Product spotlight: Breast pumps 3/8

Re: Product spotlight: Breast pumps 3/8

• aztecash member

  March 2021

  My only thing to contribute to this discussion is - as with most things, pumps are not one style is best for everyone. For me, the free one from my insurance was amazing. It was noisy, rough and aggressive, and I could get 16-20 oz in a session. I bought an expensive, gentle, whisper-quiet pump with amazing reviews and I could only get 2 oz in a session. Of the 5 pumps I've tried, only my hand pump and my insurance provided pump (which I don't think they make anymore) ever worked for me. 
  
  My actual opinion: NUK breast milk storage bags are amazing. I've used thousands of them and only had 2 leak on me. I'm pretty sure I didn't seal one of those properly. Lansinoh breast milk storage bags are rubbish. Some batches would be fine, and others 1/3 of the bags would leak. I'm guessing that at least 2-3 out of every 100 bags leaked. Nothing is worse than watching that breast milk that you worked so hard to express leak all over the fridge/counter.

  Report1 Reply
• Loading the player...
• momofmiracles31889 member

  March 2021

  So I had to EP for awhile because my son wouldn’t latch (turned out he had a tongue AND lip tie that my pediatrician AND LC missed for a long time, finally had him seen by a pediatric dentist at 2 months) all that to say if you have any issues with latch please look into this ASAP. We waited too long and by then my supply was down because I couldn’t keep up with EPing with a baby and toddler and I eventually quit altogether at 3-4 months. (It was hard for me but had to accept for my mental health that fed is best- my son is perfect but I would’ve loved to breast feed him)
  Anyway- I wish I had switched from my medela (it was ok) to the willow sooner! I might’ve lasted longer with EPing. The willow is so expensive but some insurances might contribute. I had a friend willing to lend me hers which was a big blessing we just had to buy the bags. It was a little harder to figure out but once I did it was SO much easier bc I could have both hands free and move around. I also got a better output bc I wasn’t so stressed being tied to a chair so much of the day. It took me awhile to figure out flange size though- if you’re in pain you should try a different size/inserts. Anyway I have lots of pumping tips when that time comes but if you’re someone who plans to pump a lot or ends up finding yourself having to I highly recommend hands free 
  

  Report1 Reply
• tingsmom member

  March 2021

  I have so much to say on this topic.  FTM - breastfeeding is easy for some moms (I have only met 1 that had no problems) but most moms I know have some sort of challenge to deal with.  About my journey, I had a RN on call who specifically guided me through all sorts of issues, my son kept not getting enough milk from me ( he lost a pound in a couple of days), we kept evaluating the latch, we even had tongue tie looked at (note there are a lot of places that over diagnose a tongue tie), we had two evaluations and my son did get his tongue tie fixed by an ENT. That still did not fix our problem!  I even pumped 12 times a day on top of breastfeeding. Nothing was working so I thought I must be one of those moms with low milk supply.  At my 6 weeks postpartum I raised a couple of weird things that were happening but my Dr. assured me it was normal.  I wish I would have advocated for myself more.  I kept thinking something wasn't right.  I joined a mom group at 6 weeks, at 10 weeks we were having a gathering and I raised one of my symptoms and everyone looked concerned, told me to go see my Dr.  I went back to by OB and I was technically still pregnant, which was causing my low milk supply (which my RN had suggested) . I then had a D&C to remove the small piece of placenta but while my milk went up a little not significantly.  I breastfeed my son for 6 months and pumped for a year.  All of this to say I have learned a couple of things a long the way. 
  
  Willows - or other devices like it (I think freemies) are only good if you have good supply.  These are not idea for woman with low milk supply. 
  
  Medela vs Spectra - Spectra is so much better!  I had a portable Medela, my neighbor had a medela, I even rented a the hospital graded Medela, spectra (my neighbor with a health supply also agrees) so much better!  I do not think my insurance covers spectra they didn't last time but I will get a Medela sell it and then buy a spectra this time.  I had the Spectra S2 Plus last time but leaning towards the S1 Plus this time. 
  
  Two more pieces of advice 1) be a part of a breastfeeding community 2) just air sometimes is all you need for your nipples or baby rashes. 
  

  Report1 Reply
• bcliffee1 member

  March 2021

  Love @tingsmom opening statement. It is so true every feeding journey is different for all moms and comes with their own struggles. 

  
  

  First your entitled to a free breast pump covered. Y your insurance. Lucky for me a friend had given me a medela to try out and since I was going back to work and was on the road a lot I figured I’d try to also get the Spectra S1 since it was portable. 

  
  

  I went through a company called AeroFlow breast pumps to order mine. Link below. 

  You submit your insurance and they deduct what your insurance would cover for a breast pump and you can elect an upgraded pump for a small charge. I believe the spectra S1 is around $200 without insurance and I paid to upgrade my insurance covered pump and paid $55 dollars for it. Highly recommend using this site to check out upgrade options 
  
  https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/ 
  

  Report1 Reply
• vampirina member

  March 2021

  A few tips regarding pumping and BFing in general:
  
  When you're in the hospital ask for a pump and pumping supplies. My hospital pump kit came with a very basic hand pump which was amazing to use for those times I just wanted something super portable (like a concert), but I had to ask for it. 
  
  Haakas and other milk catchers are fantastic for those first few months of leakiness, but these won't really replace a true pump. 
  
  I used Medela because that's what I had. I have no complaints. Their customer service was fantastic. I have no other machine to compare it to. Personally,  i would not pay for a spectra out of pocket. 
  
  Like @momofmiracles31889 said, tongue and lip ties go easily missed. Have a list of local pediatric dentists that address ties ready to go before you give birth. If your babe has a bad latch or it doesn't feel right, go get them assessed. Time is of essence in those early days so its not something you want to wait on. Both my kids had ties and only my daughter was able to breastfeed after we got hers released (we never released my son's ties because it was so late when we discovered them).
  

  

  Report1 Reply
• aukeev member

  March 2021

  Has anyone tried the Super Genie pump? I used a Spectra S1 with DS and liked it enough, but gifted it to my sister recently. 

  Report0 Reply
• rn_momma member

  March 2021

  @momofmiracles31889 I'm SO happy to see your review of the Willow! With my first, I pumped a couple of times a day and multiple times a day when I worked. I hated it, but I did it because she nursed so I wanted to maintain my supply. With my second, as soon as I went back to work she stopped wanting to latch. I was EP for about 8.5 months until my mental health could no longer take it. I used Medela with my first and Spectra with my second. They worked, but being tethered down was so hard for me, especially once I had two kids. If I can pump but have the freedom of being able to do other things, I think it would seriously help my mental health. I think I am going to bite the bullet and invest in a portable pump like Willow or Elvie this time around! Thanks for posting your experience with it.

  Report0 Reply