation consultant have time to help with it? I posted this in the breastfeeding forum also.

doozenberg · March 2017

@hb7, I don't have an answer for you, but I am interested in hearing what other mommas think.

catem07 · March 2017

Someone on here suggested doing that. I packed mine.

ConstanceGoodspeed · March 2017

Absolutely bring it. I ended up taking mine to my first pedi appointment because I couldn't figure out why one side wasn't sucking as hard (the tubing popped out and I didn't even know that was possible). I would have much rather had it at the hospital, where I had duffle bags and lots of room and hands to help, instead of our first major outing with baby.

If you don't want to bring it, nbd because the hospital provides pumps to use while you are there. Definitely try pumping before you leave the hospital though, so they can reassure you that yes, it is supposed to feel that way, or that you have the correct flange size, etc. Even if you have no questions, it is nice to be told that you are doing it right.

MWoodside · March 2017

So I really recommend not pumping for at least the first few weeks if you plan to BF. I started pumping the day my milk came in with DD1 and I created a massive oversupply issue that I could never straighten out the entire 15 months we nursed. Not that too much milk is a bad problem to have, but I had a TON of clogged ducts and I had to pump after I nursed DD in the morning before work and after she went to bed at night to avoid getting clogged ducts. It's so much easier to just nurse your baby and let your supply regulate to what your baby actually needs, which is accomplished by not pumping right away.

I would really just encourage you to focus on learning how to nurse. Sometimes that comes easy and sometimes it is a huge challenge. The pump is really easy to learn to use just from the manual once you are ready. A lot of times your milk won't even come in while you are at the hospital b/c it can take several days, so during that time there wouldn't really be anything to pump b/c your body just makes a bit of colostrum which is plenty for your baby (tummy is the size of a marble initially).

If you are considering or plan to exclusively pump then by all means pack the pump.

HGRich · March 2017

I'm packing mine. I'm a FTM but I'm thinking the same as you--I'd like instruction from the LC.

schef070911 · March 2017

I would love to have the instruction from the LC at the hospital but I can't officially place an order for my pump until they have LO's official due date on file.... so basically we won't get it until we're already home. The hospital offers breastfeeding groups though and my pediatrician told me she'll offer support as needed so I'm hoping it's not a big deal!

catem07 · March 2017

@MWoodside I don't plan on actually pumping for the first few weeks, but I do want someone in the hospital to show me how to use it.

HGRich · March 2017

@catem07 same. I may not need to pump much at all since I'm not going back to work. But I still want to use it properly!

shaunessa · March 2017

yep, i'm bringing mine for instruction!

kitkat8387 · March 2017

I am also planning to bring my pump to get instruction from the LC if time allows. I don't plan to pump at home until we have breastfeeding well established (4-6 weeks or so) but I would just like to get some professional help on how to set it up and use it. My hospital also has a free breastfeeding clinic twice a week with certified LCs, which I definitely plan on making use of as well.

BecNJake · March 2017

With DS 1 I got my pump from the hospital while I was there, I guess that's just how my insurance does it. Should you need to pump for any reason (we had to feed DS thru a tube because he was too tired to BF on his 2nd day of life even though he knew how lol) I recommend using the hospital grade pump. It is way stronger and gets the job done easier. This may also just be my area/or my insurance, but lactation consultations were always free for me. My insurance wasn't even billed. I only throw that out there in case that's helpful info and maybe that's a common thing. Definitely bring your pump along and make sure you know how to use it before leaving. If you forget (I did, a lot goes on the first few days!) YouTube had good instructional videos for use and cleaning the pump I have.

SnarkasaurusRex · March 2017

I brought mine when I had DS to have the LC teach me how to use it. I wasn't planning on pumping until much later on, but as a FTM that was planning to return to work after 10 weeks I wanted to know how it worked in advance so I could make sure that I had my stash built up. Then I had huge supply issues, and I needed the pump right away (day 5 was when DS was diagnosed as failure to thrive and severely dehydrated) to attempt to save my supply. Since that whole incident was stressful in itself, it was really helpful to feel like I already knew what to do with the pump.

