@sparklingdiamond I've pumped with my Spectra in an open cubicle office space (using freemie pump parts). My cube mate could hear it, but no one else could. My PISA NEVER would have worked for that
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
So I've been offered a second- hand pump from my SIL, but I'm afraid to ask what it is. I'm so afraid it's an open system that's gone moldy but I'm afraid to ask what it is for fear of sounding rude. Right now I'm planning to accept it then take it home and crack it open.
@allowachick if it’s an open system I still wouldn’t use it because you won’t be able to fully disinfect it. Closed system sure. But also call your health insurance company because a new pump will very likely be covered.
I"m a FTM, so no previous experience. But I've been asking around within my friends and most of them had a Medela with their first and are opting for the Sepctra S2 this time around. I originally was leaning towards a Medela since it seems so popular but all my research lately has me pretty decided on the Spectra.
I've already submitted through Aeroflow, and I'm just waiting on the RX from the doctors office. I totally forgot to ask for it at my appointment this week so they're mailing it to me.
I just got approved through Aeroflow to order my pump and I'm having a hard time deciding. Based on everyone's comments above I'm leaning toward the Spectra S2 but I don't love that there's no battery-powered option. The S9 can run on battery but the online reviews aren't as good. Anyone have experience with this? With DS I had supply issues so I don't want to sacrifice suction for battery power but if the S9 has both it'd be nice.
The other option I'm considering is the Ameda Finesse which got good reviews online and is battery-powered. Has anyone used this one?
I just got approved through Aeroflow to order my pump and I'm having a hard time deciding. Based on everyone's comments above I'm leaning toward the Spectra S2 but I don't love that there's no battery-powered option. The S9 can run on battery but the online reviews aren't as good. Anyone have experience with this? With DS I had supply issues so I don't want to sacrifice suction for battery power but if the S9 has both it'd be nice.
The other option I'm considering is the Ameda Finesse which got good reviews online and is battery-powered. Has anyone used this one?
I'm in the process of figure out what I want to order as well. I am also leaning towards the Spectra 2 and was wondering if you can get an adapter for the car? I can't really think of a time I would necessarily need it to be battery operated otherwise?
@JJMNO1616 I saw one on Amazon for like $8 and I think a general car adapter would work too.
My concern is that I don't know where at work I'll be pumping and if it's not in my office I don't know if there's an outlet available. Also if I have to travel for work I think it could be a problem to pump at an airport or otherwise on the go.
@kaymaroo and @jjmno1616 I personally wouldn't go with a battery operated pump because you do inevitably sacrifice suction power. I have a battery pack for my PISA and it succcckkkkksssss (no pun intended) but works well enough in a pinch.
I have that exact converter above for my car. I used it twice daily during my commutes while pumping for DS and DD and it's as close to getting full power on-the-go as you're going to get.
@kaymaroo when traveling for work I either pumped in a car or pumped somewhere with an outlet. Most airports, even my tiny little regional one, have mother's rooms or electrical outlets in bathrooms (we do what we gotta do). Worst case? I hooked up to an outlet by the chairs and put my freemies under my shirt and pumped in front of all the other passengers. No one was the wiser.
Now, if you need a permanent solution that will enable you to be away from power sources I think the S1 is your best bet... However, I still think the S2 is a safer guarantee in general.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
I am happy to see so many positive reviews of the Spectra pumps; I am planning to get the S1. Ibhave to pay an upgrade fee through insurance but I think the rechargeable battery option will be worth it. That might be something worth looking into if the S1 isn’t covered but S2 is
Has anyone used the Spectra S9+ which is the portable slim version that has a rechargeable battery? It looks like I have the option to get the S2 AND S9+ though my insurance for an upgrade fee or I could just upgrade to the S1. I'm leaning towards getting the two pump package so I was just wondering if anyone has experience with the small S9+?
@JJMNO1616 Oooo what a fun conundrum... I'd be leaning towards getting the S2 + S9 for the portability of the S9 but it MUST be less powerful than the S1. I've never used neither the S9 nor the S1 but its hard for me to fathom them having the same suction power as the S2, simply because of the power sources. That being said, the S1 is marketed as the newer better, more improved S2 with the added portability function... I'm just skeptical of the power. I can't wait to follow your journey with whichever you get because I'm super curious!
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014! DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
@JJMNO1616 Oooo what a fun conundrum... I'd be leaning towards getting the S2 + S9 for the portability of the S9 but it MUST be less powerful than the S1. I've never used neither the S9 nor the S1 but its hard for me to fathom them having the same suction power as the S2, simply because of the power sources. That being said, the S1 is marketed as the newer better, more improved S2 with the added portability function... I'm just skeptical of the power. I can't wait to follow your journey with whichever you get because I'm super curious!
