Hi Ladies I’m looking for some advice. I’m completely overwhelmed with trying to choose a pump. My insurance is giving me several options and seems I can pick basically whatever as long as I’m willing to pay for an upgrade. I’m a bit intimidated by breastfeeding as I have a history with breast/nipple pain (even before pregnancy) and though I plan to initially breast feed to establish my supply I think it is likely I will likely end up being an exclusive pumper.
I want something that will be easily transportable to/from work, dual pumper, powerful but quiet, and a closed system. I would like something I can pump directly into a storage bag because that just sounds easier but I really don’t understand how all that works.
Light/compact would be a plus since I have about a 15minute walk to/from the office each day but I can deal with lugging around something heavier if it meets my other criteria.
Please let me know if you have used or chosen any from this
list (or any others that might sound good that I haven’t considered yet). Or have any tips for a totally naive newbie
please let me know. Thank you
Re: Which breast pump did you choose?
Something to consider if you have extra money or can register for a pump. I hated being tied to a wall pumping for 2+ hours a day, so I ordered the NUK Simply Natural Freemie. It was $300 from BuyBuy Baby, BUT it is small, clips onto pants and is USB rechargeable. I can get 4 pump sessions before needing a charge. It comes with the Freemie closed system collection cups, which are breast shaped and sit inside your bra. So you are hands free and can be mobile while pumping. It's been a game changer for me and likely the reason I haven't given up yet on pumping.
TTC - since 2014
7 rounds of Clomid - BFN
IUI #1 - October 2015 - BFN
IUI #2 - November 2015 - BFN
IUI #3 - December 2015 - BFN
IVF #1 - March 2016
Retrieval #1 - April 2016
FET #1 - May 2016 - BFP!!! DS - Born January 2017
Trying for baby #2...
FET #2 - January 2018 - BFN
No more embryos left; switched to a new RE
IVF/Retrieval #2 - January 2019
IVF/Retrieval #3 - March 2019
FET #3 - April 2019 - BFP!!! - DD: Born December 2019
Trying for baby #3...
FET #4 - October 2021 - BFP!!! - Due June 2022
@MMD1986 I considered renting a hospital grade one just to see if I could even stick to pumping but since insurance is giving me a freebie that’s hard to pass up. I would like to breastfeed and have committed myself to a month of doing it but if I don’t make it over the hump by then I’ve given myself a pass to quit. I love the option of a USB rechargeable and something that just sits in the bra. If I’m able to stick with it I’m ok with paying out of pocket to get something to make life easier so thank you for the recommendation of the NUK Freemie!
@Tulips29 wow I didn’t consider that the different pumps might hurt more or less. My biggest fear with breast feeding is pain so knowing that the sprectra pumps are gentler is a HUGE deal to me. I will be going through Aeroflow and my experience so far with them has been wonderful. I was on the phone forever with my insurance trying to figure out what pumps were covered and got nowhere. 10minutes with Aeroflow and I had a big ol’ list of options that were free or inexpensive. Glad to know this experience extends past the shopping process J I never considered keeping a separate pump at work but I can see a lot of advantages there. Do you just clean your pump parts there and keep it there all the time and transport your little cooler with the milk back and forth? Have you noticed a difference in performance between the S1 and S2 or is the main difference that one has the battery?
TTC History in Spoiler ***Trigger Warning*** Losses/Child Mentioned
2016
* April IUI#1 - BFN
* June IUI#2 - BFN
* July IUI#3 - CP
* Sept IVF#1 - 4 Retrieved & Mature, 4 Blasts. Fresh Transfer 1 - CP
* November FET #1 - Transferred 1 Blast - CP
2017 Switched REs - Recurrent loss testing for me - all normal, remaining 2 frosties sent for PGS - both abnormal
* April/May IVF#2: 9 retrieved, 8 mature, 7 fertilized, 7 blasts! Sent for testing - 2PGS Normals (0 remaining)
* November IVF #3 12R, 8M, 6F, 4 blasts! - All 4 PGS normal!
* November FET# 2 (Transfer a PGS normal from IVF#2) - BFP!!!
2018 DD born 8/20/18
2019 5PGS frosties ( 4 remaining)
* September FET#3 (1PGS normal) - Beta#1: 139.7 Beta#2: 322.6
The other reason I chose it? I work with medical devices and checked the FDAs website. I read the complaints and the data that was submitted to bring the device to market. This is the only one that was a closed system AND had no reported complaints/recalls at the time.
