Breastfeeding product opinions

faith0222 · June 2018

I really didnt know much about breastfeeding nor did i have the support to be successful. It didnt work out well at all and i felt i was glued to pumping or feeding at all times with no time for anything else.
So now im looking for hands free and moveable products. Has anyone tried or heard anything about the willow pump and is there such thing as a breastfeeding friendly carrier?

hkom · June 2018

We can make one of the upcoming Product Spotlight threads (posted on Mondays) about breastfeeding products! We can also have a separate one for general feeding supplies (bottles, etc.) to make sure those who choose not to breastfeed can get some helpful advice as well.

PensiveCrayon · June 2018

@hkom I agree we should do Product Spotlights on breastfeeding and general feeding items! But now that I've been engaged...can't...leave...without...answering...

@faith0222 I've looked into the Willow pump because it seems really cool (it's so new that it wasn't even around when I had my son a year and a half ago), but I think I'm going to pass on it this time around for multiple reasons. The first is that I'm a SAHM, meaning that if all goes well as it did last time I don't really need to pump all that often -- just enough to provide some extra milk for going out and if I want MH to feed the baby. That said, if I had a job where I needed to take pump breaks multiple times a day or it was difficult to fit those in I would definitely be more interested in the Willow. The second reason I'm not getting it is because I've heard that the bag situation is kind of annoying. You can find video reviews on YouTube but I believe the gist of it is that they're expensive, not reusable, specific to the pump, and difficult to empty. The third reason is that I know at least with my first I had to massage my breasts while pumping to get more milk out and prevent clogged ducts. The Willow doesn't really seem like it would be conducive to that.

Now the Anabella pump -- that is something I would love to buy. Seems like it's still very early in the testing phase though. Also, my insurance wouldn't cover a pump purchased off Indiegogo

I'll be getting another Spectra S1 pump. It's a very well-loved pump by many, and actually is portable like you're looking for. I've definitely pumped in the car with it...aaaand taken it to the bathroom with me. (I know, massively unhygienic, but when the urge to poop hits PP, you TAKE it.)

Re: nursing-friendly baby carriers, I would recommend a ring sling. My brand of choice is Wildbird, but there are many options out there. I never quite figured it out the sling-nursing thing with my son (he also hated to be carried unless he was asleep), but many women report success. There are also vast Facebook groups of women who own ring slings and are willing to help out.

AdorkablePixie · June 2018

I used the Medela Pump In Style with a hands free bra and it worked for me, but I had to take three breaks a day at work for 15 minutes at a time to pump. I'd also pump in the car from time to time if necessary while driving. No real suggestions for hands free as the only other thing I've used is the haakaa (which is amazing!!).

I think ring slings are good for nursing, and so it the LilleBaby. I've nursed DS in that before. I'd just practice at home before going out so you already know what you're doing. I didn't and it was awkward.

kristah2 · June 2018

@AdorkablePixie how does the haaka work? Does it work like a pump and actually draw milk out or is it more of something that suctions on to the other breast and catches the leakage from feeding with the other?

Jens_Hoes · June 2018

@kristah2 It suctions to your breast and catches that milk. I have put it on before having a let down and it will get a drop or two, but once your let down starts it just catches it. The suction helps to get a little more out than it would if you were just using a breast pad.

kristah2 · June 2018

thanks @Jens_Hoes ! That's what I thought.
I didn't leak a single drop so doesn't sound like it would be useful for me. It didn't matter if I was feeding, pumping or haven't fed in HOURS and beyond full. I still wouldn't leak a drop. I would get super engorged and lumpy and painful instead. In fact in 14 months of breastfeeding the only breast pad I ever used was one when I needed to remove my nail polish.

ETA: so advise to FTM don't buy too many breast pads like I did. You may not need them!