My understanding is that the S9 has up to 260mm for suction and both the S1 and S2 go up to 300mm. The only difference between the S1 and S2 that I can determine from reviews is that the S1 has the rechargeable battery. However, assuming I don't need the full 300mm to pump, having the S9 and the S2 seems like a great option because I would have a small easy to carry pump for work and travel with the rechargeable battery and the S2 for home.
Hooray, I just ordered my S2! My huband’s company switched insurance providers at the new year to an Aetna subsidiary, and allllll over the Aetna site it states that hospital grade pumps are not covered. I was all ready for a fight (these tatas produce nothing without a hospital grade pump), but the S2 was approved immediately and with no co-pay. Woo!
For those that used aeroflow to order their pumps through insurance. How long did it take them to contact you? I filled out the initial form on their website a week ago but haven't heard from them yet.
@kmalls is this your first pump through this insurance. We have Aetna and they said I had to wait 3 years before getting another, mine is only 2 years old.
@bchalm yep this is my first pregnancy with this insurance, we just switched at the 1st of the year. I did see on their website that they only pay for pumps every x amount of years. I’m sorry that affects you!
@kmalls yeah, I really wish I had done more research before making my last choice. I'm one who struggles with BF and am wondering if I had a hospital grade pump that would change at all.
@bchalm for what it’s worth, I rented a hospital grade pump through Babies R Us last pregnancy and it was pretty easy! Though my insurance did reimburse us for the expense, I want to say it was only about $60/month for the rental? Maybe less? So it’s not really back breaking if you want to pay out of pocket. I’d look into it because after struggling with pumping with my first baby, I can definitely say a hospital grade pump made a big difference with my second.
@kmalls thats definitely worth looking into. I'm willing to try anything to make this time a little less stressful.
@bchalm I totally get that, that’s exactly how I felt with my 2nd.
Oh!! Now that I think more about it, I’m pretty sure I signed up for a three month rental period right away (it’s cheaper the longer you sign up for) and I want to say it was about $150? And you always have the option of extending if you want to keep pumping. It was really easy!
I just got an email from Aeroflow saying they are working on verifying my coverage and will be in touch soon. Not sure why it is taking an extra long time.
@kmalls thats awesome. I am going to go by tomorrow and get the info. Last time I only made it 4 months, so I would def try the 3 month subscription and hope for the best.
@icalynn ugh yes. They said they don't work with my insurance But there's a place here in town that a friend of mine with the same insurance as me (we work together) got hers from, so I still should be able to get one through insurance, just not from Aeroflow. Thanks for the update!
Anyone get the book “the womanly art of breastfeeding” I read some good reviews and was considering getting it for some BF knowledge. Wondering if anyone liked it or didn’t like it
I feel like I need to print this entire thread to reference bc the advice is gold! Is that an option on the bump? Oh I guess if I log in on an actual computer :slaps face:
Re: The Great Breast Pump Thread
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
I've already submitted through Aeroflow, and I'm just waiting on the RX from the doctors office. I totally forgot to ask for it at my appointment this week so they're mailing it to me.
The other option I'm considering is the Ameda Finesse which got good reviews online and is battery-powered. Has anyone used this one?
My concern is that I don't know where at work I'll be pumping and if it's not in my office I don't know if there's an outlet available. Also if I have to travel for work I think it could be a problem to pump at an airport or otherwise on the go.
For on the go use, I recommend getting something like this for your car: https://www.amazon.com/Enkey-Power-Inverter-Converter-Charger/dp/B06XGBWT7L/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1513289357&sr=8-4&keywords=ac+power+converter+for+car
I have that exact converter above for my car. I used it twice daily during my commutes while pumping for DS and DD and it's as close to getting full power on-the-go as you're going to get.
@kaymaroo when traveling for work I either pumped in a car or pumped somewhere with an outlet. Most airports, even my tiny little regional one, have mother's rooms or electrical outlets in bathrooms (we do what we gotta do). Worst case? I hooked up to an outlet by the chairs and put my freemies under my shirt and pumped in front of all the other passengers. No one was the wiser.
Now, if you need a permanent solution that will enable you to be away from power sources I think the S1 is your best bet... However, I still think the S2 is a safer guarantee in general.
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
Oh!! Now that I think more about it, I’m pretty sure I signed up for a three month rental period right away (it’s cheaper the longer you sign up for) and I want to say it was about $150? And you always have the option of extending if you want to keep pumping. It was really easy!
DS: EDD, December 19th, 2014. Born, December 19th, 2014!
DD: EDD, July 18th, 2016. Born, July 19th, 2016!
Baby #3: EDD, April 16th, 2016
It is one of my top recommended books (Mine is currently loaned out to my SIL also due in April). The other I keep on hand to loan out is "So That's What They're For" by Janet Tamaro
https://www.amazon.com/Thats-What-Theyre-Definitive-Breastfeeding/dp/159337285X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516979954&sr=8-1&keywords=so+that's+what+they're+for+the+definitive+breastfeeding+guide
thank you!!! i will check out that other book as well.