I carried 4 bottles to work with me since I pumped 3 times during the work day. One bottle I kept in the fridge and reused for each pumping session. The other 3 were for my milk. I used the Spectra bottles but you can also use any other compatible bottles. If you pump into bags, that's even less stuff to carry for you! I used this Sarah Wells pumparoo for carrying my milk back home (3 bottles fit well in there). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0RVZHD/ref=twister_B010VEI808?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
I also kept my flanges in it in the fridge between pumps. During the hot summer months and my 1.5 hour commute each way, I carried milk home in a small cooler that I kept in the fridge all day.
I would also recommend to keep spare duckbill valves at work. I forgot them at home a few times and had to borrow from my co-worker. If you pump into bags, keep extra at work too! The times I forgot my bottles at home, I taped plastic cups to my flanges and pumped into those. It was stressful!
There is no difference in the way S1 and S2 work. It's literally the same pump, except one is rechargeable and one needs to be plugged in all the time to work. There's also an S9, which is a small pocket pump, but it's not meant for exclusive pumping. That one is good for on the go here and there if you pump in the car, on the plane, etc. It's so tiny! I never used that one, I just carried my S1 everywhere, including plane rides.
Pumping is not easy and time consuming. Having the Spectra definitely made it easier as the suction is so gentle and way better than Medela. My SIL just had a baby recently and used the Medela until it started to hurt her too. She also switched to the Spectra and loves how gentle it is. It also has a night light and a timer. It shuts off after 30 minutes automatically, but you can just start it up again. It also has a lot of different modes that you can play around with to see which one works best for you. I feel like I should be a spectra spokesperson haha!
TTC - since 2014
7 rounds of Clomid - BFN
IUI #1 - October 2015 - BFN
IUI #2 - November 2015 - BFN
IUI #3 - December 2015 - BFN
IVF #1 - March 2016
Retrieval #1 - April 2016
FET #1 - May 2016 - BFP!!! DS - Born January 2017
Trying for baby #2...
FET #2 - January 2018 - BFN
No more embryos left; switched to a new RE
IVF/Retrieval #2 - January 2019
IVF/Retrieval #3 - March 2019
FET #3 - April 2019 - BFP!!! - DD: Born December 2019
Trying for baby #3...
FET #4 - October 2021 - BFP!!! - Due June 2022
My current insurance offers a different version of the spectra, a travel version I guess... so I will pick that one up
Pro tip: I was able to get my pumping bag, pumparoo, breast pads, lanolin and freezer gel bead packs all from aeroflow on my fsa card, too. ;)
I have a friend who works in the breastfeeding center at the hospital and she recommended that I get the Medela Sonata. She said it is the next best thing to the medical grade medela pump the hospital would rent to me and she thinks I will like having it myself. I am forseeing possibly having breast feeding issues due to PCOS. It seems like every step of the way with this pregnancy when hormones come into play I need progesterone or a little help. But keeping my fingers crossed I can at least breast feed some.
The hosptial rental is $85/month plus $49 for the starter kit if you don't have issues breast feeding in the hospital. My friend said they'll give it to you if you ask to pump in the hospital so that is my plan to try and score that free. The upgrade to the sonata through my insurance was $235. So for the same price as renting for about 3- 3.5 months I could own my own.
Like @2MomsHoping I was thinking of just renting the first month to see how it goes first. Then I was thinking I could buy the pump if it is looking good like I might be doing it for a while. My friend said I can re-sell the pump. I don't know what it is, but I feel weird about buying or selling a breast pump second hand just due to cleanliness. Maybe others don't care and would buy it. I guess I'm more comfortable with the hospital one because I figure they clean it very well like their other equipment. Now....as I type this though, I'm thinking a clean new pump sounds nicer!
@Tulips29 that is interesting that the spectra didn't hurt as much since my hospital and insurance keep mentioning the medela as the front runner in quality. Also thank you for the tips!
I read great reviews about Aeroflow so I went there and their customer service and website are awesome! I thought I was all set to order from them later this month (I figured I'd wait until the last minute so I can delay the beginning of the warranty as much as possible) but then heard about Pumping Essentials. It's less expensive through them and it includes a pumping bra. I've been emailing both companies the past two weeks with dozens of questions to compare. Someone above mentioned free replacement parts, but both companies made it sound like it was an out of pocket cost so I'll have to double check with them and my insurance again.
Awesome thread, @2MomsHoping!! These are all great tips, everyone. Thank you!
Thank you everyone for the information! The tips and experiences are great!!!
@persnickity thank you for the feedback on the lansinoh I’d never even heard of the brand until it came up on my list. Have you found it to be comfortable while pumping? I’ve heard from quite a few that the medela’s can be a bit rough. Also I added the oxo dry rack to my registry, thank you! Really dying to use that completion discount on amazon.
@polythenePam I always assumed that pumping would be less hurty than nursing. Shows how much I know! I guess part of it is just seeing how things go with me and the LO.
