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November 2021 Moms
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Product Spotlight: Breast Pumps & Accessories 4/5

jackie_dunnyjackie_dunny member
in November 2021 Moms
This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... Breast pumps! 

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.  

For S+TMs:
  • Favorite [breast pump]:
  • Link/picture:
  • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
  • What you like about it:
  • What you don't like about it, if anything:
  • Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
  • Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]:

For FTMs:
  • [Breast pump(s)] you're interested in:
  • Link/picture:
  • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
  • Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:
Here is the schedule for the product spotlights to keep track of the topics and threads: (this is still October’s)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sI-VJ1F71kVneOVUjKUs7hEChObe7H8_GufjE1XgzSg/edit?usp=sharing

Feel free to offer suggestions for other products or changes you think can be made. This is copied from O21 BMB so thanks to those going before us :) 
Me: 29 | DH: 28
Due: 6 Nov 2021
Daisypath Anniversary tickers
 PitaPata Dog tickers



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Re: Product Spotlight: Breast Pumps & Accessories 4/5

  • mayoduckmayoduck member
    • Favorite [breast pump]: Haakaa (it's more of a passive milk collector than a "pump" but I was not overly fond of my pump, which was an Ameda Finesse)
    • Link/picture: haakaa.com but you can get it at Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, etc.
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $20-$30 depending on variation (get one with a suction base and stopper or lid. Limit your chances of spilling as. much. as. possible.)
    • What you like about it: One piece, easy to clean, easy to use, doesn't hurt, best used to collect milk while breastfeeding from the boob that baby is not nursing from.
    • What you don't like about it, if anything: It can't be used to start a letdown, which is why it's best used while nursing to collect a little extra.
    • Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?: Not sure what traditional pump I'll go for but I'm also considering and looking into a manual pump because I've heard many people have success getting more out of those than the mechanical ones.
    • Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]: Flange size matters and you'll likely have to change yours as your breast size will adjust. Get extra replacement valves. These need to be replaced regularly and not doing so *will* affect the effectiveness of the pump!
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  • tmk2021tmk2021 member
    • Favorite [breast pump]: Spectra S2, the blue, rechargeable one
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): with insurance, it was just $99
    • What you like about it: I love that it’s cordless and rechargeable, so I can walk around my house with it. Got it with aeroflow.com and the process was seamless. I love that you can get extra parts for it on Amazon and my lactation consultant was very familiar with it so she was able to give me good advice. 
    • What you don't like about it, if anything: Most pumps are covered my insurance, but this one was considered an upgrade. That kind of sucked but the mobility of it was worth the extra money to me. 
    • Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I might look into one that fits in my bra this time, just for more mobility and discreetness. I ultimately was not able to breast-feed or pump last time (I never had a milk supply come in. I was only getting half an ounce total from each breast each session and had to feed formula) If I have more success with this baby I might splurge on something nicer that I can do on the go. 
    • Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]: which ever pump you get, make sure to take it to a lactation consultant or to labor and delivery when you give birth so they can size you to it correctly. I wish I had done that, they could’ve taught me so much about my pump that I had to learn by myself. The process would’ve been easier, and I very well may have been able to succeed in breastfeeding. I will be taking my pump to a lactation consultant before delivery this time, and I will be taking it to the hospital to pump between feedings.
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  • jackie_dunnyjackie_dunny member
    Me: 29 | DH: 28
    Due: 6 Nov 2021
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
     PitaPata Dog tickers



    Report Reply
  • mkp0903mkp0903 member
    edited April 2021
    • Favorite [breast pump]: Spectra S2 
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): not sure, insurance paid for it
    • What you like about it: the suction is nearly as good as a hospital grade pump and there are so many ways to personalize suction strength and frequency (and those things change the older the baby gets). The letdown mode was great early, but once I had a well established supply I didn’t really need it. I love that it has a rechargeable battery so I didn’t need to find a place to pump at work near an outlet. 
    • What you don't like about it, if anything: It’s almost too adjustable so it can be a little overwhelming at first. 
    • Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I definitely am looking at wearable pumps like Willow or Elvie. If anyone has any experience wearing them at work (bonus if you work in healthcare), let me know your thoughts. 
    • Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]: I highly recommend the aeroflow website. They help you get a pump using your insurance. When I called my insurance I was basically given one rather low end option. Aeroflow gave me choices and I could upgrade for a small cost. They also sent me replacement pump parts for free periodically. 
    Also, pumping is super hard...it’s time consuming and I often felt like I never produced enough. When I was off work and just direct breastfed, it was easy and far more enjoyable. I thought of it as a necessary evil to be able to keep breastfeeding and to work full time. I probably would have breastfed much longer if I didn’t need to pump (we made it to 10 months and then I just couldn’t pump anymore so my supply just tanked). Just throwing that out there for working FTMs. You should definitely try it if breastfeeding is important to you, but don’t beat yourself up if it isn’t for you. I have a lot of respect for women who exclusively pump.
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  • marbelliemarbellie member
    Favorite [breast pump]: spectra (I had a Haaka that didn't really work well for me but I know others who swear by it)
    Link/picture:

    Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Free with insurance

    What you like about it: it's quiet (SO much quieter than Medela) and it's closed circuit, which is great for sanitation reasons

    What you don't like about it, if anything: has to stay plugged in

    Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I'm likey going to get the portable Spectra (S2)

    Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]: I would get several types if you're planning on breastfeeding for an extended time because different ones are useful for different situations. 1. Having a manual one thrown into your purse is good so you can relieve pressure and still save it while out and about. 2. The Haaka is great for passive collection especially those first few weeks during your leave to start making a stash for work. 3. A medical grade pump is a must, but don't be surprised if your output is low... Pumps aren't as good as babies at getting the milk out. I used to get like 1 ounce a session, but then measured my nipples and bought the proper flange size, used a hands free bra and would compress during pumping. That was a night and day difference (so worth it).
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  • mammametimemammametime member
    • Favorite [breast pump]: Spectra S2
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Free with my insurance. I debated upgrading to the S1 that doesn’t need to be plugged in for $99. Might do that this time around. 
    • What you like about it: Much quieter than the Medela and more efficient (aka I could get more milk, faster)
    • What you don't like about it, if anything: It’s a little clunky 
    • Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I might consider the rechargeable S1 this time. I’m also curious about the Willow for convenience. Does anyone have experience with the wearable ones? Do they work as well? 
    • Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]: If the flanges hurt, definitely try a different size or a substitute that’s made to better mimic breastfeeding. I was in a lot of pain pumping with my first and ordering Pumpin’ Pals (recommendation from my lactation consultant) made a huge difference. 
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  • 3monkeycircus3monkeycircus member
    mkp0903 said:
    Also, pumping is super hard...it’s time consuming and I often felt like I never produced enough. When I was off work and just direct breastfed, it was easy and far more enjoyable. I thought of it as a necessary evil to be able to keep breastfeeding and to work full time. I probably would have breastfed much longer if I didn’t need to pump (we made it to 10 months and then I just couldn’t pump anymore so my supply just tanked). Just throwing that out there for working FTMs. You should definitely try it if breastfeeding is important to you, but don’t beat yourself up if it isn’t for you. I have a lot of respect for women who exclusively pump.
    Yes!!!! All of this! My supply was quickly dropping with my daughter when the pandemic started to the point that most days I was filling in from my stash just to get what she needed for a day (thank goodness for an early oversupply). She was almost 9mo then and I was so happy to stop pumping and just nurse her until she weaned around 15months. 
    Report Reply
  • magsmcg11magsmcg11 member
    • Favorite [breast pump]: I had 2 - a Haakaa and a Spectra S2 (the rechargeable one)
    • Link/picture: I bought the Haakaa on Amazon and the Spectra was paid for by insurance (except for a $50 upgrade charge to get the rechargeable one). I ordered the Spectra through MilkMoms, which was easy peasy! My insurance said that I had to order through Aeroflow, but that was not true - going through MilkMoms worked fine. I ordered on Monday and had the pump on my doorstep that Thursday.
    • Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $
    • What you like about it: I loved my Spectra! I only needed to charge it over the weekend and then I was able to pump twice a day M-F at work
    • What you don't like about it, if anything: 
    • Is there a [breast pump] you don't have but are considering? Why?:  Haakaa - get the one with the suction base and a cover. I did not last time, so I'm going to have to get a new one for this baby...not going without a suction base/lid ever again.
    • Additional thoughts on [breast pumps]:  For the Haakaa, be sure to have it BEFORE your baby comes - I did not and I swear I was watching out the window for Amazon to pull up because I was so tired of being covered in milk from the side I wasn't nursing on. Laundry for days. 
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