PensiveCrayon · June 2018

Another Haakaa fan over here! I had some pretty bad feelings around pumping related to my son's NICU stay, so it was nice to be able to catch milk without having to get all the pump parts out. Caveat: after a few months it got very difficult to use with a wiggly baby continually knocking it off. Don't know if it's because I have a weird boob shape or not.

Also, here's a question I always wondered for anyone who's used it...does it primarily catch foremilk, and if so wouldn't that be an issue if that was the main way you were expressing milk for freezing? Or maybe it's not an issue if baby gets the occasional bottle of mostly-foremilk...

Jens_Hoes · June 2018

@PensiveCrayon
I'm not sure about the foremilk, but I always used it on both breasts. So I put it on one side while feeding, then during the same feeding when I would switch breasts with my daughter, I'd put the hakaa on the other side, and I assume it would not be catching foremilk then.
I would agree that if it is an occasional thing (meaning you are a SAHM and primarily EBF and only use frozen milk for when you go to dinner, etc) that it shouldn't really matter.

trucksntutus · June 2018

I was only able to pump / BF for 6 months, but I also wasn't solely doing that, I was supplementing. I think supp from the get go hurt me a bit with that looking back and I didn't commit to it as much as I would have otherwise. This time I'm going to try to solely BF or pump, knowing how hard it can be I'm more educated going into it. I had the Medela In Style pump, but I didn't love it. I didn't get as much out as I would have liked and I'm not sure if it was due to the pump itself, my lack of commitment or something else. I did rent the Medela Symphony (hospital grade) and that worked better. So, in that sense I'm going to get the Spectra S1 this time around and hopefully do better this time.

I still have my Medela pump but I've read great things about the Spectras and they're hospital grade.

PensiveCrayon · June 2018

@trucksntutus Yesssss get the S1! It is so great! You won’t regret it!

trucksntutus · June 2018

@PensiveCrayon
Eeeeek!!! I shall!!! I'm actually quite excited. I don't think my insurance covers a free one like they did my Medela, but oh well.

miranda6275 · June 2018

I nursed my first until 23 months after going back to work at 12 weeks. Rented a harmony pump from the hospital for the first month because we had nursing issues (lip/ tongue tie, inverted nipples) then used a medela PIS. Only recommendations are take a breastfeeding class if one is offered and know where resources are if you need help before babe comes. Find a La Leche League or other support group, know if your ob or pediatrician has a lactation consultant available, and ask mom friends who they went to for help incase everything doesn't just click automatically.

AdorkablePixie · June 2018

@kristah2 Yes, what @Jens_Hoes said! I'd also use mine as a pump sometimes though if I needed to relieve a little but didn't want to get my pump out. It worked, just not as well as the regular pump. Once you got milk flowing, it wasn't bad. I'd always use it while nursing, until I stopped leaking. I'd get about 5. to an ounce on each side while nursing, so it was nice. It helped me build up a little stash.

hoosiermama-2 · June 2018

Ooohh, I think I'm going to try the Haakaa this time around. I used the Milkies Milk Saver with DD - loved it.

trucksntutus · June 2018

I hadn't even heard of a Haakaa with DD, I'll give it a whirl this time around and see what happens

tunnel · June 2018

I think it is great to get ready for breastfeeding mentally early. Like OP, I definitely felt I was glued to pumping or feeding at all times with no time for anything else. But my breastfeeding situation is complicated (under-producer, needed a nipple shield, had to supplement, etc.) so I don't really expect that to change this time around. I also never leaked a drop in my 6-months of breastfeeding - lots of returned breast pads lol.

clbness · June 2018

I used the Medela PISA with DD because it was covered by my insurance. If the Spectra S1 is covered, then I would love to try that this time...because I like to compare all the things. I also bought the Freemie system because it was compatible with my Medela and it was supposed to fit inside my bra. It's a nice concept, but I didn't think it helped my output (and I would've needed to buy a bigger bra for it to be even remotely comfortable), so I packed it away. Wah wah waaahhh.

