Super embarrassing question, but I’m gonna ask it anyway:
Did any of you STMs have hairy nipples? And did it affect breastfeeding, latching, etc.? Because since being pregnant, the tiny hairs I’d see once in a while have gotten longer and more plentiful and I’m kinda worried about latching and gagging or how I should go about hair removal if necessary.
@mamanbebe I can but they’re growing in so fast. I’ll hrave just tweezed one and a week later it’s the same length! Never had this issue before. Definitely not a side of pregnancy i expected. Maybe it’s because it’s a boy? I don’t know. But hopefully it stops soon after he’s born.
New vent/support need lol. I chose the Spectra S1 breast pump on recommendation. Apparently it’s considered an ‘upgrade by my insurance and I’ll have to pay a portion while the S2 is covered.
I’m just annoyed that a rechargeable battery is considered an upgrade in 2019!
I dont have a car so the car plug-in doesn’t help me and I will have to work so I need it as portable and easy set up as possible. 🤦🏽♀️
That said, I know it’ll probably only be $40, I’m just petty. First world problems I guess.
@leylea89 although that does suck, $40 isn’t so bad. I think it’s comparable to getting the S2 and buying the rechargeable battery separately, which is always an option. I think it’s around the same price to purchase separately. Something to look into.
Yeah i looked up aftermarket battery packs but I don’t want to risk frying my motor with one. I’d much rather pay whatever upcharge it is to get the S1. I know it’s not a lot of money considering the pump usually costs $200 on Amazon, however I work at Starbucks and don’t make a whole lot of money.
I was going to go back to being a pharmacy tech a few months ago since I’m certified but my old pharmacist never got back to me and at this point I may as well make it until delivery to use my 6 weeks of paid maternity leave with a Starbucks.
I’m hoping to be able to get back into a Technician job after baby is born but applying for jobs while pregnant and being like ‘also, a week after my training is over, I’m gonna need you to let me go on maternity leave... thanks’ plus I’d lose my current health insurance and have to wait a full year to qualify. While I have secondary Medicaid, there’s a lot that this won’t cover for adults and I may actually lost that postpartum as well if my job pays too much.
Basically, I’m struggling to save as much as I can knowing I’m going to have to go back to work quickly and needing a pump that’s portable for that purpose because even with WIC benefits, I couldn’t afford extra cans of formula if I wanted to in the case I don’t have insurance.
@leylea89 Who did you order your pump though? I saw that through Target/Mckesson it's the $80 upgrade charge for the S1 but I'm curious if that fee holds up after it goes through insurance.
@mamanbebe My insurance coverage also requires an up charge for the S1. Its $75. My insurance company gave me like 7 websites that were preferred providers to go through, and the sites knew how much each option would be out of pocket. Maybe your company has the same? I had to call to get the list.
@Cbeanz A friend of mine is currently using the Freemie cups with the Baby Buddha pump. She loves it. She claims that with the Willow and Evie, the trouble is that bending over can cause milk to get into the works, but with Freemie, since the cups are separated from the pump she has no issues and finds that it's been a great option for her while chasing a 4yo, pumping in the car, at work, etc.
I'm also having option paralysis.. I've looked at so many and keep changing my mind. I wish the Medela Sonata wasn't such a $$$ upgrade because it seems like it has a lot of cool features.
Definitely a little jealous of those of you with options. We are just to go pick ours up after the baby is born and we have 1 option. Our hospital is attached to the Kaiser building here and so they literally have hubby bring your medical card over while you are at the hospital in recovery. (Unless it is the weekend.)
So I finally got around to calling Aeroflow about ordering my pump and it’s 105$ for the Spectra S1! It’s only $199 on Amazon! And to get the S2 it’s $40 because I have to buy it with the tote. Grr.... I do not want an open system so I refuse Medela. So my options for the free pumps are Lansinoh Smartpump (not portable) Motif Luna (not portable) or Motif Duo (portable)! Ugh! Why?? So super stupid.
Nope. I have to order through their vendor. I could try to get reimbursed but I don’t actually have $200 to spend up front and wait for so I gotta do what’s a I gotta do.
Nope. I have to order through their vendor. I could try to get reimbursed but I don’t actually have $200 to spend up front and wait for so I gotta do what’s a I gotta do.
Nope. I have to order through their vendor. I could try to get reimbursed but I don’t actually have $200 to spend up front and wait for so I gotta do what’s a I gotta do.
Nope. I have to order through their vendor. I could try to get reimbursed but I don’t actually have $200 to spend up front and wait for so I gotta do what’s a I gotta do.
Nope. I have to order through their vendor. I could try to get reimbursed but I don’t actually have $200 to spend up front and wait for so I gotta do what’s a I gotta do.
