February 2020 Moms
jvk2012
member
Product Spotlight: Breast Pumps & Accessories
jvk2012
member
This week’s product spotlight will be: breast pumps and accessories
- Brand
- Pros/cons
- Battery powered or outlet?
- Open or closed system?
- Accessories?
- Compatible bottles?
- Tips on dealing with insurance
- Pumping bras?
Re: Product Spotlight: Breast Pumps & Accessories
Pros: it’s trusty and reliable. Due to latching issues I had to pump exclusively for my daughter so this bad boy got used at least 4 times a day from birth until just after her first birthday.
Cons: I’m sure this is a con of many pumps, but the parts take a lot of time to clean. Eventually, I learned the trick to store them in the fridge immediately after each pump and sanitize them when I got home from work. I also ended up getting a second set of parts (free from insurance) that I would use at night.
System: closed...I think?
Accessories: it came with a tote bag, cooler, bottles and an ice pack.
Compatible bottles: I didn’t bother with that since I was pumping so much and so often. I would dump the milk into bags so I could pack more in the cooler.
Insurance tips: I went through one of those services. I think I used Aeroflow and it was sooo convenient. They handled everything and the pump just showed up at my door. They even reminded me when I could request free accessories/parts. I’m going to go through them again to see if I’m eligible for another free pump. Fingers crossed.
Pumping bras: I absolutely loved the simple wishes pumping bra. I changed into it whenever it was time to pump versus wearing it all day because it’s rally just meant for pumping.
My Questions: I’m hoping I’ll have better luck breastfeeding #2 so I’m thinking about getting a haakaa to catch milk from the side I’m not nursing from. Does anyone have experience with it? Any pump recos other than the freestyle?
- Brand - Madela Pump-in-Style, Spectra 2
- Pros/cons - I loved the feel of the Spectra 2 and the portability of the Madela. The spectra is like a fat teardrop shape which isn't great for carrying on planes. The other thing was though that I already had about 100 hand-me-down bottles for the Madela AND my work had hospital grade Madela pumps we could use so I honestly used those most.
- Battery powered or outlet? They were both outlet but I bought a battery pack for the Madela for use on the plane or in the car.
- Open or closed system? both closed. so were the hospital grade pumps at work.
- Accessories? pumping bra is a must. I just dumped the bottles into bags dated them and put them in the freezer.
- Compatible bottles? I got SO MANY madela bottles passed down to me but I would pump into them and pour them into other bottles.
- Tips on dealing with insurance - I just called the number provided and they sent me my pump, it was pretty easy. My insurance requires that we use their supplier so we have limited choices. Luckily I still have my other two which are basically unused since we had the hospital grade pumps at work. My new work does not have any pumps so I will have to rely more heavily on mine.
- Pumping bras? I had a no name brand one from Amazon that zipped up the front and was perfect. This time I might buy a second so I can wash them more often LOL. THIS IS THE MOST KEY ACCESSORY EVER. Pumping without a pumping bra stinks because you literally can do nothing put hold and hope they don't spill.
- ALSO MANUAL PUMPS - are great for when you want less setup but need to pump (like out on a date away from baby).
@craftywitch - I never bothered to catch milk from the other breast while nursing and it was only a problem a few times so I'm not sure I would buy something special just for that.Bottles - anyone considering glass bottles please be aware that some daycares (like ours) would not take them. So check with your provider before investing in glass bottles. Some of them will take them if you also buy those silicone covers for the bottles.
This time I am interested in trying freemies or some other non-traditional pump which will be out of pocket so we will see how nursing goes this time around.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
I’ve pretty much made my mind up about getting the Willow wearable pump so I can work and now they have a milk container so you don’t have to get a bunch of bags. I’m in and out of meetings and running around the office so even though I’ll pay OOP for it I think it will help me stay sane.
Diagnosed with PCOS & Hashimoto's
Thanks ladies! I figured it was something like that just thought I'd ask! I'd honestly been dreading looking for breast pumps haha
EP is the most difficult in the MOTN because you have to feed the baby and then stay up to pump after. Obviously the SO can take a turn with the feedings but you have to get up every time to freaking pump. I really hope this baby and I learn to BF more easily this time around.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
Thank you for everyone's input on these product details. They have been super helpful to this momma-to-be
Something to think about is do you need portability? Will you be pumping in the car/plane? There are options to do that with all of these but I was seriously considering the Mya before I decided to splurge and get an Elvie.
Married Jan 2008
DD Baby Bells born Dec 2016 5 lbs, 12 oz, 18"
Due with #2 Baby Arya EDD February 2020
I used the Haakaa (actually Nature Bond brand) last time and it was sooo great. I had a strong supply and would easily get 3-4 oz from the side I wasn't nursing on, it added up to a ton. Though it can fall off...I remember a particularly low moment in the middle of the night when mine fell off and milk spilled in the bed and I threw the thing across the room, lol. But still worth it.