For supplements, I used the Mother's Milk tea in conjunction with the Gaia Lactation Support capsules (and oatmeal). I'm really not sure what helped, or if it was a combination of all those things, but SOMETHING helped!

When I was struggling with torn up nipples in the beginning (I felt like DD had razor blades for teeth at just 1 month old, it was awful), I used the Medela nipple cream and the Lansinoh nipple shields to get them back to normal.

Hmm, what else? Lansinoh breast pads for drippy nips. But, I think I might try the Bamboobies this time...because, reusable and less waste! And, I have a friend that works for Bamboobies (Colorado company!!), so I'd like to support the company she works for.

I used a couple hand me down nursing bras my friend gave me and I have no idea what brand they were because the print was worn off. I plan on trying the Bamboobies Yoga nursing brahhh this time.

ETA: I'm totally going to try the Haakaa this time. Thanks for the recommendations, guys!

faith0222 · June 2018

Thank you everyone for your advice

katy0990 · June 2018

@kristah2 I am glad to hear of someone else who never leaked. When I have told others that, they act like I am nuts!

For supplements, Fenugreek, mother’s milk tea, and blessed thistle can be lifesavers.

I breastfed in my K’tan with DS (once I figured out how to use it) abt it worked out okay.

I had the Medela pump in style and it did the job. I definitely was not in love with it, but I HATED pumping. I used a standard car outlet adapter to pump in the car. I also got the medela hands free bra. I tried to make my own out of an old sports bra, but it tore too easily. I highly recommend getting fitted for the actual flanges that go on your breasts. I found out a few weeks in that the ones that come with the pump were not large enough for me and my LC gave me different ones.

katy0990 · June 2018

Also, if you still have a BRU near you, go check it out! Everything at mine is now 40-50% off including pumps and accessories.

lexidawg · June 2018

Question for all you guys. Not sure if it should go in the question thread but I'll put it here. Do you have suggestions on resources for me to learn more about breastfeeding? I haven't made up my mind if I want to breastfeed and want to make the most informed and educated choice that I can so suggestions would be welcomed!

rosebud332 · June 2018

@lexidawg One easy option might be to see if your hospital or OB office holds breastfeeding classes. The ones at my hospital are pretty reasonably priced and I’m sure they would give you a lot of info.

lexidawg · June 2018

@rosebud332 My hospital does! I thought maybe I should wait until closer to birth but do you think it would be beneficial to go soon?

echo-charlietango · June 2018

@lexidawg I just bookmarked my next hospital's class schedule, and they recommend "scheduling classes after the fifth month of pregnancy to increase available dates" - I suppose the small classes fill up quickly. I'm going to make our reservations after we move, I want to do the breastfeeding class at 6/7 months, and the birth class at 8.

rosebud332 · June 2018

@lexidawg I agree with echo you might have to schedule them kind of far out. But you have plenty of time to decide what you’re doing, and having the class a little closer to when baby is here might make the info more fresh in your mind if you do end up deciding to bf.

lexidawg · June 2018

@rosebud332 @echo-charlietango Thanks for the info! I will definitely do that.

trucksntutus · June 2018

@echo-charlietango
I second the birth class!!! It was so helpful with my first, and for SO who actually learned a lot and was so helpful while I was in labor.

I do think this time I'll take a BF class - I didn't last time.

katy0990 · June 2018

@lexidawg I agree about the class. It can be very informative and helpful. I would also recommend perusing kellymom.com and talking to family or friends who have breastfed.

Jens_Hoes · June 2018

@lexidawg I agree about the classes. Also, as long as you decide to try to breastfeed, try to give it a few weeks. The beginning can be really frustrating because the baby and you don’t know what’s you’re doing. Your nipples can also suck and be flat and make nursing harder. The first month was hard but once we got the hang of it, it was easy for us.

lexidawg · June 2018

@katy0990 @Jens_Hoes - Thank you for the recommendations!

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