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Re: Product Spotlight - breast pumps and accessories
I highly highly recommend keeping a hand pump on hand as well. I used it while traveling away from my baby (I pumped and dumped, and just used pumping to keep my supply up and avoid mastitis). It was also really helpful on the occasion when I did develop mastitis. Pumping in a very hot shower was helpful in opening up my milk ducts.
I didn’t have much luck breastfeeding with DS as my milk production was really low, nearly non-existent, even a month after he was born. I say this not to make a statement about formula feeding vs breastfeeding or anything, just so that FTMs know it can happen. I can tell the whole story later if anyone is interested, but it was a bit traumatic.
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Me 34 DH 34
PCOS
Baby number 2 due 4/11/20
- Brand - Medela in Style
- Pros/cons - No Cons
- Battery powered or outlet? - Both, there's even a car adapter
- Open or closed system? - Open
- Accessories?
- Compatible bottles? - Medela bottle
- Tips on dealing with insurance - My insurance was easy to deal with, just faxed a copy if the "prescription"
- Pumping bras? - Lansinoh adjustable one all the way, as your boobs will change so much over the course of breastfeeding
I used Medela in Style and was an Exclusive Pumper for both of my kids. I never had any issues with supply or suction and have no complaints. I suggest have a couple sets of parts on hand for when you don't feel like washing them.Also a little tip, breast milk is super greasy and hard to remove, even in the dishwasher. I would soak my parts and the bottles and nipples in a dish pan with hot water, dish soap, and a quality does of vinegar and then put them in the dishwasher.
Check to see if your employer (or through your employers health insurance) has a breastfeeding support program. I ended up getting two pumps for free and would have scheduled calls with a lactation consultant.
I second @aresee with the manual pump. I didn't have one but wish I did since sometimes bringing the whole electric set up is cumbersome.
I definitely appreciated having the manual pump to relieve pressure when he took longer naps or to pump a bit for DH to give him every once in a while.
Im looking into the Haaka or something similar this time around. Anyone have any experience with milk collectors vs pumps?
The only thing that I wasn't happy about was the fact that no local stores sell avent replacement parts, so when my flange broke on one of the pumps I had to order online and wait 3 weeks for delivery. Wasn't ideal because I was back to work then and trying to keep my pumping time to a minimum.
I also have a manual pump which worked well for when I was out and not able to use the electric pump.
I'm thinking very strongly about getting a haaka or similar this time around since I know I tend to leak a LOT in the beginning.
I didn't get a pumping bra. Kept meaning to and forgetting (yay adhd) so I just took a maternity bra that didn't fit me well and cut two slits in it. It worked 😂
Our insurance doesn't cover "devices" so unfortunately we had to pay cash for it. Luckily my husband's family is very generous and we got quite a bit of money from a baby shower that my mother-in-law threw.
W born September 2020
#3 due November 2022
Ive heard nothing but great things about haakas. Anyone BF should look into one. If you are exclusively pumping you wouldn’t use this but it suctions on your other breast while you’re nursing and catch the letdown. Easy way to build a little stash without actually taking up any extra time.
Parts were harder to find but are now at Target a lot, so yay!
Hands free pump bra was also a necessity.
But Kenzie had throat issues and Spencer, well, you know that story so formula was the only real option for my kids. I felt sad for a bit, but I did what was best for my kids to get the nutrition they needed in the way they needed it. So I consider that a win.
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
Edit to add, if you do buy a pumping bra I suggest black. I don't know about anyone else but my pink one ended up super stained from drippage.
Invest in a good breast pump bag. You’ll be carting it back and forth a lot!
Keep extra pieces at work. I forgot to repack pieces after washing them over the weekend so was a life saver to have a back up.
Lots of nipple cream.
The kiinde breastmilk storage bag was amazing. It fits their reusable bags or any breastmilk bag plus comes with ice packs.
I loved the OXO travel bottle dry rack to keep at work. I washed my bottles after every pump and just placed them on this dry rack in my office. The medela quick clean wipes were also handy too.
Buy/register for a manual (hand) pump. I would bring mine on dates, trips or if I was just a little to full.
I couldn’t believe how many times I actually pumped in the car (damn traffic) so a car outlet charger and pump bra were a must.
Natural BFP Feb 2017. DD born Oct. 2017
Natural BFP Aug. 2019, EDD April 2020