Motif Luna looks about as portable as the Spectra2. If you just pop it into a tote bag. That'd probably be my choice if those were my options. @leylea89
Yah @cbeanz the motif Duo is also super portable but the Luna and Spectra2 have to be plugged in and of the two places I’ll be pumping to work, the placement of outlets isn’t ideal for different reasons. So by portable, I also mean rechargeable. The duo you can add batteries or wall. While Spectra S2 and Luna have car adaptors, I don’t have a car so would have to be by a wall.
@leylea89 gotcha. Yes the option to not plug into a wall is a big deal. I loved my Medela Harmony for that purpose. But for daily pumping at work, makes sense you need something with a battery pack.
@cbeanz I love the features and look of the Luna and have been scouring the internet left and right for legitimate good reviews but there is nothing I ended up ordering Spectra S2 from Edgepark instead and am almost hoping that the Luna doesn't turn out to be good so that I don't feel like I missed out.
I’m so behind, and really need to call my insurance company to see what I need to do to get my pump 🤦🏻♀️. I just used a manual pump with my first two and have no idea what their process is. Hopefully it’s not super complicated!
@mamanbebe You really can't go wrong with the Spectra S2. I like it so much better than the Medela PISA. My mom friends also really preferred the Spectra to the Medela.
@nolemomma14 if you go on a site like Aeroflow, you can input your insurance info and they will find out what you’re covered for and email you back. They will do it all for you.
For those of you ladies that have the spectra s2, what bottles do you pump into? I'm debating getting an adapter and using Medela bottles because they come with caps and nipples, and I can't find Spectra compatible bottles that have that. ETA plus they seem to be way cheaper than the Avent bottles that seem to work well with pump.
@samanthak46 I accumulated a strangely large number of wide Avent bottles over the years. They seem to come in every new mom sample pack through Amazon, at the hospital, at the pediatrician office, in the mail, etc. I have a stash although I've never purchased them. Look for samples of Avent bottles wherever you go! Check their website too.
I actually feed with the narrow Medela/Evenflo glass bottles so I only use the wide neck ones to pump into.
I've also heard good things about the adapter if you are looking to simplify things.
Just want to thank this thread for finally helping me decide on a pump. Spectra S1 it is even though I still have to pay $100 after insurance but 🤷 Also I found adaptors on Amazon for my stash of narrow bottles, hoping they work! Anyone try these before?
@Cbeanz@mamanbebe thanks ladies! I think I may get the adapter. I'm worried the avent natural won't fit into the bottle warmer at daycare (I used to work there) but I know lots of parents used the medela and I think it may be more convenient. Thanks
@blackhottamales if you plan to just pump occasionally, meh, but if you are going to continue breastfeeding after you return to work I'd highly recommend getting one. I have the Medela one that zips in front and it's fine. I can type emails/documents etc from the mom's room at work.
Re: Breastfeeding & Pumping Questions & Support Thread
I dont have a car so the car plug-in doesn’t help me and I will have to work so I need it as portable and easy set up as possible. 🤦🏽♀️
That said, I know it’ll probably only be $40, I’m just petty. First world problems I guess.
I was going to go back to being a pharmacy tech a few months ago since I’m certified but my old pharmacist never got back to me and at this point I may as well make it until delivery to use my 6 weeks of paid maternity leave with a Starbucks.
I’m hoping to be able to get back into a Technician job after baby is born but applying for jobs while pregnant and being like ‘also, a week after my training is over, I’m gonna need you to let me go on maternity leave... thanks’ plus I’d lose my current health insurance and have to wait a full year to qualify. While I have secondary Medicaid, there’s a lot that this won’t cover for adults and I may actually lost that postpartum as well if my job pays too much.
Basically, I’m struggling to save as much as I can knowing I’m going to have to go back to work quickly and needing a pump that’s portable for that purpose because even with WIC benefits, I couldn’t afford extra cans of formula if I wanted to in the case I don’t have insurance.
Any input on the Freemie? I've heard it's not completely hands free?
How about Tomy Quiet Expressions? With the one handle double design?
There are so many more options this time around than last time and I have decision paralysis.
I'm also having option paralysis.. I've looked at so many and keep changing my mind. I wish the Medela Sonata wasn't such a $$$ upgrade because it seems like it has a lot of cool features.
I actually feed with the narrow Medela/Evenflo glass bottles so I only use the wide neck ones to pump into.
I've also heard good things about the adapter if you are looking to simplify things.
Maymom 3rd Gen Thread Changer or Bottle Converter; Allow Spectra S1 S2 Pump Wide Mouth Flange Compatible w Medela Bottle, Ameda Bottle, Lifefactory Bottle, Dr. Brown Narrow; No Leak, No Fallen Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MGSNJYJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tZCaDbVNPXNVB