@tulips29 thank you for the details on the logistics, and the hack for refrigerating the pump parts that sounds like it would save so much time! And I like the idea of keeping some spare things on hand. I’m already a tad on the forgetful side and I’m sure taking care of an infant isn’t going to improve that situation. Sounds like I need to clean out a desk drawer.
@cseley321 & @businesswife thank you for the additional spectra endorsements I’m starting to see a pattern here
@hoittietoddy I didn’t know PCOS also played a role in breast feeding. That really stinks, why can’t anything be easy sometimes??! The sonata does seem to have some pretty neat features. That hospital rental price sounds high considering the price of the pump I would just shell out the money to pay upfront too. I was doing some research about the quality of Medela vs. Spectra I think the motor is estimated to have a longer run time so maybe that’s what they talk about with quality of the pump. It always seems to ambiguous.
@jr102217 thank you for the tip on pumping essentials. I go things started with aeroflow and they seemed great but if I can get the pump at a lower price I’m all about that!
@doubleblessings1124 a car charger sounds like a great add on, and it’s good to know you haven’t experience pain with the medela!
TTC History in Spoiler ***Trigger Warning*** Losses/Child Mentioned
2016
* April IUI#1 - BFN
* June IUI#2 - BFN
* July IUI#3 - CP
* Sept IVF#1 - 4 Retrieved & Mature, 4 Blasts. Fresh Transfer 1 - CP
* November FET #1 - Transferred 1 Blast - CP
2017 Switched REs - Recurrent loss testing for me - all normal, remaining 2 frosties sent for PGS - both abnormal
* April/May IVF#2: 9 retrieved, 8 mature, 7 fertilized, 7 blasts! Sent for testing - 2PGS Normals (0 remaining)
* November IVF #3 12R, 8M, 6F, 4 blasts! - All 4 PGS normal!
* November FET# 2 (Transfer a PGS normal from IVF#2) - BFP!!!
2018 DD born 8/20/18
2019 5PGS frosties ( 4 remaining)
* September FET#3 (1PGS normal) - Beta#1: 139.7 Beta#2: 322.6
I had never heard of it either, but it's been perfect for me. I have a plain lunch box that I put the milk bags into and keep in the fridge at work. I add an ice pack when I drive home. I have another old bag that I use to keep the pump, rubbin, and flanges in.
Side note, I tried putting everything in the fridge once instead of washing each time. Brrrr! Too cold for me. I now wash each time.
Unexplained infertility/AMA, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance
FET#1(July 2017): eSET of first of 4 PGS-normal embryos, DS born 3/30/2018
FET#2(Oct/Nov 2019): eSET
TTC - since 2014
7 rounds of Clomid - BFN
IUI #1 - October 2015 - BFN
IUI #2 - November 2015 - BFN
IUI #3 - December 2015 - BFN
IVF #1 - March 2016
Retrieval #1 - April 2016
FET #1 - May 2016 - BFP!!! DS - Born January 2017
Trying for baby #2...
FET #2 - January 2018 - BFN
No more embryos left; switched to a new RE
IVF/Retrieval #2 - January 2019
IVF/Retrieval #3 - March 2019
FET #3 - April 2019 - BFP!!! - DD: Born December 2019
Trying for baby #3...
FET #4 - October 2021 - BFP!!! - Due June 2022
TTC - since 2014
7 rounds of Clomid - BFN
IUI #1 - October 2015 - BFN
IUI #2 - November 2015 - BFN
IUI #3 - December 2015 - BFN
IVF #1 - March 2016
Retrieval #1 - April 2016
FET #1 - May 2016 - BFP!!! DS - Born January 2017
Trying for baby #2...
FET #2 - January 2018 - BFN
No more embryos left; switched to a new RE
IVF/Retrieval #2 - January 2019
IVF/Retrieval #3 - March 2019
FET #3 - April 2019 - BFP!!! - DD: Born December 2019
Trying for baby #3...
FET #4 - October 2021 - BFP!!! - Due June 2022
Thank you everyone for the help/advice both on the pumps and on surviving the actual pumping process. Pregnancy has been a lot to learn seems like it’s nothing compared to actual motherhood. I’m going to go ahead with the Spectra S1. @jr102217 thank you for the tip on pumping essentials. Aeroflow only had the spectra S1 upgrade with a bag I didn’t really want and it was over $200 dollars for the upgrade package. I could get the S1 from pumping essentials for only $40 bucks (without the bag) and instead buy a bag I really like instead (thought hopefully still not as much as the $160 price difference..lol
TTC History in Spoiler ***Trigger Warning*** Losses/Child Mentioned
2016
* April IUI#1 - BFN
* June IUI#2 - BFN
* July IUI#3 - CP
* Sept IVF#1 - 4 Retrieved & Mature, 4 Blasts. Fresh Transfer 1 - CP
* November FET #1 - Transferred 1 Blast - CP
2017 Switched REs - Recurrent loss testing for me - all normal, remaining 2 frosties sent for PGS - both abnormal
* April/May IVF#2: 9 retrieved, 8 mature, 7 fertilized, 7 blasts! Sent for testing - 2PGS Normals (0 remaining)
* November IVF #3 12R, 8M, 6F, 4 blasts! - All 4 PGS normal!