I'm not bringing mine this time, because I've used this brand of pump before and am familiar with it.

Virginialeigh · March 2017

My hospital recommends that you bring it. I didn't because I was not at all prepared when DS came. I went in for my ultrasound sound and they told me I had to have a baby that day, I didn't even have my hospital bag packed. I may take it this time even though I know how to use it because I had supply issues last time and want to go over EVERYTHING with the LC while I'm there.

carpediem55 · March 2017

My hospital covers the pump, but they won't order it until the baby is actually born. It's sent within a few days to your house. They said I won't need it since it's just colustrom and the beginning. I'm a little bummed but the hospital has weekly support groups for BF that I can go to, so I should be covered if I need help.

KirstinH88 · March 2017

@carpediem55 I'm wondering if we have the same health carrier/insurance now that I know you live "near" me. Mine is the same way in regards to pump.

ebloom3 · March 2017

I didn't take mine. They have pumps at most hospitals, if needed, and my pediatrician offers lactation consultants at their practice. I didn't start pumping at the hospital, but did a few days after I was home to start building a stash. I don't think I would have wanted to pump at the hospital, if I had! I wanted to snuggle the babe!

carpediem55 · March 2017

@KirstinH88 my hospital/insurance is Kaiser.

KirstinH88 · March 2017

@carpediem55 Yep! Samesies.

Hansolosparka · March 2017

*lurking from May* DO bring a pumping bra so you can have your hands free when you're pumping. It is good to distract yourself!

Dannylion24 · March 2017

My nurse made me a hands free bra of sorts last weekend after I delivered (I ended up pumping and doing a few finger feeds while in the hospital). She took one of those stretchy belly bands for holding the monitors on during NSTs and labor and cut two holes in it. Worked so well I've been using it at home even though I have a "real" one!

hb7 · March 2017

Update: I had my baby 2 weeks early on 3/27. I did pack my pump, did not need it/use it. I used the hospital grade one. The lactation tech did not want to get into pumps yet but I can see her as an outpatient and go over it then. But do pack your pumping bra just in case! It made my life much easier! My baby is having trouble latching and the pump is helping my milk come in faster.

pammasu0909 · March 2017

No joke, pumping isn't that complicated. Read the manual now, and have questions ready. I don't think it's worth it to lug it all the way to the hospital. The hardest part is knowing if the flanges fit, and your boobs will change so much that it won't necessarily help to ask right after the baby is born.

jennielynn+ · March 2017

I would be super worried about engorgement pumping that soon. It happened to me and almost turned me off BF. I agree the hardest part of pumping is knowing your flanges fit. I have huge nipples, always have, but I'm technically only a 21mm. They just appear to be huge. I had to order proper fitting parts from Amazon and saw much better results pumping...like ounces different.

If you have Medela, they have all kinds of helpful videos on the website. Also, even after you see a lactation consultant, you can always head back to the hospital later with your pump. No one will turn down a new mom in need.

chelle087 · March 2017

I agree with what several other have said in terms of pumping early on. If you don't plan on exclusively pumping I would hold off on pumping to allow your supply to regulate a bit.

I was was encouraged to pump right away (by a lactation consultant) and give DS a bottle. I ended up having to EP for him because he refused to latch once he was introduced to a bottle. I am not sure if it was the bottle being easier or the fact that I became so engorged that it made it tough to latch, but it was terrible and I don't want to go through that again.

rachelmiller03 · March 2017

Ladies, If your hospital offers breastfeeding support groups, I highly encourage you to attend. To be honest, I wanted to attend local LLL, but I never tried it, and going to the hospital support group was much less intimidating for me. It was led by an LC who was also an RN. We got to just chat a little about everything new-mom, just just breastfeeding, and weigh our babies each week. It also gave me a reason to get dressed and get out of the house during maternity leave. The first week (DS was 2 weeks old), the leader showed me that DS was giving me hunger cues I was missing, which I was immensely grateful for. I brought in my pump the last time I could attend (at 5 weeks, as I was returning to work) and the leader as well as a more seasoned member of the group gave me some pointers.

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