March 2018 Moms
kiki75
member
There's been some discussion in various threads so I thought it was a good time for this one.
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Breast Pumps, Accessories, and Pumping in General
kiki75
member
There's been some discussion in various threads so I thought it was a good time for this one.
Me: 34 DH: 38
Married: June 2011
TTC since Feb 2016
BFP#1: 7/7/16 MMC: 8/16/16
BFP#2: 5/8/17 - CP
BFP#3: 6/27/17 EDD: 3/10/18
Married: June 2011
TTC since Feb 2016
BFP#1: 7/7/16 MMC: 8/16/16
BFP#2: 5/8/17 - CP
BFP#3: 6/27/17 EDD: 3/10/18
Re: Breast Pumps, Accessories, and Pumping in General
If you're debating them...You won't be sorry!
I only bought them 7 months PP and wished I had them sooner.
They have a major learning curve but that's the only negative I've ever heard from my group of mama friends.
EDD March 12, 2018
@k318 based on the law, you should be able to get a pump for free through insurance. If all else fails, for a recommendation, I personally haven't tried the Spectra, but have heard very good things about it. I think I'm going to get it for this time around.
@justkeeptrying no personal experience with high lipase, but I was part of an exclusively pumping group where there were several members who had the issue. The #1 sign that it's the issue is your defrosted milk smells like soap. A lot of babies still take the milk, so just because your first didn't your 2nd might. But, in order to prevent it you can scald your milk before freezing. https://www.sdbfc.com/blog/2012/9/4/battling-and-resolving-excess-lipase-in-breastmilk.html gives instructions on how to do that (and more background on high lipase in general).
Pregnant with #2:
Ironically, the babies that need the lipase may also want it straight from the tap rather than from the bottle, but if that happens again, La Leche League has amazing help on getting a baby to drink from a bottle, regardless.
EDD March 12, 2018
Question I have: When I was pumping for my DS I read an article about these quiet and I mean SILENT pumps that were discreet.... has anyone heard of these or know the name? I cannot for the life of me find it! I love the Medela and I will second @barrelocarol on the freemies!! I grabbed the freemie cups and the adapter lines for Medela and used these on the train countless times for work! The only thing I hated was the noise my Medela makes
so do any of you Canadian moms know how this works here? do I just buy a breast pump? I noticed many of the US moms are mentionning that their insurance providers covered some of the costs.
Also- just wondering in general... how does on be go about choosing a breast pump. there appear to be so many options on the market but since you obviously can't test them out - hippie do you know which one will be right for you?
I got the Medela PISA with my DD, and it was ok. This time I'm ordering the Spectra and hoping I get more milk from pumping. I still have the Medela as a back up, but it feels like the motor doesn't work as well anymore.
The phone calls only take 5mins, so it is easy money!
@bb3vj3n, check if you have private insurance through work! We have Manitoba Blue Cross and they covered the cost (up to I think $500) with a prescription from a doctor. I got DS's Pediatrician to write one after I found this out. We bought the pump and then they reimbursed us. They initially said they'd cover 80% but then ended up covering 100%. A lot of our private insurances don't publicize that they cover it, so I would suggest just calling to ask!!
so I just called them - no luck. not covered
I filled it out earlier today. Thanks, @sarahhedger7!
I think you won't find you made a "bad" choice mainly bc pumping just plain sucks no matter what. A lot of hospitals in my area use Medela hospital pump and if worse comes to worse, you could rent a hospital pump for awhile till you get the hang of it all.
Bottom line: Im trying to reassure you that for the most part, you might be ok with one of the generally well known and well liked pumps bc very few women have tried more than one.
Edited to add: Medela has AMAZING customer service. They have overnighted me a few pieces that weren't working, on more than one occasion. They gave me wonderful advice on how to pump efficiently and I was so impressed.
I've heard really good things about the Spectra so I'll be trying to get that one this time around. It's supposed to be much quieter and more gentle than the PISA. I want the S1 because of the rechargeable battery - being able to pump while on the go (in the car, traveling, etc) gives a lot more freedom. I personally feel good paying the extra amount over the insurance coverage for it. The S2 is identical, but doesn't have a battery. I don't know anything about the S9 aside from the fact that it's portable. If it's anything like Medela's portable model (Freestyle), I'd avoid it. The Medela Freestyle doesn't have strong suction (because it's not as powerful) and is known to cause clogs which can lead to mastitis. I can safely say you do not want either (I've had both). So, I'd research the suction/strength of the S9 before going that route. It could be great as a back up but if it's weaker, I wouldn't use it as a primary pump.
I know basically nothing about the Lansinoh pump. It's not one of the popular models so there's not much info out there about it.
This website provides reviews/rankings and has all the pumps you mentioned on it (except the S9): https://maternityathome.com/best-breast-pump/ It could be worth taking a look. I've never used that site, just did a quick google search.
Pregnant with #2:
It took about 5 days for them to get back to me after filling out the form.
@crossfitbabybump
i called my insurance and a pump is covered at 100% as long as I order from one of their vendors within 30 days of my due date- and the medela pump that I wanted is on the covered list so I am happy.
Last time around the pumps being covered under ACA was just being implemented, took a very long time (they finally called to send it to me 4 months after giving birth!) and the choices weren’t very great. I see so much improvement in the last 5 years.
I used the Spectra S2 and really liked it, though I don't have anything to compare it to. I'm torn between getting another (or upgrading to an S1) this time around because it is what I know, or trying out a different kind. I never was able to get my production up to pump extra milk, but I think this is more because DD had low transfer at the beginning. What sold me vs Medela was that the Spectra is a closed system - no milk gets into the tubing or into the machine. I also liked that it was supposed the be more gentle and have more settings.
If you have extra Medela parts (I got some during my lactation consults) you can use these to connect the pump kit to the Spectra.
If you are going to pump at work and commute, definitely pump in the car (with you there @ABombard12)! I had a car adapter, set up my flanges (simple wishes hands free pumping bra ftw!) in the house, and then hooked myself up and went! Saved a lot of time. And make sure to have extra parts in your pump. Do a trial run first though!
PSA for the Simple Wishes Pumping Bra - Simple Wishes has a 1" panel you can order to put in the middle to help with nipple alignment if the regular one seems too narrow.
Also, anybody seen this?
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-ultimate-breast-milk-pumping-device-anabella-baby#/
I'm soooo intrigued, but it isn't out until June...
Dx: PCOS
Married: June 2013
TTC#1: January 2015
BFP #1 8/24/15 | MC 9/3/15 at 6w2d
BFP #2: 12/12/15 | DD born 8/29/16
TTC#2: June 2017
BFP #3: 7/15/17 | DS born 3/20/18
That being said, with the way they sit on the nipple, I don't see how size makes a huge difference since they aren't like the cones. Even poor placement or the wrong size still works with no pain, blisters or blebs...Which is the opposite of what I experienced with those awful horns.