* November FET# 2 (Transfer a PGS normal from IVF#2) - BFP!!!
2018 DD born 8/20/18
2019 5PGS frosties ( 4 remaining)
* September FET#3 (1PGS normal) - Beta#1: 139.7 Beta#2: 322.6
Regarding breast pump bags, if you're able to try them out in the store, go for it. I thought my friend gave me some good advice, after she thought she had one she liked but then had to travel for work (and consequently visited me). She ordered a couple and she unfortunately liked the more expensive one (~$100) but it had more space for not just the pump and supplies but also her laptop and work supplies. That's definitely something to consider if you're traveling or commuting and don't want to carry another laptop bag. I got some bags I registered for on Amazon and Target, but the Buy Buy Baby and Target stores didn't have the bag I really wanted for me to try on so I have to order it from Amazon.
@jr102217 I agree on the specific bag needs. If I had to take a purse, lunchbag, pump bag, and laptop case I would literally loose my mind (and likely one or more of those bags) while going to/from work. So basically I’m planning on buying the biggest bag in the whole world to carry it all. I’ve become a huge fan of large tote bags now I just need a pump bag that is like XXXL so it can carry all my normal stuff in addition to the pump and supplies. I may become one of those crazy ladies lugging around a wheeled carry on to work
TTC History in Spoiler ***Trigger Warning*** Losses/Child Mentioned
2016
* April IUI#1 - BFN
* June IUI#2 - BFN
* July IUI#3 - CP
* Sept IVF#1 - 4 Retrieved & Mature, 4 Blasts. Fresh Transfer 1 - CP
* November FET #1 - Transferred 1 Blast - CP
2017 Switched REs - Recurrent loss testing for me - all normal, remaining 2 frosties sent for PGS - both abnormal
* April/May IVF#2: 9 retrieved, 8 mature, 7 fertilized, 7 blasts! Sent for testing - 2PGS Normals (0 remaining)
* November IVF #3 12R, 8M, 6F, 4 blasts! - All 4 PGS normal!
* November FET# 2 (Transfer a PGS normal from IVF#2) - BFP!!!
2018 DD born 8/20/18
2019 5PGS frosties ( 4 remaining)
* September FET#3 (1PGS normal) - Beta#1: 139.7 Beta#2: 322.6
It’s my diaper bag, purse, laptop and everything else bag now. I got it in black. I love that it opens super wide at the top. https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5054-520/Watchtower-28L-Pack
DX: Endometriosis - Stage 4, DOR, RPL
03.2016 - Natural BFP - MC 5w4d
04.2016 - Natural BFP - Chemical
10.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = IUI Cancelled (cyst/no mature follicle)
11.2016 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFP, EDD 08.2017 - It's a BOY!
TTC #2 06.2019
08.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #1 = Chemical
09.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #2 = BFN
10.2019 - IUI w/ Injections #3 = BFN
01.2020 - IUI w/ Injections #4 = BFN
08.2020 - Natural BFP - MC 9w5d
11.2020 - IVF Retrieval - 3AB & 4BB
05.2021 - FET #1 = BFP, EDD 02.2022 - It's a BOY!
@JWatt5 wow I wonder how big that bag is. It looks like it's also an ergonomic bag so it doesn't hurt your back? I'm hoping to order this Sarah Wells bag.
AFM, I ended up ordering the Spectra S1 from Pumping Essentials. While I had a great experience with Aeroflow and a customer rep over the phone, Pumping Essentials were quick to reply with any of my questions and were less expensive ($52.50 with my insurance) than Aeroflow. I picked the option with a pumping bra (I calculated that it was less expensive to go through them and I was already paying it all with my FSA) and a coupon for another bra. Once I filled out the forms, it took a couple days to process and get my prescription and I received my pump 5 business days after I first submitted the paperwork. I don't plan to pump until a couple weeks before I have to go back to work, but we'll see how everything goes, and even though that's 2-3 months away, I wanted to go ahead and take care of it now. Fingers crossed that breastfeeding and pumping go successfully!
No Folic acid/pharmaceuticals/supplements (too many to list- private message me if interested), IVIL infusion